Joshua 18:19
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.
The border continued to the northern slope of Beth-hoglah
Beth-hoglah is identified as a location within the tribal allotment of Benjamin. It is situated near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, indicating its strategic importance. The name "Beth-hoglah" means "house of the partridge," which may suggest a place known for wildlife or hunting. This area is significant in the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:18-21). The precise location of Beth-hoglah is debated, but it is generally associated with the modern site of Ain Hajla.

and came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea
The Salt Sea, known today as the Dead Sea, is a significant geographical landmark in the biblical narrative. It is the lowest point on Earth's surface and is known for its high salinity. The reference to the "northern bay" indicates the specific area where the border of the tribal allotment meets the sea. The Dead Sea is often associated with the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), serving as a reminder of God's righteousness and justice. The mention of the Salt Sea in the context of land division underscores the tangible reality of the Israelites' inheritance.

at the mouth of the Jordan
The Jordan River is a central feature in the biblical landscape, symbolizing transition and new beginnings. It is the river that the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3-4), and it is also where Jesus was baptized, marking the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17). The "mouth of the Jordan" refers to the point where the river flows into the Dead Sea. This location is significant as it represents the boundary of the land given to the tribe of Benjamin, emphasizing the importance of water sources in defining territorial limits.

This was the southern border
The delineation of borders was crucial for the organization and governance of the Israelite tribes. The southern border of Benjamin's territory is described here, providing clarity and order in the distribution of the land. This demarcation reflects the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the establishment of Israel as a nation. The careful description of borders in the biblical text underscores the importance of land in the identity and heritage of the people of Israel. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in providing for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Beth-hoglah
A location in the territory of Benjamin, near the Jordan River. It is significant as a boundary marker in the division of the land among the tribes of Israel.

2. Salt Sea
Also known as the Dead Sea, it is a large saltwater lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and Palestine to the west. It serves as a geographical landmark in the biblical account.

3. Jordan River
A major river in the Middle East that flows into the Dead Sea. It is a significant site in biblical history, symbolizing transitions and divine interventions.

4. Tribe of Benjamin
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. The allocation of land to this tribe is part of the broader division of Canaan among the Israelites.

5. Land Division
The event of dividing the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, as instructed by God through Moses and executed by Joshua. This division is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Promises
The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in their lives as well.

Significance of Boundaries
The detailed description of boundaries in Joshua highlights the importance of respecting and maintaining God-given boundaries in our lives, whether they are physical, moral, or spiritual.

Role of Leadership
Joshua's role in dividing the land underscores the importance of godly leadership in guiding and directing God's people according to His will.

Inheritance in Christ
Just as the Israelites received their inheritance in the Promised Land, believers have an inheritance in Christ, which includes spiritual blessings and eternal life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the division of the land among the tribes of Israel demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of respecting boundaries in our personal and spiritual lives today?

3. How does the role of Joshua in dividing the land inspire us to seek and follow godly leadership in our communities?

4. What parallels can we draw between the Israelites' inheritance in the Promised Land and our inheritance in Christ?

5. How can the geographical landmarks mentioned in Joshua 18:19 (Beth-hoglah, Salt Sea, Jordan River) deepen our understanding of biblical history and God's plan for His people?
Connections to Other Scriptures
The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is connected to the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis, where God promised to give his descendants the land of Canaan.

The Jordan River is also significant in the New Testament, where it is the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, symbolizing new beginnings and the fulfillment of God's promises.

The concept of boundaries and inheritance is echoed in the Psalms and Proverbs, where the importance of maintaining and respecting God-given boundaries is emphasized.
Joshua's RemonstranceR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Joshua 18:1-28
Religion in the New LandW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 18:1-28
Slack to PossessW. Seaton.Joshua 18:1-28
People
Addar, Ben, Benjamin, Bohan, Ephron, Gad, Gibeon, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Levites, Manasseh, Ophrah, Rekem, Reuben
Places
Adummim, Arabah, Ataroth-addar, Avvim, Beeroth, Beth-arabah, Beth-aven, Bethel, Beth-hoglah, Beth-horon, Emek-keziz, En-rogel, En-shemesh, Ephron, Geba, Geliloth, Gibeah, Gibeon, Haeleph, Irpeel, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kiriath-baal, Kiriath-jearim, Luz, Mizpeh, Mozah, Nephtoah, Ophni, Ophrah, Parah, Ramah, Rekem, Salt Sea, Shiloh, Taralah, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Rephaim, Zela, Zemaraim
Topics
Along, Bay, Beth, Border, Boundary, Ended, Hoglah, Jordan, Mouth, North, Northern, Northward, Passed, Salt, Slope, South, Southern
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 18:19

     4357   salt
     5167   mouth

Joshua 18:11-28

     5235   boundary

Library
The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Retiring Before the Sanhedrin's Decree.
(Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) ^D John XI. 47-54. ^d 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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