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Joshua 17:9

Joshua 17:9 in Multiple Translations

From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea.

And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea:

And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:

And the limit goes down to the stream Kanah, to the south of the stream: these towns were Ephraim's among the towns of Manasseh; Manasseh's limit was on the north side of the stream, ending at the sea:

From there the boundary ran down to the valley of Kenah. South of the valley some of the towns belonged to Ephraim among the towns of Manasseh. The boundary ran along the north side of the valley and ended at the sea.

Also this border goeth downe vnto the riuer Kanah Southward to the riuer: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh is on the Northside of the riuer, and the endes of it are at the Sea,

And the border hath come down [to] the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook; these cities of Ephraim [are] in the midst of the cities of Manasseh, and the border of Manasseh [is] on the north of the brook, and its outgoings are at the sea.

The border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook. These cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh. The border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and ended at the sea.

And the border descended to the river Kanah, southward of the river. These cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the border of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the limits of it were at the sea:

And the border goeth down to the valley of the reeds, to the south of the torrent of the cities of Ephraim, which are in the midst of the cities of Manasses: the border of Manasses is on the north side of the torrent, and the outgoings of it are at the sea:

The border of the land allotted to the tribe of Manasseh extended south to Kanah Gorge. From there it extended west along the north side of the gorge and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 17:9

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 17:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/יָרַ֣ד הַ/גְּבוּל֩ נַ֨חַל קָנָ֜ה נֶ֣גְבָּ/ה לַ/נַּ֗חַל עָרִ֤ים הָ/אֵ֨לֶּה֙ לְ/אֶפְרַ֔יִם בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ עָרֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וּ/גְב֤וּל מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מִ/צְּפ֣וֹן לַ/נַּ֔חַל וַ/יְהִ֥י תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו הַ/יָּֽמָּ/ה
וְ/יָרַ֣ד yârad H3381 to go down Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/גְּבוּל֩ gᵉbûwl H1366 border Art | N-ms
נַ֨חַל nachal H5158 Brook N-ms
קָנָ֜ה Qânâh H7071 Kanah N-proper
נֶ֣גְבָּ/ה negeb H5045 Negeb N-ms | Suff
לַ/נַּ֗חַל nachal H5158 Brook Prep | N-ms
עָרִ֤ים ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fp
הָ/אֵ֨לֶּה֙ ʼêl-leh H428 these Art | Pron
לְ/אֶפְרַ֔יִם ʼEphrayim H669 Ephraim Prep | N-proper
בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms
עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fp
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה Mᵉnashsheh H4519 Moses N-proper
וּ/גְב֤וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border Conj | N-ms
מְנַשֶּׁה֙ Mᵉnashsheh H4519 Moses N-proper
מִ/צְּפ֣וֹן tsâphôwn H6828 Zaphon Prep | N-fs
לַ/נַּ֔חַל nachal H5158 Brook Prep | N-ms
וַ/יְהִ֥י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו tôwtsâʼâh H8444 outgoing N-fp | Suff
הַ/יָּֽמָּ/ה yâm H3220 West Art | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 17:9

וְ/יָרַ֣ד yârad H3381 "to go down" Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
הַ/גְּבוּל֩ gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" Art | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
נַ֨חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
קָנָ֜ה Qânâh H7071 "Kanah" N-proper
Kanah refers to a stream and place in Palestine, also meaning reed, and is mentioned as a boundary of Asher. In the Bible, it is also named Kana. Kanah is a town in the Bible.
Definition: Kanah = "reed" a town marking the boundary of Asher Also named: Kana (Κανᾶ "Cana" G2580)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Kanah. See also: Joshua 16:8; Joshua 17:9; Joshua 19:28.
נֶ֣גְבָּ/ה negeb H5045 "Negeb" N-ms | Suff
The Negeb is the southern district of Judah, also known as the south country, and can occasionally refer to Egypt, which is south of Palestine.
Definition: region of southern Judah Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H) This name means south-country
Usage: Occurs in 97 OT verses. KJV: south (country, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 12:9; 1 Samuel 14:5; Psalms 126:4.
לַ/נַּ֗חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
עָרִ֤ים ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
הָ/אֵ֨לֶּה֙ ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
לְ/אֶפְרַ֔יִם ʼEphrayim H669 "Ephraim" Prep | N-proper
Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.
Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.
בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה Mᵉnashsheh H4519 "Moses" N-proper
Manasseh was a grandson of Jacob and the ancestor of a large tribe in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis 41:51 and throughout the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) Another name of mo.sheh (מֹשֶׁה "Moses" H4872) § Manasseh = "causing to forget" 1) the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh 1a) the tribe descended from Manasseh 1b) the territory occupied by the tribe of Manasseh 2) son of king Hezekiah of Judah and himself king of Judah; he was the immediate and direct cause for the exile 3) a descendant of Pahath-moab who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 4) a descendant of Hashum who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Manasseh. See also: Genesis 41:51; Joshua 22:21; Psalms 60:9.
וּ/גְב֤וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
מְנַשֶּׁה֙ Mᵉnashsheh H4519 "Moses" N-proper
Manasseh was a grandson of Jacob and the ancestor of a large tribe in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis 41:51 and throughout the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) Another name of mo.sheh (מֹשֶׁה "Moses" H4872) § Manasseh = "causing to forget" 1) the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh 1a) the tribe descended from Manasseh 1b) the territory occupied by the tribe of Manasseh 2) son of king Hezekiah of Judah and himself king of Judah; he was the immediate and direct cause for the exile 3) a descendant of Pahath-moab who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 4) a descendant of Hashum who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Manasseh. See also: Genesis 41:51; Joshua 22:21; Psalms 60:9.
מִ/צְּפ֣וֹן tsâphôwn H6828 "Zaphon" Prep | N-fs
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
לַ/נַּ֔חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
וַ/יְהִ֥י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
תֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו tôwtsâʼâh H8444 "outgoing" N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a boundary or border, like the edge of a country. It can also mean a source or a way to escape, as in escaping death. In the Bible, it is often used to describe geographical borders.
Definition: 1) outgoing, border, a going out, extremity, end, source, escape 1a) outgoing, extremity (of border) 1b) source (of life) 1c) escape (from death)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: border(-s), going(-s) forth (out), issues, outgoings. See also: Numbers 34:4; Joshua 17:18; Psalms 68:21.
הַ/יָּֽמָּ/ה yâm H3220 "West" Art | N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.

