The Border of the Children of Ephraim - Joshua 16:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance”, and in chapter sixteen and verse five of Joshua we learn how, “the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus” where we read,

And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;

The verse reads, “And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the border” or “and the edge, circuit or boundary” “of the children of Ephraim” which means “pertaining to the offspring or progeny belonging to Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh” “according to their families was thus” or “in keeping with their, Ephraim’s, clan, kindred and kinsmen was in keeping with the following”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary belonging to the offspring of “Ephraim” was in keeping with the following.

 

The verse goes on to say, “even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “even the border” which means “indeed and also the edge, circuit or boundary” “of their inheritance” or “pertaining to their, Ephraim’s, property, heritage, portion or share” “on the east side” which means “upon the border in the eastern direction” “was Atarothaddar” or Ataroth-adar or Ataroth-addar whose name means “crowns of glory” and was “a Gadite town on the west border of Benjamin”, “unto Bethhoron the upper” whose name means “house of hollowness” and was “town on the mountains of Ephraim”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary belonging to the portion and heritage of the offspring of “Ephraim” in the eastern direction existed as “Atarothaddar” and toward “Bethhoron” in the mountainous region. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more about the territory within the promise land that was provided to the “tribe of Joseph” through His sons, “Manasseh and Ephraim”. God gave these people groups their allotments in keeping with His desire for them. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in that truth so our lives will be pleasing to Him in the location He has given to us in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".