וַֽיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵ֛י מ֥וֹת מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֣בֶד יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן־נ֔וּן מְשָׁרֵ֥ת מֹשֶׁ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃ After the death of Moses the servant of GOD, GOD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant:

מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדִּ֖י מֵ֑ת וְעַתָּה֩ ק֨וּם עֲבֹ֜ר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֣ן הַזֶּ֗ה אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “My servant Moses is dead. Prepare to cross the Jordan, together with all this people, into the land that I am giving to the Israelites.

כׇּל־מָק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ כַּֽף־רַגְלְכֶ֛ם בּ֖וֹ לָכֶ֣ם נְתַתִּ֑יו כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי אֶל־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ Every spot on which your foot treads I give to you, as I promised Moses.

מֵהַמִּדְבָּר֩ וְהַלְּבָנ֨וֹן הַזֶּ֜ה וְֽעַד־הַנָּהָ֧ר הַגָּד֣וֹל נְהַר־פְּרָ֗ת כֹּ֚ל אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחִתִּ֔ים וְעַד־הַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל מְב֣וֹא הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ יִֽהְיֶ֖ה גְּבוּלְכֶֽם׃ Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and the Lebanon to the Great River, the River Euphrates [on the east]—the whole Hittite country—and up to the Mediterranean^aMediterranean Heb. “Great.” Sea on the west.

לֹא־יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב אִישׁ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּ֑יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הָיִ֤יתִי עִם־מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶהְיֶ֣ה עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א אַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א אֶעֶזְבֶֽךָּ׃ No one shall be able to resist you as long as you live. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

חֲזַ֖ק וֶאֱמָ֑ץ כִּ֣י אַתָּ֗ה תַּנְחִיל֙ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶת־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי לַאֲבוֹתָ֖ם לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם׃ “Be strong and resolute, for you shall apportion to this people the land that I swore to their fathers^bfathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; see Gen. 24.7; 26.3; 50.24; Deut. 1.8. to assign to them.

רַק֩ חֲזַ֨ק וֶאֱמַ֜ץ מְאֹ֗ד לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙ כְּכׇל־הַתּוֹרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוְּךָ֙ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדִּ֔י אַל־תָּס֥וּר מִמֶּ֖נּוּ יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול לְמַ֣עַן תַּשְׂכִּ֔יל בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃ But you must be very strong and resolute to observe faithfully all the Teaching that My servant Moses enjoined upon you. Do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

לֹֽא־יָמ֡וּשׁ סֵ֩פֶר֩ הַתּוֹרָ֨ה הַזֶּ֜ה מִפִּ֗יךָ וְהָגִ֤יתָ בּוֹ֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה לְמַ֙עַן֙ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּכׇל־הַכָּת֖וּב בּ֑וֹ כִּי־אָ֛ז תַּצְלִ֥יחַ אֶת־דְּרָכֶ֖ךָ וְאָ֥ז תַּשְׂכִּֽיל׃ Let not this Book of the Teaching cease from your lips, but recite it day and night, so that you may observe faithfully all that is written in it. Only then will you prosper in your undertakings and only then will you be successful.

הֲל֤וֹא צִוִּיתִ֙יךָ֙ חֲזַ֣ק וֶאֱמָ֔ץ אַֽל־תַּעֲרֹ֖ץ וְאַל־תֵּחָ֑ת כִּ֤י עִמְּךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃ {פ}
“I charge you: Be strong and resolute; do not be terrified or dismayed, for the ETERNAL your God is with you wherever you go.”

וַיְצַ֣ו יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ אֶת־שֹׁטְרֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ Joshua thereupon gave orders to the officials of the people:

עִבְר֣וּ ׀ בְּקֶ֣רֶב הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה וְצַוּ֤וּ אֶת־הָעָם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָכִ֥ינוּ לָכֶ֖ם צֵידָ֑ה כִּ֞י בְּע֣וֹד ׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים אַתֶּם֙ עֹֽבְרִים֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֣ן הַזֶּ֔ה לָבוֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶ֖ם לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ {פ}
“Go through the camp and charge the people thus: Get provisions ready, for in three days’ time you are to cross the Jordan, in order to enter and possess the land that the ETERNAL your God is giving you as a possession.”

וְלָרֽאוּבֵנִי֙ וְלַגָּדִ֔י וְלַחֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֣בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה אָמַ֥ר יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃ Then Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,^cthe Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh I.e., their leaders or householders.

זָכוֹר֙ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֛ם מֹשֶׁ֥ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ מֵנִ֣יחַ לָכֶ֔ם וְנָתַ֥ן לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּֽאת׃ “Remember what Moses the servant of GOD enjoined upon you, when he said, ‘The ETERNAL your God is granting you a haven and assigning this territory to you’:

נְשֵׁיכֶ֣ם טַפְּכֶם֮ וּמִקְנֵיכֶם֒ יֵשְׁב֕וּ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֥ן לָכֶ֛ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְאַתֶּם֩ תַּעַבְר֨וּ חֲמֻשִׁ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם כֹּ֚ל גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י הַחַ֔יִל וַעֲזַרְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתָֽם׃ Let your wives, children, and livestock remain in the land that Moses assigned to you on this side of^don this side of Lit. “across.” the Jordan; but every one of your fighting men shall go across armed^earmed Meaning of Heb. uncertain. in the van of your kindred. And you shall assist them

עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁר־יָנִ֨יחַ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ לַאֲחֵיכֶם֮ כָּכֶם֒ וְיָרְשׁ֣וּ גַם־הֵ֔מָּה אֶת־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֣ן לָהֶ֑ם וְשַׁבְתֶּ֞ם לְאֶ֤רֶץ יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם֙ וִירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אוֹתָ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֗ם מֹשֶׁה֙ עֶ֣בֶד יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן מִזְרַ֥ח הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ until GOD has given your kindred a haven, such as you have, and they too have gained possession of the land that the ETERNAL your God has assigned to them. Then you may return to the land on the east side of the Jordan, which Moses the servant of GOD assigned to you as your possession, and you may possess it.”

וַֽיַּעֲנ֔וּ אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוִּיתָ֙נוּ֙ נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְאֶֽל־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֖נוּ נֵלֵֽךְ׃ They answered Joshua, “We will do everything you have commanded us and we will go wherever you send us.

כְּכֹ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַ֙עְנוּ֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֖ן נִשְׁמַ֣ע אֵלֶ֑יךָ רַ֠ק יִֽהְיֶ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ עִמָּ֔ךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיָ֖ה עִם־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses; let but the ETERNAL your God be with you as with Moses!

כׇּל־אִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַמְרֶ֣ה אֶת־פִּ֗יךָ וְלֹֽא־יִשְׁמַ֧ע אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֛יךָ לְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־תְּצַוֶּ֖נּוּ יוּמָ֑ת רַ֖ק חֲזַ֥ק וֶאֱמָֽץ׃ {פ}
Anyone who flouts your commands and does not obey every order you give him shall be put to death. Only be strong and resolute!”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ־בִּן־נ֠וּן מִֽן־הַשִּׁטִּ֞ים שְׁנַֽיִם־אֲנָשִׁ֤ים מְרַגְּלִים֙ חֶ֣רֶשׁ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְכ֛וּ רְא֥וּ אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאֶת־יְרִיח֑וֹ וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ וַ֠יָּבֹ֠אוּ בֵּית־אִשָּׁ֥ה זוֹנָ֛ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ רָחָ֖ב וַיִּשְׁכְּבוּ־שָֽׁמָּה׃ Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, reconnoiter the region of Jericho.” So they set out, and they came to the house of a certain prostitute named Rahab and lodged there.

וַיֵּ֣אָמַ֔ר לְמֶ֥לֶךְ יְרִיח֖וֹ לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֣ה אֲ֠נָשִׁ֠ים בָּ֣אוּ הֵ֧נָּה הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִבְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַחְפֹּ֥ר אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ The king of Jericho was told, “Some men have come here tonight, Israelites, to spy out the country.”

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרִיח֔וֹ אֶל־רָחָ֖ב לֵאמֹ֑ר ה֠וֹצִ֠יאִי הָאֲנָשִׁ֨ים הַבָּאִ֤ים אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ לְבֵיתֵ֔ךְ כִּ֛י לַחְפֹּ֥ר אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּֽאוּ׃ The king of Jericho thereupon sent orders to Rahab: “Produce the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole country.”

וַתִּקַּ֧ח הָאִשָּׁ֛ה אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַֽתִּצְפְּנ֑וֹ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ כֵּ֗ן בָּ֤אוּ אֵלַי֙ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי מֵאַ֥יִן הֵֽמָּה׃ The woman, however, had taken the two men and hidden them. “It is true,” she said, “the men did come to me, but I didn’t know where they were from.

וַיְהִ֨י הַשַּׁ֜עַר לִסְגּ֗וֹר בַּחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙ וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים יָצָ֔אוּ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי אָ֥נָה הָלְכ֖וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים רִדְפ֥וּ מַהֵ֛ר אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם כִּ֥י תַשִּׂיגֽוּם׃ And at dark, when the gate was about to be closed, the men left; and I don’t know where the men went. Quick, go after them, for you can overtake them.”—

וְהִ֖יא הֶעֱלָ֣תַם הַגָּ֑גָה וַֽתִּטְמְנֵם֙ בְּפִשְׁתֵּ֣י הָעֵ֔ץ הָעֲרֻכ֥וֹת לָ֖הּ עַל־הַגָּֽג׃ Now she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under some stalks of flax that she had lying on the roof.—

וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים רָדְפ֤וּ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן עַ֖ל הַֽמַּעְבְּר֑וֹת וְהַשַּׁ֣עַר סָגָ֔רוּ אַחֲרֵ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יָצְא֥וּ הָרֹדְפִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ So the men pursued them in the direction of the Jordan down to the fords; and no sooner had the pursuers gone out than the gate was shut behind them.

וְהֵ֖מָּה טֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁכָּב֑וּן וְהִ֛יא עָלְתָ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־הַגָּֽג׃ The spies^aThe spies Heb. “They.” had not yet gone to sleep when she came up to them on the roof.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכִֽי־נָפְלָ֤ה אֵֽימַתְכֶם֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְכִ֥י נָמֹ֛גוּ כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃ She said to the men, “I know that GOD has given the country to you, because dread of you has fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land are quaking before you.

כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֵ֠ת אֲשֶׁר־הוֹבִ֨ישׁ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־מֵ֤י יַם־סוּף֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם בְּצֵאתְכֶ֖ם מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֡ם לִשְׁנֵי֩ מַלְכֵ֨י הָאֱמֹרִ֜י אֲשֶׁ֨ר בְּעֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ לְסִיחֹ֣ן וּלְע֔וֹג אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱרַמְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתָֽם׃ For we have heard how GOD dried up the waters of the Sea of Reeds for you when you left Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings across the Jordan, whom you doomed.^bdoomed I.e., placed under ḥerem, which meant the annihilation of the inhabitants. Cf. Deut. 2.34ff.

וַנִּשְׁמַע֙ וַיִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבֵ֔נוּ וְלֹא־קָ֨מָה ע֥וֹד ר֛וּחַ בְּאִ֖ישׁ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם ה֤וּא אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם מִמַּ֔עַל וְעַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּֽחַת׃ When we heard about it, we lost heart, and no one had any more spirit left because of you; for the ETERNAL your God is the only God in heaven above and on earth below.

וְעַתָּ֗ה הִשָּֽׁבְעוּ־נָ֥א לִי֙ בַּֽיהֹוָ֔ה כִּֽי־עָשִׂ֥יתִי עִמָּכֶ֖ם חָ֑סֶד וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם גַּם־אַתֶּ֜ם עִם־בֵּ֤ית אָבִי֙ חֶ֔סֶד וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם לִ֖י א֥וֹת אֱמֶֽת׃ Now, since I have shown loyalty to you, swear to me by GOD that you in turn will show loyalty to my family.^cfamily Lit. “father’s house.” Provide me with a reliable sign

וְהַחֲיִתֶ֞ם אֶת־אָבִ֣י וְאֶת־אִמִּ֗י וְאֶת־אַחַי֙ וְאֶת־[אַחְיוֹתַ֔י] (אחותי) וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם וְהִצַּלְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵ֖ינוּ מִמָּֽוֶת׃ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.”

וַיֹּ֧אמְרוּ לָ֣הּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים נַפְשֵׁ֤נוּ תַחְתֵּיכֶם֙ לָמ֔וּת אִ֚ם לֹ֣א תַגִּ֔ידוּ אֶת־דְּבָרֵ֖נוּ זֶ֑ה וְהָיָ֗ה בְּתֵת־יְהֹוָ֥ה לָ֙נוּ֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּ עִמָּ֖ךְ חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ The men answered her, “Our lives are pledged for yours, even to death! If you do not disclose this mission of ours, we will show you true loyalty when GOD gives us the land.”

וַתּוֹרִדֵ֥ם בַּחֶ֖בֶל בְּעַ֣ד הַחַלּ֑וֹן כִּ֤י בֵיתָהּ֙ בְּקִ֣יר הַחוֹמָ֔ה וּבַֽחוֹמָ֖ה הִ֥יא יוֹשָֽׁבֶת׃ She let them down by a rope through the window—for her dwelling was at the outer side of the city wall and she lived in the actual wall.

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הָהָ֣רָה לֵּ֔כוּ פֶּֽן־יִפְגְּע֥וּ בָכֶ֖ם הָרֹֽדְפִ֑ים וְנַחְבֵּתֶ֨ם שָׁ֜מָּה שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים עַ֚ד שׁ֣וֹב הָרֹֽדְפִ֔ים וְאַחַ֖ר תֵּלְכ֥וּ לְדַרְכְּכֶֽם׃ She said to them, “Make for the hills, so that the pursuers may not come upon you. Stay there in hiding three days, until the pursuers return; then go your way.”

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יהָ הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים נְקִיִּ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְ הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃ But the men warned her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us take

הִנֵּ֛ה אֲנַ֥חְנוּ בָאִ֖ים בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֶת־תִּקְוַ֡ת חוּט֩ הַשָּׁנִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה תִּקְשְׁרִ֗י בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹרַדְתֵּ֣נוּ ב֔וֹ וְאֶת־אָבִ֨יךְ וְאֶת־אִמֵּ֜ךְ וְאֶת־אַחַ֗יִךְ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יךְ תַּאַסְפִ֥י אֵלַ֖יִךְ הַבָּֽיְתָה׃ [unless,] when we invade the country, you tie this length of crimson cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your family together in your house;

וְהָיָ֡ה כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֩ מִדַּלְתֵ֨י בֵיתֵ֧ךְ ׀ הַח֛וּצָה דָּמ֥וֹ בְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ נְקִיִּ֑ם וְ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִֽהְיֶ֤ה אִתָּךְ֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת דָּמ֣וֹ בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אִם־יָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶה־בּֽוֹ׃ and if anyone ventures outside the doors of your house, their blood will be on their head,^dtheir blood will be on their head I.e., they shall be responsible for their own death. and we shall be clear. But if a hand is laid on anyone who remains in the house with you, their blood shall be on our heads.

וְאִם־תַּגִּ֖ידִי אֶת־דְּבָרֵ֣נוּ זֶ֑ה וְהָיִ֣ינוּ נְקִיִּ֔ם מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃ And if you disclose this mission of ours, we shall likewise be released from the oath that you made us take.”

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כְּדִבְרֵיכֶ֣ם כֶּן־ה֔וּא וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵ֖ם וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וַתִּקְשֹׁ֛ר אֶת־תִּקְוַ֥ת הַשָּׁנִ֖י בַּחַלּֽוֹן׃ She replied, “Let it be as you say.”
She sent them on their way, and they left; and she tied the crimson cord to the window.

וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ הָהָ֔רָה וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ שָׁם֙ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים עַד־שָׁ֖בוּ הָרֹֽדְפִ֑ים וַיְבַקְשׁ֧וּ הָרֹדְפִ֛ים בְּכׇל־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְלֹ֥א מָצָֽאוּ׃ They went straight to the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers turned back. And so the pursuers, searching all along the road, did not find them.

וַיָּשֻׁ֜בוּ שְׁנֵ֤י הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ וַיֵּרְד֣וּ מֵֽהָהָ֔ר וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֙ וַיָּבֹ֔אוּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נ֑וּן וַ֨יְסַפְּרוּ־ל֔וֹ אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַמֹּצְא֖וֹת אוֹתָֽם׃ Then the two men came down again from the hills and crossed over. They came to Joshua son of Nun and reported to him all that had happened to them.

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּיָדֵ֖נוּ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְגַם־נָמֹ֛גוּ כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפָּנֵֽינוּ׃ {ס}         They said to Joshua, “GOD has delivered the whole land into our power; in fact, all the inhabitants of the land are quaking before us.”

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ בַּבֹּ֜קֶר וַיִּסְע֣וּ מֵהַשִּׁטִּ֗ים וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ עַד־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן ה֖וּא וְכׇל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּלִ֥נוּ שָׁ֖ם טֶ֥רֶם יַעֲבֹֽרוּ׃ Early next morning, Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and marched to the Jordan. They did not cross immediately, but spent the night there.

וַיְהִ֕י מִקְצֵ֖ה שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וַיַּעַבְר֥וּ הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖ים בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ Three days later, the officials went through the camp

וַיְצַוּוּ֮ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם לֵאמֹר֒ כִּרְאֹתְכֶ֗ם אֵ֣ת אֲר֤וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם נֹשְׂאִ֖ים אֹת֑וֹ וְאַתֶּ֗ם תִּסְעוּ֙ מִמְּק֣וֹמְכֶ֔ם וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֖ם אַחֲרָֽיו׃ and charged the people as follows: “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the ETERNAL your God being borne by the levitical priests, you shall move forward. Follow it—

אַ֣ךְ ׀ רָח֣וֹק יִֽהְיֶ֗ה בֵּֽינֵיכֶם֙ וּבֵנָ֔יו כְּאַלְפַּ֥יִם אַמָּ֖ה בַּמִּדָּ֑ה אַֽל־תִּקְרְב֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו לְמַ֤עַן אֲשֶׁר־תֵּֽדְעוּ֙ אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽלְכוּ־בָ֔הּ כִּ֣י לֹ֧א עֲבַרְתֶּ֛ם בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ {פ}
but keep a distance of some two thousand cubits from it, never coming any closer to it—so that you may know by what route to march, since it is a road you have not traveled before.”

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶל־הָעָ֖ם הִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּ כִּ֣י מָחָ֗ר יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם נִפְלָאֽוֹת׃ And Joshua said to the people, “Purify yourselves,^aPurify yourselves See Exod. 19.10, 15. for tomorrow GOD will perform wonders in your midst.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים לֵאמֹ֔ר שְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֔ית וְעִבְר֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֔ית וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָֽם׃ {ס}         Then Joshua ordered the priests, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant and advance to the head of the people.” And they took up the Ark of the Covenant and marched at the head of the people.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה אָחֵל֙ גַּדֶּלְךָ֔ בְּעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁר֙ יֵֽדְע֔וּן כִּ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיִ֛יתִי עִם־מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶהְיֶ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ׃ GOD said to Joshua, “This day, for the first time, I will exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they shall know that I will be with you as I was with Moses.

וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּצַוֶּה֙ אֶת־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים נֹֽשְׂאֵ֥י אֲרֽוֹן־הַבְּרִ֖ית לֵאמֹ֑ר כְּבֹאֲכֶ֗ם עַד־קְצֵה֙ מֵ֣י הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן בַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ן תַּעֲמֹֽדוּ׃ {פ}
For your part, command the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant as follows: When you reach the edge of the waters of the Jordan, make a halt in the Jordan.”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל גֹּ֣שׁוּ הֵ֔נָּה וְשִׁמְע֕וּ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ And Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come closer and listen to the words of the ETERNAL your God.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ בְּזֹאת֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּן כִּ֛י אֵ֥ל חַ֖י בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם וְהוֹרֵ֣שׁ יוֹרִ֣ישׁ מִ֠פְּנֵיכֶ֠ם אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִ֨י וְאֶת־הַחִתִּ֜י וְאֶת־הַחִוִּ֗י וְאֶת־הַפְּרִזִּי֙ וְאֶת־הַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֔י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃ By this,” Joshua continued, “you shall know that a living God is among you, and that [God] will dispossess for you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites:

הִנֵּה֙ אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֔ית אֲד֖וֹן כׇּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ עֹבֵ֥ר לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם בַּיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ the Ark of the Covenant of the Sovereign of all the earth is advancing before you into the Jordan.

וְעַתָּ֗ה קְח֤וּ לָכֶם֙ שְׁנֵ֣י עָשָׂ֣ר אִ֔ישׁ מִשִּׁבְטֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אִישׁ־אֶחָ֥ד אִישׁ־אֶחָ֖ד לַשָּֽׁבֶט׃ Now select twelve individuals from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.

וְהָיָ֡ה כְּנ֣וֹחַ כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים נֹשְׂאֵי֩ אֲר֨וֹן יְהֹוָ֜ה אֲד֤וֹן כׇּל־הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ בְּמֵ֣י הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן מֵ֤י הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ יִכָּ֣רֵת֔וּן הַמַּ֥יִם הַיֹּרְדִ֖ים מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְיַעַמְד֖וּ נֵ֥ד אֶחָֽד׃ When the feet of the priests bearing the Ark of GOD, the Sovereign of all the earth, come to rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan—the water coming from upstream—will be cut off and will stand in a single heap.”

וַיְהִ֗י בִּנְסֹ֤עַ הָעָם֙ מֵאׇ֣הֳלֵיהֶ֔ם לַֽעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים נֹ֥שְׂאֵ֛י הָאָר֥וֹן הַבְּרִ֖ית לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָֽם׃ When the people set out from their encampment to cross the Jordan, the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant were at the head of the people.

וּכְב֞וֹא נֹשְׂאֵ֤י הָֽאָרוֹן֙ עַד־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וְרַגְלֵ֤י הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ נֹשְׂאֵ֣י הָאָר֔וֹן נִטְבְּל֖וּ בִּקְצֵ֣ה הַמָּ֑יִם וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן מָלֵא֙ עַל־כׇּל־גְּדוֹתָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י קָצִֽיר׃ Now the Jordan keeps flowing over its entire bed throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the bearers of the Ark reached the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the Ark dipped into the water at its edge,

וַיַּֽעַמְד֡וּ הַמַּ֩יִם֩ הַיֹּרְדִ֨ים מִלְמַ֜עְלָה קָ֣מוּ נֵד־אֶחָ֗ד הַרְחֵ֨ק מְאֹ֜ד (באדם) [מֵֽאָדָ֤ם] הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ מִצַּ֣ד צָֽרְתָ֔ן וְהַיֹּרְדִ֗ים עַ֣ל יָ֧ם הָעֲרָבָ֛ה יָם־הַמֶּ֖לַח תַּ֣מּוּ נִכְרָ֑תוּ וְהָעָ֥ם עָבְר֖וּ נֶ֥גֶד יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ the waters coming down from upstream piled up in a single heap a great way off, at^bat So kethib; qere “from.” Adam, the town next to Zarethan; and those flowing away downstream to the Sea of the Arabah (the Dead Sea) ran out completely. So the people crossed near Jericho.

וַיַּעַמְד֣וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים נֹ֠שְׂאֵ֠י הָאָר֨וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֜ה בֶּחָרָבָ֛ה בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן הָכֵ֑ן וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל עֹֽבְרִים֙ בֶּחָ֣רָבָ֔ה עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־תַּ֙מּוּ֙ כׇּל־הַגּ֔וֹי לַעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ The priests who bore the Ark of GOD’s Covenant stood on dry land exactly in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over on dry land, until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

וַֽיְהִי֙ כַּאֲשֶׁר־תַּ֣מּוּ כׇל־הַגּ֔וֹי לַעֲב֖וֹר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן {פ}
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃ When the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan, GOD said to Joshua,

קְח֤וּ לָכֶם֙ מִן־הָעָ֔ם שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אֲנָשִׁ֑ים אִישׁ־אֶחָ֥ד אִישׁ־אֶחָ֖ד מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃ “Select twelve individuals from among the people, one from each tribe,

וְצַוּ֣וּ אוֹתָם֮ לֵאמֹר֒ שְׂאֽוּ־לָכֶ֨ם מִזֶּ֜ה מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן מִמַּצַּב֙ רַגְלֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים הָכִ֖ין שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אֲבָנִ֑ים וְהַעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם אוֹתָם֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם אוֹתָ֔ם בַּמָּל֕וֹן אֲשֶׁר־תָּלִ֥ינוּ ב֖וֹ הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ {ס}         and instruct them as follows: Pick up twelve stones from the spot exactly in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests’ feet are standing; take them along with you and deposit them in the place where you will spend the night.”

וַיִּקְרָ֣א יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ אֶל־שְׁנֵ֤ים הֶעָשָׂר֙ אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֵכִ֖ין מִבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אִישׁ־אֶחָ֥ד אִישׁ־אֶחָ֖ד מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃ Joshua summoned the twelve men whom he had designated among the Israelites, one from each tribe;

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ עִ֠בְר֠וּ לִפְנֵ֨י אֲר֧וֹן יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְהָרִ֨ימוּ לָכֶ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶ֤בֶן אַחַת֙ עַל־שִׁכְמ֔וֹ לְמִסְפַּ֖ר שִׁבְטֵ֥י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ and Joshua said to them, “Walk up to the Ark of the ETERNAL your God, in the middle of the Jordan, and each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder—corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel.

לְמַ֗עַן תִּֽהְיֶ֛ה זֹ֥את א֖וֹת בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי־יִשְׁאָל֨וּן בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם מָחָר֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מָ֛ה הָֽאֲבָנִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לָכֶֽם׃ This shall serve as a symbol among you: in time to come, when your children ask, ‘What is the meaning of these stones for you?’

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם לָהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִכְרְת֜וּ מֵימֵ֤י הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִפְּנֵי֙ אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּעׇבְרוֹ֙ בַּיַּרְדֵּ֔ן נִכְרְת֖וּ מֵ֣י הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְ֠הָי֠וּ הָאֲבָנִ֨ים הָאֵ֧לֶּה לְזִכָּר֛וֹן לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ you shall tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off because of the Ark of GOD’s Covenant; when it passed through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ And so these stones shall serve the people of Israel as a memorial for all time.”

וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵ֣ן בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֒עַ֒ וַיִּשְׂא֡וּ שְׁתֵּֽי־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה אֲבָנִ֜ים מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ לְמִסְפַּ֖ר שִׁבְטֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּעֲבִר֤וּם עִמָּם֙ אֶל־הַמָּל֔וֹן וַיַּנִּח֖וּם שָֽׁם׃ The Israelites did as Joshua ordered. They picked up twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, from the middle of the Jordan—as GOD had charged Joshua—and they took them along with them to their night encampment and deposited them there.

וּשְׁתֵּ֧ים עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אֲבָנִ֗ים הֵקִ֣ים יְהוֹשֻׁ֘עַ֮ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ תַּ֗חַת מַצַּב֙ רַגְלֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֑ית וַיִּ֣הְיוּ שָׁ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the spot where the feet of the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant had stood; and they have remained there to this day.

וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֞ים נֹשְׂאֵ֣י הָֽאָר֗וֹן עֹמְדִים֮ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ עַ֣ד תֹּ֣ם כׇּֽל־הַ֠דָּבָ֠ר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־הָעָ֔ם כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וַיְמַהֲר֥וּ הָעָ֖ם וַיַּעֲבֹֽרוּ׃ The priests who bore the Ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until all the instructions that GOD had ordered Joshua to convey to the people had been carried out. And so the people speedily crossed over, just as Moses had assured Joshua in his charge to him.^ajust as Moses had assured Joshua in his charge to him Connection of clause uncertain; cf. Deut. 31.7–8.

וַיְהִ֛י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר־תַּ֥ם כׇּל־הָעָ֖ם לַעֲב֑וֹר וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר אֲרוֹן־יְהֹוָ֛ה וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָֽם׃ And when all the people finished crossing, the Ark of GOD and the priests advanced to the head of the people.

וַ֠יַּעַבְר֠וּ בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵ֨ן וּבְנֵי־גָ֜ד וַחֲצִ֨י שֵׁ֤בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁה֙ חֲמֻשִׁ֔ים לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֹשֶֽׁה׃ The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh went across armed^barmed Meaning of Heb. uncertain. in the van of the Israelites, as Moses had charged them.^cas Moses had charged them See Num. 32.20–22.

כְּאַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף חֲלוּצֵ֣י הַצָּבָ֑א עָבְר֞וּ לִפְנֵ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה אֶ֖ל עַֽרְב֥וֹת יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ {ס}         About forty thousand shock troops went across, at GOD’s behest, to the steppes of Jericho for battle.

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא גִּדַּ֤ל יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ בְּעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּֽרְא֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יָֽרְא֥וּ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֖ה כׇּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽיו׃ {פ}
On that day GOD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, so that they revered him all his days as they had revered Moses.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃ GOD said to Joshua,

צַוֵּה֙ אֶת־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵד֑וּת וְיַעֲל֖וּ מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ “Command the priests who bear the Ark of the Pact to come up out of the Jordan.”

וַיְצַ֣ו יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים לֵאמֹ֑ר עֲל֖וּ מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.”

וַ֠יְהִ֠י (בעלות) [כַּעֲל֨וֹת] הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים נֹשְׂאֵ֨י אֲר֤וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָה֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן נִתְּק֗וּ כַּפּוֹת֙ רַגְלֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים אֶ֖ל הֶחָרָבָ֑ה וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ מֵֽי־הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ לִמְקוֹמָ֔ם וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ כִתְמוֹל־שִׁלְשׁ֖וֹם עַל־כׇּל־גְּדוֹתָֽיו׃ As soon as the priests who bore the Ark of GOD’s Covenant came up out of the Jordan, and the feet of the priests stepped onto the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan resumed their course, flowing over its entire bed as before.

וְהָעָ֗ם עָלוּ֙ מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן בֶּעָשׂ֖וֹר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל בִּקְצֵ֖ה מִזְרַ֥ח יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ The people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.

וְאֵת֩ שְׁתֵּ֨ים עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה הָֽאֲבָנִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָקְח֖וּ מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן הֵקִ֥ים יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בַּגִּלְגָּֽל׃ And Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר אֲשֶׁר֩ יִשְׁאָל֨וּן בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם מָחָר֙ אֶת־אֲבוֹתָ֣ם לֵאמֹ֔ר מָ֖ה הָאֲבָנִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ He charged the Israelites as follows: “In time to come, when your children ask their parents, ‘What is the meaning of those stones?’

וְהוֹדַעְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּיַּבָּשָׁה֙ עָבַ֣ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן הַזֶּֽה׃ tell your children: ‘Here the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land.’

אֲשֶׁר־הוֹבִישׁ֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֜ם אֶת־מֵ֧י הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן מִפְּנֵיכֶ֖ם עַֽד־עׇבְרְכֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂה֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֧ם לְיַם־ס֛וּף אֲשֶׁר־הוֹבִ֥ישׁ מִפָּנֵ֖ינוּ עַד־עׇבְרֵֽנוּ׃ For the ETERNAL your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you crossed, just as the ETERNAL your God did to the Sea of Reeds, which dried up before us until we crossed.

לְ֠מַ֠עַן דַּ֜עַת כׇּל־עַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֶת־יַ֣ד יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֥י חֲזָקָ֖ה הִ֑יא לְמַ֧עַן יְרָאתֶ֛ם אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {פ}
Thus all the peoples of the earth shall know how mighty is GOD’s hand, and you shall fear the ETERNAL your God always.”

וַיְהִ֣י כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ כׇּל־מַלְכֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֡י אֲשֶׁר֩ בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן יָ֗מָּה וְכׇל־מַלְכֵ֤י הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַיָּ֔ם אֵ֠ת אֲשֶׁר־הוֹבִ֨ישׁ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־מֵ֧י הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן מִפְּנֵ֥י בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַד־[עׇבְרָ֑ם] (עברנו) וַיִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבָ֗ם וְלֹא־הָ֨יָה בָ֥ם עוֹד֙ ר֔וּחַ מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
When all the kings of the Amorites on the western side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites near the Sea, heard how GOD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the sake of the Israelites until they crossed over, they lost heart, and no spirit was left in them because of the Israelites.

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ עֲשֵׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ חַֽרְב֣וֹת צֻרִ֑ים וְשׁ֛וּב מֹ֥ל אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שֵׁנִֽית׃ At that time GOD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and proceed with a second circumcision of the Israelites.”

וַיַּעַשׂ־ל֥וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ חַֽרְב֣וֹת צֻרִ֑ים וַיָּ֙מׇל֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל־גִּבְעַ֖ת הָעֲרָלֽוֹת׃ So Joshua had flint knives made, and the Israelites were circumcised at Gibeath-haaraloth.^aGibeath-haaraloth I.e., “the Hill of Foreskins.”

וְזֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־מָ֣ל יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ כׇּל־הָעָ֣ם הַיֹּצֵא֩ מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם הַזְּכָרִ֜ים כֹּ֣ל ׀ אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה מֵ֤תוּ בַמִּדְבָּר֙ בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ This is the reason why Joshua had the circumcision performed: All the people who had come out of Egypt, all the males of military age, had died during the desert wanderings after leaving Egypt.

כִּֽי־מֻלִ֣ים הָי֔וּ כׇּל־הָעָ֖ם הַיֹּצְאִ֑ים וְכׇל־הָ֠עָ֠ם הַיִּלֹּדִ֨ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֥ר בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ בְּצֵאתָ֥ם מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם לֹא־מָֽלוּ׃ Now, whereas all such people who came out of Egypt had been circumcised, none of those born after the exodus, during the desert wanderings, had been circumcised.

כִּ֣י ׀ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֗ה הָלְכ֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ בַּמִּדְבָּר֒ עַד־תֹּ֨ם כׇּל־הַגּ֜וֹי אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־שָׁמְע֖וּ בְּק֣וֹל יְהֹוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם לְבִלְתִּ֞י הַרְאוֹתָ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהֹוָ֤ה לַֽאֲבוֹתָם֙ לָ֣תֶת לָ֔נוּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ For the Israelites had traveled in the wilderness forty years, until the entire nation—the men of military age who had left Egypt—had perished; because they had not obeyed GOD, and GOD had sworn never to let them see the land that GOD had sworn to their fathers^bfathers See note at 1.6. to assign to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

וְאֶת־בְּנֵיהֶם֙ הֵקִ֣ים תַּחְתָּ֔ם אֹתָ֖ם מָ֣ל יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ כִּֽי־עֲרֵלִ֣ים הָי֔וּ כִּ֛י לֹֽא־מָ֥לוּ אוֹתָ֖ם בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃ But [God] had raised up their sons in their stead; and it was these that Joshua circumcised, for they were uncircumcised, not having been circumcised on the way.

וַיְהִ֛י כַּאֲשֶׁר־תַּ֥מּוּ כׇל־הַגּ֖וֹי לְהִמּ֑וֹל וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּ֛ם בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה עַ֥ד חֲיוֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
After the circumcising of the whole nation was completed, they remained where they were, in the camp, until they recovered.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ הַיּ֗וֹם גַּלּ֛וֹתִי אֶת־חֶרְפַּ֥ת מִצְרַ֖יִם מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֞א שֵׁ֣ם הַמָּק֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ גִּלְגָּ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ And GOD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.”^cdisgrace of Egypt I.e., of the Egyptian bondage. So that place was called Gilgal,^dGilgal Interpreted as “rolling.” as it still is.

וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּגִּלְגָּ֑ל וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ אֶת־הַפֶּ֡סַח בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֥וֹם לַחֹ֛דֶשׁ בָּעֶ֖רֶב בְּעַֽרְב֥וֹת יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ Encamped at Gilgal, in the steppes of Jericho, the Israelites offered the passover sacrifice on the fourteenth day of the month, toward evening.

וַיֹּ֨אכְל֜וּ מֵעֲב֥וּר הָאָ֛רֶץ מִמׇּחֳרַ֥ת הַפֶּ֖סַח מַצּ֣וֹת וְקָל֑וּי בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ On the day after the passover offering, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the country, unleavened bread and parched grain.

וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֨ת הַמָּ֜ן מִֽמׇּחֳרָ֗ת בְּאׇכְלָם֙ מֵעֲב֣וּר הָאָ֔רֶץ וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה ע֛וֹד לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מָ֑ן וַיֹּאכְל֗וּ מִתְּבוּאַת֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הַהִֽיא׃ {ס}         On that same day,^eOn that same day Lit. “on the day after.” when they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. The Israelites got no more manna; that year they ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.

וַיְהִ֗י בִּֽהְי֣וֹת יְהוֹשֻׁ֘עַ֮ בִּֽירִיחוֹ֒ וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה־אִישׁ֙ עֹמֵ֣ד לְנֶגְדּ֔וֹ וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ שְׁלוּפָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ הֲלָ֥נוּ אַתָּ֖ה אִם־לְצָרֵֽינוּ׃ Once, when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a figure standing before him, drawn sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked him, “Are you one of us or of our enemies?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לֹ֗א כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י שַׂר־צְבָֽא־יְהֹוָ֖ה עַתָּ֣ה בָ֑אתִי וַיִּפֹּל֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ אֶל־פָּנָ֥יו אַ֙רְצָה֙ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ מָ֥ה אֲדֹנִ֖י מְדַבֵּ֥ר אֶל־עַבְדּֽוֹ׃ He replied, “No, I am captain of GOD’s host. Now I have come!” Joshua threw himself face down to the ground and, prostrating himself, said to him, “What does my lord command his servant?”

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ שַׂר־צְבָ֨א יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ שַׁל־נַֽעַלְךָ֙ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֔ךָ כִּ֣י הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עָלָ֖יו קֹ֣דֶשׁ ה֑וּא וַיַּ֥עַשׂ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ כֵּֽן׃ The captain of GOD’s host answered Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

וִֽירִיחוֹ֙ סֹגֶ֣רֶת וּמְסֻגֶּ֔רֶת מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֵ֥ין יוֹצֵ֖א וְאֵ֥ין בָּֽא׃ {ס}         (Now Jericho was shut up tight because of the Israelites; no one could leave or enter.)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ רְאֵה֙ נָתַ֣תִּי בְיָֽדְךָ֔ אֶת־יְרִיח֖וֹ וְאֶת־מַלְכָּ֑הּ גִּבּוֹרֵ֖י הֶחָֽיִל׃ GOD ^aGOD I.e., the captain of 5.14–15, on GOD’s behalf; cf. Kimhi. said to Joshua, “See, I will deliver Jericho into your hands—its king and warriors.

וְסַבֹּתֶ֣ם אֶת־הָעִ֗יר כֹּ֚ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַקֵּ֥יף אֶת־הָעִ֖יר פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת כֹּ֥ה תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים׃ Let all your troops march around the city and complete one circuit of the city. Do this six days,

וְשִׁבְעָ֣ה כֹהֲנִ֡ים יִשְׂאוּ֩ שִׁבְעָ֨ה שׁוֹפְר֤וֹת הַיּֽוֹבְלִים֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הָאָר֔וֹן וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י תָּסֹ֥בּוּ אֶת־הָעִ֖יר שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים יִתְקְע֖וּ בַּשּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃ with seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns preceding the Ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.

וְהָיָ֞ה בִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ ׀ בְּקֶ֣רֶן הַיּוֹבֵ֗ל (בשמעכם) [כְּשׇׁמְעֲכֶם֙] אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר יָרִ֥יעוּ כׇל־הָעָ֖ם תְּרוּעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וְנָ֨פְלָ֜ה חוֹמַ֤ת הָעִיר֙ תַּחְתֶּ֔יהָ וְעָל֥וּ הָעָ֖ם אִ֥ישׁ נֶגְדּֽוֹ׃ And when a long blast is sounded on the horn—as soon as you hear that sound of the horn—all the troops^btroops Lit. “people.” shall give a mighty shout. Thereupon the city wall will collapse, and the troops shall advance, every man straight ahead.”

וַיִּקְרָ֞א יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בִּן־נוּן֙ אֶל־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם שְׂא֖וּ אֶת־אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֑ית וְשִׁבְעָ֣ה כֹהֲנִ֗ים יִשְׂאוּ֙ שִׁבְעָ֤ה שֽׁוֹפְרוֹת֙ יֽוֹבְלִ֔ים לִפְנֵ֖י אֲר֥וֹן יְהֹוָֽה׃ Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said to them, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant, and let seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns precede the Ark of GOD.”

(ויאמרו) [וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙] אֶל־הָעָ֔ם עִבְר֖וּ וְסֹ֣בּוּ אֶת־הָעִ֑יר וְהֶ֣חָל֔וּץ יַעֲבֹ֕ר לִפְנֵ֖י אֲר֥וֹן יְהֹוָֽה׃ And he instructed the troops, “Go forward, march around the city, with the vanguard marching in front of the Ark of GOD.”

וַיְהִ֗י כֶּאֱמֹ֣ר יְהוֹשֻׁ֘עַ֮ אֶל־הָעָם֒ וְשִׁבְעָ֣ה הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים נֹשְׂאִים֩ שִׁבְעָ֨ה שׁוֹפְר֤וֹת הַיּֽוֹבְלִים֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה עָבְר֕וּ וְתָֽקְע֖וּ בַּשּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת וַֽאֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה הֹלֵ֖ךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ When Joshua had instructed the troops, the seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns advanced before GOD, blowing their horns; and the Ark of GOD’s Covenant followed them.

וְהֶחָל֣וּץ הֹלֵ֔ךְ לִפְנֵי֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (תקעו) [תֹּקְעֵ֖י] הַשּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת וְהַֽמְאַסֵּ֗ף הֹלֵךְ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י הָאָר֔וֹן הָל֖וֹךְ וְתָק֥וֹעַ בַּשּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃ The vanguard marched in front of the priests who were blowing the horns, and the rear guard marched behind the Ark, with the horns sounding all the time.

וְאֶת־הָעָם֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ לֵאמֹ֗ר לֹ֤א תָרִ֙יעוּ֙ וְלֹא־תַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ אֶת־קֽוֹלְכֶ֔ם וְלֹא־יֵצֵ֥א מִפִּיכֶ֖ם דָּבָ֑ר עַ֠ד י֣וֹם אׇמְרִ֧י אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם הָרִ֖יעוּ וַהֲרִיעֹתֶֽם׃ But Joshua’s orders to the rest of the troops were, “Do not shout, do not let your voices be heard, and do not let a sound issue from your lips until the moment that I command you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”

וַיַּסֵּ֤ב אֲרוֹן־יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר הַקֵּ֖ף פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ {פ}
So he had the Ark of GOD go around the city and complete one circuit; then they returned to camp and spent the night in camp.

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בַּבֹּ֑קֶר וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אֶת־אֲר֥וֹן יְהֹוָֽה׃ Joshua rose early the next day; and the priests took up the Ark of GOD,

וְשִׁבְעָ֣ה הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים נֹשְׂאִים֩ שִׁבְעָ֨ה שׁוֹפְר֜וֹת הַיֹּבְלִ֗ים לִפְנֵי֙ אֲר֣וֹן יְהֹוָ֔ה הֹלְכִ֣ים הָל֔וֹךְ וְתָקְע֖וּ בַּשּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת וְהֶחָלוּץ֙ הֹלֵ֣ךְ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וְהַֽמְאַסֵּ֗ף הֹלֵךְ֙ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֲר֣וֹן יְהֹוָ֔ה (הולך) [הָל֖וֹךְ] וְתָק֥וֹעַ בַּשּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃ while the seven priests bearing the seven ram’s horns marched in front of the Ark of GOD, blowing the horns as they marched. The vanguard marched in front of them, and the rear guard marched behind the Ark of GOD, with the horns sounding all the time.

וַיָּסֹ֨בּוּ אֶת־הָעִ֜יר בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשֵּׁנִי֙ פַּ֣עַם אַחַ֔ת וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כֹּ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים׃ And so they marched around the city once on the second day and returned to the camp. They did this six days.

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙מוּ֙ כַּעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר וַיָּסֹ֧בּוּ אֶת־הָעִ֛יר כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט הַזֶּ֖ה שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים רַ֚ק בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא סָבְב֥וּ אֶת־הָעִ֖יר שֶׁ֥בַע פְּעָמִֽים׃ On the seventh day, they rose at daybreak and marched around the city, in the same manner, seven times; that was the only day that they marched around the city seven times.

וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּפַּ֣עַם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ית תָּקְע֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים בַּשּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ אֶל־הָעָם֙ הָרִ֔יעוּ כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָעִֽיר׃ On the seventh round, as the priests blew the horns, Joshua commanded the troops, “Shout! For GOD has given you the city.

וְהָיְתָ֨ה הָעִ֥יר חֵ֛רֶם הִ֥יא וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖הּ לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה רַק֩ רָחָ֨ב הַזּוֹנָ֜ה תִּֽחְיֶ֗ה הִ֚יא וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֣הּ בַּבַּ֔יִת כִּ֣י הֶחְבְּאַ֔תָה אֶת־הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁלָֽחְנוּ׃ The city and everything in it are to be proscribed for GOD; only Rahab the prostitute is to be spared, and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers we sent.

וְרַק־אַתֶּם֙ שִׁמְר֣וּ מִן־הַחֵ֔רֶם פֶּֽן־תַּחֲרִ֖ימוּ וּלְקַחְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַחֵ֑רֶם וְשַׂמְתֶּ֞ם אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֤ה יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְחֵ֔רֶם וַעֲכַרְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתֽוֹ׃ But you must beware of that which is proscribed, or else you will be proscribed:^cbe proscribed I.e., be put to death; cf. Lev. 27.28–29. if you take anything from that which is proscribed, you will cause the camp of Israel to be proscribed; you will bring calamity upon it.

וְכֹ֣ל ׀ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֗ב וּכְלֵ֤י נְחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ וּבַרְזֶ֔ל קֹ֥דֶשׁ ה֖וּא לַיהֹוָ֑ה אוֹצַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה יָבֽוֹא׃ All the silver and gold and objects of copper and iron are consecrated to GOD; they must go into the treasury of GOD.”

וַיָּ֣רַע הָעָ֔ם וַֽיִּתְקְע֖וּ בַּשֹּׁפָר֑וֹת וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ הָעָ֜ם אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֗ר וַיָּרִ֤יעוּ הָעָם֙ תְּרוּעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַתִּפֹּ֨ל הַחוֹמָ֜ה תַּחְתֶּ֗יהָ וַיַּ֨עַל הָעָ֤ם הָעִ֙ירָה֙ אִ֣ישׁ נֶגְדּ֔וֹ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ אֶת־הָעִֽיר׃ So the troops shouted when the horns were sounded. When the troops heard the sound of the horns, they raised a mighty shout and the wall collapsed. The troops rushed into the city, every man straight in front of him, and they captured the city.

וַֽיַּחֲרִ֙ימוּ֙ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעִ֔יר מֵאִישׁ֙ וְעַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה מִנַּ֖עַר וְעַד־זָקֵ֑ן וְעַ֨ד שׁ֥וֹר וָשֶׂ֛ה וַחֲמ֖וֹר לְפִי־חָֽרֶב׃ They exterminated everything in the city with the sword: man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey.

וְלִשְׁנַ֨יִם הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים הַֽמְרַגְּלִ֤ים אֶת־הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אָמַ֣ר יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ בֹּ֖אוּ בֵּית־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַזּוֹנָ֑ה וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ מִשָּׁ֤ם אֶת־הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּעְתֶּ֖ם לָֽהּ׃ But Joshua bade the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into that prostitute’s house and bring out the woman and all that belong to her, as you swore to her.”

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ הַנְּעָרִ֣ים הַֽמְרַגְּלִ֗ים וַיֹּצִ֡יאוּ אֶת־רָ֠חָ֠ב וְאֶת־אָבִ֨יהָ וְאֶת־אִמָּ֤הּ וְאֶת־אַחֶ֙יהָ֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָ֔הּ וְאֵ֥ת כׇּל־מִשְׁפְּחוֹתֶ֖יהָ הוֹצִ֑יאוּ וַיַּ֨נִּיח֔וּם מִח֖וּץ לְמַחֲנֵ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and her mother, her brothers and all that belonged to her—they brought out her whole family and left them outside the camp of Israel.

וְהָעִ֛יר שָׂרְפ֥וּ בָאֵ֖שׁ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֑הּ רַ֣ק ׀ הַכֶּ֣סֶף וְהַזָּהָ֗ב וּכְלֵ֤י הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ וְהַבַּרְזֶ֔ל נָתְנ֖וּ אוֹצַ֥ר בֵּית־יְהֹוָֽה׃ They burned down the city and everything in it. But the silver and gold and the objects of copper and iron were deposited in the treasury of the House of GOD.

וְֽאֶת־רָחָ֣ב הַ֠זּוֹנָ֠ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֨ית אָבִ֤יהָ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָהּ֙ הֶחֱיָ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ בְּקֶ֣רֶב יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י הֶחְבִּ֙יאָה֙ אֶת־הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֥ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לְרַגֵּ֥ל אֶת־יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Only Rahab the prostitute and her family^dfamily Lit. “father’s house.” were spared by Joshua, along with all that belonged to her, and she dwelt among the Israelites—as is still the case. For she had hidden the messengers that Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

וַיַּשְׁבַּ֣ע יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖יא לֵאמֹ֑ר אָר֨וּר הָאִ֜ישׁ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָקוּם֙ וּבָנָ֞ה אֶת־הָעִ֤יר הַזֹּאת֙ אֶת־יְרִיח֔וֹ בִּבְכֹר֣וֹ יְיַסְּדֶ֔נָּה וּבִצְעִיר֖וֹ יַצִּ֥יב דְּלָתֶֽיהָ׃ {ס}         At that time Joshua pronounced this oath: “Anyone who undertakes to fortify this city of Jericho is hereby under GOD’s curse: its foundations shall be laid at the cost of their first-born, and its gates set up at the cost of their youngest.”

וַיְהִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וַיְהִ֥י שׇׁמְע֖וֹ בְּכׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ GOD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

וַיִּמְעֲל֧וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מַ֖עַל בַּחֵ֑רֶם וַיִּקַּ֡ח עָכָ֣ן בֶּן־כַּרְמִי֩ בֶן־זַבְדִּ֨י בֶן־זֶ֜רַח לְמַטֵּ֤ה יְהוּדָה֙ מִן־הַחֵ֔רֶם וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בִּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}         The Israelites, however, violated the proscription: Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of that which was proscribed, and GOD was incensed with the Israelites.

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ אֲנָשִׁ֜ים מִירִיח֗וֹ הָעַ֞י אֲשֶׁ֨ר עִם־בֵּ֥ית אָ֙וֶן֙ מִקֶּ֣דֶם לְבֵֽית־אֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר עֲל֖וּ וְרַגְּל֣וּ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַֽיְרַגְּל֖וּ אֶת־הָעָֽי׃ Joshua sent some men from Jericho to Ai, which lies close to Beth-aven—east of Bethel—with orders to go up and spy out the country. So the men went up and spied out Ai.

וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָיו֮ אַל־יַ֣עַל כׇּל־הָעָם֒ כְּאַלְפַּ֣יִם אִ֗ישׁ א֚וֹ כִּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֣ים אִ֔ישׁ יַעֲל֖וּ וְיַכּ֣וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑י אַל־תְּיַגַּע־שָׁ֙מָּה֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם כִּ֥י מְעַ֖ט הֵֽמָּה׃ They returned to Joshua and reported to him, “Not all the troops need go up. Let two or three thousand men go and attack Ai; do not trouble all the troops to go up there, for [the people] there are few.”

וַיַּעֲל֤וּ מִן־הָעָם֙ שָׁ֔מָּה כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ לִפְנֵ֖י אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעָֽי׃ So about three thousand of the troops marched up there; but they were routed by the men of Ai.

וַיַּכּ֨וּ מֵהֶ֜ם אַנְשֵׁ֣י הָעַ֗י כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וְשִׁשָּׁה֙ אִ֔ישׁ וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם לִפְנֵ֤י הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙ עַד־הַשְּׁבָרִ֔ים וַיַּכּ֖וּם בַּמּוֹרָ֑ד וַיִּמַּ֥ס לְבַב־הָעָ֖ם וַיְהִ֥י לְמָֽיִם׃ The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them, pursuing them outside the gate as far as Shebarim, and cutting them down along the descent. And the heart of the troops sank in utter dismay.^asank in utter dismay Lit. “melted and turned to water.”

וַיִּקְרַ֨ע יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ שִׂמְלֹתָ֗יו וַיִּפֹּל֩ עַל־פָּנָ֨יו אַ֜רְצָה לִפְנֵ֨י אֲר֤וֹן יְהֹוָה֙ עַד־הָעֶ֔רֶב ה֖וּא וְזִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּעֲל֥וּ עָפָ֖ר עַל־רֹאשָֽׁם׃ Joshua thereupon rent his clothes. He and the elders of Israel lay until evening with their faces to the ground in front of the Ark of GOD; and they strewed earth on their heads.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֲהָ֣הּ ׀ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֗ה לָ֠מָה הֵעֲבַ֨רְתָּ הַעֲבִ֜יר אֶת־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָתֵ֥ת אֹתָ֛נוּ בְּיַ֥ד הָאֱמֹרִ֖י לְהַאֲבִידֵ֑נוּ וְלוּ֙ הוֹאַ֣לְנוּ וַנֵּ֔שֶׁב בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ “Ah, my Sovereign GOD !” cried Joshua. “Why did You lead this people across the Jordan only to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites, to be destroyed by them? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan!

בִּ֖י אֲדֹנָ֑י מָ֣ה אֹמַ֔ר אַ֠חֲרֵ֠י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָפַ֧ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֹ֖רֶף לִפְנֵ֥י אֹיְבָֽיו׃ O my Sovereign, what can I say after Israel has turned tail before its enemies?

וְיִשְׁמְע֣וּ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י וְכֹל֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ וְנָסַ֣בּוּ עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְהִכְרִ֥יתוּ אֶת־שְׁמֵ֖נוּ מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וּמַֽה־תַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה לְשִׁמְךָ֥ הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ When the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land hear of this, they will turn upon us and wipe out our very name from the earth. And what will You do about Your great name?”

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ קֻ֣ם לָ֑ךְ לָ֣מָּה זֶּ֔ה אַתָּ֖ה נֹפֵ֥ל עַל־פָּנֶֽיךָ׃ But GOD answered Joshua: “Arise! Why do you lie prostrate?

חָטָא֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְגַם֙ עָבְר֣וּ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי אוֹתָ֑ם וְגַ֤ם לָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן־הַחֵ֔רֶם וְגַ֤ם גָּֽנְבוּ֙ וְגַ֣ם כִּֽחֲשׁ֔וּ וְגַ֖ם שָׂ֥מוּ בִכְלֵיהֶֽם׃ Israel has sinned! They have broken the covenant by which I bound them. They have taken of the proscribed and put it in their vessels; they have stolen; they have broken faith!

וְלֹ֨א יֻכְל֜וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לָקוּם֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיהֶ֔ם עֹ֗רֶף יִפְנוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י הָי֖וּ לְחֵ֑רֶם לֹ֤א אוֹסִיף֙ לִֽהְי֣וֹת עִמָּכֶ֔ם אִם־לֹ֥א תַשְׁמִ֛ידוּ הַחֵ֖רֶם מִֽקִּרְבְּכֶֽם׃ Therefore, the Israelites will not be able to hold their ground against their enemies; they will have to turn tail before their enemies, for they have become proscribed. I will not be with you anymore unless you root out from among you what is proscribed.

קֻ֚ם קַדֵּ֣שׁ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ לְמָחָ֑ר כִּ֣י כֹה֩ אָמַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל חֵ֤רֶם בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לֹ֣א תוּכַ֗ל לָקוּם֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֶ֔יךָ עַד־הֲסִֽירְכֶ֥ם הַחֵ֖רֶם מִֽקִּרְבְּכֶֽם׃ Go and purify the people. Order them: Purify yourselves for tomorrow. For thus says the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: Something proscribed is in your midst, O Israel, and you will not be able to stand up to your enemies until you have purged the proscribed from among you.

וְנִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם בַּבֹּ֖קֶר לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָיָ֡ה הַשֵּׁ֩בֶט֩ אֲשֶׁר־יִלְכְּדֶ֨נּוּ יְהֹוָ֜ה יִקְרַ֣ב לַמִּשְׁפָּח֗וֹת וְהַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֞ה אֲשֶֽׁר־יִלְכְּדֶ֤נָּה יְהֹוָה֙ תִּקְרַ֣ב לַבָּתִּ֔ים וְהַבַּ֙יִת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִלְכְּדֶ֣נּוּ יְהֹוָ֔ה יִקְרַ֖ב לַגְּבָרִֽים׃ Tomorrow morning you shall present yourselves by tribes. Whichever tribe GOD indicates^bindicates Lit. “catches.” shall come forward by clans; the clan that GOD indicates shall come forward by ancestral houses, and the ancestral house that GOD indicates shall come forward man by man.

וְהָיָה֙ הַנִּלְכָּ֣ד בַּחֵ֔רֶם יִשָּׂרֵ֣ף בָּאֵ֔שׁ אֹת֖וֹ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ כִּ֤י עָבַר֙ אֶת־בְּרִ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וְכִֽי־עָשָׂ֥ה נְבָלָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Then he who is indicated for proscription,^cindicated for proscription Or “caught in the net.” and all that is his, shall be put to the fire, because he broke the Covenant of GOD and because he committed an outrage in Israel.”

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיַּקְרֵ֥ב אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִשְׁבָטָ֑יו וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד שֵׁ֥בֶט יְהוּדָֽה׃ Early next morning, Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes; and the tribe of Judah was indicated.

וַיַּקְרֵב֙ אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּלְכֹּ֕ד אֵ֖ת מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַזַּרְחִ֑י וַיַּקְרֵ֞ב אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַזַּרְחִי֙ לַגְּבָרִ֔ים וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד זַבְדִּֽי׃ He then had the clans of Judah come forward, and the clan of Zerah was indicated. Then he had the clan of Zerah come forward by ancestral houses,^dancestral houses So some Heb. mss. and some ancient versions; most mss. and editions have “men.” and Zabdi was indicated.

וַיַּקְרֵ֥ב אֶת־בֵּית֖וֹ לַגְּבָרִ֑ים וַיִּלָּכֵ֗ד עָכָ֞ן בֶּן־כַּרְמִ֧י בֶן־זַבְדִּ֛י בֶּן־זֶ֖רַח לְמַטֵּ֥ה יְהוּדָֽה׃ Finally he had his ancestral house come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was indicated.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶל־עָכָ֗ן בְּנִי֙ שִֽׂים־נָ֣א כָב֗וֹד לַיהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְתֶן־ל֣וֹ תוֹדָ֑ה וְהַגֶּד־נָ֥א לִי֙ מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ אַל־תְּכַחֵ֖ד מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, pay honor to the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, by making confession. Tell me what you have done; do not hold anything back from me.”

וַיַּ֧עַן עָכָ֛ן אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אׇמְנָ֗ה אָֽנֹכִ֤י חָטָ֙אתִי֙ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְכָזֹ֥את וְכָזֹ֖את עָשִֽׂיתִי׃ Achan answered Joshua, “It is true, I have sinned against the ETERNAL, the God of Israel. This is what I did:

(ואראה) [וָאֵ֣רֶא] בַשָּׁלָ֡ל אַדֶּ֣רֶת שִׁנְעָר֩ אַחַ֨ת טוֹבָ֜ה וּמָאתַ֧יִם שְׁקָלִ֣ים כֶּ֗סֶף וּלְשׁ֨וֹן זָהָ֤ב אֶחָד֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים שְׁקָלִים֙ מִשְׁקָל֔וֹ וָאֶחְמְדֵ֖ם וָאֶקָּחֵ֑ם וְהִנָּ֨ם טְמוּנִ֥ים בָּאָ֛רֶץ בְּת֥וֹךְ הָאׇהֳלִ֖י וְהַכֶּ֥סֶף תַּחְתֶּֽיהָ׃ I saw among the spoil a fine Shinar mantle, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, and I coveted them and took them. They are buried in the ground in my tent, with the silver under the mantle.”^ethe mantle Heb. “it.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים וַיָּרֻ֖צוּ הָאֹ֑הֱלָה וְהִנֵּ֧ה טְמוּנָ֛ה בְּאׇהֳל֖וֹ וְהַכֶּ֥סֶף תַּחְתֶּֽיהָ׃ Joshua sent messengers, who hurried to the tent; and there was the mantle,^fthe mantle Heb. “it.” buried in his tent, with the silver underneath.

וַיִּקָּחוּם֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיְבִאוּם֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וְאֶ֖ל כׇּל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּצִּקֻ֖ם לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ They took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and displayed^gdisplayed Meaning of Heb. uncertain. them before GOD.

וַיִּקַּ֣ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ אֶת־עָכָ֣ן בֶּן־זֶ֡רַח וְאֶת־הַכֶּ֣סֶף וְאֶת־הָאַדֶּ֣רֶת וְֽאֶת־לְשׁ֣וֹן הַזָּהָ֡ב וְֽאֶת־בָּנָ֡יו וְֽאֶת־בְּנֹתָ֡יו וְאֶת־שׁוֹרוֹ֩ וְאֶת־חֲמֹר֨וֹ וְאֶת־צֹאנ֤וֹ וְאֶֽת־אׇהֳלוֹ֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֔וֹ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עִמּ֑וֹ וַיַּעֲל֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם עֵ֥מֶק עָכֽוֹר׃ Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah—and the silver, the mantle, and the wedge of gold—his sons and daughters, and his ox, his donkey, and his flock, and his tent, and all his belongings, and brought them up to the Valley of Achor.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ מֶ֣ה עֲכַרְתָּ֔נוּ יַעְכׇּרְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶ֔בֶן וַיִּשְׂרְפ֤וּ אֹתָם֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ וַיִּסְקְל֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם בָּאֲבָנִֽים׃ And Joshua said, “What calamity you have brought upon us! GOD will bring calamity upon you this day.” And all Israel pelted him with stones. They put them to the fire and stoned them.

וַיָּקִ֨ימוּ עָלָ֜יו גַּל־אֲבָנִ֣ים גָּד֗וֹל עַ֚ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה וַיָּ֥שׇׁב יְהֹוָ֖ה מֵחֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ עַל־כֵּ֠ן קָרָ֞א שֵׁ֣ם הַמָּק֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ עֵ֣מֶק עָכ֔וֹר עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
They raised a huge mound of stones over him, which is still there. Then GOD’s anger subsided. That is why that place was named the Valley of Achor^hAchor Connected with ʼakhar “to bring calamity upon”; cf. v. 25. —as is still the case.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א וְאַל־תֵּחָ֔ת קַ֣ח עִמְּךָ֗ אֵ֚ת כׇּל־עַ֣ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְק֖וּם עֲלֵ֣ה הָעָ֑י רְאֵ֣ה ׀ נָתַ֣תִּי בְיָדְךָ֗ אֶת־מֶ֤לֶךְ הָעַי֙ וְאֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ וְאֶת־עִיר֖וֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצֽוֹ׃ GOD said to Joshua, “Do not be frightened or dismayed. Take all the combat troops with you, go and march against Ai. See, I will deliver the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land into your hands.

וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ לָעַ֜י וּלְמַלְכָּ֗הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשִׂ֤יתָ לִּֽירִיחוֹ֙ וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ רַק־שְׁלָלָ֥הּ וּבְהֶמְתָּ֖הּ תָּבֹ֣זּוּ לָכֶ֑ם שִׂים־לְךָ֥ אֹרֵ֛ב לָעִ֖יר מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ You shall treat Ai and its king as you treated Jericho and its king; however, you may take the spoil and the cattle as booty for yourselves. Now set an ambush against the city behind it.”

וַיָּ֧קׇם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וְכׇל־עַ֥ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה לַעֲל֣וֹת הָעָ֑י וַיִּבְחַ֣ר יְ֠הוֹשֻׁ֠עַ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים אֶ֤לֶף אִישׁ֙ גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י הַחַ֔יִל וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֖ם לָֽיְלָה׃ So Joshua and all the combat troops prepared for the march on Ai. Joshua chose thirty thousand men, valiant warriors, and sent them ahead by night.

וַיְצַ֨ו אֹתָ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר רְ֠א֠וּ אַתֶּ֞ם אֹרְבִ֤ים לָעִיר֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר אַל־תַּרְחִ֥יקוּ מִן־הָעִ֖יר מְאֹ֑ד וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם נְכֹנִֽים׃ He instructed them as follows: “Mind, you are to lie in ambush behind the city; don’t stay too far from the city, and all of you be on the alert.

וַאֲנִ֗י וְכׇל־הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתִּ֔י נִקְרַ֖ב אֶל־הָעִ֑יר וְהָיָ֗ה כִּֽי־יֵצְא֤וּ לִקְרָאתֵ֙נוּ֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֔ה וְנַ֖סְנוּ לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ I and all the troops with me will approach the city; and when they come out against us, as they did the first time, we will flee from them.

וְיָצְא֣וּ אַחֲרֵ֗ינוּ עַ֣ד הַתִּיקֵ֤נוּ אוֹתָם֙ מִן־הָעִ֔יר כִּ֣י יֹֽאמְר֔וּ נָסִ֣ים לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְנַ֖סְנוּ לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ They will come rushing after us until we have drawn them away from the city. They will think, ‘They are fleeing from us the same as last time’; but while we are fleeing before them,

וְאַתֶּ֗ם תָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ מֵהָ֣אוֹרֵ֔ב וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הָעִ֑יר וּנְתָנָ֛הּ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃ you will dash out from your ambush and seize the city, and the ETERNAL your God will deliver it into your hands.

וְהָיָ֞ה כְּתׇפְשְׂכֶ֣ם אֶת־הָעִ֗יר תַּצִּ֤יתוּ אֶת־הָעִיר֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ רְא֖וּ צִוִּ֥יתִי אֶתְכֶֽם׃ And when you take the city, set it on fire. Do as GOD has commanded. Mind, I have given you your orders.”

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ אֶל־הַמַּאְרָ֔ב וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּ בֵּ֧ין בֵּֽית־אֵ֛ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעַ֖י מִיָּ֣ם לָעָ֑י וַיָּ֧לֶן יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַה֖וּא בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעָֽם׃ Joshua then sent them off, and they proceeded to the ambush; they took up a position between Ai and Bethel—west of Ai—while Joshua spent the night with the rest of the troops.

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיִּפְקֹ֖ד אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיַּ֨עַל ה֜וּא וְזִקְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם הָעָֽי׃ Early in the morning, Joshua mustered the troops; then he and the elders of Israel marched upon Ai at the head of the troops.

וְכׇל־הָעָ֨ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֗וֹ עָלוּ֙ וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֔וּ וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ נֶ֣גֶד הָעִ֑יר וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לָעַ֔י וְהַגַּ֖י בֵּינָ֥ו וּבֵין־הָעָֽי׃ All the combat troops that were with him advanced near the city and encamped to the north of Ai, with a hollow between them and Ai.—

וַיִּקַּ֕ח כַּחֲמֵ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ וַיָּ֨שֶׂם אוֹתָ֜ם אֹרֵ֗ב בֵּ֧ין בֵּֽית־אֵ֛ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעַ֖י מִיָּ֥ם לָעִֽיר׃ He selected about five thousand men and stationed them as an ambush between Bethel and Ai, west of the city.

וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּ הָעָ֜ם אֶת־כׇּל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לָעִ֔יר וְאֶת־עֲקֵב֖וֹ מִיָּ֣ם לָעִ֑יר וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַה֖וּא בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעֵֽמֶק׃ Thus the main body of the army was disposed on the north of the city, but the far end of it was on the west. (This was after Joshua had spent the night^aspent the night So with some mss. (cf. v. 9); most mss. and editions read “marched.” in the valley.^bin the valley Syriac reads “with the troops”; cf. v. 9. )—

וַיְהִ֞י כִּרְא֣וֹת מֶֽלֶךְ־הָעַ֗י וַֽיְמַהֲר֡וּ וַיַּשְׁכִּ֡ימוּ וַיֵּצְא֣וּ אַנְשֵֽׁי־הָעִ֣יר לִקְרַֽאת־יִ֠שְׂרָאֵ֠ל לַֽמִּלְחָמָ֞ה ה֧וּא וְכׇל־עַמּ֛וֹ לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י הָעֲרָבָ֑ה וְהוּא֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּֽי־אֹרֵ֥ב ל֖וֹ מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י הָעִֽיר׃ When the king of Ai saw them, he and all his troops, the townsmen, rushed out in the early morning to the meeting place,^cmeeting place Emendation yields “descent”; cf. 7.5. facing the Arabah, to engage the Israelites in battle; for he was unaware that a force was lying in ambush behind the city.

וַיִּנָּ֥גְע֛וּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃ Joshua and all Israel fled in the direction of the wilderness, as though routed by them.

וַיִּזָּעֲק֗וּ כׇּל־הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר (בעיר) [בָּעַ֔י] לִרְדֹּ֖ף אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙ אַֽחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיִּנָּתְק֖וּ מִן־הָעִֽיר׃ All the troops in the city gathered to pursue them; pursuing Joshua, they were drawn out of the city.

וְלֹא־נִשְׁאַ֣ר אִ֗ישׁ בָּעַי֙ וּבֵ֣ית אֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יָצְא֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּעַזְב֤וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֙ פְּתוּחָ֔ה וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
Not a man^dNot a man I.e., none of the town’s defenders. was left in Ai or in Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city open while they pursued Israel.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ נְ֠טֵ֠ה בַּכִּיד֤וֹן אֲשֶׁר־בְּיָֽדְךָ֙ אֶל־הָעַ֔י כִּ֥י בְיָדְךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה וַיֵּ֧ט יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּכִּיד֥וֹן אֲשֶׁר־בְּיָד֖וֹ אֶל־הָעִֽיר׃ GOD then said to Joshua, “Hold out the javelin in your hand toward Ai, for I will deliver it into your hands.” So Joshua held out the javelin in his hand toward the city.

וְהָאוֹרֵ֡ב קָם֩ מְהֵרָ֨ה מִמְּקוֹמ֤וֹ וַיָּר֙וּצוּ֙ כִּנְט֣וֹת יָד֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ הָעִ֖יר וַֽיִּלְכְּד֑וּהָ וַֽיְמַהֲר֔וּ וַיַּצִּ֥יתוּ אֶת־הָעִ֖יר בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ As soon as he held out his hand, the ambush came rushing out of their station. They entered the city and captured it; and they swiftly set fire to the city.

וַיִּפְנ֣וּ אַנְשֵׁי֩ הָעַ֨י אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם וַיִּרְא֗וּ וְהִנֵּ֨ה עָלָ֜ה עֲשַׁ֤ן הָעִיר֙ הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה וְלֹא־הָיָ֨ה בָהֶ֥ם יָדַ֛יִם לָנ֖וּס הֵ֣נָּה וָהֵ֑נָּה וְהָעָם֙ הַנָּ֣ס הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר נֶהְפַּ֖ךְ אֶל־הָֽרוֹדֵֽף׃ The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising to the sky; they had no room for flight in any direction.
The people who had been fleeing to the wilderness now became the pursuers.

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל רָא֗וּ כִּֽי־לָכַ֤ד הָאֹרֵב֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר וְכִ֥י עָלָ֖ה עֲשַׁ֣ן הָעִ֑יר וַיָּשֻׁ֕בוּ וַיַּכּ֖וּ אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעָֽי׃ For when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that smoke was rising from the city, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.

וְאֵ֨לֶּה יָצְא֤וּ מִן־הָעִיר֙ לִקְרָאתָ֔ם וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ אֵ֥לֶּה מִזֶּ֖ה וְאֵ֣לֶּה מִזֶּ֑ה וַיַּכּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִ֥יד וּפָלִֽיט׃ Now the other [Israelites] were coming out of the city against them, so that they were between two bodies of Israelites, one on each side of them. They were slaughtered, so that no one escaped or got away.

וְאֶת־מֶ֥לֶךְ הָעַ֖י תָּ֣פְשׂוּ חָ֑י וַיַּקְרִ֥בוּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃ The king of Ai was taken alive and brought to Joshua.

וַיְהִ֣י כְּכַלּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל לַהֲרֹג֩ אֶת־כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֨י הָעַ֜י בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רְדָפ֣וּם בּ֔וֹ וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּ כֻלָּ֛ם לְפִי־חֶ֖רֶב עַד־תֻּמָּ֑ם וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָעַ֔י וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֹתָ֖הּ לְפִי־חָֽרֶב׃ When Israel had killed all the inhabitants of Ai who had pursued them into the open wilderness, and all of them, to the last man, had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites turned back to Ai and put it to the sword.

וַיְהִי֩ כׇל־הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ מֵאִ֣ישׁ וְעַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אָ֑לֶף כֹּ֖ל אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעָֽי׃ The total of those who fell that day, men and women, the entire population of Ai, came to twelve thousand.

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ לֹא־הֵשִׁ֣יב יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָטָ֖ה בַּכִּיד֑וֹן עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶחֱרִ֔ים אֵ֖ת כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָעָֽי׃ Joshua did not draw back the hand with which he held out his javelin until all the inhabitants of Ai had been exterminated.

רַ֣ק הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה וּשְׁלַל֙ הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֔יא בָּֽזְז֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖ה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃ However, the Israelites took the cattle and the spoil of the city as their booty, in accordance with the instructions that GOD had given to Joshua.

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶת־הָעָ֑י וַיְשִׂימֶ֤הָ תֵּל־עוֹלָם֙ שְׁמָמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ Then Joshua burned down Ai, and turned it into a mound of ruins for all time, a desolation to this day.

וְאֶת־מֶ֧לֶךְ הָעַ֛י תָּלָ֥ה עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ עַד־עֵ֣ת הָעָ֑רֶב וּכְב֣וֹא הַשֶּׁ֩מֶשׁ֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּ אֶת־נִבְלָת֣וֹ מִן־הָעֵ֗ץ וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּ אוֹתָהּ֙ אֶל־פֶּ֙תַח֙ שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֔יר וַיָּקִ֤ימוּ עָלָיו֙ גַּל־אֲבָנִ֣ים גָּד֔וֹל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
And the king of Ai was impaled on a stake until the evening. At sunset, Joshua had the corpse taken down from the stake and it was left lying at the entrance to the city gate. They raised a great heap of stones over it, which is there to this day.

אָ֣ז יִבְנֶ֤ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּהַ֖ר עֵיבָֽל׃ At that time Joshua built an altar to the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּה֩ מֹשֶׁ֨ה עֶֽבֶד־יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּכָּתוּב֙ בְּסֵ֙פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִזְבַּח֙ אֲבָנִ֣ים שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־הֵנִ֥יף עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן בַּרְזֶ֑ל וַיַּעֲל֨וּ עָלָ֤יו עֹלוֹת֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וַֽיִּזְבְּח֖וּ שְׁלָמִֽים׃ as Moses, the servant of GOD, had commanded the Israelites—as is written in the Book of the Teaching of Moses^eas is written in the Book of the Teaching of Moses See Deut. 27.3–8. —an altar of unhewn stone upon which no iron had been wielded. They offered on it burnt offerings to GOD, and brought sacrifices of well-being.

וַיִּכְתׇּב־שָׁ֖ם עַל־הָאֲבָנִ֑ים אֵ֗ת מִשְׁנֵה֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּתַ֔ב לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ And there, on the stones, he inscribed a copy of the Teaching that Moses had written for the Israelites.

וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל וּזְקֵנָ֡יו וְשֹׁטְרִ֣ים ׀ וְשֹׁפְטָ֡יו עֹמְדִ֣ים מִזֶּ֣ה ׀ וּמִזֶּ֣ה ׀ לָאָר֡וֹן נֶ֩גֶד֩ הַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים הַלְוִיִּ֜ם נֹשְׂאֵ֣י ׀ אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֗ה כַּגֵּר֙ כָּאֶזְרָ֔ח חֶצְיוֹ֙ אֶל־מ֣וּל הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים וְהַחֶצְי֖וֹ אֶל־מ֣וּל הַר־עֵיבָ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֗ה לְבָרֵ֛ךְ אֶת־הָעָ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ All Israel—stranger and citizen alike—with their elders, officials, and magistrates, stood on either side of the Ark, facing the levitical priests who carried the Ark of GOD’s Covenant. Half of them faced Mount Gerizim and half of them faced Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of GOD had commanded them of old, in order to bless the people of Israel.

וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן קָרָא֙ אֶת־כׇּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י הַתּוֹרָ֔ה הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה כְּכׇל־הַכָּת֖וּב בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָֽה׃ After that, he read all the words of the Teaching, the blessing and the curse, just as is written in the Book of the Teaching.^fjust as is written in the Book of the Teaching See Deut. 27.11–28.68.

לֹא־הָיָ֣ה דָבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־קָרָ֜א יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ נֶ֣גֶד כׇּל־קְהַ֤ל יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְהַנָּשִׁ֣ים וְהַטַּ֔ף וְהַגֵּ֖ר הַהֹלֵ֥ךְ בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃ There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read in the presence of the whole congregation of Israel, including the women and children and the strangers who accompanied them.

וַיְהִ֣י כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ כׇּֽל־הַמְּלָכִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן בָּהָ֣ר וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֗ה וּבְכֹל֙ ח֚וֹף הַיָּ֣ם הַגָּד֔וֹל אֶל־מ֖וּל הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן הַֽחִתִּי֙ וְהָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַפְּרִזִּ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃ When all the kings west of^awest of Lit. “across.” the Jordan—in the hill country, in the Shephelah, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea up to the vicinity of Lebanon, the [land of the] Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—learned of this,

וַיִּֽתְקַבְּצ֣וּ יַחְדָּ֔ו לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם עִם־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וְעִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל פֶּ֖ה אֶחָֽד׃ {פ}
they gathered with one accord to fight against Joshua and Israel.

וְיֹשְׁבֵ֨י גִבְע֜וֹן שָׁמְע֗וּ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ לִירִיח֖וֹ וְלָעָֽי׃ But when the inhabitants of Gibeon learned how Joshua had treated Jericho and Ai,

וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֤וּ גַם־הֵ֙מָּה֙ בְּעׇרְמָ֔ה וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ וַיִּצְטַיָּ֑רוּ וַיִּקְח֞וּ שַׂקִּ֤ים בָּלִים֙ לַחֲמ֣וֹרֵיהֶ֔ם וְנֹאד֥וֹת יַ֙יִן֙ בָּלִ֔ים וּמְבֻקָּעִ֖ים וּמְצֹרָרִֽים׃ they for their part resorted to cunning. They set out in disguise:^bin disguise Meaning of Heb. uncertain. they took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and worn-out waterskins that were cracked and patched;

וּנְעָל֨וֹת בָּל֤וֹת וּמְטֻלָּאוֹת֙ בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּשְׂלָמ֥וֹת בָּל֖וֹת עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְכֹל֙ לֶ֣חֶם צֵידָ֔ם יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה נִקֻּדִֽים׃ they had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and threadbare clothes on their bodies; and all the bread they took as provision was dry and crumbly.

וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַגִּלְגָּ֑ל וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ אֵלָ֜יו וְאֶל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵאֶ֤רֶץ רְחוֹקָה֙ בָּ֔אנוּ וְעַתָּ֖ה כִּרְתוּ־לָ֥נוּ בְרִֽית׃ And so they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and [in a parley] said to him and to the rest of Israel’s side, “We come from a distant land; we propose that you make a pact with us.”

(ויאמרו) [וַיֹּ֥אמֶר] אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־הַחִוִּ֑י אוּלַ֗י בְּקִרְבִּי֙ אַתָּ֣ה יוֹשֵׁ֔ב וְאֵ֖יךְ (אכרות) [אֶֽכְרׇת־]לְךָ֥ בְרִֽית׃ Israel’s side replied to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a pact with you?”^chow then can we make a pact with you Cf. Deut. 7.2.

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ עֲבָדֶ֣יךָֽ אֲנָ֑חְנוּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֧ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ מִ֥י אַתֶּ֖ם וּמֵאַ֥יִן תָּבֹֽאוּ׃ They said to Joshua, “We will be your subjects.” But Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where do you come from?”

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו מֵאֶ֨רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֤ה מְאֹד֙ בָּ֣אוּ עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְשֵׁ֖ם יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּי־שָׁמַ֣עְנוּ שׇׁמְע֔וֹ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃ They replied, “Your servants have come from a very distant country, because of the fame of the ETERNAL your God. For we heard the report of all^dthe report of all Lit. “the report of Him: of all.” that [your God] did in Egypt,

וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה לִשְׁנֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן לְסִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן וּלְע֥וֹג מֶלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֖ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת׃ and of all that [your God] did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan who lived in Ashtaroth.

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלֵ֡ינוּ זְֽקֵינֵ֩ינוּ֩ וְכׇל־יֹשְׁבֵ֨י אַרְצֵ֜נוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר קְח֨וּ בְיֶדְכֶ֤ם צֵידָה֙ לַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּלְכ֖וּ לִקְרָאתָ֑ם וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֲלֵיהֶם֙ עַבְדֵיכֶ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ וְעַתָּ֖ה כִּרְתוּ־לָ֥נוּ בְרִֽית׃ So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country instructed us as follows, ‘Take along provisions for a trip, and go to them and say: We will be your subjects; come make a pact with us.’

זֶ֣ה ׀ לַחְמֵ֗נוּ חָ֞ם הִצְטַיַּ֤דְנוּ אֹתוֹ֙ מִבָּ֣תֵּ֔ינוּ בְּי֥וֹם צֵאתֵ֖נוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְעַתָּה֙ הִנֵּ֣ה יָבֵ֔שׁ וְהָיָ֖ה נִקֻּדִֽים׃ This bread of ours, which we took from our houses as provision, was still hot when we set out to come to you; and see how dry and crumbly it has become.

וְאֵ֨לֶּה נֹאד֤וֹת הַיַּ֙יִן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִלֵּ֣אנוּ חֲדָשִׁ֔ים וְהִנֵּ֖ה הִתְבַּקָּ֑עוּ וְאֵ֤לֶּה שַׂלְמוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ וּנְעָלֵ֔ינוּ בָּל֕וּ מֵרֹ֥ב הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ מְאֹֽד׃ These wineskins were new when we filled them, and see how they have cracked. These clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.”

וַיִּקְח֥וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִצֵּידָ֑ם וְאֶת־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לֹ֥א שָׁאָֽלוּ׃ Those involved took [their word for it] because of^etook [their word for it] because of Meaning of Heb. uncertain. their provisions, and did not inquire of GOD.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ לָהֶ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ שָׁל֔וֹם וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית לְחַיּוֹתָ֑ם וַיִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ לָהֶ֔ם נְשִׂיאֵ֖י הָעֵדָֽה׃ Joshua established friendship with them; he made a pact with them to spare their lives, and the chieftains of the community gave them their oath.

וַיְהִ֗י מִקְצֵה֙ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֕י אֲשֶׁר־כָּרְת֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם בְּרִ֑ית וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֗וּ כִּֽי־קְרֹבִ֥ים הֵם֙ אֵלָ֔יו וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ הֵ֥ם יֹשְׁבִֽים׃ But when three days had passed after they made this pact with them, they learned that they were neighbors, living among them.

וַיִּסְע֣וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ אֶל־עָרֵיהֶ֖ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י וְעָֽרֵיהֶם֙ גִּבְע֣וֹן וְהַכְּפִירָ֔ה וּבְאֵר֖וֹת וְקִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים׃ So the Israelites set out, and on the third day they came to their towns; these towns were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

וְלֹ֤א הִכּוּם֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּֽי־נִשְׁבְּע֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הָעֵדָ֔ה בַּֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּלֹּ֥נוּ כׇל־הָעֵדָ֖ה עַל־הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃ But the Israelites did not attack them, since the chieftains of the community had sworn to them by the ETERNAL, the God of Israel. The whole community muttered against the chieftains,

וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ כׇל־הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙ אֶל־כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ נִשְׁבַּ֣עְנוּ לָהֶ֔ם בַּיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְעַתָּ֕ה לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לִנְגֹּ֥עַ בָּהֶֽם׃ but all the chieftains answered the whole community, “We swore to them by the ETERNAL, the God of Israel; therefore we cannot touch them.

זֹ֛את נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם וְהַחֲיֵ֣ה אוֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ קֶ֔צֶף עַל־הַשְּׁבוּעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְנוּ לָהֶֽם׃ This is what we will do to them: We will spare their lives, so that there may be no wrath against us because of the oath that we swore to them.”

וַיֹּאמְר֧וּ אֲלֵיהֶ֛ם הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ים יִֽחְי֑וּ וַ֠יִּֽהְי֠וּ חֹטְבֵ֨י עֵצִ֤ים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ לְכׇל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבְּר֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃ And the chieftains declared concerning them, “They shall live!” And they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole community, as the chieftains had decreed concerning them.

וַיִּקְרָ֤א לָהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר לָ֩מָּה֩ רִמִּיתֶ֨ם אֹתָ֜נוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר רְחוֹקִ֨ים אֲנַ֤חְנוּ מִכֶּם֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּקִרְבֵּ֥נוּ יֹשְׁבִֽים׃ Joshua summoned them and spoke to them thus: “Why did you deceive us and tell us you lived very far from us, when in fact you live among us?

וְעַתָּ֖ה אֲרוּרִ֣ים אַתֶּ֑ם וְלֹא־יִכָּרֵ֨ת מִכֶּ֜ם עֶ֗בֶד וְחֹטְבֵ֥י עֵצִ֛ים וְשֹׁ֥אֲבֵי מַ֖יִם לְבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽי׃ Therefore, be accursed! Never shall your descendants cease to be slaves: hewers of wood and drawers of water for the House of my God.”

וַיַּעֲנ֨וּ אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ כִּי֩ הֻגֵּ֨ד הֻגַּ֤ד לַעֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדּ֔וֹ לָתֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּלְהַשְׁמִ֛יד אֶת־כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וַנִּירָ֨א מְאֹ֤ד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃ But they replied to Joshua, “You see, your servants had heard that the ETERNAL your God had promised Moses—[God’s] servant—to give you the whole land and to wipe out all the inhabitants of the country on your account; so we were in great fear for our lives on your account. That is why we did this thing.

וְעַתָּ֖ה הִנְנ֣וּ בְיָדֶ֑ךָ כַּטּ֨וֹב וְכַיָּשָׁ֧ר בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָ֖נוּ עֲשֵֽׂה׃ And now we are at your mercy; do with us what you consider right and proper.”

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָהֶ֖ם כֵּ֑ן וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אוֹתָ֛ם מִיַּ֥ד בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְלֹ֥א הֲרָגֽוּם׃ And he did so; he saved them from being killed by the Israelites.

וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא חֹטְבֵ֥י עֵצִ֛ים וְשֹׁ֥אֲבֵי מַ֖יִם לָֽעֵדָ֑ה וּלְמִזְבַּ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחָֽר׃ {פ}
That day Joshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water—as they still are—for the community and for GOD’s altar, in the place that [God] would choose.

וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ אֲדֹנִי־צֶ֜דֶק מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם כִּֽי־לָכַ֨ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ אֶת־הָעַי֮ וַיַּחֲרִימָהּ֒ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה לִֽירִיחוֹ֙ וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ כֵּן־עָשָׂ֥ה לָעַ֖י וּלְמַלְכָּ֑הּ וְכִ֨י הִשְׁלִ֜ימוּ יֹשְׁבֵ֤י גִבְעוֹן֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּֽהְי֖וּ בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃ When King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem learned that Joshua had captured Ai and proscribed it, treating Ai and its king as he had treated Jericho and its king, and that, moreover, the inhabitants of Gibeon had come to terms with Israel and remained among them,

וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ מְאֹ֔ד כִּ֣י עִ֤יר גְּדוֹלָה֙ גִּבְע֔וֹן כְּאַחַ֖ת עָרֵ֣י הַמַּמְלָכָ֑ה וְכִ֨י הִ֤יא גְדוֹלָה֙ מִן־הָעַ֔י וְכׇל־אֲנָשֶׁ֖יהָ גִּבֹּרִֽים׃ he was^ahe was Heb. “they were.” very frightened. For Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities—in fact, larger than Ai—and all its men were warriors.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח אֲדֹנִי־צֶ֜דֶק מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם אֶל־הוֹהָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ־חֶ֠בְר֠וֹן וְאֶל־פִּרְאָ֨ם מֶלֶךְ־יַרְמ֜וּת וְאֶל־יָפִ֧יעַ מֶלֶךְ־לָכִ֛ישׁ וְאֶל־דְּבִ֥יר מֶלֶךְ־עֶגְל֖וֹן לֵאמֹֽר׃ So King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent this message to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish, and King Debir of Eglon:

עֲלוּ־אֵלַ֣י וְעִזְרֻ֔נִי וְנַכֶּ֖ה אֶת־גִּבְע֑וֹן כִּי־הִשְׁלִ֥ימָה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וְאֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “Come up and help me defeat Gibeon; for it has come to terms with Joshua and the Israelites.”

וַיֵּאָסְפ֨וּ וַֽיַּעֲל֜וּ חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ מַלְכֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֗י מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרֽוּשָׁלַ֜͏ִם מֶֽלֶךְ־חֶבְר֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־יַרְמוּת֙ מֶלֶךְ־לָכִ֣ישׁ מֶלֶךְ־עֶגְל֔וֹן הֵ֖ם וְכׇל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֑ם וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ עַל־גִּבְע֔וֹן וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ עָלֶֽיהָ׃ The five Amorite kings—the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, with all their armies—joined forces and marched on Gibeon, and encamped against it and attacked it.

וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ אַנְשֵׁי֩ גִבְע֨וֹן אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֣לָה לֵאמֹ֔ר אַל־תֶּ֥רֶף יָדֶ֖יךָ מֵעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ עֲלֵ֧ה אֵלֵ֣ינוּ מְהֵרָ֗ה וְהוֹשִׁ֤יעָה לָּ֙נוּ֙ וְעׇזְרֵ֔נוּ כִּ֚י נִקְבְּצ֣וּ אֵלֵ֔ינוּ כׇּל־מַלְכֵ֥י הָאֱמֹרִ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָהָֽר׃ The people of Gibeon thereupon sent this message to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not fail your servants; come up quickly and aid us and deliver us, for all the Amorite kings of the hill country have gathered against us.”

וַיַּ֨עַל יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ מִן־הַגִּלְגָּ֗ל ה֚וּא וְכׇל־עַ֤ם הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י הֶחָֽיִל׃ {פ}
So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with all his combat troops—all the trained warriors.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א מֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י בְיָדְךָ֖ נְתַתִּ֑ים לֹא־יַעֲמֹ֥ד אִ֛ישׁ מֵהֶ֖ם בְּפָנֶֽיךָ׃ GOD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I will deliver them into your hands; not one of them shall withstand you.”

וַיָּבֹ֧א אֲלֵיהֶ֛ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ פִּתְאֹ֑ם כׇּל־הַלַּ֕יְלָה עָלָ֖ה מִן־הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃ Joshua took them by surprise, marching all night from Gilgal.

וַיְהֻמֵּ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיַּכֵּ֥ם מַכָּֽה־גְדוֹלָ֖ה בְּגִבְע֑וֹן וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵ֗ם דֶּ֚רֶךְ מַעֲלֵ֣ה בֵית־חוֹרֹ֔ן וַיַּכֵּ֥ם עַד־עֲזֵקָ֖ה וְעַד־מַקֵּדָֽה׃ GOD threw them into a panic before Israel: [Joshua] inflicted a crushing defeat on them at Gibeon, pursued them in the direction of the Beth-horon ascent, and harried them all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.

וַיְהִ֞י בְּנֻסָ֣ם ׀ מִפְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל הֵ֞ם בְּמוֹרַ֤ד בֵּית־חוֹרֹן֙ וַיהֹוָ֡ה הִשְׁלִ֣יךְ עֲלֵיהֶם֩ אֲבָנִ֨ים גְּדֹל֧וֹת מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם עַד־עֲזֵקָ֖ה וַיָּמֻ֑תוּ רַבִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁר־מֵ֙תוּ֙ בְּאַבְנֵ֣י הַבָּרָ֔ד מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָרְג֛וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֶּחָֽרֶב׃ {ס}         While they were fleeing before Israel down the descent from Beth-horon, GOD hurled huge stones on them from the sky, all the way to Azekah, and they perished; more perished from the hailstones than were killed by the Israelite weapons.

אָ֣ז יְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה בְּי֗וֹם תֵּ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לְעֵינֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שֶׁ֚מֶשׁ בְּגִבְע֣וֹן דּ֔וֹם וְיָרֵ֖חַ בְּעֵ֥מֶק אַיָּלֽוֹן׃ On that occasion, when GOD routed the Amorites before the Israelites, Joshua addressed GOD; he said in the presence of the Israelites:
“Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon,
O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon!”

וַיִּדֹּ֨ם הַשֶּׁ֜מֶשׁ וְיָרֵ֣חַ עָמָ֗ד עַד־יִקֹּ֥ם גּוֹי֙ אֹֽיְבָ֔יו הֲלֹא־הִ֥יא כְתוּבָ֖ה עַל־סֵ֣פֶר הַיָּשָׁ֑ר וַיַּעֲמֹ֤ד הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְלֹא־אָ֥ץ לָב֖וֹא כְּי֥וֹם תָּמִֽים׃ And the sun stood still
And the moon halted,
While a nation wreaked judgment on its foes
—as is written in the Book of Jashar.^bBook of Jashar Presumably a collection of war songs. Thus the sun halted in midheaven, and did not press on to set, for a whole day;

וְלֹ֨א הָיָ֜ה כַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ לְפָנָ֣יו וְאַחֲרָ֔יו לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּק֣וֹל אִ֑ישׁ כִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה נִלְחָ֖ם לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}         for GOD fought for Israel. Neither before nor since has there ever been such a day, when GOD acted on words spoken by someone else.

וַיָּ֤שׇׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַגִּלְגָּֽלָה׃ Then Joshua together with all Israel returned to the camp at Gilgal.

וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּחָבְא֥וּ בַמְּעָרָ֖ה בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃ Meanwhile, those five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah.

וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ לֵאמֹ֑ר נִמְצְאוּ֙ חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֔ים נֶחְבְּאִ֥ים בַּמְּעָרָ֖ה בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃ When it was reported to Joshua that the five kings had been found hiding in a cave at Makkedah,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ גֹּ֛לּוּ אֲבָנִ֥ים גְּדֹל֖וֹת אֶל־פִּ֣י הַמְּעָרָ֑ה וְהַפְקִ֧ידוּ עָלֶ֛יהָ אֲנָשִׁ֖ים לְשׇׁמְרָֽם׃ Joshua ordered, “Roll large stones up against the mouth of the cave, and post some men over it to keep guard over them.

וְאַתֶּם֙ אַֽל־תַּעֲמֹ֔דוּ רִדְפוּ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיכֶ֔ם וְזִנַּבְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתָ֑ם אַֽל־תִּתְּנ֗וּם לָבוֹא֙ אֶל־עָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם כִּ֧י נְתָנָ֛ם יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃ But as for the rest of you, don’t stop, but press on the heels of your enemies and harass them from the rear. Don’t let them reach their towns, for the ETERNAL your God has delivered them into your hands.”

וַיְהִי֩ כְּכַלּ֨וֹת יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְהַכּוֹתָ֛ם מַכָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה־מְאֹ֖ד עַד־תֻּמָּ֑ם וְהַשְּׂרִידִים֙ שָֽׂרְד֣וּ מֵהֶ֔ם וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־עָרֵ֥י הַמִּבְצָֽר׃ When Joshua and the Israelites had finished dealing them a deadly blow, they were wiped out, except for some fugitives who escaped into the fortified towns.

וַיָּשֻׁ֩בוּ֩ כׇל־הָעָ֨ם אֶל־הַמַּחֲנֶ֧ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ מַקֵּדָ֖ה בְּשָׁל֑וֹם לֹֽא־חָרַ֞ץ לִבְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לְאִ֖ישׁ אֶת־לְשֹׁנֽוֹ׃ The whole army returned in safety to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah; no one so much as snarled^csnarl Cf. Exod. 11.7. at the Israelites.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ פִּתְח֖וּ אֶת־פִּ֣י הַמְּעָרָ֑ה וְהוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֵלַ֗י אֶת־חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִן־הַמְּעָרָֽה׃ And now Joshua ordered, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”

וַיַּ֣עֲשׂוּ כֵ֔ן וַיֹּצִ֣יאוּ אֵלָ֗יו אֶת־חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִן־הַמְּעָרָ֑ה אֵ֣ת ׀ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם אֶת־מֶ֤לֶךְ חֶבְרוֹן֙ אֶת־מֶ֣לֶךְ יַרְמ֔וּת אֶת־מֶ֥לֶךְ לָכִ֖ישׁ אֶת־מֶ֥לֶךְ עֶגְלֽוֹן׃ This was done. Those five kings—the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon—were brought out to him from the cave.

וַ֠יְהִ֠י כְּֽהוֹצִיאָ֞ם אֶת־הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֘לֶּה֮ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֒עַ֒ וַיִּקְרָ֨א יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶל־כׇּל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר אֶל־קְצִינֵ֞י אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ הֶהָלְכ֣וּא אִתּ֔וֹ קִרְב֗וּ שִׂ֚ימוּ אֶת־רַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם עַֽל־צַוְּארֵ֖י הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַֽיִּקְרְב֔וּ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ אֶת־רַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־צַוְּארֵיהֶֽם׃ And when the kings were brought out to Joshua, Joshua summoned everyone on Israel’s side and ordered the army officers who had accompanied him, “Come forward and place your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came forward and placed their feet on their necks.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ אַל־תִּֽירְא֖וּ וְאַל־תֵּחָ֑תּוּ חִזְק֣וּ וְאִמְצ֔וּ כִּ֣י כָ֗כָה יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לְכׇל־אֹ֣יְבֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם נִלְחָמִ֥ים אוֹתָֽם׃ Joshua said to them, “Do not be frightened or dismayed; be firm and resolute. For this is what GOD is going to do to all the enemies with whom you are at war.”

וַיַּכֵּ֨ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵן֙ וַיְמִיתֵ֔ם וַיִּתְלֵ֕ם עַ֖ל חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה עֵצִ֑ים וַיִּהְי֛וּ תְּלוּיִ֥ם עַל־הָעֵצִ֖ים עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃ After that, Joshua had them put to death and impaled on five stakes, and they remained impaled on the stakes until evening.

וַיְהִ֞י לְעֵ֣ת ׀ בּ֣וֹא הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ צִוָּ֤ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ וַיֹּֽרִידוּם֙ מֵעַ֣ל הָעֵצִ֔ים וַיַּ֨שְׁלִכֻ֔ם אֶל־הַמְּעָרָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר נֶחְבְּאוּ־שָׁ֑ם וַיָּשִׂ֜מוּ אֲבָנִ֤ים גְּדֹלוֹת֙ עַל־פִּ֣י הַמְּעָרָ֔ה עַד־עֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}         At sunset Joshua ordered them taken down from the poles and thrown into the cave in which they had hidden. Large stones were placed over the mouth of the cave, [and there they are] to this very day.

וְאֶת־מַקֵּדָה֩ לָכַ֨ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא וַיַּכֶּ֣הָ לְפִי־חֶ֘רֶב֮ וְאֶת־מַלְכָּהּ֒ הֶחֱרִ֣ם אוֹתָ֗ם וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔הּ לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד וַיַּ֙עַשׂ֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ מַקֵּדָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְמֶ֥לֶךְ יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ {ס}         At that time Joshua captured Makkedah and put it and its king to the sword, proscribing it^dit So several mss.; most mss. and the editions read “them.” and every person in it and leaving none that escaped. And he treated the king of Makkedah as he had treated the king of Jericho.

וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֣ר יְ֠הוֹשֻׁ֠עַ וְכׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֛וֹ מִמַּקֵּדָ֖ה לִבְנָ֑ה וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם עִם־לִבְנָֽה׃ From Makkedah, Joshua proceeded with all Israel to Libnah, and he attacked it.

וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה גַּם־אוֹתָ֜הּ בְּיַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ וְאֶת־מַלְכָּהּ֒ וַיַּכֶּ֣הָ לְפִי־חֶ֗רֶב וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔הּ לֹא־הִשְׁאִ֥יר בָּ֖הּ שָׂרִ֑יד וַיַּ֣עַשׂ לְמַלְכָּ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְמֶ֥לֶךְ יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ {ס}         GOD delivered it and its king into the hands of Israel; they put it and all the people in it to the sword, letting none escape. And he treated its king as he had treated the king of Jericho.

וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֣ר יְ֠הוֹשֻׁ֠עַ וְכׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֛וֹ מִלִּבְנָ֖ה לָכִ֑ישָׁה וַיִּ֣חַן עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בָּֽהּ׃ From Libnah, Joshua proceeded with all Israel to Lachish; he encamped against it and attacked it.

וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶת־לָכִ֜ישׁ בְּיַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַֽיִּלְכְּדָהּ֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וַיַּכֶּ֣הָ לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֑הּ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה לְלִבְנָֽה׃ {פ}
GOD delivered Lachish into the hands of Israel. They captured it on the second day and put it and all the people in it to the sword, just as they had done to Libnah.

אָ֣ז עָלָ֗ה הֹרָם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ גֶּ֔זֶר לַעְזֹ֖ר אֶת־לָכִ֑ישׁ וַיַּכֵּ֤הוּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ וְאֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִֽיד׃ At that time King Horam of Gezer marched to the help of Lachish; but Joshua defeated him and his army, letting none of them escape.

וַיַּעֲבֹ֣ר יְ֠הוֹשֻׁ֠עַ וְכׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֛וֹ מִלָּכִ֖ישׁ עֶגְלֹ֑נָה וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ עָלֶֽיהָ׃ From Lachish, Joshua proceeded with all Israel to Eglon; they encamped against it and attacked it.

וַֽיִּלְכְּד֜וּהָ בַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ וַיַּכּ֣וּהָ לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־הַנֶּ֣פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔הּ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא הֶחֱרִ֑ים כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה לְלָכִֽישׁ׃ {פ}
They captured it on the same day and put it to the sword, proscribing all the people that were in it, as they had done to Lachish.

וַיַּ֣עַל יְ֠הוֹשֻׁ֠עַ וְכׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֛וֹ מֵעֶגְל֖וֹנָה חֶבְר֑וֹנָה וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ עָלֶֽיהָ׃ From Eglon, Joshua marched with all Israel to Hebron and attacked it.

וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּהָ וַיַּכּֽוּהָ־לְפִי־חֶ֠רֶב וְאֶת־מַלְכָּ֨הּ וְאֶת־כׇּל־עָרֶ֜יהָ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּהּ֙ לֹא־הִשְׁאִ֣יר שָׂרִ֔יד כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה לְעֶגְל֑וֹן וַיַּחֲרֵ֣ם אוֹתָ֔הּ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּֽהּ׃ {ס}         They captured it and put it, its king, and all its towns, and all the people that were in it, to the sword. He let none escape, proscribing it and all the people in it, just as he had done in the case of Eglon.

וַיָּ֧שׇׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֖וֹ דְּבִ֑רָה וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם עָלֶֽיהָ׃ Joshua and all Israel with him then turned back to Debir and attacked it.

וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֞הּ וְאֶת־מַלְכָּ֤הּ וְאֶת־כׇּל־עָרֶ֙יהָ֙ וַיַּכּ֣וּם לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב וַֽיַּחֲרִ֙ימוּ֙ אֶת־כׇּל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔הּ לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה לְחֶבְר֗וֹן כֵּן־עָשָׂ֤ה לִדְבִ֙רָה֙ וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֛ה לְלִבְנָ֖ה וּלְמַלְכָּֽהּ׃ He captured it and its king and all its towns. They put them to the sword and proscribed all the people in it. They let none escape; just as they had done to Hebron, and as they had done to Libnah and its king, so they did to Debir and its king.

וַיַּכֶּ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֡רֶץ הָהָר֩ וְהַנֶּ֨גֶב וְהַשְּׁפֵלָ֜ה וְהָאֲשֵׁד֗וֹת וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־מַלְכֵיהֶ֔ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־הַנְּשָׁמָה֙ הֶחֱרִ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֔ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Thus Joshua conquered the whole country:^ethe whole country I.e., the whole southern part of Canaan. the hill country, the Negeb, the Shephelah, and the slopes, with all their kings; he let none escape, but proscribed everything that breathed—as the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, had commanded.

וַיַּכֵּ֧ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ מִקָּדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵ֖עַ וְעַד־עַזָּ֑ה וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֶ֥רֶץ גֹּ֖שֶׁן וְעַד־גִּבְעֽוֹן׃ Joshua conquered them from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, all the land of Goshen, and up to Gibeon.

וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־הַמְּלָכִ֤ים הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ וְאֶת־אַרְצָ֔ם לָכַ֥ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת כִּ֗י יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נִלְחָ֖ם לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ All those kings and their lands were conquered by Joshua at a single stroke, for the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

וַיָּ֤שׇׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַגִּלְגָּֽלָה׃ {פ}
Then Joshua, with all Israel, returned to the camp at Gilgal.

וַיְהִ֕י כִּשְׁמֹ֖עַ יָבִ֣ין מֶלֶךְ־חָצ֑וֹר וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֶל־יוֹבָב֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מָד֔וֹן וְאֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ שִׁמְר֖וֹן וְאֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ אַכְשָֽׁף׃ When the news reached King Jabin of Hazor, he sent messages to King Jobab of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph,

וְֽאֶל־הַמְּלָכִ֞ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִצְּפ֗וֹן בָּהָ֧ר וּבָעֲרָבָ֛ה נֶ֥גֶב כִּֽנְר֖וֹת וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֑ה וּבְנָפ֥וֹת דּ֖וֹר מִיָּֽם׃ and to the other kings in the north—in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinnereth, in the lowlands, and in the district^adistrict Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of Dor on the west;

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מִמִּזְרָ֣ח וּמִיָּ֔ם וְהָאֱמֹרִ֧י וְהַחִתִּ֛י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֥י וְהַיְבוּסִ֖י בָּהָ֑ר וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ תַּ֣חַת חֶרְמ֔וֹן בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃ to the Canaanites in the east and in the west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites at the foot of Hermon, in the land of Mizpah.

וַיֵּֽצְא֣וּ הֵ֗ם וְכׇל־מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ עִמָּ֔ם עַם־רָ֕ב כַּח֛וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־שְׂפַֽת־הַיָּ֖ם לָרֹ֑ב וְס֥וּס וָרֶ֖כֶב רַב־מְאֹֽד׃ They took the field with all their armies—an enormous host, as numerous as the sands on the seashore—and a vast multitude of horses and chariots.

וַיִּוָּ֣עֲד֔וּ כֹּ֖ל הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ וַיַּחֲנ֤וּ יַחְדָּו֙ אֶל־מֵ֣י מֵר֔וֹם לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
All these kings joined forces; they came and encamped together at the Waters of Merom to give battle to Israel.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֘עַ֮ אַל־תִּירָ֣א מִפְּנֵיהֶם֒ כִּֽי־מָחָ֞ר כָּעֵ֣ת הַזֹּ֗את אָנֹכִ֞י נֹתֵ֧ן אֶת־כֻּלָּ֛ם חֲלָלִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֶת־סוּסֵיהֶ֣ם תְּעַקֵּ֔ר וְאֶת־מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרֹ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ But GOD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; tomorrow at this time I will have them all lying slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”

וַיָּבֹ֣א יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ וְכׇל־עַם֩ הַמִּלְחָמָ֨ה עִמּ֧וֹ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם עַל־מֵ֥י מֵר֖וֹם פִּתְאֹ֑ם וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ בָּהֶֽם׃ So Joshua, with all his combat troops, came upon them suddenly at the Waters of Merom, and pounced upon them.

וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם יְהֹוָ֥ה בְּיַֽד־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ וַיַּכּוּם֒ וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם עַד־צִיד֣וֹן רַבָּ֗ה וְעַד֙ מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת מַ֔יִם וְעַד־בִּקְעַ֥ת מִצְפֶּ֖ה מִזְרָ֑חָה וַיַּכֻּ֕ם עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִיר־לָהֶ֖ם שָׂרִֽיד׃ GOD delivered them into the hands of Israel, and they defeated them and pursued them all the way to Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim,^band Misrephoth-maim Change of vocalization yields “and Misrephoth on the west.” and all the way to the Valley of Mizpeh^cMizpeh Apparently identical with Mizpah in v. 3. on the east; they crushed them, letting none escape.

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָמַר־ל֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֑ה אֶת־סוּסֵיהֶ֣ם עִקֵּ֔ר וְאֶת־מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם שָׂרַ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ {ס}         And Joshua dealt with them as GOD had ordered him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.

וַיָּ֨שׇׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא֙ וַיִּלְכֹּ֣ד אֶת־חָצ֔וֹר וְאֶת־מַלְכָּ֖הּ הִכָּ֣ה בֶחָ֑רֶב כִּֽי־חָצ֣וֹר לְפָנִ֔ים הִ֕יא רֹ֖אשׁ כׇּל־הַמַּמְלָכ֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ Joshua then turned back and captured Hazor and put its king to the sword.—Hazor was formerly the head of all those kingdoms.—

וַ֠יַּכּ֠וּ אֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֨פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤הּ לְפִי־חֶ֙רֶב֙ הַחֲרֵ֔ם לֹ֥א נוֹתַ֖ר כׇּל־נְשָׁמָ֑ה וְאֶת־חָצ֖וֹר שָׂרַ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ They proscribed and put to the sword every person in it. Not a soul survived, and Hazor itself was burned down.

וְֽאֶת־כׇּל־עָרֵ֣י הַמְּלָכִֽים־הָ֠אֵ֠לֶּה וְֽאֶת־כׇּל־מַלְכֵיהֶ֞ם לָכַ֧ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וַיַּכֵּ֥ם לְפִי־חֶ֖רֶב הֶחֱרִ֣ים אוֹתָ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֔ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֥בֶד יְהֹוָֽה׃ Joshua captured all those royal cities and their kings. He put them to the sword; he proscribed them in accordance with the charge of Moses, the servant of GOD.

רַ֣ק כׇּל־הֶעָרִ֗ים הָעֹֽמְדוֹת֙ עַל־תִּלָּ֔ם לֹ֥א שְׂרָפָ֖ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל זוּלָתִ֛י אֶת־חָצ֥וֹר לְבַדָּ֖הּ שָׂרַ֥ף יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃ However, all those towns that are still standing on their mounds were not burned down by Israel; it was Hazor alone that Joshua burned down.

וְ֠כֹ֠ל שְׁלַ֞ל הֶעָרִ֤ים הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה בָּזְז֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֣ק אֶֽת־כׇּל־הָאָדָ֞ם הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי־חֶ֗רֶב עַד־הִשְׁמִדָם֙ אוֹתָ֔ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖ירוּ כׇּל־נְשָׁמָֽה׃ The Israelites kept all the spoil and cattle of the rest of those cities as booty. But they cut down their populations with the sword until they exterminated them; they did not spare a soul.

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדּ֔וֹ כֵּן־צִוָּ֥ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וְכֵן֙ עָשָׂ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ לֹא־הֵסִ֣יר דָּבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ Just as the ETERNAL had commanded [God’s] servant Moses, so Moses had charged Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that GOD had commanded Moses.

וַיִּקַּ֨ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֗את הָהָ֤ר וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַגֹּ֔שֶׁן וְאֶת־הַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה וְאֶת־הָעֲרָבָ֑ה וְאֶת־הַ֥ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וּשְׁפֵלָתֹֽה׃ Joshua conquered the whole of this region: the hill country [of Judah], the Negeb, the whole land of Goshen, the Shephelah, the Arabah, and the hill country and coastal plain of Israel—

מִן־הָהָ֤ר הֶֽחָלָק֙ הָעוֹלֶ֣ה שֵׂעִ֔יר וְעַד־בַּ֤עַל גָּד֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן תַּ֖חַת הַר־חֶרְמ֑וֹן וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־מַלְכֵיהֶם֙ לָכַ֔ד וַיַּכֵּ֖ם וַיְמִיתֵֽם׃ [everything] from Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir, all the way to Baal-gad in the Valley of the Lebanon^dthe Valley of the Lebanon I.e., the valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges. at the foot of Mount Hermon; and he captured all the kings there and executed them.

יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶת־כׇּל־הַמְּלָכִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִלְחָמָֽה׃ Joshua waged war with all those kings over a long period.

לֹא־הָיְתָ֣ה עִ֗יר אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִשְׁלִ֙ימָה֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלְתִּ֥י הַחִוִּ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֣י גִבְע֑וֹן אֶת־הַכֹּ֖ל לָקְח֥וּ בַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ Apart from the Hivites who dwelt in Gibeon, not a single city made terms with the Israelites; all were taken in battle.

כִּ֣י מֵאֵ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ הָֽיְתָ֡ה לְחַזֵּ֣ק אֶת־לִבָּם֩ לִקְרַ֨את הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְמַ֣עַן הַחֲרִימָ֔ם לְבִלְתִּ֥י הֱיוֹת־לָהֶ֖ם תְּחִנָּ֑ה כִּ֚י לְמַ֣עַן הַשְׁמִידָ֔ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}         For it was GOD’s doing to stiffen their hearts to give battle to Israel, in order that they might be proscribed without quarter and wiped out, as GOD had commanded Moses.

וַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא וַיַּכְרֵ֤ת אֶת־הָעֲנָקִים֙ מִן־הָהָ֤ר מִן־חֶבְרוֹן֙ מִן־דְּבִ֣ר מִן־עֲנָ֔ב וּמִכֹּל֙ הַ֣ר יְהוּדָ֔ה וּמִכֹּ֖ל הַ֣ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עִם־עָרֵיהֶ֖ם הֶחֱרִימָ֥ם יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃ At that time, Joshua went and wiped out the Anakites from the hill country, from Hebron, Debir, and Anab, from the entire hill country of Judah, and from the entire hill country of Israel; Joshua proscribed them and their towns.

לֹא־נוֹתַ֣ר עֲנָקִ֔ים בְּאֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֗ק בְּעַזָּ֛ה בְּגַ֥ת וּבְאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד נִשְׁאָֽרוּ׃ No Anakites remained in the land of the Israelites; but some remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.

וַיִּקַּ֨ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֗רֶץ כְּ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ וַיִּתְּנָהּ֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ לְנַחֲלָ֧ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל כְּמַחְלְקֹתָ֖ם לְשִׁבְטֵיהֶ֑ם וְהָאָ֥רֶץ שָׁקְטָ֖ה מִמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ {ס}         Thus Joshua conquered the whole country, just as GOD had promised Moses; and Joshua assigned it to Israel to share according to their tribal divisions. And the land had rest from war.

וְאֵ֣לֶּה ׀ מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכּ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיִּֽרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־אַרְצָ֔ם בְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן מִזְרְחָ֣ה הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ מִנַּ֤חַל אַרְנוֹן֙ עַד־הַ֣ר חֶרְמ֔וֹן וְכׇל־הָעֲרָבָ֖ה מִזְרָֽחָה׃ The following are the local kings whom the Israelites defeated and whose territories they took possession of:
East of the Jordan, from the Wadi Arnon to Mount Hermon, including the eastern half of the Arabah:

סִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן מֹשֵׁ֡ל מֵעֲרוֹעֵ֡ר אֲשֶׁר֩ עַל־שְׂפַת־נַ֨חַל אַרְנ֜וֹן וְת֤וֹךְ הַנַּ֙חַל֙ וַחֲצִ֣י הַגִּלְעָ֔ד וְעַד֙ יַבֹּ֣ק הַנַּ֔חַל גְּב֖וּל בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃ ^aMeaning of this verse and the next uncertain. King Sihon of the Amorites, who resided in Heshbon and ruled over part of Gilead—from Aroer on the bank of the Wadi Arnon and the wadi proper up to the Wadi Jabbok [and] the border of the Ammonites—

וְהָעֲרָבָה֩ עַד־יָ֨ם כִּנְר֜וֹת מִזְרָ֗חָה וְ֠עַ֠ד יָ֣ם הָעֲרָבָ֤ה יָם־הַמֶּ֙לַח֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה דֶּ֖רֶךְ בֵּ֣ית הַיְשִׁמ֑וֹת וּמִ֨תֵּימָ֔ן תַּ֖חַת אַשְׁדּ֥וֹת הַפִּסְגָּֽה׃ and over the eastern Arabah up to the Sea of Chinnereth and, southward by way of Beth-jeshimoth at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east, down to the Sea of the Arabah, that is, the Dead Sea.

וּגְב֗וּל ע֚וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֔ן מִיֶּ֖תֶר הָרְפָאִ֑ים הַיּוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת וּבְאֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ Also the territory of King Og of Bashan—one of the last of the Rephaim—who resided in Ashtaroth and in Edrei

וּ֠מֹשֵׁ֠ל בְּהַ֨ר חֶרְמ֤וֹן וּבְסַלְכָה֙ וּבְכׇל־הַבָּשָׁ֔ן עַד־גְּב֥וּל הַגְּשׁוּרִ֖י וְהַמַּעֲכָתִ֑י וַֽחֲצִי֙ הַגִּלְעָ֔ד גְּב֖וּל סִיח֥וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־חֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃ and ruled over Mount Hermon, Salcah, and all of Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, as also over part of Gilead [down to] the border of King Sihon of Heshbon.

מֹשֶׁ֧ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֛ה וּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הִכּ֑וּם וַֽ֠יִּתְּנָ֠הּ מֹשֶׁ֨ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֜ה יְרֻשָּׁ֗ה לָרֽאוּבֵנִי֙ וְלַגָּדִ֔י וְלַחֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֥בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ {ס}         These were vanquished by Moses, the servant of GOD, and the Israelites; and Moses, the servant of GOD, assigned that territory^bthat territory Lit. “it.” as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

וְאֵ֣לֶּה מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֡רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ הִכָּ֨ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל בְּעֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ יָ֔מָּה מִבַּ֤עַל גָּד֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן וְעַד־הָהָ֥ר הֶחָלָ֖ק הָעֹלֶ֣ה שֵׂעִ֑ירָה וַיִּתְּנָ֨הּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ לְשִׁבְטֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל יְרֻשָּׁ֖ה כְּמַחְלְקֹתָֽם׃ And the following are the local kings whom Joshua and the Israelites defeated on the west side of the Jordan—from Baal-gad in the Valley of the Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir—which Joshua assigned as a possession to the tribal divisions of Israel:

בָּהָ֣ר וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֗ה וּבָֽעֲרָבָה֙ וּבָ֣אֲשֵׁד֔וֹת וּבַמִּדְבָּ֖ר וּבַנֶּ֑גֶב הַֽחִתִּי֙ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַפְּרִזִּ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃ {פ}
in the hill country, in the lowlands, in the Arabah, in the slopes,^cthe slopes Of Pisgah; cf. 13.20. in the wilderness, and in the Negeb—[in the land of] the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

מֶ֥לֶךְ יְרִיח֖וֹ אֶחָ֑ד        מֶ֧לֶךְ הָעַ֛י אֲשֶׁר־מִצַּ֥ד בֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל אֶחָֽד׃ They were:the king of Jericho 1 the king of Ai, near Bethel, 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ יְרֽוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ חֶבְר֖וֹן אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Jerusalem 1 the king of Hebron 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ יַרְמוּת֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ לָכִ֖ישׁ אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Jarmuth 1 the king of Lachish 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ עֶגְלוֹן֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ גֶּ֖זֶר אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Eglon 1 the king of Gezer 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ דְּבִר֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ גֶּ֖דֶר אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Debir 1 the king of Geder 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ חׇרְמָה֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ עֲרָ֖ד אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Hormah 1 the king of Arad 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ לִבְנָה֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ עֲדֻלָּ֖ם אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Libnah 1 the king of Adullam 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ מַקֵּדָה֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ בֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Makkedah 1 the king of Bethel 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ תַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ חֵ֖פֶר אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Tappuah 1 the king of Hepher 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ אֲפֵק֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ לַשָּׁר֖וֹן אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Aphek 1 the king of Sharon 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ מָדוֹן֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ חָצ֖וֹר אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Madon 1 the king of Hazor 1

מֶ֣לֶךְ שִׁמְר֤וֹן מְרֹאון֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ אַכְשָׁ֖ף אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Shimron-meron 1 the king of Achshaph 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ תַּעְנַךְ֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶ֥לֶךְ מְגִדּ֖וֹ אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Taanach 1 the king of Megiddo 1

מֶ֤לֶךְ קֶ֙דֶשׁ֙ אֶחָ֔ד        מֶלֶךְ־יׇקְנְעָ֥ם לַכַּרְמֶ֖ל אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Kedesh 1 the king of Jokneam in the Carmel 1

מֶ֥לֶךְ דּ֛וֹר לְנָפַ֥ת דּ֖וֹר אֶחָ֑ד        מֶלֶךְ־גּוֹיִ֥ם לְגִלְגָּ֖ל אֶחָֽד׃ the king of Dor in the district^din the district Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of Dor 1 the king of Goiim in Gilgal 1

מֶ֥לֶךְ תִּרְצָ֖ה אֶחָ֑ד        כׇּל־מְלָכִ֖ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְאֶחָֽד׃ {פ}
the king of Tirzah 1 Total number of kings 31.

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלָ֗יו אַתָּ֤ה זָקַ֙נְתָּה֙ בָּ֣אתָ בַיָּמִ֔ים וְהָאָ֛רֶץ נִשְׁאֲרָ֥ה הַרְבֵּֽה־מְאֹ֖ד לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ Joshua was now old, advanced in years. GOD said to him, “You have grown old, you are advanced in years; and very much of the land still remains to be taken possession of.

זֹ֥את הָאָ֖רֶץ הַנִּשְׁאָ֑רֶת כׇּל־גְּלִיל֥וֹת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וְכׇל־הַגְּשׁוּרִֽי׃ This is the territory that remains: all the districts of the Philistines and all [those of] the Geshurites,

מִֽן־הַשִּׁיח֞וֹר אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י מִצְרַ֗יִם וְעַ֨ד גְּב֤וּל עֶקְרוֹן֙ צָפ֔וֹנָה לַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י תֵּחָשֵׁ֑ב חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים הָֽעַזָּתִ֤י וְהָֽאַשְׁדּוֹדִי֙ הָאֶשְׁקְלוֹנִ֣י הַגִּתִּ֔י וְהָעֶקְרוֹנִ֖י וְהָעַוִּֽים׃ from the Shihor, which is close to Egypt, to the territory of Ekron on the north, are accounted Canaanite, namely, those of the five lords of the Philistines—the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites—and those of the Avvim

מִתֵּימָ֞ן כׇּל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י וּמְעָרָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לַצִּידֹנִ֖ים עַד־אֲפֵ֑קָה עַ֖ד גְּב֥וּל הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃ on the south; further, all the Canaanite country from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek at the Amorite border

וְהָאָ֣רֶץ הַגִּבְלִ֗י וְכׇל־הַלְּבָנוֹן֙ מִזְרַ֣ח הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ מִבַּ֣עַל גָּ֔ד תַּ֖חַת הַר־חֶרְמ֑וֹן עַ֖ד לְב֥וֹא חֲמָֽת׃ and the land of the Gebalites, with the whole [Valley of the] Lebanon, from Baal-gad at the foot of Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath on the east,

כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָ֠הָ֠ר מִֽן־הַלְּבָנ֞וֹן עַד־מִשְׂרְפֹ֥ת מַ֙יִם֙ כׇּל־צִ֣ידֹנִ֔ים אָֽנֹכִי֙ אֽוֹרִישֵׁ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֠ק הַפִּלֶ֤הָ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּֽנַחֲלָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוִּיתִֽיךָ׃ with all the inhabitants of the hill country from the [Valley of the] Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim,^aMisrephoth-maim See note at 11.8. namely, all the Sidonians. I Myself will dispossess those nations^bthose nations Lit. “them.” for the Israelites; you have only to apportion their lands^ctheir lands Lit. “it.” by lot among Israel, as I have commanded you.

וְעַתָּ֗ה חַלֵּ֞ק אֶת־הָאָ֧רֶץ הַזֹּ֛את בְּנַחֲלָ֖ה לְתִשְׁעַ֣ת הַשְּׁבָטִ֑ים וַֽחֲצִ֖י הַשֵּׁ֥בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ Therefore, divide this territory into hereditary portions for the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”

עִמּ֗וֹ הָרֽאוּבֵנִי֙ וְהַגָּדִ֔י לָקְח֖וּ נַחֲלָתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן לָהֶ֜ם מֹשֶׁ֗ה בְּעֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָהֶ֔ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֥בֶד יְהֹוָֽה׃ Now the Reubenites and the Gadites, along with the other half-tribe,^dthe other half-tribe Lit. “it.” had already received the shares that Moses assigned to them on the east side of the Jordan—as assigned to them by Moses the servant of GOD:

מֵעֲרוֹעֵ֡ר אֲשֶׁר֩ עַל־שְׂפַת־נַ֨חַל אַרְנ֜וֹן וְהָעִ֨יר אֲשֶׁ֧ר בְּתוֹךְ־הַנַּ֛חַל וְכׇל־הַמִּישֹׁ֥ר מֵידְבָ֖א עַד־דִּיבֽוֹן׃ from Aroer on the edge of the Wadi Arnon and the town in the middle of the wadi, the entire Tableland [from] Medeba to Dibon,

וְכֹ֗ל עָרֵי֙ סִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָלַ֖ךְ בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן עַד־גְּב֖וּל בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃ embracing all the towns of King Sihon of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon, up to the border of the Ammonites;

וְהַגִּלְעָ֞ד וּגְב֧וּל הַגְּשׁוּרִ֣י וְהַמַּעֲכָתִ֗י וְכֹ֨ל הַ֥ר חֶרְמ֛וֹן וְכׇל־הַבָּשָׁ֖ן עַד־סַלְכָֽה׃ further, Gilead, the territories of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and all of Mount Hermon, and the whole of Bashan up to Salcah—

כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֥וּת עוֹג֙ בַּבָּשָׁ֔ן אֲשֶׁר־מָלַ֥ךְ בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי ה֤וּא נִשְׁאַר֙ מִיֶּ֣תֶר הָרְפָאִ֔ים וַיַּכֵּ֥ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה וַיֹּרִשֵֽׁם׃ the entire kingdom of Og, who had reigned over Bashan at Ashtaroth and at Edrei. (He was the last of the remaining Rephaim.) These were defeated and dispossessed by Moses;

וְלֹ֤א הוֹרִ֙ישׁוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־הַגְּשׁוּרִ֖י וְאֶת־הַמַּעֲכָתִ֑י וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב גְּשׁ֤וּר וּמַֽעֲכָת֙ בְּקֶ֣רֶב יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ but the Israelites failed to dispossess the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and Geshur and Maacath remain among Israel to this day.

רַ֚ק לְשֵׁ֣בֶט הַלֵּוִ֔י לֹ֥א נָתַ֖ן נַחֲלָ֑ה אִשֵּׁ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ ה֣וּא נַחֲלָת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר־לֽוֹ׃ {פ}
No hereditary portion, however, was assigned to the tribe of Levi, their portion being the fire offerings of the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, as [God] spoke concerning them.^eas [God] spoke concerning them See Deut. 18.1.

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ And so Moses assigned [the following] to the tribe of the Reubenites, for their various clans,

וַיְהִ֨י לָהֶ֜ם הַגְּב֗וּל מֵעֲרוֹעֵ֡ר אֲשֶׁר֩ עַל־שְׂפַת־נַ֨חַל אַרְנ֜וֹן וְהָעִ֨יר אֲשֶׁ֧ר בְּתוֹךְ־הַנַּ֛חַל וְכׇל־הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר עַל־מֵידְבָֽא׃ and it became theirs: The territory from Aroer, on the edge of the Wadi Arnon and the town in the middle of the wadi, up to Medeba—the entire Tableland—

חֶשְׁבּ֥וֹן וְכׇל־עָרֶ֖יהָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמִּישֹׁ֑ר דִּיבֹן֙ וּבָמ֣וֹת בַּ֔עַל וּבֵ֖ית בַּ֥עַל מְעֽוֹן׃ Heshbon and all its towns in the Tableland: Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon,

וְיַ֥הְצָה וּקְדֵמֹ֖ת וּמֵפָֽעַת׃ Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,

וְקִרְיָתַ֣יִם וְשִׂבְמָ֔ה וְצֶ֥רֶת הַשַּׁ֖חַר בְּהַ֥ר הָעֵֽמֶק׃ Kiriathaim, Sibmah, and Zereth-shahar in the hill of the valley,^fin the hill of the valley Emendation yields “in the hill country; and in the Valley…”

וּבֵ֥ית פְּע֛וֹר וְאַשְׁדּ֥וֹת הַפִּסְגָּ֖ה וּבֵ֥ית הַיְשִׁמֽוֹת׃ Beth-peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth—

וְכֹל֙ עָרֵ֣י הַמִּישֹׁ֔ר וְכׇֽל־מַמְלְכ֗וּת סִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָלַ֖ךְ בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן אֲשֶׁר֩ הִכָּ֨ה מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֹת֣וֹ ׀ וְאֶת־נְשִׂיאֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן אֶת־אֱוִ֤י וְאֶת־רֶ֙קֶם֙ וְאֶת־צ֤וּר וְאֶת־חוּר֙ וְאֶת־רֶ֔בַע נְסִיכֵ֣י סִיח֔וֹן יֹשְׁבֵ֖י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ all the towns of the Tableland and the entire kingdom of Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon. (For Moses defeated him and the Midianite chiefs Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, who had dwelt in the land as princes of Sihon.

וְאֶת־בִּלְעָ֥ם בֶּן־בְּע֖וֹר הַקּוֹסֵ֑ם הָרְג֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בַּחֶ֖רֶב אֶל־חַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃ Together with the others that they slew, the Israelites put Balaam son of Beor, the augur, to the sword.)

וַיְהִ֗י גְּבוּל֙ בְּנֵ֣י רְאוּבֵ֔ן הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן וּגְב֑וּל זֹ֣את נַחֲלַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵן֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֔ם הֶעָרִ֖ים וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
The boundary of the Reubenites was the edge of the Jordan. That was the portion of the Reubenites for their various clans—those towns with their villages.

וַיִּתֵּ֤ן מֹשֶׁה֙ לְמַטֵּה־גָ֔ד לִבְנֵי־גָ֖ד לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ To the tribe of Gad, for the various Gadite clans, Moses assigned [the following],

וַיְהִ֤י לָהֶם֙ הַגְּב֔וּל יַעְזֵר֙ וְכׇל־עָרֵ֣י הַגִּלְעָ֔ד וַחֲצִ֕י אֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן עַד־עֲרוֹעֵ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י רַבָּֽה׃ and it became their territory: Jazer, all the towns of Gilead, part of the country of the Ammonites up to Aroer, which is close to Rabbah,

וּמֵחֶשְׁבּ֛וֹן עַד־רָמַ֥ת הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וּבְטֹנִ֑ים וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם עַד־גְּב֥וּל לִדְבִֽר׃ and from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Lidbir;^gLidbir Change of vocalization yields “Lo-debar”; cf. 2 Sam. 9.4, 5; 17.27.

וּבָעֵ֡מֶק בֵּ֣ית הָרָם֩ וּבֵ֨ית נִמְרָ֜ה וְסֻכּ֣וֹת וְצָפ֗וֹן יֶ֚תֶר מַמְלְכ֗וּת סִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן וּגְבֻ֑ל עַד־קְצֵה֙ יָם־כִּנֶּ֔רֶת עֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן מִזְרָֽחָה׃ and in the Valley, Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon—the rest of the kingdom of Sihon, the king of Heshbon—down to the edge of the Jordan and up to the tip of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan.

זֹ֛את נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵי־גָ֖ד לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֖ים וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽם׃ {ס}         That was the portion of the Gadites, for their various clans—those towns with their villages.

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה לַחֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֣בֶט מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וַיְהִ֗י לַחֲצִ֛י מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃ And to the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses assigned [the following], so that it went to the half-tribe of Manasseh, for its various clans,

וַיְהִ֣י גְבוּלָ֗ם מִמַּחֲנַ֨יִם כׇּֽל־הַבָּשָׁ֜ן כׇּֽל־מַמְלְכ֣וּת ׀ ע֣וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֗ן וְכׇל־חַוֺּ֥ת יָאִ֛יר אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן שִׁשִּׁ֥ים עִֽיר׃ and became their territory: Mahanaim,^hMahanaim Lit. “from Mahanaim.” all of Bashan, the entire kingdom of Og, king of Bashan, and all of Havvoth-jairⁱHavvoth-jair See note at Num. 32.41. in Bashan, sixty towns;

וַחֲצִ֤י הַגִּלְעָד֙ וְעַשְׁתָּר֣וֹת וְאֶדְרֶ֔עִי עָרֵ֛י מַמְלְכ֥וּת ע֖וֹג בַּבָּשָׁ֑ן לִבְנֵ֤י מָכִיר֙ בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לַחֲצִ֥י בְנֵֽי־מָכִ֖יר לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃ and part of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan, were assigned to the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh—to a part of the descendants of Machir—for their various clans.

אֵ֕לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נִחַ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת מוֹאָ֑ב מֵעֵ֛בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרִיח֖וֹ מִזְרָֽחָה׃ {פ}
Those, then, were the portions that Moses assigned in the steppes of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan.

וּלְשֵׁ֙בֶט֙ הַלֵּוִ֔י לֹא־נָתַ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֖ה נַחֲלָ֑ה יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ ה֣וּא נַחֲלָתָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָהֶֽם׃ {ס}         But no portion was assigned by Moses to the tribe of Levi; the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, is their portion—as [God] spoke concerning them.^jas [God] spoke concerning them See Deut. 18.1.

וְאֵ֛לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נָחֲל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִחֲל֜וּ אוֹתָ֗ם אֶלְעָזָ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן־נ֔וּן וְרָאשֵׁ֛י אֲב֥וֹת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ And these are the allotments of the Israelites in the land of Canaan, that were apportioned to them by the priest Eleazar, by Joshua son of Nun, and by the family heads of the Israelite tribes,

בְּגוֹרַ֖ל נַחֲלָתָ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה לְתִשְׁעַ֥ת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת וַחֲצִ֥י הַמַּטֶּֽה׃ the portions that fell to them by lot, as GOD had commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes.

כִּֽי־נָתַ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה נַחֲלַ֨ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַמַּטּוֹת֙ וַחֲצִ֣י הַמַּטֶּ֔ה מֵעֵ֖בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְלַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם לֹא־נָתַ֥ן נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ For the portion of the other two and a half tribes had been assigned to them by Moses on the other side of the Jordan. He had not assigned any portion among them to the Levites;

כִּֽי־הָי֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יוֹסֵ֛ף שְׁנֵ֥י מַטּ֖וֹת מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה וְאֶפְרָ֑יִם וְלֹֽא־נָתְנוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק לַלְוִיִּ֜ם בָּאָ֗רֶץ כִּ֤י אִם־עָרִים֙ לָשֶׁ֔בֶת וּמִ֨גְרְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם לְמִקְנֵיהֶ֖ם וּלְקִנְיָנָֽם׃ for whereas the descendants of Joseph constituted two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, the Levites were assigned no share in the land, but only some towns to live in, with the pastures for their livestock and cattle.