Study Notes — Joshua 17:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Joshua 16:3 Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea.
2 Joshua 19:29 The border then turned back toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah, and came out at the Sea in the region of Achzib,
3 Joshua 16:8–9 From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, along with all the cities and villages set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of Manasseh.

Joshua 17:9 Summary

[Joshua 17:9 describes the border of Manasseh continuing southward to the Brook of Kanah, with cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, illustrating the complex tribal boundaries established by God. This verse teaches us about God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in the way He carefully divided the land among the tribes of Israel. As noted in Psalm 24:1, the earth is the Lord's, and He provides for His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-9, which highlights the abundance of the Promised Land. By trusting in God's plan, we can have confidence in His provision and care for our lives, just as the Israelites trusted in His plan for their allocation of land.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Brook of Kanah in Joshua 17:9?

The Brook of Kanah serves as a boundary marker between the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh, as seen in Joshua 17:9, and its location is also noted in other biblical accounts, such as Joshua 16:8, which helps to clarify the tribal boundaries established by God.

Why are there cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh?

This mixed ownership of cities is a result of the complex tribal boundaries and allocations described in the book of Joshua, such as in Joshua 17:8, where Tappuah itself belonged to Ephraim, despite being on the border of Manasseh, illustrating the intricate divisions of the Promised Land.

How does the border of Manasseh ending at the Sea relate to other biblical accounts?

The description of Manasseh's border ending at the Sea in Joshua 17:9 is consistent with other biblical accounts, such as Numbers 34:11, which describes the eastern boundary of the Promised Land, and Deuteronomy 1:7, which notes the western boundary along the Mediterranean Sea, demonstrating the careful division of the land by God.

What can we learn from the way the tribes of Israel were allocated land?

The allocation of land to the tribes of Israel, as seen in Joshua 17:9, teaches us about God's sovereignty and provision, as noted in Psalm 24:1, which states that the earth is the Lord's, and Deuteronomy 8:7-9, which highlights the abundance of the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the concept of boundaries and divisions in Joshua 17:9 relate to my own life, and what can I learn from the way God establishes borders and allocations?
  2. What can I learn from the way the tribes of Israel interacted with one another, particularly in regards to the mixed ownership of cities, and how can I apply this to my relationships with others?
  3. How does the description of the Brook of Kanah as a boundary marker challenge or encourage me in my own understanding of God's sovereignty and provision?
  4. In what ways can I trust God's plan for my life, just as the Israelites trusted God's plan for their allocation of land, and what promises from Scripture can I hold onto in times of uncertainty?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 17:9

And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river,.... The same mentioned in the account of the coast of Ephraim, Joshua 16:8; which was north of that river, as Manasseh was to the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 17:9

And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 17:9

These cities of Ephrain; Tappuah, and the cities upon the coast descending to the river, &c., last mentioned. Are among the cities of Manasseh, i.e. are intermixed with their cities, which was not strange nor unfit, these two being linked together by a nearer alliance than the rest.

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 17:9

Joshua 17:9 And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim [are] among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also [was] on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea: Ver. 9. See Joshua 17:8; and take heed of unnatural wars and bickerings. “ Nullos habitura triumphos. ”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 17:9

Verse 9. Unto the river Kanah] Literally, the river or valley of the reeds, translated by the Vulgate, vallis arundintei. The tribe of Manasseh appears to have been bounded on the north by this torrent or valley, and on the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 17:9

9. unto the river Kanah] From Tappuah the border descended to the river of Kanah, or “the Brook of Reeds” (see above, Joshua 16:8), southward of the watercourse. these cities of Ephraim] See above, Joshua 16:9.

Barnes' Notes on Joshua 17:9

These cities ... - The text is possibly corrupt. The intention seems to be to state that the cities lying south of the river, though within the limits of Manasseh, were in fact made over to Ephraim,

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 17:9

9. Cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh — Compare Joshua 16:8, note.

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