Joshua 18:11-20 | The Way of Scripture

Joshua 18:11-20

How is Benjamin’s territory placed among the other allotments?

Berean Standard Bible

11 The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph: 12 On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13 From there the border crossed over to the southern slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth-addar on the hill south of Lower Beth-horon. 14 On the west side the border curved southward from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south and came out at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the western side. 15 On the south side the border began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim and extended westward to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah. 16 Then it went down to the foot of the hill that faces the Valley of Ben-hinnom at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim and ran down the Valley of Hinnom toward the southern slope of the Jebusites and downward to En-rogel. 17 From there it curved northward and proceeded to En-shemesh and on to Geliloth facing the Ascent of Adummim, and continued down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. 18 Then it went on to the northern slope of Beth-arabah and went down into the valley. 19 The border continued to the northern slope of Beth-hoglah and came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan. This was the southern border. 20 On the east side the border was the Jordan. These were the borders around the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.

What is the context?

Benjamin’s portion lies between Judah and Joseph. The northern border runs from the Jordan past Jericho toward Bethel and the Beth-horon area.

The western and southern boundaries turn through Kiriath-jearim and the Jerusalem region, then toward the northern end of the Salt Sea. The Jordan forms the eastern boundary.

The repeated landmarks connect this description with the neighboring allotments. The passage gives Benjamin a defined place within the shared inheritance rather than an isolated territory with no relation to the other tribes.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes relate Benjamin’s northern, western, and southern boundaries to Ephraim, Dan, and Judah respectively. Wesley gives a further providential reading of its location beside Joseph and Judah in light of later history. The geographical account is explicit; claims that each boundary uniquely predicts a later political decision go beyond it.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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