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיַּחְלְק֖וּ אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ {פ}
Just as GOD had commanded Moses, so the Israelites did when they apportioned the land.

וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ בְנֵי־יְהוּדָ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו כָּלֵ֥ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֖ה הַקְּנִזִּ֑י אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֡עְתָּ אֶֽת־הַדָּבָר֩ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים עַ֧ל אֹדוֹתַ֛י וְעַ֥ל אֹדוֹתֶ֖יךָ בְּקָדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵֽעַ׃ The Judahites approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know what instructions GOD gave at Kadesh-barnea to Moses, the agent of God, concerning you and me.

בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֨ים שָׁנָ֜ה אָנֹכִ֗י בִּ֠שְׁלֹ֠חַ מֹשֶׁ֨ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֹתִ֛י מִקָּדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵ֖עַ לְרַגֵּ֣ל אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וָאָשֵׁ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ דָּבָ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר עִם־לְֽבָבִֽי׃ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of GOD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I gave him a forthright report.

וְאַחַי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָל֣וּ עִמִּ֔י הִמְסִ֖יו אֶת־לֵ֣ב הָעָ֑ם וְאָנֹכִ֣י מִלֵּ֔אתִי אַחֲרֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽי׃ While my companions who went up with me took the heart out of the people, I was loyal to my ETERNAL God.

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֣ע מֹשֶׁ֗ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֮ לֵאמֹר֒ אִם־לֹ֗א הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דָּרְכָ֤ה רַגְלְךָ֙ בָּ֔הּ לְךָ֨ תִהְיֶ֧ה לְנַחֲלָ֛ה וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם כִּ֣י מִלֵּ֔אתָ אַחֲרֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽי׃ On that day, Moses promised on oath, ‘The land on which your foot trod shall be a portion for you and your descendants forever, because you were loyal to my ETERNAL God.’

וְעַתָּ֗ה הִנֵּה֩ הֶחֱיָ֨ה יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אוֹתִי֮ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּר֒ זֶה֩ אַרְבָּעִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֜שׁ שָׁנָ֗ה מֵ֠אָ֠ז דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֥ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְעַתָּה֙ הִנֵּ֣ה אָנֹכִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם בֶּן־חָמֵ֥שׁ וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה׃ Now GOD has preserved me, just as promised. It is forty-five years since GOD made this promise to Moses, when Israel was journeying through the wilderness; and here I am today, eighty-five years old.

עוֹדֶ֨נִּי הַיּ֜וֹם חָזָ֗ק כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ בְּי֨וֹם שְׁלֹ֤חַ אוֹתִי֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כְּכֹ֥חִי אָ֖ז וּכְכֹ֣חִי עָ֑תָּה לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה וְלָצֵ֥את וְלָבֽוֹא׃ I am still as strong today as on the day that Moses sent me; my strength is the same now as it was then, for battle and for activity.^aand for activity Lit. “and to go out and come in.”

וְעַתָּ֗ה תְּנָה־לִּי֙ אֶת־הָהָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י אַתָּֽה־שָׁמַ֩עְתָּ֩ בַיּ֨וֹם הַה֜וּא כִּֽי־עֲנָקִ֣ים שָׁ֗ם וְעָרִים֙ גְּדֹל֣וֹת בְּצֻר֔וֹת אוּלַ֨י יְהֹוָ֤ה אוֹתִי֙ וְה֣וֹרַשְׁתִּ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ So assign to me this hill country as GOD promised on that day.^bas GOD promised on that day Cf. Num. 14.24. Though you too heard on that day that Anakites are there and great fortified cities, if only GOD is with me, I will dispossess them, as GOD promised.”

וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖הוּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וַיִּתֵּ֧ן אֶת־חֶבְר֛וֹן לְכָלֵ֥ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֖ה לְנַחֲלָֽה׃ So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and assigned Hebron to him as his portion.

עַל־כֵּ֣ן הָיְתָֽה־חֶ֠בְר֠וֹן לְכָלֵ֨ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֤ה הַקְּנִזִּי֙ לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה יַ֚עַן אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִלֵּ֔א אַחֲרֵ֕י יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Thus Hebron became the portion of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, as it still is, because he was loyal to the ETERNAL, the God of Israel.—

וְשֵׁ֨ם חֶבְר֤וֹן לְפָנִים֙ קִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֔ע הָאָדָ֧ם הַגָּד֛וֹל בָּעֲנָקִ֖ים ה֑וּא וְהָאָ֥רֶץ שָֽׁקְטָ֖ה מִמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ {פ}
The name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba: [Arba] was the great man among the Anakites.
And the land had rest from war.

וַיְהִ֣י הַגּוֹרָ֗ל לְמַטֵּ֛ה בְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם אֶל־גְּב֨וּל אֱד֧וֹם מִדְבַּר־צִ֛ן נֶ֖גְבָּה מִקְצֵ֥ה תֵימָֽן׃ The portion that fell by lot to the various clans of the tribe of Judah lay farthest south, down to the border of Edom, which is the Wilderness of Zin.

וַיְהִ֤י לָהֶם֙ גְּב֣וּל נֶ֔גֶב מִקְצֵ֖ה יָ֣ם הַמֶּ֑לַח מִן־הַלָּשֹׁ֖ן הַפֹּנֶ֥ה נֶֽגְבָּה׃ Their southern boundary began from the tip of the Dead Sea, from the tongue that projects southward.

וְ֠יָצָ֠א אֶל־מִנֶּ֜גֶב לְמַעֲלֵ֤ה עַקְרַבִּים֙ וְעָ֣בַר צִ֔נָה וְעָלָ֥ה מִנֶּ֖גֶב לְקָדֵ֣שׁ בַּרְנֵ֑עַ וְעָבַ֤ר חֶצְרוֹן֙ וְעָלָ֣ה אַדָּ֔רָה וְנָסַ֖ב הַקַּרְקָֽעָה׃ It proceeded to the south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, passed on to Zin, ascended to the south of Kadesh-barnea, passed on to Hezron, ascended to Addar, and made a turn to Karka.

וְעָבַ֣ר עַצְמ֗וֹנָה וְיָצָא֙ נַ֣חַל מִצְרַ֔יִם (והיה) [וְהָי֛וּ] תֹּצְא֥וֹת הַגְּב֖וּל יָ֑מָּה זֶה־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל נֶֽגֶב׃ From there it passed on to Azmon and proceeded to the Wadi of Egypt; and the boundary ran on to the Sea. That shall be your southern boundary.

וּגְב֥וּל קֵ֙דְמָה֙ יָ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לַח עַד־קְצֵ֖ה הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וּגְב֞וּל לִפְאַ֤ת צָפ֙וֹנָה֙ מִלְּשׁ֣וֹן הַיָּ֔ם מִקְצֵ֖ה הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ The boundary on the east was the Dead Sea up to the mouth of the Jordan. On the northern side, the boundary began at the tongue of the Sea at the mouth of the Jordan.

וְעָלָ֤ה הַגְּבוּל֙ בֵּ֣ית חׇגְלָ֔ה וְעָבַ֕ר מִצְּפ֖וֹן לְבֵ֣ית הָעֲרָבָ֑ה וְעָלָ֣ה הַגְּב֔וּל אֶ֥בֶן בֹּ֖הַן בֶּן־רְאוּבֵֽן׃ The boundary ascended to Beth-hoglah and passed north of Beth-arabah; then the boundary ascended to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.

וְעָלָ֨ה הַגְּב֥וּל ׀ דְּבִ֘רָה֮ מֵעֵ֣מֶק עָכוֹר֒ וְצָפ֜וֹנָה פֹּנֶ֣ה אֶל־הַגִּלְגָּ֗ל אֲשֶׁר־נֹ֙כַח֙ לְמַעֲלֵ֣ה אֲדֻמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִנֶּ֖גֶב לַנָּ֑חַל וְעָבַ֤ר הַגְּבוּל֙ אֶל־מֵי־עֵ֣ין שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ וְהָי֥וּ תֹצְאֹתָ֖יו אֶל־עֵ֥ין רֹגֵֽל׃ The boundary ascended from the Valley of Achor to Debir and turned north^afrom the Valley of Achor to Debir and turned north Meaning of Heb. uncertain. to Gilgal,^bGilgal Apparently identical with Geliloth, 18.17. facing the Ascent of Adummim that is south of the wadi; from there the boundary continued to the Waters of En-shemesh and ran on to En-rogel.

וְעָלָ֨ה הַגְּב֜וּל גֵּ֣י בֶן־הִנֹּ֗ם אֶל־כֶּ֤תֶף הַיְבוּסִי֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶב הִ֖יא יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְעָלָ֨ה הַגְּב֜וּל אֶל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר עַל־פְּנֵ֤י גֵֽי־הִנֹּם֙ יָ֔מָּה אֲשֶׁ֛ר בִּקְצֵ֥ה עֵמֶק־רְפָאִ֖ים צָפֽוֹנָה׃ Then the boundary ascended into the Valley of Ben-hinnom, along the southern flank of the Jebusites—that is, Jerusalem. The boundary then ran up to the top of the hill that flanks the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.

וְתָאַ֨ר הַגְּב֜וּל מֵרֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֗ר אֶל־מַעְיַן֙ מֵ֣י נֶפְתּ֔וֹחַ וְיָצָ֖א אֶל־עָרֵ֣י הַר־עֶפְר֑וֹן וְתָאַ֤ר הַגְּבוּל֙ בַּעֲלָ֔ה הִ֖יא קִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים׃ From that hilltop the boundary curved to the fountain of the Waters of Nephtoah and ran on to the towns of Mount Ephron; then the boundary curved to Baalah—that is, Kiriath-jearim.

וְנָסַב֩ הַגְּב֨וּל מִבַּעֲלָ֥ה יָ֙מָּה֙ אֶל־הַ֣ר שֵׂעִ֔יר וְעָבַ֕ר אֶל־כֶּ֧תֶף הַר־יְעָרִ֛ים מִצָּפ֖וֹנָה הִ֣יא כְסָל֑וֹן וְיָרַ֥ד בֵּֽית־שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ וְעָבַ֥ר תִּמְנָֽה׃ From Baalah the boundary turned westward to Mount Seir,^cSeir Not the Seir of Edom. passed north of the slope of Mount Jearim—that is, Chesalon—descended to Beth-shemesh, and passed on to Timnah.

וְיָצָ֨א הַגְּב֜וּל אֶל־כֶּ֣תֶף עֶקְרוֹן֮ צָפ֒וֹנָה֒ וְתָאַ֤ר הַגְּבוּל֙ שִׁכְּר֔וֹנָה וְעָבַ֥ר הַר־הַֽבַּעֲלָ֖ה וְיָצָ֣א יַבְנְאֵ֑ל וְהָי֛וּ תֹּצְא֥וֹת הַגְּב֖וּל יָֽמָּה׃ The boundary then proceeded to the northern flank of Ekron; the boundary curved to Shikkeron, passed on to Mount Baalah, and proceeded to Jabneel; and the boundary ran on to the Sea.

וּגְב֣וּל יָ֔ם הַיָּ֥מָּה הַגָּד֖וֹל וּגְב֑וּל זֶ֠ה גְּב֧וּל בְּנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֛ה סָבִ֖יב לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ And the western boundary was the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Those were the boundaries of the various clans of the Judahites on all sides.

וּלְכָלֵ֣ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֗ה נָ֤תַן חֵ֙לֶק֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ בְּנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֔ה אֶל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לִיהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ אֶת־קִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע אֲבִ֥י הָעֲנָ֖ק הִ֥יא חֶבְרֽוֹן׃ In accordance with GOD’s command to Joshua, Caleb son of Jephunneh was given a portion among the Judahites, namely, Kiriath-arba—that is, Hebron. ([Arba] was the father of Anak.)

וַיֹּ֤רֶשׁ מִשָּׁם֙ כָּלֵ֔ב אֶת־שְׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הָעֲנָ֑ק אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֤י וְאֶת־אֲחִימַן֙ וְאֶת־תַּלְמַ֔י יְלִידֵ֖י הָעֲנָֽק׃ Caleb dislodged from there the three Anakites: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.

וַיַּ֣עַל מִשָּׁ֔ם אֶל־יֹשְׁבֵ֖י דְּבִ֑ר וְשֵׁם־דְּבִ֥ר לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת־סֵֽפֶר׃ From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir—the name of Debir was formerly Kiriath-sepher—

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר כָּלֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־יַכֶּ֥ה אֶת־קִרְיַת־סֵ֖פֶר וּלְכָדָ֑הּ וְנָתַ֥תִּי ל֛וֹ אֶת־עַכְסָ֥ה בִתִּ֖י לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ and Caleb announced, “I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.”

וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֛הּ עׇתְנִיאֵ֥ל בֶּן־קְנַ֖ז אֲחִ֣י כָלֵ֑ב וַיִּתֶּן־ל֛וֹ אֶת־עַכְסָ֥ה בִתּ֖וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ His kinsman^dkinsman Or “brother.” Othniel the Kenizzite^eKenizzite Cf. 14.6, 14. captured it; and Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage.

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בְּבוֹאָ֗הּ וַתְּסִיתֵ֙הוּ֙ לִשְׁא֤וֹל מֵאֵת־אָבִ֙יהָ֙ שָׂדֶ֔ה וַתִּצְנַ֖ח מֵעַ֣ל הַחֲמ֑וֹר וַיֹּֽאמֶר־לָ֥הּ כָּלֵ֖ב מַה־לָּֽךְ׃ When she came [to him], she induced him^fWhen she came [to him], she induced him Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Some Greek mss. read “he induced her”; cf. Judg. 1.14. to ask her father for some property. She dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb asked her, “What is the matter?”

וַתֹּ֜אמֶר תְּנָה־לִּ֣י בְרָכָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֶ֤רֶץ הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ נְתַתָּ֔נִי וְנָתַתָּ֥ה לִ֖י גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם וַיִּתֶּן־לָ֗הּ אֵ֚ת גֻּלֹּ֣ת עִלִּיּ֔וֹת וְאֵ֖ת גֻּלֹּ֥ת תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ {פ}
She replied, “Give me a present; for you have given me away as Negeb-land;^gNegeb-land I.e., as a dry land, that is, without a dowry. so give me springs of water.” And he gave her Upper and Lower Gulloth.^hGulloth I.e., “springs.”

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֖ה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ This was the portion of the tribe of the Judahites by their clans:

וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ הֶֽעָרִ֗ים מִקְצֵה֙ לְמַטֵּ֣ה בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֔ה אֶל־גְּב֥וּל אֱד֖וֹם בַּנֶּ֑גְבָּה קַבְצְאֵ֥ל וְעֵ֖דֶר וְיָגֽוּר׃ The towns at the far end of the tribe of Judah, near the border of Edom, in the Negeb, were: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,

וְקִינָ֥ה וְדִימוֹנָ֖ה וְעַדְעָדָֽה׃ Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

וְקֶ֥דֶשׁ וְחָצ֖וֹר וְיִתְנָֽן׃ Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,

זִ֥יף וָטֶ֖לֶם וּבְעָלֽוֹת׃ Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,

וְחָצ֤וֹר ׀ חֲדַתָּה֙ וּקְרִיּ֔וֹת חֶצְר֖וֹן הִ֥יא חָצֽוֹר׃ Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron—that is, Hazor—

אֲמָ֥ם וּשְׁמַ֖ע וּמוֹלָדָֽה׃ Amam, Shema, Moladah,

וַחֲצַ֥ר גַּדָּ֛ה וְחֶשְׁמ֖וֹן וּבֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט׃ Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,

וַחֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּבְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע וּבִזְיוֹתְיָֽה׃ Hazar-shual, Beer-sheba, Biziothiah,

בַּעֲלָ֥ה וְעִיִּ֖ים וָעָֽצֶם׃ Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

וְאֶלְתּוֹלַ֥ד וּכְסִ֖יל וְחׇרְמָֽה׃ Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,

וְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּמַדְמַנָּ֖ה וְסַנְסַנָּֽה׃ Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,

וּלְבָא֥וֹת וְשִׁלְחִ֖ים וְעַ֣יִן וְרִמּ֑וֹן כׇּל־עָרִ֛ים עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וָתֵ֖שַׁע וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Lebaoth, Shilhim,ⁱLebaoth, Shilhim Cf. below 19.6. Ain and Rimmon.^jAin and Rimmon Cf. Ain, Rimmon, 19.7 below, and 1 Chron. 4.32; En-rimmon, Neh. 11.29. Total: 29^k29 The number is uncertain. Some of the same towns are listed under Simeon, cf. 19.1–9; so Rashi. towns, with their villages.

בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֑ה אֶשְׁתָּא֥וֹל וְצׇרְעָ֖ה וְאַשְׁנָֽה׃ In the Lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

וְזָנ֙וֹחַ֙ וְעֵ֣ין גַּנִּ֔ים תַּפּ֖וּחַ וְהָעֵינָֽם׃ Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,

יַרְמוּת֙ וַֽעֲדֻלָּ֔ם שׂוֹכֹ֖ה וַעֲזֵקָֽה׃ Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

וְשַׁעֲרַ֙יִם֙ וַֽעֲדִיתַ֔יִם וְהַגְּדֵרָ֖ה וּגְדֵרֹתָ֑יִם עָרִ֥ים אַרְבַּֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim—14^l14 The number is uncertain. Tappuah and Enam may have been one place; so Rashi on basis of 17.7. towns, with their villages.

צְנָ֥ן וַחֲדָשָׁ֖ה וּמִגְדַּל־גָּֽד׃ Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,

וְדִלְעָ֥ן וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וְיׇקְתְאֵֽל׃ Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel,

לָכִ֥ישׁ וּבׇצְקַ֖ת וְעֶגְלֽוֹן׃ Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,

וְכַבּ֥וֹן וְלַחְמָ֖ס וְכִתְלִֽישׁ׃ Cabbon, Lahmas, Chithlish,

וּגְדֵר֕וֹת בֵּית־דָּג֥וֹן וְנַעֲמָ֖ה וּמַקֵּדָ֑ה עָרִ֥ים שֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah: 16 towns, with their villages.

לִבְנָ֥ה וָעֶ֖תֶר וְעָשָֽׁן׃ Libnah, Ether, Ashan,

וְיִפְתָּ֥ח וְאַשְׁנָ֖ה וּנְצִֽיב׃ Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

וּקְעִילָ֥ה וְאַכְזִ֖יב וּמָֽרֵאשָׁ֑ה עָרִ֥ים תֵּ֖שַׁע וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah: 9 towns, with their villages.

עֶקְר֥וֹן וּבְנֹתֶ֖יהָ וַחֲצֵרֶֽיהָ׃ Ekron, with its dependencies and villages.

מֵעֶקְר֖וֹן וָיָ֑מָּה כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־עַל־יַ֥ד אַשְׁדּ֖וֹד וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         From Ekron westward, all the towns in the vicinity of Ashdod, with their villages—

אַשְׁדּ֞וֹד בְּנוֹתֶ֣יהָ וַחֲצֵרֶ֗יהָ עַזָּ֛ה בְּנוֹתֶ֥יהָ וַחֲצֵרֶ֖יהָ עַד־נַ֣חַל מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהַיָּ֥ם (הגבול) [הַגָּד֖וֹל] וּגְבֽוּל׃ {ס}         Ashdod, its dependencies and its villages—Gaza, its dependencies and its villages, all the way to the Wadi of Egypt and the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

וּבָהָ֑ר שָׁמִ֥יר וְיַתִּ֖יר וְשׂוֹכֹֽה׃ And in the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,

וְדַנָּ֥ה וְקִרְיַת־סַנָּ֖ה הִ֥יא דְבִֽר׃ {ס}         Dannah, Kiriath-sannah^mKiriath-sannah Emendation yields “Kiriath-sepher”; cf. Septuagint. —that is, Debir—

וַעֲנָ֥ב וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖ה וְעָנִֽים׃ Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,

וְגֹ֥שֶׁן וְחֹלֹ֖ן וְגִלֹ֑ה עָרִ֥ים אַחַת־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: 11 towns, with their villages.

אֲרַ֥ב וְרוּמָ֖ה וְאֶשְׁעָֽן׃ Arab, Dumah, Eshan,

(וינים) [וְיָנ֥וּם] וּבֵית־תַּפּ֖וּחַ וַאֲפֵֽקָה׃ Janum, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,

וְחֻמְטָ֗ה וְקִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע הִ֥יא חֶבְר֖וֹן וְצִיעֹ֑ר עָרִ֥ים תֵּ֖שַׁע וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Humtah, Kiriath-arba—that is, Hebron—and Zior: 9 towns, with their villages.

מָע֥וֹן ׀ כַּרְמֶ֖ל וָזִ֥יף וְיוּטָּֽה׃ Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

וְיִזְרְעֶ֥אל וְיׇקְדְעָ֖ם וְזָנֽוֹחַ׃ Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

הַקַּ֖יִן גִּבְעָ֣ה וְתִמְנָ֑ה עָרִ֥ים עֶ֖שֶׂר וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: 10 towns, with their villages.

חַלְח֥וּל בֵּֽית־צ֖וּר וּגְדֽוֹר׃ Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,

וּמַעֲרָ֥ת וּבֵית־עֲנ֖וֹת וְאֶלְתְּקֹ֑ן עָרִ֥ים שֵׁ֖שׁ וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon: 6 towns, with their villages.ⁿSeptuagint adds: “Tekoa, Ephrathah—that is, Bethlehem—Peor, Etam, Kulon, Tatam, Sores, Karem, Gallim, Bether, and Manach—11 towns, with their villages.”

קִרְיַת־בַּ֗עַל הִ֛יא קִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִ֖ים וְהָרַבָּ֑ה עָרִ֥ים שְׁתַּ֖יִם וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         Kiriath-baal—that is, Kiriath-jearim—and Rabbah: 2 towns, with their villages.

בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר בֵּ֚ית הָעֲרָבָ֔ה מִדִּ֖ין וּסְכָכָֽה׃ In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

וְהַנִּבְשָׁ֥ן וְעִיר־הַמֶּ֖לַח וְעֵ֣ין גֶּ֑דִי עָרִ֥ים שֵׁ֖שׁ וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Nibshan, Ir-melah,^oIr-melah Or “the City of Salt.” and En-gedi: 6 towns, with their villages.

וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לֹא־[יָכְל֥וּ] (יוכלו) בְנֵי־יְהוּדָ֖ה לְהוֹרִישָׁ֑ם וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב הַיְבוּסִ֜י אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
But the Judahites could not dispossess the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so the Judahites dwell with the Jebusites in Jerusalem to this day.

וַיֵּצֵ֨א הַגּוֹרָ֜ל לִבְנֵ֤י יוֹסֵף֙ מִיַּרְדֵּ֣ן יְרִיח֔וֹ לְמֵ֥י יְרִיח֖וֹ מִזְרָ֑חָה הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר עֹלֶ֧ה מִירִיח֛וֹ בָּהָ֖ר בֵּֽית־אֵֽל׃ The portion that fell by lot to the Josephites ran from the Jordan at Jericho—from the Waters of Jericho east of the wilderness. From Jericho it ascended through the hill country to Bethel.

וְיָצָ֥א מִבֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל ל֑וּזָה וְעָבַ֛ר אֶל־גְּב֥וּל הָאַרְכִּ֖י עֲטָרֽוֹת׃ From Bethel it ran to Luz and passed on to the territory of the Archites at Ataroth,

וְיָֽרַד־יָ֜מָּה אֶל־גְּב֣וּל הַיַּפְלֵטִ֗י עַ֣ד גְּב֧וּל בֵּית־חוֹרֹ֛ן תַּחְתּ֖וֹן וְעַד־גָּ֑זֶר וְהָי֥וּ תֹצְאֹתָ֖ו יָֽמָּה׃ descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and Gezer, and ran on to the Sea.

וַיִּנְחֲל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יוֹסֵ֖ף מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה וְאֶפְרָֽיִם׃ Thus the Josephites—that is, Manasseh and Ephraim—received their portion.

וַיְהִ֛י גְּב֥וּל בְּנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וַיְהִ֞י גְּב֤וּל נַחֲלָתָם֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה עַטְר֣וֹת אַדָּ֔ר עַד־בֵּ֥ית חוֹרֹ֖ן עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ The territory of the Ephraimites, by their clans, was as follows: The boundary of their portion ran from Atroth-addar on the east to Upper Beth-horon,

וְיָצָ֨א הַגְּב֜וּל הַיָּ֗מָּה הַֽמִּכְמְתָת֙ מִצָּפ֔וֹן וְנָסַ֧ב הַגְּב֛וּל מִזְרָ֖חָה תַּאֲנַ֣ת שִׁלֹ֑ה וְעָבַ֣ר אוֹת֔וֹ מִמִּזְרַ֖ח יָנֽוֹחָה׃ and the boundary ran on to the Sea. And on the north, the boundary proceeded from Michmethath to the east of Taanath-shiloh and passed beyond it up to the east of Janoah;

וְיָרַ֥ד מִיָּנ֖וֹחָה עֲטָר֣וֹת וְנַעֲרָ֑תָה וּפָגַע֙ בִּֽירִיח֔וֹ וְיָצָ֖א הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ from Janoah it descended to Ataroth and Naarath, touched on Jericho, and ran on to the Jordan.

מִתַּפּ֜וּחַ יֵלֵ֨ךְ הַגְּב֥וּל יָ֙מָּה֙ נַ֣חַל קָנָ֔ה וְהָי֥וּ תֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּ֑מָּה זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ Westward, the boundary proceeded from Tappuah to the Wadi Kanah and ran on to the Sea. This was the portion of the tribe of the Ephraimites, by their clans,

וְהֶעָרִ֗ים הַמִּבְדָּלוֹת֙ לִבְנֵ֣י אֶפְרַ֔יִם בְּת֖וֹךְ נַחֲלַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה כׇּל־הֶעָרִ֖ים וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ together with the towns marked off^amarked off Meaning of Heb. uncertain. for the Ephraimites within the territory of the Manassites—all those towns with their villages.

וְלֹ֣א הוֹרִ֔ישׁוּ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּגָ֑זֶר וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֜י בְּקֶ֤רֶב אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה וַיְהִ֖י לְמַס־עֹבֵֽד׃ {פ}
However, they failed to dispossess the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites remained in the midst of Ephraim, as is still the case. But they had to perform forced labor.

וַיְהִ֤י הַגּוֹרָל֙ לְמַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה כִּי־ה֖וּא בְּכ֣וֹר יוֹסֵ֑ף לְמָכִיר֩ בְּכ֨וֹר מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה אֲבִ֣י הַגִּלְעָ֗ד כִּ֣י ה֤וּא הָיָה֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֔ה וַֽיְהִי־ל֖וֹ הַגִּלְעָ֥ד וְהַבָּשָֽׁן׃ And this is the portion that fell by lot to the tribe of Manasseh—for he was Joseph’s first-born. Since Machir, the first-born of Manasseh and the father of Gilead, was a valiant warrior, Gilead and Bashan were assigned to him.

