Joshua 19:22 (KJV)

What does Joshua 19:22 mean?

Joshua 19:22 lists the boundaries of a territory assigned to one of the tribes of Israel, mentioning specific places—Tabor, Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh—and states that the border ends at the Jordan River, including sixteen cities and their surrounding villages. This verse is part of a detailed record of how the land was divided among the tribes after entering Canaan.

In context, Joshua is overseeing the distribution of land to the tribes of Israel, and this verse describes the area given to the tribe of Issachar. The verse names real locations to mark the edges of their territory, showing the careful and organized way the land was allotted. Listing the cities and villages emphasizes the completeness and fairness of the division.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:22

• The word "coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul) means "border" or "boundary," highlighting that the verse is about the limits of the tribe’s land, not a seashore.
• "Outgoings" (תּוֹצָאוֹת, totzaot) refers to the endpoints or extremities of the border, clarifying that the territory stretches all the way to the Jordan River.
• "Cities" (עִיר, ir) and "villages" (חָצֵר, chatzer) show that the inheritance included both main towns and smaller settlements, not just the major cities.

Why Joshua 19:22 matters

• This verse helps readers see that the land division was specific and thorough, with exact borders and named places, not vague or general areas.
• By listing both cities and villages, Joshua 19:22 shows that every part of the community, large and small, was considered in the inheritance.
• The mention of the Jordan River as a boundary connects this tribe’s land to a major geographical marker in Israel’s history, grounding the story in real locations.