Joshua 17:10 — Word Study
WLCנֶ֣גְבָּה לְאֶפְרַ֗יִם וְצָפ֙וֹנָה֙ לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י הַיָּ֖ם גְּבוּל֑וֹ וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּן מִצָּפ֔וֹן וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר מִמִּזְרָֽח׃
BSAEphraim’s [territory]ʼEphrayim [to the south, Negeb] was to the southnegeb and Manasseh’sMᵉnashsheh [son of Joseph, doubly fruitful] washâyâh▸ to the northtsâphôwn having the Seayâm [the Mediterranean, western border] as its bordergᵉbûwl and adjoiningpâgaʻ▸ AsherʼÂshêr [eighth son of Jacob] on the northtsâphôwn [Zaphon, direction of the sun's setting] and IssacharYissâˢkâr [there is recompense, ninth son of Jacob] on the eastmizrâch [direction of the sunrise]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נֶ֣גְבָּה | south -ward | Noun common masculine singular absolute, suffix |
| לְאֶפְרַ֗יִם | [belonged] to Ephraim | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| וְצָפ֙וֹנָה֙ | and north -ward | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute, suffix |
| לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה | [belonged] to Manasseh | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| וַיְהִ֥י | and it was | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הַיָּ֖ם | the sea | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| גְּבוּל֑וֹ | border its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ | and Asher | Conjunction, preposition, noun proper masculine |
| יִפְגְּע֣וּן | they touch ! | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
| מִצָּפ֔וֹן | from [the] north | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר | and Issachar | Conjunction, preposition, noun proper masculine |
| מִמִּזְרָֽח׃ | from [the] east | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. |
| KJV | Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east. |
| ASV | southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border; and they reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east. |
| YLT | Southward [is] to Ephraim and northward to Manasseh, and the sea is his border, and in Asher they meet on the north, and in Issachar on the east. |
| WEB | Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border. They reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east. |
| BBE | To the south it is Ephraim's, and to the north it is Manasseh's, and the sea is his limit; and they are touching Asher on the north, and Issachar on the east. |
Where they part company is וְצָפ֙וֹנָה֙ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of multiple main clauses and prepositional phrases that detail the territories and relationships between the tribes.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 17:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Territorial Boundaries of Ephraim and Manassehgenerated
Joshua 17:10 outlines the geographical boundaries of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim's territory lies to the south, while Manasseh's territory is to the north. The Mediterranean Sea serves as a western border, with Asher and Issachar as neighboring tribes. This division of land is significant in understanding the inheritance of the tribes of Israel and their settlement in the Promised Land.
Cross References
The Key Word — נֶ֣גְבָּה, Neg.bahgenerated
The term נֶ֫גֶב (negev) refers to the southern region of Judah, often characterized by its dry landscape. It can mean 'south-country' or simply 'south.' The parsing indicates it is a noun in the singular form, suggesting a specific geographical area rather than a general direction.
This word has a rich history in the biblical narrative, indicating not just a location but also the cultural and agricultural aspects associated with the southern territory of Israel.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיְהִ֥י, and it was, governs the entire verse, with several phrases detailing the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh. The structure emphasizes the geographical layout and relationships between the tribes.
The sentence is complex, combining multiple prepositional phrases that describe the boundaries and neighboring tribes, which provides a clear picture of the land distribution.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נֶ֣גְבָּה as λιβὸς, which indicates a specific southern region, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but potentially broadening the geographical context to include areas beyond Judah.
This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the Negev as a significant area in the land of Israel, emphasizing its importance in the narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 17:10 describes the land of Ephraim as lying to the south and the land of Manasseh as to the north. The Mediterranean Sea marks the western border, with Asher to the north and Issachar to the east. This verse outlines the territorial boundaries of these two tribes and their neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'Negev' refers to the southern region of Judah, known for its dry landscape and sometimes associated with Egypt.
Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph, and their tribes played significant roles in the history of Israel.
The Sea, referring to the Mediterranean, serves as a key geographical marker for the western border of the territories.
Ephraim and Manasseh are bordered by other tribes, with Asher to the north and Issachar to the east, highlighting their placement within the Promised Land.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about the importance of geographical boundaries in the Bible from this verse?
- How do the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh reflect the history of the tribes of Israel?
- In what ways does understanding the borders of these tribes enhance our comprehension of the biblical narrative?
- How might the relationships between neighboring tribes influence their interactions and alliances?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 17:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSouthward [it was] Ephraim's, and northward [it was] Manasseh's,.... As Ephraim lay to the south of Manasseh, Manasseh lay to the north of Ephraim: and the sea is his border; the Mediterranean sea
Read John Gill on Joshua 17 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySouthward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 17 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis border; either, 1. Manasseh’ s, whose portion is here described, and whose name was last mentioned. Or, 2. Ephraim’ s and Manasseh’ s, both expressed in the foregoing words, and implied in the following, they. In Asher, i.e. upon the tribe of Asher; for though Zebulun came between Asher and them for the greatest part of their land, yet it seems there were some necks or parcels of land, both of Ephraim’ s and of Manasseh’ s, which jutted out farther than the rest, and touched the borders of Asher. And it is certain there were many such incursions of the land of one tribe upon some parcels of another, although they were otherwise considerably distant one from the other. See . And you must…
Read Matthew Poole on Joshua 17 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJoshua 17:10 Southward [it was] Ephraim’ s, and northward [it was] Manasseh’ s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.Ver. 10. And the sea is his border.] The Syrian or Midland Sea. And they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.] And yet their spirits lay sometimes like that haven in Acts 27:12, "toward the south-west and north-west," two opposite points.
Read John Trapp on Joshua 17 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. They met together in Asher on the north] The tribe of Asher extended from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Carmel, Joshua 19:26, and the tribe of Manasseh extended to Dor and her towns, (see the following verse Joshua 17:11), which were in the vicinity of Carmel; and thus it appears that these two tribes formed a junction at the Mediterranean Sea. This may serve to remove the difficulties in this verse; but still it does appear that in several cases the tribes were intermingled; for Manasseh had several towns, both in Issachar and in Asher, see Joshua 17:11. In like manner, Judah had towns in Dan and Simeon; and Simeon had towns in Judah; and what is spoken of the boundaries of the…
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 17 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. southward] Southward of the brook the land belonged to Ephraim, northward of the same it belonged to Manasseh, and the sea constituted the western border. they met] or “struck upon” Asher in the north and on Issachar in the east. Thus the two tribes were bounded (a) on the east by Issachar; (b) on the north by Asher; (c) on the west by the sea; (d) and on the south by Benjamin and Dan.
Read Cambridge on Joshua 17 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSouthward - i. e. of the river Kanah. Render, “they (i. e. the two kindred tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the northern border being treated here as common to the two) reached unto Asher.” (See the
Read Albert Barnes on Joshua 17 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10. Met together in Asher — Touched upon, bordered on, (literally, struck,) Asher on the north, etc.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 17 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border. They reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east.
Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s to the north. The sea was Manasseh’s western border and their territory touched Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
Tyndale line
Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border; and they reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east.
southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border; and they reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east.
Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
The South perteyneth to Ephraim, and the North to Manasseh, and the Sea is his border: and they met together in Asher Northwarde, and in Issachar Eastward.
Strictly literal
Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea was his border. And they touched upon Asher on the north, and upon Issachar on the east.
Southward [is] to Ephraim and northward to Manasseh, and the sea is his border, and in Asher they meet on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
Southward [is] for Ephraim and northward for Manasseh, and the sea is his border, and in Asher they meet on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Menasseh's, and the sea was [there] his boundary; and on Asher they touched on the north, and on Issachar on the east.
The land to the south belonged to Ephraim, and the land to the north was Manasseh's; the sea was the border. On the north side Asher can be reached, and to the east, Issachar.
From the Latin
So that the possession of Ephraim is on the south, and on the north that of Manasses, and the sea is the border of both, and they are joined together in the tribe of Aser on the north, and in the tribe of Issachar on the east.