וַ֠יְהִ֠י לִבְנֵ֨י מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה הַנּֽוֹתָרִים֮ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לִבְנֵ֨י אֲבִיעֶ֜זֶר וְלִבְנֵי־חֵ֗לֶק וְלִבְנֵ֤י אַשְׂרִיאֵל֙ וְלִבְנֵי־שֶׁ֔כֶם וְלִבְנֵי־חֵ֖פֶר וְלִבְנֵ֣י שְׁמִידָ֑ע אֵ֠לֶּה בְּנֵ֨י מְנַשֶּׁ֧ה בֶן־יוֹסֵ֛ף הַזְּכָרִ֖ים לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ And now assignments were made to the remaining Manassites, by their clans: the descendants of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. Those were the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, by their clans.

וְלִצְלׇפְחָד֩ בֶּן־חֵ֨פֶר בֶּן־גִּלְעָ֜ד בֶּן־מָכִ֣יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה לֹא־הָ֥יוּ ל֛וֹ בָּנִ֖ים כִּ֣י אִם־בָּנ֑וֹת וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֹתָ֔יו מַחְלָ֣ה וְנֹעָ֔ה חׇגְלָ֥ה מִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה׃ ^aCf. Num. 27.1–11. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh had no sons, but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

וַתִּקְרַ֡בְנָה לִפְנֵי֩ אֶלְעָזָ֨ר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְלִפְנֵ֣י ׀ יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן־נ֗וּן וְלִפְנֵ֤י הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְהֹוָה֙ צִוָּ֣ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֔ה לָתֶת־לָ֥נוּ נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ אַחֵ֑ינוּ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֜ם אֶל־פִּ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ נַחֲלָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ אֲחֵ֥י אֲבִיהֶֽן׃ They appeared before the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the chieftains, saying: “GOD commanded Moses to grant us a portion among our male kinsmen.” So, in accordance with GOD’s instructions, they were granted a portion among their father’s kinsmen.

וַיִּפְּל֥וּ חַבְלֵֽי־מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה עֲשָׂרָ֑ה לְבַ֞ד מֵאֶ֤רֶץ הַגִּלְעָד֙ וְהַבָּשָׁ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ Ten districts fell to Manasseh, apart from the lands of Gilead and Bashan, which are across the Jordan.

כִּ֚י בְּנ֣וֹת מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה נָחֲל֥וּ נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ בָּנָ֑יו וְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ הַגִּלְעָ֔ד הָיְתָ֖ה לִבְנֵי־מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה הַנּוֹתָרִֽים׃ Manasseh’s daughters inherited a portion in these together with his sons, while the land of Gilead was assigned to the rest of Manasseh’s descendants.

וַיְהִ֤י גְבוּל־מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מֵאָשֵׁ֔ר הַֽמִּכְמְתָ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וְהָלַ֤ךְ הַגְּבוּל֙ אֶל־הַיָּמִ֔ין אֶל־יֹשְׁבֵ֖י עֵ֥ין תַּפּֽוּחַ׃ The boundary of Manasseh ran from Asher to Michmethath, which lies near Shechem. The boundary continued to the right, toward the inhabitants of En-tappuah.—

לִמְנַשֶּׁ֕ה הָיְתָ֖ה אֶ֣רֶץ תַּפּ֑וּחַ וְתַפּ֛וּחַ אֶל־גְּב֥וּל מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh; but Tappuah, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.—

וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבוּל֩ נַ֨חַל קָנָ֜ה נֶ֣גְבָּה לַנַּ֗חַל עָרִ֤ים הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם בְּת֖וֹךְ עָרֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וּגְב֤וּל מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לַנַּ֔חַל וַיְהִ֥י תֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה׃ Then the boundary descended to the Wadi Kanah. Those towns to the south of the wadi belonged to Ephraim as an enclave among the towns of Manasseh. The boundary of Manasseh lay north of the wadi and ran on to the Sea.

נֶ֣גְבָּה לְאֶפְרַ֗יִם וְצָפ֙וֹנָה֙ לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י הַיָּ֖ם גְּבוּל֑וֹ וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּן מִצָּפ֔וֹן וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר מִמִּזְרָֽח׃ What lay to the south belonged to Ephraim, and what lay to the north belonged to Manasseh, with the Sea as its boundary. [This territory] was contiguous with Asher on the north and with Issachar on the east.

וַיְהִ֨י לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה בְּיִשָּׂשכָ֣ר וּבְאָשֵׁ֗ר בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן וּ֠בְנוֹתֶ֠יהָ וְיִבְלְעָ֨ם וּבְנוֹתֶ֜יהָ וְֽאֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֧י דֹ֣אר וּבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י עֵֽין־דֹּר֙ וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י תַעְנַךְ֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י מְגִדּ֖וֹ וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת הַנָּֽפֶת׃ Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh possessed Beth-shean and its dependencies, Ibleam and its dependencies, the inhabitants of Dor and its dependencies, the inhabitants of En-dor and its dependencies, the inhabitants of Taanach and its dependencies, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its dependencies: these constituted three regions.^bthese constituted three regions Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לְהוֹרִ֖ישׁ אֶת־הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיּ֙וֹאֶל֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י לָשֶׁ֖בֶת בָּאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּֽאת׃ The Manassites could not dispossess [the inhabitants of] these towns, and the Canaanites stubbornly remained in this region.

וַיְהִ֗י כִּ֤י חָֽזְקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י לָמַ֑ס וְהוֹרֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א הֽוֹרִישֽׁוֹ׃ {ס}         When the Israelites became stronger, they imposed tribute on the Canaanites; but they did not dispossess them.

וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹ֑ר מַדּ֩וּעַ֩ נָתַ֨תָּה לִּ֜י נַחֲלָ֗ה גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ וְחֶ֣בֶל אֶחָ֔ד וַאֲנִ֣י עַם־רָ֔ב עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־עַד־כֹּ֖ה בֵּרְכַ֥נִי יְהֹוָֽה׃ The Josephites complained to Joshua, saying, “Why have you assigned as our portion a single allotment and a single district, seeing that we are a numerous people whom GOD has blessed so greatly?”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ אִם־עַם־רַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ עֲלֵ֣ה לְךָ֣ הַיַּ֔עְרָה וּבֵרֵאתָ֤ לְךָ֙ שָׁ֔ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הַפְּרִזִּ֖י וְהָרְפָאִ֑ים כִּי־אָ֥ץ לְךָ֖ הַר־אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ “If you are a numerous people,” Joshua answered them, “go up to the forest country and clear an area for yourselves there, in the territory of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, seeing that you are cramped in the hill country of Ephraim.”

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף לֹא־יִמָּ֥צֵא לָ֖נוּ הָהָ֑ר וְרֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֗ל בְּכׇל־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב בְּאֶרֶץ־הָעֵ֔מֶק לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּבֵית־שְׁאָן֙ וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ וְלַאֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֥מֶק יִזְרְעֶֽאל׃ “The hill country is not enough for us,” the Josephites replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley area have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shean and its dependencies and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יוֹסֵ֔ף לְאֶפְרַ֥יִם וְלִמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר עַם־רַ֣ב אַתָּ֗ה וְכֹ֤חַ גָּדוֹל֙ לָ֔ךְ לֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ גּוֹרָ֥ל אֶחָֽד׃ But Joshua declared to the House of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are indeed a numerous people, possessed of great strength; you shall not have one allotment only.

כִּ֣י הַ֤ר יִֽהְיֶה־לָּךְ֙ כִּֽי־יַ֣עַר ה֔וּא וּבֵ֣רֵאת֔וֹ וְהָיָ֥ה לְךָ֖ תֹּצְאֹתָ֑יו כִּֽי־תוֹרִ֣ישׁ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י כִּ֣י רֶ֤כֶב בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ כִּ֥י חָזָ֖ק הֽוּא׃ {פ}
The hill country shall be yours as well; true, it is forest land, but you will clear it and possess it to its farthest limits. And you shall also dispossess the Canaanites, even though they have iron chariots and even though they are strong.”

וַיִּקָּ֨הֲל֜וּ כׇּל־עֲדַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ שִׁלֹ֔ה וַיַּשְׁכִּ֥ינוּ שָׁ֖ם אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְהָאָ֥רֶץ נִכְבְּשָׁ֖ה לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ The whole community of Israelites^awhole community of Israelites Presumably the leaders, on the community’s behalf. assembled at Shiloh, and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The land was now under their control;

וַיִּוָּֽתְרוּ֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־חָֽלְק֖וּ אֶת־נַחֲלָתָ֑ם שִׁבְעָ֖ה שְׁבָטִֽים׃ but there remained seven tribes of the Israelites that had not yet received their portions.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עַד־אָ֙נָה֙ אַתֶּ֣ם מִתְרַפִּ֔ים לָבוֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you be slack about going and taking possession of the land that the ETERNAL, the God of your ancestors, has assigned to you?

הָב֥וּ לָכֶ֛ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה אֲנָשִׁ֖ים לַשָּׁ֑בֶט וְאֶשְׁלָחֵ֗ם וְיָקֻ֜מוּ וְיִֽתְהַלְּכ֥וּ בָאָ֛רֶץ וְיִכְתְּב֥וּ אוֹתָ֛הּ לְפִ֥י נַחֲלָתָ֖ם וְיָבֹ֥אוּ אֵלָֽי׃ Appoint three representatives from each tribe; I will send them out to go through the country and write down a description of it for purposes of apportionment, and then come back to me.

וְהִֽתְחַלְּק֥וּ אֹתָ֖הּ לְשִׁבְעָ֣ה חֲלָקִ֑ים יְהוּדָ֞ה יַעֲמֹ֤ד עַל־גְּבוּלוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶב וּבֵ֥ית יוֹסֵ֛ף יַעַמְד֥וּ עַל־גְּבוּלָ֖ם מִצָּפֽוֹן׃ They shall divide it into seven parts—Judah shall remain by its territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain by its territory in the north.—

וְאַתֶּ֞ם תִּכְתְּב֤וּ אֶת־הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שִׁבְעָ֣ה חֲלָקִ֔ים וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם אֵלַ֖י הֵ֑נָּה וְיָרִ֨יתִי לָכֶ֤ם גּוֹרָל֙ פֹּ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ When you have written down the description of the land in seven parts, bring it here to me. Then I will cast lots for you here before the ETERNAL our God.

כִּ֠י אֵֽין־חֵ֤לֶק לַלְוִיִּם֙ בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם כִּֽי־כְהֻנַּ֥ת יְהֹוָ֖ה נַחֲלָת֑וֹ וְגָ֡ד וּרְאוּבֵ֡ן וַחֲצִי֩ שֵׁ֨בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה לָקְח֣וּ נַחֲלָתָ֗ם מֵעֵ֤בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָהֶ֔ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֥בֶד יְהֹוָֽה׃ For the Levites have no share among you, since GOD’s priesthood is their portion; and Gad and Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received the portions that were assigned to them by Moses the servant of GOD, on the eastern side of the Jordan.”

וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וַיְצַ֣ו יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ אֶת־הַהֹלְכִים֩ לִכְתֹּ֨ב אֶת־הָאָ֜רֶץ לֵאמֹ֗ר לְ֠כ֠וּ וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ בָאָ֜רֶץ וְכִתְב֤וּ אוֹתָהּ֙ וְשׁ֣וּבוּ אֵלַ֔י וּ֠פֹ֠ה אַשְׁלִ֨יךְ לָכֶ֥ם גּוֹרָ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃ The men set out on their journeys: Joshua ordered those who were leaving to write down a description of the land—“Go, traverse the country and write down a description of it. Then return to me, and I will cast lots for you here at Shiloh before GOD.”

וַיֵּלְכ֤וּ הָאֲנָשִׁים֙ וַיַּעַבְר֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ וַיִּכְתְּב֧וּהָ לֶעָרִ֛ים לְשִׁבְעָ֥ה חֲלָקִ֖ים עַל־סֵ֑פֶר וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה שִׁלֹֽה׃ So the men went and traversed the land; they described it in a document, town by town, in seven parts, and they returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֩ לָהֶ֨ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ גּוֹרָ֛ל בְּשִׁלֹ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְחַלֶּק־שָׁ֨ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ אֶת־הָאָ֛רֶץ לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כְּמַחְלְקֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
Joshua cast lots for them at Shiloh before GOD, and there Joshua apportioned the land among the Israelites according to their divisions.

וַיַּ֗עַל גּוֹרַ֛ל מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־בִנְיָמִ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וַיֵּצֵא֙ גְּב֣וּל גּוֹרָלָ֔ם בֵּ֚ין בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וּבֵ֖ין בְּנֵ֥י יוֹסֵֽף׃ The lot of the tribe of the Benjaminites, by their clans, came out first. The territory that fell to their lot lay between the Judahites and the Josephites.

וַיְהִ֨י לָהֶ֧ם הַגְּב֛וּל לִפְאַ֥ת צָפ֖וֹנָה מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְעָלָ֣ה הַגְּבוּל֩ אֶל־כֶּ֨תֶף יְרִיח֜וֹ מִצָּפ֗וֹן וְעָלָ֤ה בָהָר֙ יָ֔מָּה (והיה) [וְהָיוּ֙] תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֔יו מִדְבַּ֖רָה בֵּ֥ית אָֽוֶן׃ The boundary on their northern rim began at the Jordan; the boundary ascended to the northern flank of Jericho, ascended westward into the hill country and ran on to the Wilderness of Beth-aven.

וְעָבַר֩ מִשָּׁ֨ם הַגְּב֜וּל ל֗וּזָה אֶל־כֶּ֤תֶף ל֙וּזָה֙ נֶ֔גְבָּה הִ֖יא בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל וְיָרַ֤ד הַגְּבוּל֙ עַטְר֣וֹת אַדָּ֔ר עַל־הָהָ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר מִנֶּ֥גֶב לְבֵית־חֹר֖וֹן תַּחְתּֽוֹן׃ From there the boundary passed on southward to Luz, to the flank of Luz—that is, Bethel; then the boundary descended to Atroth-addar [and] to the hill south of Lower Beth-horon.

וְתָאַ֣ר הַגְּבוּל֩ וְנָסַ֨ב לִפְאַת־יָ֜ם נֶ֗גְבָּה מִן־הָהָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י בֵית־חֹרוֹן֮ נֶ֒גְבָּה֒ (והיה) [וְהָי֣וּ] תֹצְאֹתָ֗יו אֶל־קִרְיַת־בַּ֙עַל֙ הִ֚יא קִרְיַ֣ת יְעָרִ֔ים עִ֖יר בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה זֹ֖את פְּאַת־יָֽם׃ The boundary now turned and curved onto the western rim; and the boundary ran southward from the hill on the south side of Beth-horon till it ended at Kiriath-baal—that is, Kiriath-jearim—a town of the Judahites. That was the western rim.

וּפְאַת־נֶ֕גְבָּה מִקְצֵ֖ה קִרְיַ֣ת יְעָרִ֑ים וְיָצָ֤א הַגְּבוּל֙ יָ֔מָּה וְיָצָ֕א אֶל־מַעְיַ֖ן מֵ֥י נֶפְתּֽוֹחַ׃ The southern rim: From the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim, the boundary passed westward^bwestward Emendation yields “eastward.” and ran on to the fountain of the Waters of Nephtoah.

וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּב֜וּל אֶל־קְצֵ֣ה הָהָ֗ר אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־פְּנֵי֙ גֵּ֣י בֶן־הִנֹּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֛ר בְּעֵ֥מֶק רְפָאִ֖ים צָפ֑וֹנָה וְיָרַד֩ גֵּ֨י הִנֹּ֜ם אֶל־כֶּ֤תֶף הַיְבוּסִי֙ נֶ֔גְבָּה וְיָרַ֖ד עֵ֥ין רֹגֵֽל׃ Then the boundary descended to the foot of the hill by the Valley of Ben-hinnom at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim; then it ran down the Valley of Hinnom along the southern flank of the Jebusites to En-rogel.

וְתָאַ֣ר מִצָּפ֗וֹן וְיָצָא֙ עֵ֣ין שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ וְיָצָא֙ אֶל־גְּלִיל֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר־נֹ֖כַח מַעֲלֵ֣ה אֲדֻמִּ֑ים וְיָרַ֕ד אֶ֥בֶן בֹּ֖הַן בֶּן־רְאוּבֵֽן׃ Curving northward, it ran on to En-shemesh and ran on to Geliloth, facing the Ascent of Adummim, and descended to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.

וְעָבַ֛ר אֶל־כֶּ֥תֶף מוּל־הָעֲרָבָ֖ה צָפ֑וֹנָה וְיָרַ֖ד הָעֲרָבָֽתָה׃ It continued northward to the edge of the Arabah and descended into the Arabah.

וְעָבַ֨ר הַגְּב֜וּל אֶל־כֶּ֣תֶף בֵּית־חׇגְלָה֮ צָפ֒וֹנָה֒ (והיה) [וְהָי֣וּ ׀] (תצאותיו) [תֹּצְא֣וֹת] הַגְּב֗וּל אֶל־לְשׁ֤וֹן יָם־הַמֶּ֙לַח֙ צָפ֔וֹנָה אֶל־קְצֵ֥ה הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן נֶ֑גְבָּה זֶ֖ה גְּב֥וּל נֶֽגֶב׃ The boundary passed on to the northern flank of Beth-hoglah, and the boundary ended at the northern tongue of the Dead Sea, at the southern end of the Jordan. That was the southern boundary.

וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֥ן יִגְבֹּל־אֹת֖וֹ לִפְאַת־קֵ֑דְמָה זֹ֡את נַחֲלַת֩ בְּנֵ֨י בִנְיָמִ֧ן לִגְבֽוּלֹתֶ֛יהָ סָבִ֖יב לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
On their eastern rim, finally, the Jordan was their boundary. That was the portion of the Benjaminites, by their clans, according to its boundaries on all sides.

וְהָי֣וּ הֶֽעָרִ֗ים לְמַטֵּ֛ה בְּנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם יְרִיח֥וֹ וּבֵית־חׇגְלָ֖ה וְעֵ֥מֶק קְצִֽיץ׃ And the towns of the tribe of the Benjaminites, by its clans, were: Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz,

וּבֵ֧ית הָעֲרָבָ֛ה וּצְמָרַ֖יִם וּבֵֽית־אֵֽל׃ Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,

וְהָעַוִּ֥ים וְהַפָּרָ֖ה וְעׇפְרָֽה׃ Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,

וּכְפַ֧ר (העמני) [הָעַמֹּנָ֛ה] וְהָעׇפְנִ֖י וָגָ֑בַע עָרִ֥ים שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Chephar-ammonah, Ophni, and Geba—12 towns, with their villages.

גִּבְע֥וֹן וְהָרָמָ֖ה וּבְאֵרֽוֹת׃ Also Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,

וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֥ה וְהַכְּפִירָ֖ה וְהַמֹּצָֽה׃ Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

וְרֶ֥קֶם וְיִרְפְּאֵ֖ל וְתַרְאֲלָֽה׃ Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,

וְצֵלַ֡ע הָאֶ֜לֶף וְהַיְבוּסִ֨י הִ֤יא יְרוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ גִּבְעַ֣ת קִרְיַ֔ת עָרִ֥ים אַרְבַּֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֑ן זֹ֛את נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־בִנְיָמִ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
Zela, Eleph, and Jebus^cJebus Heb. “the Jebusite.” —that is, Jerusalem—Gibeath [and] Kiriath:^dKiriath Emendation yields “and Kiriath-jearim.” 14 towns, with their villages. That was the portion of the Benjaminites, by their clans.

וַיֵּצֵ֞א הַגּוֹרָ֤ל הַשֵּׁנִי֙ לְשִׁמְע֔וֹן לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־שִׁמְע֖וֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֑ם וַֽיְהִי֙ נַחֲלָתָ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵי־יְהוּדָֽה׃ The second lot fell to Simeon. The portion of the tribe of the Simeonites, by their clans, lay inside the portion of the Judahites.

וַיְהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם בְּנַחֲלָתָ֑ם בְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֥בַע וְשֶׁ֖בַע וּמוֹלָדָֽה׃ Their portion comprised: Beer-sheba—or Sheba—Moladah,

וַחֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּבָלָ֖ה וָעָֽצֶם׃ Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,

וְאֶלְתּוֹלַ֥ד וּבְת֖וּל וְחׇרְמָֽה׃ Eltolad, Bethul,^aBethul Cf. 15.30 “Chesil.” Hormah,

וְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּבֵית־הַמַּרְכָּב֖וֹת וַחֲצַ֥ר סוּסָֽה׃ Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,

וּבֵ֥ית לְבָא֖וֹת וְשָׁרוּחֶ֑ן עָרִ֥ים שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen^bSharuhen Cf. 15.32 “Shilhim.” —13 towns, with their villages.

עַ֥יִן ׀ רִמּ֖וֹן וָעֶ֣תֶר וְעָשָׁ֑ן עָרִ֥ים אַרְבַּ֖ע וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan: 4 towns, with their villages—

וְכׇל־הַחֲצֵרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר סְבִיבוֹת֙ הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה עַד־בַּ֥עֲלַת בְּאֵ֖ר רָ֣אמַת נֶ֑גֶב זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־שִׁמְע֖וֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ together with all the villages in the vicinity of those towns, down to Baalath-beer [and] Ramath-negeb. That was the portion of the tribe of the Simeonites, by their clans.

מֵחֶ֙בֶל֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה נַחֲלַ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י שִׁמְע֑וֹן כִּֽי־הָיָ֞ה חֵ֤לֶק בְּנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֙ רַ֣ב מֵהֶ֔ם וַיִּנְחֲל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־שִׁמְע֖וֹן בְּת֥וֹךְ נַחֲלָתָֽם׃ {פ}
The portion of the Simeonites was part of the territory of the Judahites; since the share of the Judahites was larger than they needed, the Simeonites received a portion inside their portion.

וַיַּ֙עַל֙ הַגּוֹרָ֣ל הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לִבְנֵ֥י זְבוּלֻ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וַיְהִ֛י גְּב֥וּל נַחֲלָתָ֖ם עַד־שָׂרִֽיד׃ The third lot emerged for the Zebulunites, by their clans. The boundary of their portion: Starting at Sarid,

וְעָלָ֨ה גְבוּלָ֧ם ׀ לַיָּ֛מָּה וּמַרְעֲלָ֖ה וּפָגַ֣ע בְּדַבָּ֑שֶׁת וּפָגַע֙ אֶל־הַנַּ֔חַל אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י יׇקְנְעָֽם׃ their boundary^ctheir boundary I.e., the southern one. ascended westward to Maralah, touching Dabbesheth and touching the wadi alongside Jokneam.

וְשָׁ֣ב מִשָּׂרִ֗יד קֵ֚דְמָה מִזְרַ֣ח הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ עַל־גְּב֥וּל כִּסְלֹ֖ת תָּבֹ֑ר וְיָצָ֥א אֶל־הַדָּבְרַ֖ת וְעָלָ֥ה יָפִֽיעַ׃ And it also ran from Sarid along the eastern side, where the sun rises, past the territory of Chisloth-tabor and on to Daberath and ascended to Japhia.

וּמִשָּׁ֤ם עָבַר֙ קֵ֣דְמָה מִזְרָ֔חָה גִּתָּ֥ה חֵ֖פֶר עִתָּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְיָצָ֛א רִמּ֥וֹן הַמְּתֹאָ֖ר הַנֵּעָֽה׃ From there it ran [back] to the east, toward the sunrise, to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and on to Rimmon, where it curved to Neah.

וְנָסַ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ הַגְּב֔וּל מִצְּפ֖וֹן חַנָּתֹ֑ן וְהָיוּ֙ תֹּצְאֹתָ֔יו גֵּ֖י יִפְתַּח־אֵֽל׃ Then it turned—that is, the boundary on the north—to Hannathon. Its extreme limits^dextreme limits I.e., the northwest corner, opposite the starting point, Sarid. were the Valley of Iphtah-el,

וְקַטָּ֤ת וְנַהֲלָל֙ וְשִׁמְר֔וֹן וְיִדְאֲלָ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית לָ֑חֶם עָרִ֥ים שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: 12 towns, with their villages.

זֹ֛את נַֽחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵי־זְבוּלֻ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
That was the portion of the Zebulunites by their clans—those towns, with their villages.

לְיִ֨שָּׂשכָ֔ר יָצָ֖א הַגּוֹרָ֣ל הָרְבִיעִ֑י לִבְנֵ֥י יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃ The fourth lot fell to Issachar, the Issacharites by their clans.

וַיְהִ֖י גְּבוּלָ֑ם יִזְרְעֶ֥אלָה וְהַכְּסוּלֹ֖ת וְשׁוּנֵֽם׃ Their territory comprised: Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,

וַחֲפָרַ֥יִם וְשִׁיאֹ֖ן וַאֲנָחֲרַֽת׃ Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,

וְהָרַבִּ֥ית וְקִשְׁי֖וֹן וָאָֽבֶץ׃ Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

וְרֶ֧מֶת וְעֵין־גַּנִּ֛ים וְעֵ֥ין חַדָּ֖ה וּבֵ֥ית פַּצֵּֽץ׃ Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.

וּפָגַע֩ הַגְּב֨וּל בְּתָב֤וֹר (ושחצומה) [וְשַׁחֲצִ֙ימָה֙] וּבֵ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ וְהָי֛וּ תֹּצְא֥וֹת גְּבוּלָ֖ם הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן עָרִ֥ים שֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ The boundary touched Tabor, Shahazimah, and Beth-shemesh; and their boundary ran to the Jordan: 16 towns, with their villages.

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֖ים וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
That was the portion of the tribe of the Issacharites, by their clans—the towns with their villages.

וַיֵּצֵא֙ הַגּוֹרָ֣ל הַחֲמִישִׁ֔י לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־אָשֵׁ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃ The fifth lot fell to the tribe of the Asherites, by their clans.

וַיְהִ֖י גְּבוּלָ֑ם חֶלְקַ֥ת וַחֲלִ֖י וָבֶ֥טֶן וְאַכְשָֽׁף׃ Their boundary^eTheir boundary I.e., the southern one. ran along Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,

וְאַֽלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ וְעַמְעָ֖ד וּמִשְׁאָ֑ל וּפָגַ֤ע בְּכַרְמֶל֙ הַיָּ֔מָּה וּבְשִׁיח֖וֹר לִבְנָֽת׃ Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal; and it touched Carmel on the west, and Shihor-libnath.

וְשָׁ֨ב מִזְרַ֣ח הַשֶּׁ֘מֶשׁ֮ בֵּ֣ית דָּגֹן֒ וּפָגַ֣ע בִּ֠זְבֻל֠וּן וּבְגֵ֨י יִפְתַּח־אֵ֥ל צָפ֛וֹנָה בֵּ֥ית הָעֵ֖מֶק וּנְעִיאֵ֑ל וְיָצָ֥א אֶל־כָּב֖וּל מִשְּׂמֹֽאל׃ It also ran^fIt also ran From Helkath, v. 25. along the east side to Beth-dagon, and touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah-el to the north, [as also] Beth-emek and Neiel; then it ran to Cabul on the north,^gthen it ran to Cabul on the north Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְעֶבְרֹ֥ן וּרְחֹ֖ב וְחַמּ֣וֹן וְקָנָ֑ה עַ֖ד צִיד֥וֹן רַבָּֽה׃ Ebron,^hEbron Some Heb. mss., as well as Josh. 21.30 and 1 Chron. 6.59, read “Abdon.” Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, up to Great Sidon.

