Joshua 18:17
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.
From there it curved northward
This phrase describes the boundary line of the land allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. The direction northward indicates a shift in the boundary line, which is significant in the precise delineation of tribal territories. This reflects the importance of land inheritance in Israelite society, as each tribe's portion was divinely ordained and crucial for maintaining tribal identity and heritage.

and proceeded to En-shemesh
En-shemesh, meaning "spring of the sun," is a location east of Jerusalem. Springs were vital in ancient times for water supply, and their mention often indicates a significant landmark. This site is associated with the boundary between Judah and Benjamin, highlighting the importance of natural features in defining territorial limits.

and on to Geliloth facing the Ascent of Adummim
Geliloth is a place whose exact location is uncertain, but it is thought to be near the border of Benjamin and Judah. The Ascent of Adummim, meaning "ascent of the red places," refers to a pass or slope characterized by red rock or soil. This area is near the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, a route that would later be significant in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), illustrating the enduring relevance of these locations.

and continued down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben
The Stone of Bohan is a landmark named after a member of the tribe of Reuben. This stone served as a boundary marker, emphasizing the importance of physical markers in ancient land division. The mention of Bohan, a Reubenite, underscores the interconnectedness of the tribes and the shared history of the Israelites, as Reuben's territory was east of the Jordan, yet his name is memorialized here.

Persons / Places / Events
1. En Shemesh
A location mentioned in the boundary descriptions of the tribal allotments. It is a spring or fountain, often associated with the sun.

2. Geliloth
A place mentioned in the boundary descriptions, possibly meaning "circles" or "regions." Its exact location is uncertain, but it is significant in defining the tribal territories.

3. Ascent of Adummim
A pass or ascent, likely a steep incline, known for its reddish hue. It is situated on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem.

4. Stone of Bohan son of Reuben
A landmark named after Bohan, a descendant of Reuben. It served as a boundary marker.

5. Bohan son of Reuben
A member of the tribe of Reuben, whose name is used to identify a specific landmark.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Boundaries
Just as God established physical boundaries for the tribes of Israel, He establishes spiritual and moral boundaries for our lives. Recognizing and respecting these boundaries is crucial for living a life that honors God.

God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment
The detailed description of land allotments is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well.

Significance of Landmarks
Landmarks like the Stone of Bohan serve as reminders of God's provision and guidance. In our lives, we should establish spiritual landmarks that remind us of God's faithfulness and direction.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ
The division of land among the tribes reflects the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Each tribe had its unique role and territory, just as each believer has a unique role within the church.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the physical boundaries described in Joshua 18:17 reflect the spiritual boundaries God sets for us today?

2. In what ways can we establish spiritual landmarks in our lives to remind us of God's faithfulness?

3. How does the division of land among the tribes of Israel illustrate the concept of unity and diversity within the body of Christ?

4. What are some promises of God that you are trusting Him to fulfill in your life, and how does the fulfillment of land allotments encourage you in this?

5. How can understanding the historical and geographical context of biblical events enhance our interpretation and application of Scripture today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 15:7
This verse also describes the boundary lines of the tribes, including the Ascent of Adummim, showing the importance of these geographical markers in the division of the land.

Numbers 34:2-12
Provides a broader context of the land allotment to the tribes of Israel, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land.

Deuteronomy 3:12-17
Discusses the allocation of land east of the Jordan to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, highlighting the importance of tribal boundaries.
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
Adummim, Adum'mim, Along, Ascent, Bends, Bohan, Continued, Descended, Direction, Drawn, En, Enshemesh, En-shemesh, En-she'mesh, Extended, Faces, Forth, Geliloth, Geli'loth, Goes, Marked, North, Northerly, Northward, Opposite, Over-against, Pass, Ran, Reached, Reuben, Shemesh, Stone, Thence, Towards
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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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