And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;

JOSHUA 19:28KJV
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Joshua 19:28 (KJV)

What does Joshua 19:28 mean?

Joshua 19:28 lists several towns—Hebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, and great Zidon—as part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher during the division of the Promised Land. This verse marks the boundaries and key locations within Asher’s inheritance.

The book of Joshua records how Joshua, as leader of Israel, distributed the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes after their conquest. In this verse, the focus is on the tribe of Asher and the specific towns that defined their portion. Mentioning “great Zidon” highlights the northern reach of Asher’s territory, touching a significant and well-known city of the region.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:28

  • זִידוֹן (Zidon, transliterated “Zidon”): This refers to the famous Phoenician city, often called “Sidon” today. The phrase “great Zidon” (צִידוֹן רַבָּה, tsidon rabbah) emphasizes its size and importance, showing that Asher’s territory extended to a major urban center.
  • רַבָּה (rabbah, transliterated “great”): This word means “great” or “large.” Its use with Zidon stresses the prominence of this city compared to the other towns listed.

Why Joshua 19:28 matters

  • The verse clarifies the extent of Asher’s territory, showing that it reached up to a major city, “great Zidon,” which was outside Israelite control but marked the northern limit.
  • Listing these towns helps readers understand the historical and geographical context of Israel’s tribal boundaries, which is important for following later events in the Bible.
  • The mention of “great Zidon” connects the biblical narrative to well-known ancient cities, grounding the story in real-world geography and history.

Where else these words appear

“Hammon” Hebrew H2540 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 6:76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.

“Kanah” Hebrew H7071 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 16:8 The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
  • Joshua 17:9 And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea:

“Rehob” Hebrew H7340 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • Judges 1:31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
  • 2 Samuel 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

“Zidon” Hebrew H6721 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • 2 Samuel 24:6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
  • Jeremiah 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;