Simplified
To the south the land belonged to Ephraim, and to the north, to Manasseh. The sea is the boundary. The boundary to the north was with Asher, and with Issachar to the east.
To the south it is Ephraim's, and to the north it is Manasseh's, and the sea is his limit; and they are touching Asher on the north, and Issachar on the east.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with a direct correspondence in the translation. The Septuagint matches all twelve words of the Hebrew text, confirming the accuracy of the translation.
נֶ֣גְבָּה לְאֶפְרַ֗יִם וְצָפ֙וֹנָה֙ לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י הַיָּ֖ם גְּבוּל֑וֹ וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּן מִצָּפ֔וֹן וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר מִמִּזְרָֽח׃
12 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 17:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נֶ֫גֶב (negev) refers to the southern region of Judah, often characterized by its dry, parched landscape. The term can mean 'south-country' or simply 'south.' It is derived from an unused root associated with drought. The entries consistently identify it with the Negeb area, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נֶ֫גֶב n.[m.] south-country, Negeb, south
base
H5045 נֶ֫גֶב south-country, Negeb, south
5045 negeb neh'-gheb
from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from
its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of
Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine):--south
(country, side, -ward).
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — Negeb.
region of southern Judah
Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H)
This name means south-country
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — south.
A sub-meaning of ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "Negeb" H5045)
§ 1) south-country, Nekeb, south
1a) south-country
1a1) region of southern Judah, boundaries not specific
1b) south
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular absolute · suffixHNcmsa/Sd
word: "Ward" and "guard" are two different spellings of the same word, and in consequence no clear line can be drawn between them. English Versions of the Bible, however, has used "guard" only in the sense of "a special body of soldiers" (Ge 37:36, etc.), while "ward" is used, not only in this sense (Jer 37:13; contrast 39:9), but also in a variety of others. So a "ward" may mean "any body of men on special duty," as 1Ch 9:23; the King James Version 1Ch 26:16; Ne 12:24,25 (the Revised Version (British and American) "watch"), or the duty itself, as Isa 21:8;
Ward
A prison (Gen. 40:3, 4); a watch-station (Isa. 21:8); a guard (Neh. 13:30).
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (Ephrayim) refers to Ephraim, a son of Joseph and Asenath, and the tribe descended from him. The term signifies 'double fruit' and encompasses various meanings, including a geographical region, a chief gate of Jerusalem, and a reference to the northern kingdom. Notably, it appears in Genesis 41:52.
אֶפְרַ֫יִם n.pr.m. Ephraim
base
H669 אֶפְרַ֫יִם Ephraim
669 'Ephrayim ef-rah'-yim
dual of masculine form of 672; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son
of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its
territory:--Ephraim, Ephraimites.
see HEBREW for 0672
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.52;
son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621);
brother of: Manasseh (H4519);
father of: Shuthelah (H7803), Becher (H1071H), Tahan (H8465), Ezer (H5827), Elead (H0496) and Beriah (H1283H); also called Ephrathite (NIV: Ephraimite) at 1Sa.1.1; Ephron (Qere, KJV: Ephrain) at 2Ch.13.19;
§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"
1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh
2) the tribe, Ephraim
3) the mountain country of Ephraim
4) sometimes used name for the northern kingdom (Hosea or Isaiah)
5) a city near Baal-hazor
6) a chief gate of Jerusalem
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim (Gate).
§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"
a chief gate of Jerusalem
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
Ephraim
Double fruitfulness (“for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction”). The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt (Gen. 41:52; 46:20). The first incident recorded regarding him is his being placed, along with his brother Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, that he might bless them (48:10; comp. 27:1). The intention of Joseph was that the right hand of the aged patriarch should be placed on the head of the elder of the two; but Jacob set Ephraim the younger before his brother, “guiding his hands wittingly.” Before Joseph’s death, Ephraim’s family had reached the third generation (Gen. 50:23).
a city "in the district near the wilderness" to which our Lord retired with his disciples when threatened with violence by the priests. (John 11:54)
The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt, Ge 41:52. Although the youngest, he yet had the chief blessing of his grandfather Jacob, and the tribe was always more distinguished than that of Manasseh, Ge 48:8-20 Nu 2:18-21. The portion of Ephraim was large and central, and embraced some of the most fertile land in all Canaan. It extended from the Mediterranean across to the Jordan, north of the portions of Dan and Benjamin and included Shiloh, Shechem, etc. A range of mountainous country, which runs through it, is called "the mountains of Ephraim," or "mount Ephraim." This extends also farther south into the portion of Judah, and is there called "the mountains of Judah." Samaria, the capital of the ten tribes, being in Ephraim…
fruitful; increasing
צָפוֹן (tsaphown) means 'north' and is derived from a root meaning 'hidden' or 'dark.' It is used specifically to refer to the northern direction, often associated with gloominess and the unknown. The term also appears in the context of a name, 'Zaphon,' which similarly denotes the north.
צָפוֹן 153 n.f. north (as the hidden, dark)
base
H6828 צָפוֹן north
6828 tsaphown tsaw-fone'
or tsaphon {tsaw-fone'}; from 6845; properly, hidden, i.e.
dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and
unknown):--north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
see HEBREW for 06845
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — north.
1) north (of direction), northward
1a) north
1b) northward
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — Zaphon.
This name means north
Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute · suffixHC/Ncfsa/Sd
word: "Ward" and "guard" are two different spellings of the same word, and in consequence no clear line can be drawn between them. English Versions of the Bible, however, has used "guard" only in the sense of "a special body of soldiers" (Ge 37:36, etc.), while "ward" is used, not only in this sense (Jer 37:13; contrast 39:9), but also in a variety of others. So a "ward" may mean "any body of men on special duty," as 1Ch 9:23; the King James Version 1Ch 26:16; Ne 12:24,25 (the Revised Version (British and American) "watch"), or the duty itself, as Isa 21:8;
Ward
A prison (Gen. 40:3, 4); a watch-station (Isa. 21:8); a guard (Neh. 13:30).
מְנַשֶּׁה (Mnashsheh) means 'causing to forget' and refers to several figures in the Old Testament. Primarily, it denotes the eldest son of Joseph and the tribe descended from him, as well as the territory they occupied. Additionally, it identifies a king of Judah, son of Hezekiah, and several individuals mentioned during the Exile and Return. The entries consistently highlight these connections without significant disagreement.
מְנַשֶּׁה 136 n.pr.m. et trib. Manasseh
Manasseh, eldest son of Joseph
of tribe
son of Hezekiah
two who had taken strange wives
base
H4519 מְנַשֶּׁה Manasseh
4519 Mnashsheh men-ash-sheh'
from 5382; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of
Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its
territory:--Manasseh.
see HEBREW for 05382
מְנַשֶּׁה (me.nash.sheh) — Manasseh.
A man of the tribe of Manasseh living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.51;
son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621);
brother of: Ephraim (H0669); married to Aramitess (H0761);
father of: Machir (H4353) and Asriel (H0844H)
§ 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
מְנַשֶּׁה (me.nash.sheh) — Manasseh.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.20.21;
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
Manasseh
Who makes to forget. “God hath made me forget” (Heb. nashshani), Gen. 41:51. (1.) The elder of the two sons of Joseph. He and his brother Ephraim were afterwards adopted by Jacob as his own sons (48:1). There is an account of his marriage to a Syrian (1 Chr. 7:14); and the only thing afterwards recorded of him is, that his grandchildren were “brought up upon Joseph’s knees” (Gen. 50:23; R.V., “born upon Joseph’s knees”) i.e., were from their birth adopted by Joseph as his own children.
