And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:

JOSHUA 18:18KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 18:18 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:18 mean?

Joshua 18:18 describes part of the boundary for the tribe of Benjamin, saying the border passed along the north side of a place called Arabah and then went down into the Arabah itself. This verse is mapping out the land divisions as the Israelites settled in Canaan.

In this section, Joshua is overseeing the distribution of land among the tribes. The verse is part of a detailed description given to help the people know exactly where Benjamin’s territory lay. The mention of Arabah refers to a specific region, likely the Jordan Valley, and the directions help clarify the actual borders for those living at the time.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:18

  • "along" (עָבַר, avar) means to pass or cross over. Here, it shows the border moving along a certain path, not just a straight line but following the land’s features.
  • "side" (כָּתֵף, katef) often means a shoulder or side, suggesting the border runs along the edge of a geographical feature, not through the middle.
  • "Arabah" (עֲרָבָה, aravah) refers to a specific region, usually the low-lying area along the Jordan River. Naming this helps readers pinpoint the territory’s location.
  • "down" (יָרַד, yarad) means to go down or descend, indicating a change in elevation as the border moves from higher ground into the valley.

Why Joshua 18:18 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the exact boundaries of Benjamin’s land, which was important for avoiding disputes among the tribes.
  • The detailed geography shows the Israelites’ careful attention to land division, reflecting the importance of each tribe’s inheritance.
  • Understanding these borders helps modern readers connect biblical places to real locations, giving context to later stories that happen in these regions.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H4136 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • Numbers 8:3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Joshua 22:11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.

“Arabah” Hebrew H6160 · used in 57 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 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

“side” Hebrew H3802 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 27:14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
  • 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.
  • Isaiah 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.

“northward” 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: