Joshua 15:6

And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

And the border {H1366} went up {H5927} to Bethhogla {H1031}, and passed {H5674} along by the north {H6828} of Betharabah {H1026}; and the border {H1366} went up {H5927} to the stone {H68} of Bohan {H932} the son {H1121} of Reuben {H7205}:

then the border went up to Beit-Hoglah and passed north of Beit-'Aravah; next the border went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Re'uven;

The northern border started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.

and the border went up to Beth-hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben;

Commentary

Joshua 15:6 details a specific segment of the tribal boundary for the powerful tribe of Judah. This verse, part of a meticulous geographical description, outlines the border's path from Bethhogla, past Betharabah, and notably up to the "stone of Bohan the son of Reuben," marking a significant landmark in the ancient landscape.

Context

This verse is found within Joshua chapter 15, which is dedicated entirely to describing the vast territorial inheritance of the tribe of Judah in the Promised Land. Following the conquest of Canaan, the land was divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham. The detailed listing of boundaries in this chapter, starting with Joshua 15:1, underscores the divine precision and the practical importance of clearly defined territories for each tribe's identity, ownership, and future settlement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Fulfillment: The meticulous detailing of boundaries demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to give the land to His people.
  • Order and Possession: The precise demarcation of borders ensured orderly possession, minimized disputes among tribes, and established clear legal claims to the land.
  • Identity and Inheritance: The land was integral to the identity of each tribe. Their inheritance was a tangible sign of their place within God's chosen nation.

Linguistic Insights & Geographical Significance

The names mentioned in this verse offer insight into the region:

  • Bethhogla: Meaning "House of the Partridge," this was a town near the Jordan and Dead Sea, marking a point on Judah's eastern border.
  • Betharabah: Meaning "House of the Arabah," referring to the Jordan Valley or desert plain, indicating the border passed through a relatively desolate area.
  • The Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben: This is a particularly interesting landmark. Bohan was a son of Reuben, a tribe whose main inheritance was east of the Jordan River. The presence of a stone named after a Reubenite on Judah's western border (west of the Jordan) suggests it was an ancient, well-known landmark, perhaps predating the tribal divisions, or marking a point of reference known to all tribes. It served as a clear, undeniable, and permanent boundary marker, crucial for defining the extent of Judah's territory in the rugged terrain.

Practical Application

While a geographical description, Joshua 15:6 offers timeless lessons:

  • God's Precision and Faithfulness: Just as God was meticulous in fulfilling His promise of land to Israel, He is precise and faithful in all His promises to us. We can trust His Word and His plans for our lives.
  • The Importance of Boundaries: The clear demarcation of borders reminds us of the importance of healthy boundaries in our own lives—whether spiritual, relational, or personal—for order, peace, and security.
  • Our Inheritance: Believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ, far greater than any physical land. This inheritance is promised, secure, and meticulously prepared by God, as seen in passages like Ephesians 1:11.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 18:17 (4 votes)

    And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which [is] over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,

  • Joshua 18:19 (2 votes)

    And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this [was] the south coast.

  • Joshua 18:21 (2 votes)

    Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,