The tribe of Manasseh was associated with that of Ephraim and Benjamin during the wanderings in the wilderness. They encamped on the west side of the tabernacle. According to the census taken at Sinai, this tribe then…
(forgetting). The thirteenth king of Judah, son of Hezekiah, (2 Kings 21:1) ascended the throne at the age of twelve, and reigned 55 years, from B.C. 608 to 642. His accession was the signal for an entire change in the religious administration of the kingdom. Idolatry was again established to such an extent that every faith was tolerated but the old faith of Israel. The Babylonian alliance which the king formed against Assyria resulted in his being made prisoner and carried off to Babylon in the twenty-second year of his reign, according to a Jewish tradition. There his eyes were opened and he repented, and his prayer was heard and the Lord delivered him, (2 Chronicles 33:12,13) and he returned after some uncertain interval of time to Jerusalem. The altar of the Lord was again…
1. The eldest son of Joseph, born in Egypt. His descendants constituted a full tribe. This was divided in the promised land: one part having settled east of the Jordan, in the country of Bashan, from the river Jabbok northwards; and the other west of the Jordan, between Ephraim and Issachar, extending from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. It was far inferior to Ephraim in wealth and power, according to the prediction of Jacob, Ge 41:50,51 48:1-22 Jos 16:10.
2. The son and impious successor of the good Hezekiah, king of Judah. He began to reign at twelve years old, B. C. 698, and reigned fifty-five years. For his shocking idolatries, tyranny, and cruelties, God suffered him to be carried as a prisoner to Babylon in the twenty-second year of his reign, probably by Esarhaddon king…
forgetfulness; he that is forgotten
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
יָם (yam) means 'sea' and refers to various large bodies of water, including the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas, as well as the Sea of Galilee. It can also denote a mighty river like the Nile and has geographical implications, indicating directions such as west or south. The term is derived from a root meaning to roar, suggesting the noise of breaking surf.
יָם 390 n.m. sea
base
H3220 יָם sea
3220 yam yawm
from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in
noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the
article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or
an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the
south:--sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern,
side, -ward).
יָם (yam) — sea.
: sea
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — sea: west.
: west
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — (Mt. Ephron in the) West.
This name means sea, seaward, westward
Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
se (yam; thalassa; in Ac 27:5 pelagos): The Mediterranean is called ha-yam ha-gadhol, "the great sea" (Nu 34:6; Jos 1:4; Eze 47:10, etc.); ha-yam ha-'acharon, "the hinder," or "western sea" (De 11:24; 34:2; Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8); yam pelishtim, "the sea of the Philis" (Ex 23:31); the King James Version translates yam yapho' in Ezr 3:7 by "sea of Joppa," perhaps rightly.
The sea, yam , is used in Scripture to denote-- "The gathering of the waters," "the Ocean." (Genesis 1:2,10; 30:13) etc. Some portion of this, as the Mediterranean Sea, called the "hinder," the "western" and the "utmost" sea, (11:24; 34:2; Joel 2:20) "sea of the Philistines," (Exodus 23:31) "the great sea," (Numbers 36:6,7; Joshua 15:47) "the sea." Genesis49:13; Psal 80:11 Also frequently of the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:4) [RED SEA SEA] Inland lakes termed seas, as the Salt or Dead Sea. [See the special article] Any…
The Hebrews give the name of sea to any large collection of water, Job 14:11; as to the lakes of Tiberias and Asphaltites, and also to the rivers Nile and Euphrates, Isa 11:15 18:2 21:1 Jer 51:36,42. The principal seas mentioned in Scripture are the following:
1. The GREAT SEA, the Mediterranean, called also the Hinder or Western Sea. Indeed, the Hebrew word for sea, meaning the Mediterranean, is often put for the west. The Great Sea is 2,200 miles long, and in the widest part 1,200 miles in width. In many places it is so deep as to give no soundings. It is little affected by tides, but is often agitated by violent winds. The prevailing direction of the wind in spring is from the southeast and southwest and from the northeast…
→ Creation of Ge 1:9,10; Ps 95:5; 148:4,5
→ Lake Galilee calmed by Jesus Mt 8:24-26; Mr 4:37-39
→ Jesus walked upon Lake Galilee Mt 14:25-31
גְּבוּל (gbuwl) refers to a border or boundary, often implying a defined territory. It can denote a physical limit, such as a coast or landmark, and can also have figurative uses, like a region of darkness. The word is derived from a root meaning 'cord' and encompasses various meanings related to boundaries and territories.
