And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;

JOSHUA 19:13KJV
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Joshua 19:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 19:13 mean?

Joshua 19:13 describes part of the boundary for the tribe of Zebulun, listing towns and the direction the border takes as it moves eastward toward specific places. The verse names Gittahhepher, Ittahkazin, Remmonmethoar, and Neah as key points along this eastern border.

In the context of Joshua, these verses detail how the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. Joshua is overseeing the distribution, and this verse is part of a larger list that carefully marks out Zebulun’s territory. The focus is on giving clear, recognizable boundaries using known towns and landmarks so the tribe would know exactly what land belonged to them.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:13

  • "along" (עָבַר, avar) means to pass over or move along. Here, it shows the border’s movement from one town to the next, helping the reader picture the path the boundary takes.
  • "east" (קֶדֶם, qedem or מִזְרָח, mizrach) is used to show the direction the border turns. This clarifies that the boundary shifts toward the sunrise, a common way of describing direction in ancient Israel.
  • "Gittahhepher" (גִּתָּה חֵפֶר, Gittah-hepher), "Ittahkazin" (עִטָּה קָצִין, Ittah-kazin), "Remmonmethoar" (רִמּוֹן הַמְּתֹאָר, Rimmon-methoar), and "Neah" (נֵעָה, Neah) are all place names. Their inclusion grounds the boundary in real geography, showing these were known locations at the time.

Why Joshua 19:13 matters

  • Joshua 19:13 helps readers see that the land division was specific and organized, not random or vague, which was important for peace among the tribes.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of God’s promise being fulfilled as each tribe receives its inheritance in the land.
  • By naming towns that are not widely known today, the verse reminds readers that these boundaries were once practical and meaningful, rooted in the daily life and geography of ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Gittahhepher” Hebrew H1662 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.

“Remmonmethoar” Hebrew H7417 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 15:32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
  • Judges 21:13 And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.
  • 2 Kings 5:18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

“east” 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.

“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 18:20 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.
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.