And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel,

JOSHUA 18:22KJV
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Joshua 18:22 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:22 mean?

Joshua 18:22 lists three towns—Betharabah, Zemaraim, and Bethel—as part of the territory being described for one of the tribes of Israel. This verse is part of a larger passage that details the boundaries and cities belonging to the tribe of Benjamin after the Israelites entered the Promised Land.

In this section, Joshua is overseeing the division of the land among the tribes, and the list of towns helps define the specific area assigned to Benjamin. The verse is factual and geographic, showing how the land was carefully divided and recorded for each tribe’s inheritance.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:22

  • בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה (Betharabah, transliterated "Beit-haAravah") means "house of the desert plain" and refers to a town near the Jordan River. Its mention marks the eastern boundary of Benjamin’s territory.
  • צְמָרַיִם (Zemaraim, transliterated "Tzemarayim") is a less well-known site, but its inclusion shows the detailed record-keeping of even smaller or lesser-known places in the tribal allotments.
  • בֵּית־אֵל (Bethel, transliterated "Beit-El") means "house of God" and is a significant location in Israel’s history, often associated with earlier stories involving Abraham and Jacob.

Why Joshua 18:22 matters

  • Joshua 18:22 shows the care and precision with which the land was divided, emphasizing the importance of each tribe’s inheritance and identity.
  • The mention of both well-known and obscure towns highlights the thoroughness of the record, reminding readers that every part of the land and every community mattered.
  • By listing Bethel, a site with deep spiritual history, the verse connects the practical work of land division with the larger story of God’s promises to the ancestors of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Zemaraim” Hebrew H6787 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 13:4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;

“Betharabah” Hebrew H1026 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 15:6 And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
  • Joshua 15:61 In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,

“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.