And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

JOSHUA 13:16KJV
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Joshua 13:16 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:16 mean?

Joshua 13:16 describes the territory given to the tribe of Reuben, marking its boundaries from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon River, including the city in the middle of the river, and extending across the plain near Medeba. This verse lists specific geographic markers to define the area that Reuben would inherit east of the Jordan River.

In context, Joshua is dividing the land among the tribes of Israel after their conquest of Canaan. This verse is part of a detailed record of which tribe received which land. The landmarks mentioned—Aroer, the Arnon River, and Medeba—were well-known locations that helped the original audience understand exactly where Reuben’s territory lay.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:16

  • "coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means "border" or "boundary," emphasizing that the verse is describing the outer limits of Reuben’s land, not a seashore.
  • "bank" (שָׂפָה, saphah): This refers to the edge or bank of a river, clarifying that Aroer is right on the side of the Arnon River.
  • "river" (נָחַל, nachal): Used here for the Arnon, this word often means a wadi or seasonal stream, but in this context, it refers to a significant river marking a border.
  • "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tavek): This means "middle" or "midst," indicating that the city mentioned is actually situated within the river itself, possibly on an island or in the riverbed.

Why Joshua 13:16 matters

  • This verse clears up that "coast" in the King James Version means a border, not a shoreline, which is important since Reuben’s territory was inland.
  • The verse highlights the careful, legal way the land was divided, using known landmarks so there would be no confusion or disputes among the tribes.
  • Understanding these boundaries helps readers follow the narrative of Israel’s settlement and see how the tribes related to one another geographically.

Where else these words appear

“Medeba” Hebrew H4311 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 21:30 We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
  • Joshua 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
  • 1 Chronicles 19:7 So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

“Aroer” Hebrew H6177 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 32:34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
  • Joshua 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

“Arnon” Hebrew H769 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
  • Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
  • Joshua 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;

“plain” Hebrew H4334 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • 1 Kings 20:25 And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
  • Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.