Joshua 18:13

And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:11-28 The boundaries of each portion were distinctly drawn, and the inheritance of each tribe settled. All contests and selfish claims were prevented by the wise appointment of God, who allotted the hill and the valley, the corn and pasture, the brooks and rivers, the towns and cities. Is the lot of any servant of Christ cast in affliction and sorrow? It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good. Are we in prosperity and peace? It is from above. Be humbled when you compare the gift with your own unworthiness. Forget not Him that gave the good, and always be ready to resign it at his command.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the marginal references. There are many indications found in this and the next chapter that the text is in great disorder, and many of the places are still unknown.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. the lot of … Benjamin came up—It has been supposed that there were two urns or vessels, from which the lots were drawn: one containing the names of the tribes, the other containing those of the seven portions; and that the two were drawn out simultaneously.

the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph—Thus the prophecy of Moses respecting the inheritance of Benjamin was remarkably accomplished. (See on [199]De 33:12).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the border went over from thence towards Luz,.... From Bethaven, where the northern border ended, the western began, and went on to Luz:

to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; that is, passed along, leaving that city to the south, which formerly was called Luz, but now Bethel, which though distinct places formerly, yet being very near, might in process of time be joined; See Gill on Joshua 16:2,

and the border descended to Atarothadar, the same with Archiataroth; see Gill on Joshua 16:2, and See Gill on Joshua 16:5,

near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron; so called to distinguish it from Bethhoron the upper, situated on an hill or mountain, Joshua 16:5; this was rebuilt by Solomon, 1 Kings 9:17.

Geneva Study Bible

And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is {k} Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.

(k) Which was in the tribe of Ephraim: another Bethel was in the tribe of Benjamin.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

13. toward Luz] See above, ch. Joshua 16:2. The border next went to the south of the ridge of Bethel, and thence descended, in a northwesterly direction, toward Ataroth-adar.

descended] We understand the appropriateness of this word when we remember that Bethel lay 3000 feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea.

Ataroth-adar] See above, ch. Joshua 16:5.

near the hill] Or, over the mountain that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon. Thus the north border of Benjamin, as far as lower Beth-horon, coincides with the southern border of Ephraim.

Beth-horon] See above (a) Joshua 10:11; (b) Joshua 16:3-5. An upper and a lower Beth-horon are still recognised. The upper is now called Beit-’ûr El-Fôka, the lower Beit-’ûr El-Tahta. The pass between the two places was called the ascent and the descent of Beth-horon. Comp. 1Ma 3:15-24. “The ascent,” remarks Robinson, “is very rocky and rough; but the rock has been cut away in many places and the path formed into steps, shewing that this is an ancient road.” Bibl. Res. iii:58.

Joshua 18:13

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The northern boundary ("the boundary towards the north side") therefore coincided with the southern boundary of Ephraim as far as Lower Beth-horon, and has already been commented upon in the exposition of Joshua 16:1-3. The western boundary follows in Joshua 18:14. At Beth-horon the boundary curved round and turned southwards on the western side, namely from the mountain before (in front of) Beth-horon southwards; and "the going out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim," the town of the Judaeans mentioned in Joshua 15:60, the present Kureyet el Enab (see at Joshua 9:17).