And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

JOSHUA 16:2KJV
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Joshua 16:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 16:2 mean?

Joshua 16:2 describes part of the boundary line for the territory given to the descendants of Joseph, specifically mentioning that it goes out from Bethel to Luz and continues along to the border of Archi at Ataroth. This verse is mapping out the specific locations that mark the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim.

In the context of the book of Joshua, these boundaries are being described by the narrator for the benefit of the Israelite people as they divide up the Promised Land. The verse lists real places that would have been familiar to the original audience, helping them understand exactly where the tribal lands began and ended.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 16:2

  • "out" (יָצָא, yatsa): This word means "to go out" or "to extend." Here, it shows the movement of the boundary line as it leaves one location and heads toward another.
  • "Bethel" (בֵּית־אֵל, Bethel): This is a significant town in Israelite history, meaning "house of God." Its mention as a starting point anchors the boundary in a well-known place.
  • "Luz" (לוּז, Luz): Luz is another name for Bethel in some contexts, but here it may refer to a nearby area, showing the precise path of the border.
  • "along" (עָבַר, avar): This word means "to pass along" or "to cross over," emphasizing the route the boundary takes as it moves from place to place.
  • "borders" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means "border" or "boundary," highlighting the legal and territorial limits being described.
  • "Archi" (אַרְכִּי, Arki): This is likely a clan or region near Ataroth, giving more detail about the specific area being marked.
  • "Ataroth" (עֲטָרוֹת, Ataroth): This is a town or landmark used as a boundary marker, making the description more exact.

Why Joshua 16:2 matters

  • Joshua 16:2 helps readers see that the land allotments were based on real geography, not just abstract promises, grounding the story in actual locations.
  • This verse shows the care and detail with which the tribal inheritances were recorded, emphasizing the importance of fairness and clarity in dividing the land.
  • By naming specific places, Joshua 16:2 connects the story of the Israelites to the land itself, reinforcing the fulfillment of God's promise to give them a home.

Where else these words appear

“Ataroth” Hebrew H5852 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 32:3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
  • Numbers 32:34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
  • Joshua 16:7 And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.

“Archi” Hebrew H757 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
  • 2 Samuel 16:16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
  • 2 Samuel 17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

“Luz” Hebrew H3870 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
  • Genesis 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
  • Judges 1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.(Now the name of the city before was Luz.)

“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.