This single verse highlights the precise boundary lines of Ephraim’s territory, reinforcing the reliability of God’s word in the smallest details.
In Joshua 16, the boundaries of the tribal allotment for Ephraim are described in detail. As part of this description, we read: “It went down from Janohah to Ataroth and to Naarah, then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan” (v.7). This boundary line is a geographical record of where the territory extended. Janohah was likely located in the hilly region of Ephraim, though its exact site is uncertain, while Ataroth may have been situated to the east, serving as a point of demarcation along the path. The mention of Naarah indicates another town or region near that boundary line. These specific places help us understand the remarkable detail the LORD provided in distributing the land to His people (Joshua 16:5-7).
The verse continues by stating that the boundary “then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan” (v.7), highlighting Jericho, one of the most ancient cities in biblical history. Jericho stands about five miles west of the Jordan River, and it famously marked the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 6:1-21). By mentioning Jericho, the passage draws attention to both the historical significance of God’s victory there and its strategic location near the Jordan River, a crucial waterway in the region. The Jordan itself flows from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea and serves as a natural landmark for the eastern boundary of the Promised Land. In the grand narrative of Scripture, the Jordan is also significant as the place where John the Baptist later baptized, including baptizing Jesus (Matthew 3:13), tying the Old Testament promises to their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
This verse underscores God’s faithfulness in awarding a particular territory to the tribe of Ephraim, connecting their inheritance to God’s longstanding promises to His people.
Set to dark mode
Joshua 16:7 meaning
In Joshua 16, the boundaries of the tribal allotment for Ephraim are described in detail. As part of this description, we read: “It went down from Janohah to Ataroth and to Naarah, then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan” (v.7). This boundary line is a geographical record of where the territory extended. Janohah was likely located in the hilly region of Ephraim, though its exact site is uncertain, while Ataroth may have been situated to the east, serving as a point of demarcation along the path. The mention of Naarah indicates another town or region near that boundary line. These specific places help us understand the remarkable detail the LORD provided in distributing the land to His people (Joshua 16:5-7).
The verse continues by stating that the boundary “then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan” (v.7), highlighting Jericho, one of the most ancient cities in biblical history. Jericho stands about five miles west of the Jordan River, and it famously marked the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 6:1-21). By mentioning Jericho, the passage draws attention to both the historical significance of God’s victory there and its strategic location near the Jordan River, a crucial waterway in the region. The Jordan itself flows from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea and serves as a natural landmark for the eastern boundary of the Promised Land. In the grand narrative of Scripture, the Jordan is also significant as the place where John the Baptist later baptized, including baptizing Jesus (Matthew 3:13), tying the Old Testament promises to their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
This verse underscores God’s faithfulness in awarding a particular territory to the tribe of Ephraim, connecting their inheritance to God’s longstanding promises to His people.