גְּבוּל 240 n.m. border, boundary, territory
border, boundary
territory (enclosed within boundary)
base
H1366 גְּבוּל border, boundary, territory
1366 gbuwl gheb-ool'
or (shortened) gbul {gheb-ool'}; from 1379; properly, a cord
(as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extens. the
territory inclosed:--border, bound, coast, X great, landmark,
limit, quarter, space.
see HEBREW for 01379
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: boundary.
: boundary
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: area.
: area
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
אָשֵׁר (Asher) refers to a son of Jacob and Zilpah, as well as the tribe descended from him. The name means 'happy' and is also associated with a city east of Shechem. The entries note that Asher is linked to the Hebrew root for happiness, but there is a mention of potential translations related to wood in Ezekiel.
אָשֵׁר n.pr.m. Asher (happy one, Felix)
son of Jacob and Zilpah
the tribe
n.pr.loc. city E. of Shechem
base
H836 אָשֵׁר Asher
836 'Asher aw-share'
from 833, happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe
descended from him, with its territory; also a place in
Palestine:--Asher
see HEBREW for 0833
אָשֵׁר (a.sher) — Asher.
A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.13;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Gad (H1410);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440), Beriah (H1283) and Serah (H8294); also translated "pine" or "cypress wood" at Ezk.27.6(?); Ashurite at 2Sa.2.9(?);
§ Asher = "happy"
1) son of Jacob and Zilpah
2) the tribe descended from Asher
3) a city east of Shechem in Manasseh
Conj | Prep | N-proper — Conjunction · preposition · noun proper masculineHC/R/Npm
Asher
Happy, Jacob’s eigth son; his mother was Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid (Gen. 30:13). Of the tribe founded by him nothing is recorded beyond its holding a place in the list of the tribes (35:26; 46:17; Ex. 1:4, etc.) It increased in numbers twenty-nine percent, during the thirty-eight years’ wanderings. The place of this tribe during the march through the desert was between Dan and Naphtali (Num. 2:27). The boundaries of the inheritance given to it, which contained some of the richest soil in Palestine, and the names of its towns, are recorded in Josh. 19:24-31; Judg. 1:31, 32. Asher and Simeon were the only tribes west of…
a place which formed one boundary of the tribe of Manasseh on the south. (Joshua 17:7) Mr. Porter suggests that Teyasir may be the Asher of Manasseh. Handbook , p.348.
The eighth son of Jacob and second of Zilpah, Ge 30:13 35:26. On entering Canaan his tribe was the fifth in order, numbering fifty-three thousand four hundred. The portion of Asher lay along the seaboard, having Levanon and Zidon on the north, Carmel and the tribe of Issachar on the south, and Zebulun and Naphtali on the east. It was fruitful in grain, wine, oil, and minerals, Ge 49:20 De 33:24,25. How much of the Phoenician coast was included is uncertain, Jos 19:25,28; but the Asherites were unable to expel the Canaanites, and dwelt in part among them, Jud 1:31,32. They are honorably mentioned in the history of…
happiness
פָּגַע (paga`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to meet or encounter, which can occur in various contexts such as kindness, hostility, or requests. It is built from a primitive root and includes nuances like making intercession or striking a boundary. The word appears in different forms, including Qal and Hiphil, indicating both simple and causative actions.
פָּגַע vb. meet, encounter, reach
Qal
meet, light upon
meet, with kindness
encounter with hostility, fall upon
encounter with request, entreat
strike, touch, of boundary
Hiph.
cause to light upon
cause one (acc.) to entreat
make entreaty; more gen. interpose
encounter with request, entreat
make attack
base
H6293 פָּגַע meet, encounter, reach .. meet, light upon
. meet, with kindness
. encounter with hostility, fall upon
. encounter with request, entreat
. strike, touch, of boundary
. . cause to light upon
. cause one (acc.) to entreat
. make entreaty; more gen. interpose
. encounter with request, entreat
. make attack
6293 paga` paw-gah'
a primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or
(figuratively) by importunity:--come (betwixt), cause to
entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat,
lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run.
