And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

JOSHUA 16:3KJV
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Joshua 16:3 (KJV)

What does Joshua 16:3 mean?

Joshua 16:3 describes part of the boundary for the territory given to the tribe of Ephraim, tracing the border as it moves westward to several specific locations—Japhleti, Bethhoron the lower, and Gezer—ending at the sea. This verse is part of a detailed account of how the land was divided among the tribes of Israel after they entered Canaan.

In this passage, the text is listing landmarks that marked the edge of Ephraim’s inheritance. Joshua, as the leader, is overseeing the allocation of land to each tribe. The verse gives readers a sense of the real geography and historical setting, showing how the Israelites used well-known towns and natural features to define their new territories.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 16:3

  • יָרַד (yarad, "down"): This word means "to go down" or "descend," indicating a movement from higher to lower elevation, which helps the reader picture the physical landscape.
  • יָם (yam, "westward"/"sea"): In Hebrew, "yam" can mean both "sea" and "west," since the Mediterranean Sea was to the west of Israel. Here, it marks both a direction and the final boundary at the coastline.
  • גְּבוּל (gevul, "coast"/"border"): This word refers to a boundary or border, emphasizing the careful demarcation of tribal lands.
  • בֵּית־חֹרוֹן (Beit-choron, "Bethhoron"): Naming specific towns like Bethhoron the lower (the "nether") roots the description in real geography, showing these were actual places known to the people.

Why Joshua 16:3 matters

  • Joshua 16:3 helps clarify how the ancient Israelites used natural features and established towns to set tribal borders, which was important for maintaining peace and order among the tribes.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage by showing the care and detail involved in dividing the land, reflecting the fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel a home.
  • Understanding these boundaries can help modern readers see the historical reality behind the biblical narrative, grounding the story in actual places that can sometimes be identified today.

Where else these words appear

“Bethhoron” Hebrew H1032 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
  • Joshua 18:14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,

“nether” Hebrew H8481 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:5 Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
  • Ezekiel 41:7 And there was an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house was still upward, and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst.

“Gezer” Hebrew H1507 · used in 14 verses

  • Joshua 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
  • Judges 1:29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
  • 1 Kings 9:17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,

“out” Hebrew H8444 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 34:4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
  • Joshua 15:11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
  • Joshua 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel: