And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;

JOSHUA 13:25KJV
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Joshua 13:25 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:25 mean?

Joshua 13:25 describes the territory given to the tribe of Gad as their inheritance, listing specific regions and cities that marked their borders east of the Jordan River. The verse names Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, half the land of the Ammonites, and the area up to Aroer near Rabbah as part of Gad’s allotted land.

In this part of the book of Joshua, God is instructing Joshua on how to divide the land among the tribes of Israel after their conquest of Canaan. The verse gives a snapshot of the land division process, showing how detailed and specific the boundaries were. The mention of places like Jazer, Gilead, and Aroer helps the reader picture the real, historical geography that shaped Israel’s tribal territories.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:25

  • "coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word is often understood as "border" or "boundary," emphasizing that the verse is about the limits of Gad’s territory, not a seacoast.
  • "half" (חֵצִי, chetsi): The verse notes that Gad received "half the land of the children of Ammon," which means they did not possess all Ammonite territory—just a portion, likely the part Israel had conquered.
  • "before" (לִפְנֵי, lifnei): The phrase "Aroer that is before Rabbah" uses this word to mean "in front of" or "facing," helping to pinpoint the location of Aroer in relation to the important city of Rabbah.

Why Joshua 13:25 matters

  • Joshua 13:25 clarifies that Israel did not take all Ammonite land, only a part, which helps explain later interactions between Israel and Ammon in the Bible.
  • The verse shows the careful, organized way land was distributed, reflecting the importance of tribal identity and inheritance in ancient Israel.
  • By naming specific places, Joshua 13:25 connects the biblical story to real geography, grounding the narrative in the physical world and history.

Where else these words appear

“Jazer” Hebrew H3270 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Numbers 32:35 And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
  • 1 Chronicles 26:31 Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

“Rabbah” Hebrew H7237 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • 2 Samuel 12:27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
  • Jeremiah 49:2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.

“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:

“Ammon” Hebrew H5983 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 19:38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
  • Judges 12:1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:11 And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.