פָּגַע (pa.ga) — to fall on.
1) to encounter, meet, reach, entreat, make intercession
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to meet, light upon, join
1a2) to meet (of kindness)
1a3) to encounter, fall upon (of hostility)
1a4) to encounter, entreat (of request)
1a5) to strike, touch (of boundary)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to light upon
1b2) to cause to entreat
1b3) to make entreaty, interpose
1b4) to make attack
1b5) to reach the mark
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVqi3mp/Sn
צָפוֹן (tsaphown) means 'north' and is derived from a root meaning 'hidden' or 'dark.' It is used specifically to refer to the northern direction, often associated with gloominess and the unknown. The term also appears in the context of a name, 'Zaphon,' which similarly denotes the north.
צָפוֹן 153 n.f. north (as the hidden, dark)
base
H6828 צָפוֹן north
6828 tsaphown tsaw-fone'
or tsaphon {tsaw-fone'}; from 6845; properly, hidden, i.e.
dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and
unknown):--north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
see HEBREW for 06845
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — north.
1) north (of direction), northward
1a) north
1b) northward
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — Zaphon.
This name means north
Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
See EAST. The Babylonians and Assyrians are represented as coming from "the north," because they invaded Israel by a northern route in order to avoid the desert, Jer 1:14 46:6,24 Zep 2:13. "Fair weather," says Job, or golden weather, "cometh out of the north," Job 37:22. This is as true in Syria and Arabia now as it was three thousand years ago. A traveler there remarks, "Our friends, who have been long residents, informed us that we should have fair weather for our start on the morrow, as the wind was from the north."
"... And so we have found it come to pass that the clouds of a golden hue always followed upon a north wind, and indicated a clear day; and as in the times of the Savior, we could always say when it was evening…
יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissaskar) refers to Issachar, the ninth son of Jacob and Leah, and the progenitor of the tribe named after him. The name means 'there is recompense' and is associated with a territory in Canaan. Additionally, there is a Korahite Levite named Issachar, mentioned in the context of temple duties.
יִשָּׂשכָר 43 n.pr.m. Issachar
base
H3485 יִשָּׂשכָר Issachar
3485 Yissaskar yis-saw-kawr'
(strictly yis-saws-kawr'); from 5375 and 7939; he will bring
a reward; Jissaskar, a son of Jacob:--Issachar.
see HEBREW for 05375
see HEBREW for 07939
יִשָּׂשכָר (yis.sa.s.khar) — Issachar.
A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.18;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Tola (H8439), Puah (H6312), Jashub (H3437H) and Shimron (H8110B)
Also named: Isachar (Ἰσαχάρ "Issachar" G2466)
§ Issachar = "there is recompense"
1) the 9th son of Jacob and the 5th by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name
2) a Korahite Levite and the 7th son of Obed-edom and doorkeeper to the temple
3) the tribe descended from Issachar the son of Jacob
4) the territory allocated to the descendants of Issachar when they entered the land of Canaan
Conj | Prep | N-proper — Conjunction · preposition · noun proper masculineHC/R/Npm
is'-a-kar (yissa(se)khar; Septuagint, Swete Issachar; Tischendorf, Issachar, so also in the New Testament, Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek):
(1) The 9th son of Jacob, the 5th borne to him by Leah (Ge 30:17 f).
1. The Name:
His birth is in this passage connected with the strange story of Reuben and his mandrakes, and the name given him is apparently conceived as derived from 'ish sakhar, "a hired workman." There is a play upon the name in this sense in Ge 49:15, "He bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant under taskwork." Wellhausen (Textder Buch. Sam., 95) thinks that the second element of the name may denote a deity; and Sokar, an Egyptian god, has been suggested. The name in that case would mean "worshipper of Sokar." Practically nothing is…
Issachar
Hired (Gen. 30:18). “God hath given me,” said Leah, “my hire (Heb. sekhari)...and she called his name Issachar.” He was Jacob’s ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram (comp. 28:2). He had four sons at the going down into Egypt (46:13; Num. 26:23, 25).
