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;

JOSHUA 16:6KJV
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Joshua 16:6 (KJV)

What does Joshua 16:6 mean?

Joshua 16:6 describes part of the boundary line for the territory given to the tribe of Ephraim, tracing the border as it heads west toward the sea, passes by the northern side of Michmethah, then curves eastward to Taanathshiloh, and continues past Janohah. The verse gives specific geographic markers to outline the land’s limits.

In the book of Joshua, Joshua is overseeing the distribution of land among the tribes of Israel after they enter Canaan. This verse is part of a detailed description of Ephraim’s inheritance, using well-known local landmarks to define exactly where their territory begins and ends. The careful listing of places shows how important it was for each tribe to know the precise borders of their land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 16:6

  • The word for "border" is גְּבוּל (gevul, H1366), which refers to a boundary or limit. Its repeated use in this verse highlights the importance of clearly defined tribal territories.
  • "Out" comes from יָצָא (yatsa’, H3318), meaning to go out or extend. Here, it describes how the boundary line stretches from one landmark to the next.
  • "About" is from סָבַב (savav, H5437), which means to turn or go around. This suggests the border does not go in a straight line but curves or changes direction at certain points.
  • "Passed" is עָבַר (avar, H5674), meaning to cross or pass by. This word helps show the movement of the border as it goes past specific places, making the description more precise.

Why Joshua 16:6 matters

  • This verse helps clear up any confusion about where Ephraim’s land started and ended, which was crucial for avoiding disputes between tribes.
  • The detailed border description shows the care and fairness in dividing the land, reflecting the importance of each tribe’s inheritance in Israel’s history.
  • Understanding these boundaries helps make sense of later stories in the Bible where tribal territories play a role in events or conflicts.

Where else these words appear

“Michmethah” Hebrew H4366 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 17:7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.

“Janohah” Hebrew H3239 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 16:7 And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
  • 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

“eastward” 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 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
  • 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.

“side” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
  • Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: