And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.

JOSHUA 18:20KJV
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Joshua 18:20 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:20 mean?

Joshua 18:20 states that the Jordan River formed the eastern boundary of the land allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, and this territory was divided among Benjamin’s families as their inheritance. The verse summarizes the description of Benjamin’s borders given earlier in the chapter, marking the Jordan as a clear, natural border.

In the context of Joshua, these words are part of a detailed account of how the land of Canaan was divided among the Israelite tribes after they entered the land. Joshua is overseeing this process, and the focus here is on the tribe of Benjamin. The verse emphasizes the careful, family-based distribution of land and the use of natural landmarks—like the Jordan River—to define tribal territories.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:20

  • יַרְדֵּן (Yarden, "Jordan"): This word refers specifically to the Jordan River, a major geographical feature in Israel. Its mention as a border highlights the use of prominent, recognizable landmarks in dividing the land.
  • גְּבוּל (gevul, "border"): This term means a boundary or limit. Its use here stresses the importance of clear, agreed-upon borders for each tribe’s inheritance.
  • נַחֲלָה (nachalah, "inheritance"): This word refers to a hereditary possession, often land passed down within a family or tribe. Its use underlines that the land was not just territory, but a lasting gift and responsibility for each tribe.

Why Joshua 18:20 matters

  • Joshua 18:20 clarifies that the tribal divisions in ancient Israel were not arbitrary but were carefully marked using natural features, ensuring fairness and clarity.
  • The verse shows the importance of family and tribal identity in Israelite society, as land was given according to families within the tribe.
  • By summarizing the boundaries of Benjamin’s inheritance, Joshua 18:20 connects the detailed border descriptions to the larger story of Israel settling in the Promised Land, showing the fulfillment of God’s promises to the tribes.

Where else these words appear

“border” Hebrew H1379 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:
  • Exodus 19:23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
  • Deuteronomy 19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

“coasts” Hebrew H1367 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 32:33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 74:17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.

“side” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“east” Hebrew H6924 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.