Bible Strands
Joshua 13:26
the territory from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Joshua catalogs the eastern boundary of the Reubenite inheritance during the final distribution of Transjordan territory. This enumeration follows the description of Jazer and Gilead and precedes the valley cities of Sihon’s kingdom.
The words — The text uses עַד ('ad, "to") twice to mark limits and גְּבוּל (ge.vul, "territory/border") to define the extent. These terms frame the measured stretch from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, then from Mahanaim to Debir.
The thread — Mahanaim appears later as David’s refuge during Absalom’s revolt and Ish-bosheth’s royal base (2 Samuel 2:8; 17:27). Mizpah functions as a geographic marker here, though Genesis 31:49 attaches a covenantal watchword to the name.
Why it lands — The text explicitly lists boundary markers to document the exact land granted east of the Jordan. Readers must acknowledge the concrete fulfillment of the tribal allotment before considering how later biblical events reuse these locations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And from Heshbon unto Ramath–mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 17:27 When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.
- 2 Samuel 2:8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
- Genesis 31:49 It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.
- Genesis 32:1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
- Joshua 20:8 And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.
- Joshua 21:38 And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,
- Judges 10:17 Then the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, and the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.
- Judges 11:11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander. And Jephthah repeated all his terms in the presence of the LORD at Mizpah.
- Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.
- 2 Samuel 9:4 “Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”