Issachar, Tribe of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun (Num. 2:5), marched on the east of the tabernacle. This tribe contained 54,400 fighting men when the census was taken at Sinai. After the entrance into the Promised Land, this tribe was one of the six which stood on Gerizim during the ceremony of the blessing and cursing (Deut. 27:12). The allotment of Issachar is…
(reward). I. The ninth son of Jacob and the fifth of Leah. (Genesis 30:17,18) (B.C. 1753-45) At the descent into Egypt four sons are ascribed to him, who founded the four chief families of the tribes. (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23,25; 1 Chronicles 7:1) The number of the fighting men of Issachar, when taken in the census at Sinai, was 54,400. During the journey they seem to have steadily increased. The allotment of Issachar lay above that of Manasseh. (Joshua 19:17-23) In the words of Josephus, "it extended in length from Carmel to the Jordan, in breadth to Mount Tabor." This territory was, as it still is, among the…
Recompense, so named by Leah his mother, Ge 30:18, the ninth son of Jacob, born B. C. 1749. The character of his posterity was foretold by Jacob and by Moses, Ge 49:14,15 De 33:18,19.
The TRIBE OF ISSACHAR numbered fifty-four thousand men in the desert, and on entering Canaan was the third in population, Nu 1:28 26:25. Their portion, having the Jordan on the east, Manasseh on the west, Zebulun north, and Ephraim south, included a considerable part of the fine plain Esdraelon, the most fertile in the country. They were industrious agriculturists, and are mentioned with honor for their brave and wise patriotism, Jud 5:15…
מִזְרָח (mizrach) means 'place of sunrise' or simply 'east.' It is derived from the root meaning 'to rise' and refers to the direction of the sunrise. The entries consistently highlight its use to denote the east, both as a cardinal direction and in relation to the rising sun.
מִזְרָח n.[m.] place of sunrise, east
base
H4217 מִזְרָח place of sunrise, east
4217 mizrach miz-rawkh'
from 2224; sunrise, i.e. the east:--east (side, -ward),
(sun-)rising (of the sun).
see HEBREW for 02224
מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — East (Gate).
This name means place of sunrise, east
מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — east.
1) place of sunrise, east
1a) sunrise, east (with 'sun')
1b) the east (without 'sun')
1b1) to or toward the place of sunrise
1b2) to the east, eastward
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
East
(1.) The orient (mizrah); the rising of the sun. Thus “the east country” is the country lying to the east of Syria, the Elymais (Zech. 8:7).
(2). Properly what is in front of one, or a country that is before or in front of another; the rendering of the word kedem. In pointing out the quarters, a Hebrew always looked with his face toward the east. The word kedem is used when the four quarters of the world are described (Gen. 13:14; 28:14); and mizrah when the east only is distinguished from the west (Josh. 11:3; Ps. 50:1; 103:12, etc.). In Gen. 25:6 “eastward” is literally “unto the land of kedem;” i.e., the lands…
The Hebrew term kedem properly means that which is before or in front of a person, and was applied to the east form the custom of turning in that direction when describing the points of the compass, before, behind, the right and the left representing respectively east, west, south and north. (Job 23:8,9) The term as generally used refers to the lands lying immediately eastward of Palestine, viz., Arabia, Mesopotamia and Babylonia; on the other hand mizrach is used of the far east with a less definite signification. (Isaiah 42:2,25; 43:5; 46:11)
The Hebrews, in speaking of the different quarters of the heaven, always suppose the face to be turned towards the east. Hence "before," or "forwards," means the east; "behind" is the west; the right-hand is south, and the left hand, north. Besides the ordinary meanings of the word east, Jos 4:19; Ps 103:12, the Jews often used it to designate a large region lying northeast and southeast of Palestine, including Syria and Arabia near at hand, and Babylonia, Assyria, Armenia, etc., with the whole region from the Caspian sea to the Arabian gulf, Ge 29:1; Nu 23:7; Jud 6:3; 7:12; 8:10. The wise men who visited the infant…