And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,

JOSHUA 16:1KJV
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Joshua 16:1 (KJV)

What does Joshua 16:1 mean?

Joshua 16:1 describes the starting point and direction of the land given by lot to the descendants of Joseph, marking out their territory from the Jordan River near Jericho, eastward to the waters of Jericho, and then up toward the wilderness and the hill country of Bethel. This verse sets the geographic boundaries for the tribe of Joseph’s inheritance in the land of Canaan.

In the story, Joshua is overseeing the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel after their conquest of Canaan. The “children of Joseph” refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons. The verse gives a summary of the region they received, highlighting key landmarks familiar to the original audience, and sets the stage for more detailed boundary descriptions that follow.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 16:1

  • "lot" (גּוֹרָל, goral): This word means a portion assigned by casting lots, a common method in ancient Israel for making decisions believed to reflect God’s will. Here, it emphasizes that the land was not chosen by people but allotted by divine guidance.
  • "children" (בֵּן, ben): Used here to mean “descendants” or “tribe,” not just literal sons, clarifying that the verse refers to all the people descended from Joseph.
  • "fell" (יָצָא, yatsa’): Literally “went out” or “came forth,” this word is often used for something being assigned or designated, not just physically falling.
  • "mount" (הַר, har): This word means “mountain” or “hill country,” and in this verse, it refers to the elevated region around Bethel, which was a significant landmark for dividing tribal territories.

Why Joshua 16:1 matters

  • Joshua 16:1 helps readers understand how the land was divided fairly and with a sense of divine order, rather than by human preference or power.
  • The verse connects the story of Joseph in Genesis to the fulfillment of God’s promises, showing his descendants receiving a specific inheritance in the land.
  • By naming familiar places like Jericho and Bethel, the verse grounds the story in real geography, helping later readers visualize the territory and its significance.

Where else these words appear

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

“Bethel” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.(Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

“east” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:6 And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
  • 2 Chronicles 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.