וְשָׁ֤ב הַגְּבוּל֙ הָרָמָ֔ה וְעַד־עִ֖יר מִבְצַר־צֹ֑ר וְשָׁ֤ב הַגְּבוּל֙ חֹסָ֔ה (ויהיו) [וְהָי֧וּ] תֹצְאֹתָ֛יו הַיָּ֖מָּה מֵחֶ֥בֶל אַכְזִֽיבָה׃ The boundary turned to Ramah and on to the fortified city of Tyre; then the boundary turned to Hosah and it ran on westward to Mehebel,ⁱand it ran on westward to Mehebel Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Achzib,

וְעֻמָ֥ה וַאֲפֵ֖ק וּרְחֹ֑ב עָרִ֛ים עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob: 22 towns, with their villages.

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־אָשֵׁ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
That was the portion of the tribe of the Asherites, by their clans—those towns, with their villages.

לִבְנֵ֣י נַפְתָּלִ֔י יָצָ֖א הַגּוֹרָ֣ל הַשִּׁשִּׁ֑י לִבְנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ The sixth lot fell to the Naphtalites, the Naphtalites by their clans.

וַיְהִ֣י גְבוּלָ֗ם מֵחֵ֨לֶף מֵאֵל֜וֹן בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֗ים וַאֲדָמִ֥י הַנֶּ֛קֶב וְיַבְנְאֵ֖ל עַד־לַקּ֑וּם וַיְהִ֥י תֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ ^jThe geography of vv. 33–35 is unclear in part. Their boundary ran from Heleph, Elon-bezaanannim, Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel to Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan.

וְשָׁ֨ב הַגְּב֥וּל יָ֙מָּה֙ אַזְנ֣וֹת תָּב֔וֹר וְיָצָ֥א מִשָּׁ֖ם חוּקֹ֑קָה וּפָגַ֨ע בִּזְבֻל֜וּן מִנֶּ֗גֶב וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ פָּגַ֣ע מִיָּ֔ם וּבִ֣יהוּדָ֔ה הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן מִזְרַ֥ח הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ The boundary then turned westward to Aznoth-tabor and ran from there to Hukok. It touched Zebulun on the south, and it touched Asher on the west, and Judah at the Jordan on the east.

וְעָרֵ֖י מִבְצָ֑ר הַצִּדִּ֣ים צֵ֔ר וְחַמַּ֖ת רַקַּ֥ת וְכִנָּֽרֶת׃ Its fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,

וַאֲדָמָ֥ה וְהָרָמָ֖ה וְחָצֽוֹר׃ Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

וְקֶ֥דֶשׁ וְאֶדְרֶ֖עִי וְעֵ֥ין חָצֽוֹר׃ Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor,

וְיִרְאוֹן֙ וּמִגְדַּל־אֵ֔ל חֳרֵ֥ם וּבֵית־עֲנָ֖ת וּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ עָרִ֥ים תְּשַֽׁע־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh: 19 towns, with their villages.

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־נַפְתָּלִ֖י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶֽעָרִ֖ים וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {פ}
That was the portion of the tribe of the Naphtalites, by their clans—the towns, with their villages.

לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־דָ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם יָצָ֖א הַגּוֹרָ֥ל הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי׃ The seventh lot fell to the tribe of the Danites, by their clans.

וַיְהִ֖י גְּב֣וּל נַחֲלָתָ֑ם צׇרְעָ֥ה וְאֶשְׁתָּא֖וֹל וְעִ֥יר שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ Their allotted territory comprised: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,

וְשַׁעֲלַבִּ֥ין וְאַיָּל֖וֹן וְיִתְלָֽה׃ Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,

וְאֵיל֥וֹן וְתִמְנָ֖תָה וְעֶקְרֽוֹן׃ Elon, Timnah, Ekron,

וְאֶלְתְּקֵ֥ה וְגִבְּת֖וֹן וּבַעֲלָֽת׃ Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,

וִיהֻ֥ד וּבְנֵֽי־בְרַ֖ק וְגַת־רִמּֽוֹן׃ Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon,

וּמֵ֥י הַיַּרְק֖וֹן וְהָרַקּ֑וֹן עִֽם־הַגְּב֖וּל מ֥וּל יָפֽוֹ׃ Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, at the border near Joppa.

וַיֵּצֵ֥א גְבוּל־בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן מֵהֶ֑ם וַיַּעֲל֣וּ בְנֵי־דָ֠ן וַיִּלָּחֲמ֨וּ עִם־לֶ֜שֶׁם וַיִּלְכְּד֥וּ אוֹתָ֣הּ ׀ וַיַּכּ֧וּ אוֹתָ֣הּ לְפִי־חֶ֗רֶב וַיִּֽרְשׁ֤וּ אוֹתָהּ֙ וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ בָ֔הּ וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ לְלֶ֙שֶׁם֙ דָּ֔ן כְּשֵׁ֖ם דָּ֥ן אֲבִיהֶֽם׃ But the territory of the Danites slipped from their grasp. So the Danites migrated and made war on Leshem.^kLeshem Called Laish in Judg. 18.7ff. They captured it and put it to the sword; they took possession of it and settled in it. And they changed the name of Leshem to Dan, after their ancestor Dan.

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־דָ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         That was the portion of the tribe of the Danites, by their clans—those towns, with their villages.

וַיְכַלּ֥וּ לִנְחֹל־אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ לִגְבוּלֹתֶ֑יהָ וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל נַחֲלָ֛ה לִיהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן־נ֖וּן בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ When they had finished allotting the land by its boundaries, the Israelites gave a portion in their midst to Joshua son of Nun.

עַל־פִּ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה נָ֣תְנוּ ל֗וֹ אֶת־הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁאָ֔ל אֶת־תִּמְנַת־סֶ֖רַח בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיִּבְנֶ֥ה אֶת־הָעִ֖יר וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בָּֽהּ׃ At GOD’s command they gave him the town that he asked for, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim; he fortified the town and settled in it.

אֵ֣לֶּה הַנְּחָלֹ֡ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִחֲל֣וּ אֶלְעָזָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֣ן ׀ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֪עַ בִּן־נ֟וּן וְרָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֣וֹת לְמַטּוֹת֩ בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל ׀ בְּגוֹרָ֤ל ׀ בְּשִׁלֹה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וַיְכַלּ֕וּ מֵחַלֵּ֖ק אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ {פ}
These are the portions assigned by lot to the tribes of Israel by the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads,^lassigned by lot … family heads Or “allotted by the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads of the Israelite tribes, by lot”; cf. 14.1. before GOD at Shiloh, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
When they had finished dividing the land,

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃ GOD said to Joshua:

דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר תְּנ֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת־עָרֵ֣י הַמִּקְלָ֔ט אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ “Speak to the Israelites: Designate the cities of refuge—about which I commanded you through Moses—

לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֙מָּה֙ רוֹצֵ֔חַ מַכֵּה־נֶ֥פֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָ֖ה בִּבְלִי־דָ֑עַת וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְמִקְלָ֔ט מִגֹּאֵ֖ל הַדָּֽם׃ to which a manslayer who kills a person by mistake, unintentionally, may flee.^amanslayer … may flee I.e., regardless of the victim’s gender. As for a female culprit, the case may have been more complex. They shall serve you as a refuge from the blood avenger.

וְנָ֞ס אֶל־אַחַ֣ת ׀ מֵהֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וְעָמַד֙ פֶּ֚תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֔יר וְדִבֶּ֛ר בְּאׇזְנֵ֛י זִקְנֵֽי־הָעִ֥יר הַהִ֖יא אֶת־דְּבָרָ֑יו וְאָֽסְפ֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ הָעִ֙ירָה֙ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְנָתְנוּ־ל֥וֹ מָק֖וֹם וְיָשַׁ֥ב עִמָּֽם׃ [The slayer] shall flee to one of those cities, stand at the entrance to the city gate, and plead the case before the elders of that city; and they shall offer admission to the city and provide a place in which to live among them.

וְכִ֨י יִרְדֹּ֜ף גֹּאֵ֤ל הַדָּם֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְלֹא־יַסְגִּ֥רוּ אֶת־הָרֹצֵ֖חַ בְּיָד֑וֹ כִּ֤י בִבְלִי־דַ֙עַת֙ הִכָּ֣ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֔הוּ וְלֹא־שֹׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ Should the blood avenger come in pursuit, they shall not give up the manslayer, since the other person was killed without intent and had not been an enemy in the past.

וְיָשַׁ֣ב ׀ בָּעִ֣יר הַהִ֗יא עַד־עׇמְד֞וֹ לִפְנֵ֤י הָעֵדָה֙ לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט עַד־מוֹת֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽהְיֶ֖ה בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֑ם אָ֣ז ׀ יָשׁ֣וּב הָרוֹצֵ֗חַ וּבָ֤א אֶל־עִירוֹ֙ וְאֶל־בֵּית֔וֹ אֶל־הָעִ֖יר אֲשֶׁר־נָ֥ס מִשָּֽׁם׃ [The slayer] shall live in that city until there is a trial before the assembly, [and remain there] until the death of the high priest who is in office at that time. Thereafter, the manslayer may return home, to the town from which that person fled.”

וַיַּקְדִּ֜שׁוּ אֶת־קֶ֤דֶשׁ בַּגָּלִיל֙ בְּהַ֣ר נַפְתָּלִ֔י וְאֶת־שְׁכֶ֖ם בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־קִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע הִ֥יא חֶבְר֖וֹן בְּהַ֥ר יְהוּדָֽה׃ So they set aside Kedesh in the hill country of Naphtali in Galilee, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba—that is, Hebron—in the hill country of Judah.

וּמֵעֵ֜בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֤ן יְרִיחוֹ֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה נָתְנ֞וּ אֶת־בֶּ֧צֶר בַּמִּדְבָּ֛ר בַּמִּישֹׁ֖ר מִמַּטֵּ֣ה רְאוּבֵ֑ן וְאֶת־רָאמֹ֤ת בַּגִּלְעָד֙ מִמַּטֵּה־גָ֔ד וְאֶת־[גּוֹלָ֥ן] (גלון) בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן מִמַּטֵּ֥ה מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ And across the Jordan, east of Jericho, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness, in the Tableland, from the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.

אֵ֣לֶּה הָיוּ֩ עָרֵ֨י הַמּוּעָדָ֜ה לְכֹ֣ל ׀ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְלַגֵּר֙ הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֔ם לָנ֣וּס שָׁ֔מָּה כׇּל־מַכֵּה־נֶ֖פֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָ֑ה וְלֹ֣א יָמ֗וּת בְּיַד֙ גֹּאֵ֣ל הַדָּ֔ם עַד־עׇמְד֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י הָעֵדָֽה׃ {פ}
Those were the towns designated^bdesignated Meaning of Heb. uncertain. for all the Israelites and for the resident aliens among them, to which anyone who killed a person unintentionally might flee, and not die by the hand of the blood avenger before standing trial by the assembly.

וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֗וּ רָאשֵׁי֙ אֲב֣וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֶל־אֶלְעָזָר֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְאֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נ֑וּן וְאֶל־רָאשֵׁ֛י אֲב֥וֹת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The family heads of the Levites approached the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads of the Israelite tribes,

וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם בְּשִׁלֹ֗ה בְּאֶ֤רֶץ כְּנַ֙עַן֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְהֹוָה֙ צִוָּ֣ה בְיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה לָתֶת־לָ֥נוּ עָרִ֖ים לָשָׁ֑בֶת וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֖ן לִבְהֶמְתֵּֽנוּ׃ {פ}
and spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, as follows: “GOD commanded through Moses that we be given towns to live in, along with their pastures for our livestock.”

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל לַלְוִיִּ֛ם מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם אֶל־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה אֶת־הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ So the Israelites, in accordance with GOD’s command, assigned to the Levites, out of their own portions, the following towns with their pastures:

וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַגּוֹרָ֖ל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י וַיְהִ֡י לִבְנֵי֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֜ן מִן־הַלְוִיִּ֗ם מִמַּטֵּ֣ה יְ֠הוּדָ֠ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֨ה הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜י וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה בִנְיָמִן֙ בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל עָרִ֖ים שְׁלֹ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃ {ס}         The [first] lot among the Levites fell to the Kohathite clans. To the descendants of the priest Aaron, there fell by lot 13 towns from the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Simeon, and the tribe of Benjamin;

וְלִבְנֵ֨י קְהָ֜ת הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֗ים מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת מַטֵּֽה־אֶ֠פְרַ֠יִם וּֽמִמַּטֵּה־דָ֞ן וּמֵחֲצִ֨י מַטֵּ֧ה מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה בַּגּוֹרָ֖ל עָרִ֥ים עָֽשֶׂר׃ {ס}         and to the remaining Kohathites [there fell] by lot 10 towns from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, the tribe of Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

וְלִבְנֵ֣י גֵרְשׁ֗וֹן מִמִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת מַטֵּֽה־יִשָּׂשכָ֣ר וּמִמַּטֵּֽה־אָ֠שֵׁ֠ר וּמִמַּטֵּ֨ה נַפְתָּלִ֜י וּ֠מֵחֲצִ֠י מַטֵּ֨ה מְנַשֶּׁ֤ה בַבָּשָׁן֙ בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל עָרִ֖ים שְׁלֹ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃ {ס}         To the Gershonites [there fell] by lot 13 towns from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, the tribe of Asher, the tribe of Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

לִבְנֵ֨י מְרָרִ֜י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֗ם מִמַּטֵּ֨ה רְאוּבֵ֤ן וּמִמַּטֵּה־גָד֙ וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן עָרִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃ {ס}         [And] to the Merarites, by their clans—12 towns from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun.

וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֶת־הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה בַּגּוֹרָֽל׃ {פ}
The Israelites assigned those towns with their pastures by lot to the Levites—as GOD had commanded through Moses.

וַֽיִּתְּנ֗וּ מִמַּטֵּה֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י שִׁמְע֑וֹן אֵ֚ת הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֶתְהֶ֖ן בְּשֵֽׁם׃ From the tribe of the Judahites and the tribe of the Simeonites were assigned the following towns, which will be listed by name;

וַֽיְהִי֙ לִבְנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֔ן מִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת הַקְּהָתִ֖י מִבְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֑י כִּ֥י לָהֶ֛ם הָיָ֥ה הַגּוֹרָ֖ל רִאישֹׁנָֽה׃ they went to the descendants of Aaron among the Kohathite clans of the Levites, for the first lot had fallen to them.

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ לָהֶ֜ם אֶת־קִרְיַת֩ אַרְבַּ֨ע אֲבִ֧י הָעֲנ֛וֹק הִ֥יא חֶבְר֖וֹן בְּהַ֣ר יְהוּדָ֑ה וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ סְבִיבֹתֶֽיהָ׃ To them were assigned in the hill country of Judah Kiriath-arba—that is, Hebron—together with the pastures around it. [Arba was] the father of the Anokites.^aAnokites Elsewhere “Anakites”; cf. Num. 13.22; Deut. 9.2.

וְאֶת־שְׂדֵ֥ה הָעִ֖יר וְאֶת־חֲצֵרֶ֑יהָ נָ֥תְנ֛וּ לְכָלֵ֥ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֖ה בַּאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ {ס}         They gave the fields and the villages of the town to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his holding.

וְלִבְנֵ֣י ׀ אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן נָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶת־עִיר֙ מִקְלַ֣ט הָרֹצֵ֔חַ אֶת־חֶבְר֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ וְאֶת־לִבְנָ֖ה וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ But to the descendants of Aaron the priest they assigned Hebron—the city of refuge for manslayers^bcity of refuge for manslayers See note at 20.3. —together with its pastures, Libnah with its pastures,

וְאֶת־יַתִּר֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶֽת־אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ Jattir with its pastures, Eshtemoa with its pastures,

וְאֶת־חֹלֹן֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־דְּבִ֖ר וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ Holon with its pastures, Debir with its pastures,

וְאֶת־עַ֣יִן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֗הָ וְאֶת־יֻטָּה֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ אֶת־בֵּ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֣ים תֵּ֔שַׁע מֵאֵ֕ת שְׁנֵ֖י הַשְּׁבָטִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ {ס}         Ain with its pastures, Juttah with its pastures, and Beth-shemesh with its pastures—9 towns from those two tribes.

וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה בִנְיָמִ֔ין אֶת־גִּבְע֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־גֶּ֖בַע וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ And from the tribe of Benjamin: Gibeon with its pastures, Geba with its pastures,

אֶת־עֲנָתוֹת֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־עַלְמ֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ Anathoth with its pastures, and Almon with its pastures—4 towns.

כׇּל־עָרֵ֥י בְנֵֽי־אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֲנִ֑ים שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה עָרִ֖ים וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         All the towns of the descendants of the priest Aaron, 13 towns with their pastures.

וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת בְּנֵֽי־קְהָת֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֖ים מִבְּנֵ֣י קְהָ֑ת וַֽיְהִי֙ עָרֵ֣י גֽוֹרָלָ֔ם מִמַּטֵּ֖ה אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ ^cExplicating v. 5. As for the other clans of the Kohathites, the remaining Levites descended from Kohath, the towns in their lot were: From the tribe of Ephraim

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ לָהֶ֜ם אֶת־עִ֨יר מִקְלַ֧ט הָרֹצֵ֛חַ אֶת־שְׁכֶ֥ם וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־גֶּ֖זֶר וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ they were given, in the hill country of Ephraim, Shechem—the city of refuge for manslayers—with its pastures, Gezer with its pastures,

וְאֶת־קִבְצַ֙יִם֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית חוֹרֹ֖ן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ {ס}         Kibzaim with its pastures, and Beth-horon with its pastures—4 towns.

וּמִ֨מַּטֵּה־דָ֔ן אֶֽת־אֶלְתְּקֵ֖א וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶֽת־גִּבְּת֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ From the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pastures, Gibbethon with its pastures,

אֶת־אַיָּלוֹן֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ אֶת־גַּת־רִמּ֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ Aijalon with its pastures, and Gath-rimmon with its pastures—4 towns.

וּמִֽמַּחֲצִית֙ מַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה אֶת־תַּעְנַךְ֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־גַּ֥ת רִמּ֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים שְׁתָּֽיִם׃ And from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pastures, and Gath-rimmon with its pastures—2 towns.

כׇּל־עָרִ֥ים עֶ֖שֶׂר וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ן לְמִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת בְּנֵי־קְהָ֖ת הַנּוֹתָרִֽים׃ {ס}         All the towns for the remaining clans of the Kohathites came to 10, with their pastures.

וְלִבְנֵ֣י גֵֽרְשׁוֹן֮ מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַלְוִיִּם֒ מֵחֲצִ֞י מַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה אֶת־עִיר֙ מִקְלַ֣ט הָרֹצֵ֔חַ אֶת־[גּוֹלָ֤ן] (גלון) בַּבָּשָׁן֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־בְּעֶשְׁתְּרָ֖ה וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים שְׁתָּֽיִם׃ {ס}         To the Gershonites of the Levitical clans: From the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan—the city of refuge for manslayers—with its pastures, and Beeshterah with its pastures—2 towns.

וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר אֶת־קִשְׁי֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־דָּבְרַ֖ת וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ From the tribe of Issachar: Kishion with its pastures, Dobrath with its pastures,

אֶת־יַרְמוּת֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ אֶת־עֵ֥ין גַּנִּ֖ים וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ {ס}         Jarmuth with its pastures, and En-gannim with its pastures—4 towns.

וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה אָשֵׁ֔ר אֶת־מִשְׁאָ֖ל וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ From the tribe of Asher: Mishal with its pastures, Abdon with its pastures,

אֶת־חֶלְקָת֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־רְחֹ֖ב וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ {ס}         Helkath with its pastures, and Rehob with its pastures—4 towns.

וּמִמַּטֵּ֨ה נַפְתָּלִ֜י אֶת־עִ֣יר ׀ מִקְלַ֣ט הָרֹצֵ֗חַ אֶת־קֶ֨דֶשׁ בַּגָּלִ֤יל וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֙הָ֙ וְאֶת־חַמֹּ֥ת דֹּאר֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים שָׁלֹֽשׁ׃ From the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee—the city of refuge for manslayers—with its pastures, Hammoth-dor with its pastures, and Kartan with its pastures—3 towns.

כׇּל־עָרֵ֥י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה עִ֖יר וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ {ס}         All the towns of the Gershonites, by their clans, came to 13 towns, with their pastures.

וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת בְּנֵי־מְרָרִי֮ הַלְוִיִּ֣ם הַנּוֹתָרִים֒ מֵאֵת֙ מַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן אֶֽת־יׇקְנְעָ֖ם וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ה וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ To the remaining Levites, the clans of the Merarites: From the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pastures, Kartah with its pastures,

אֶת־דִּמְנָה֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ אֶֽת־נַהֲלָ֖ל וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ {ס}         Dimnah with its pastures, and Nahalal with its pastures—4 towns.^dSome mss. and editions add the following (cf. 1 Chron. 6.63–64): “And from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer with its pastures, Jahaz with its pastures, Kedemoth with its pastures, and Mephaath with its pastures—4 towns.”

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וּמִמַּטֵּה־גָ֗ד אֶת־עִיר֙ מִקְלַ֣ט הָרֹצֵ֔חַ אֶת־רָמֹ֥ת בַּגִּלְעָ֖ד וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ וְאֶֽת־מַחֲנַ֖יִם וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ From the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead—the city of refuge for manslayers—with its pastures, Mahanaim with its pastures,

אֶת־חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ אֶת־יַעְזֵ֖ר וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ כׇּל־עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃ Heshbon with its pastures, and Jazer with its pastures—4 towns in all.

כׇּל־הֶ֨עָרִ֜ים לִבְנֵ֤י מְרָרִי֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם הַנּוֹתָרִ֖ים מִמִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֑ם וַֽיְהִי֙ גּוֹרָלָ֔ם עָרִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃ All the towns that went by lot to the Merarites, by their clans—the rest of the Levitical clans—came to 12 towns.

כֹּ֚ל עָרֵ֣י הַלְוִיִּ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ אֲחֻזַּ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עָרִ֛ים אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ All the towns of the Levites within the holdings of the Israelites came to 48 towns, with their pastures.

תִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙ הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה עִ֣יר עִ֔יר וּמִגְרָשֶׁ֖יהָ סְבִיבֹתֶ֑יהָ כֵּ֖ן לְכׇל־הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ {ס}         ^eMeaning of verse uncertain. Thus those towns were assigned, every town with its surrounding pasture; and so it was with all those towns.

וַיִּתֵּ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶ֨ת־כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לָתֵ֣ת לַאֲבוֹתָ֑ם וַיִּרָשׁ֖וּהָ וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ בָֽהּ׃ Israel was given the whole country that GOD had sworn to their fathers^ffathers See note at 1.6. to assign them; they took possession of it and settled in it.

וַיָּ֨נַח יְהֹוָ֤ה לָהֶם֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבוֹתָ֑ם וְלֹא־עָ֨מַד אִ֤ישׁ בִּפְנֵיהֶם֙ מִכׇּל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם נָתַ֥ן יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיָדָֽם׃ GOD gave them rest on all sides, just as had been promised to their fathers^gfathers See note at 1.6. on oath. Not one of all their enemies withstood them; GOD delivered all their enemies into their hands.

לֹא־נָפַ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר מִכֹּל֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַטּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הַכֹּ֖ל בָּֽא׃ {פ}
Not one of the good things that GOD had promised to the House of Israel was lacking. Everything was fulfilled.

אָ֚ז יִקְרָ֣א יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ לָראוּבֵנִ֖י וְלַגָּדִ֑י וְלַחֲצִ֖י מַטֵּ֥ה מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אַתֶּ֣ם שְׁמַרְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֣בֶד יְהֹוָ֑ה וַתִּשְׁמְע֣וּ בְקוֹלִ֔י לְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוִּ֖יתִי אֶתְכֶֽם׃ and said to them, “You have observed all that Moses the servant of GOD commanded you, and have obeyed me in everything that I commanded you.

לֹֽא־עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם זֶ֚ה יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֕ם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֕רֶת מִצְוַ֖ת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ You have not forsaken your kindred through the long years down to this day, but have faithfully observed the Instruction of the ETERNAL your God.

וְעַתָּ֗ה הֵנִ֨יחַ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ לַאֲחֵיכֶ֔ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם וְעַתָּ֡ה פְּנוּ֩ וּלְכ֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם לְאׇהֳלֵיכֶ֗ם אֶל־אֶ֙רֶץ֙ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֗ם מֹשֶׁה֙ עֶ֣בֶד יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ Now the ETERNAL your God has given your kindred rest, as [God] promised them. Therefore turn and go to your homes, to the land of your holdings beyond the Jordan that Moses the servant of GOD assigned to you.

רַ֣ק ׀ שִׁמְר֣וּ מְאֹ֗ד לַעֲשׂ֨וֹת אֶת־הַמִּצְוָ֣ה וְאֶת־הַתּוֹרָה֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶם֮ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־יְהֹוָה֒ לְ֠אַהֲבָ֠ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֜ם וְלָלֶ֧כֶת בְּכׇל־דְּרָכָ֛יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר מִצְוֺתָ֖יו וּלְדׇבְקָה־ב֑וֹ וּלְעׇבְד֕וֹ בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃ But be very careful to fulfill the Instruction and the Teaching that Moses the servant of GOD enjoined upon you: to love the ETERNAL your God, to walk in godly ways, to keep the commandments, and to hold fast to [God]—and to render service with all your heart and soul.”

וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אֶל־אׇהֳלֵיהֶֽם׃ {פ}
Then Joshua blessed them and dismissed them, and they went to their homes.

וְלַֽחֲצִ֣י ׀ שֵׁ֣בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה נָתַ֣ן מֹשֶׁה֮ בַּבָּשָׁן֒ וּלְחֶצְי֗וֹ נָתַ֤ן יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ עִם־אֲחֵיהֶ֔ם (מעבר) [בְּעֵ֥בֶר] הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן יָ֑מָּה וְ֠גַ֠ם כִּֽי־שִׁלְּחָ֧ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶל־אׇהֳלֵיהֶ֖ם וַֽיְבָרְכֵֽם׃ To the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had assigned territory in Bashan, and to the other Joshua assigned [territory] on the west side of the Jordan, with their kindred.^atheir kindred I.e., the other nine tribes.
Furthermore, when Joshua sent the two and a half tribes^bthe two and a half tribes Heb. “them.” off to their homes, he blessed them

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר בִּנְכָסִ֨ים רַבִּ֜ים שׁ֤וּבוּ אֶל־אׇֽהֳלֵיכֶם֙ וּבְמִקְנֶ֣ה רַב־מְאֹ֔ד בְּכֶ֨סֶף וּבְזָהָ֜ב וּבִנְחֹ֧שֶׁת וּבְבַרְזֶ֛ל וּבִשְׂלָמ֖וֹת הַרְבֵּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד חִלְק֥וּ שְׁלַל־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֖ם עִם־אֲחֵיכֶֽם׃ {פ}
and said to them, “Return to your homes with great wealth—with very much livestock, with silver and gold, with copper and iron, and with a great quantity of clothing. Share the spoil of your enemies with your kin.”

וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ וַיֵּלְכ֡וּ בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵ֨ן וּבְנֵי־גָ֜ד וַחֲצִ֣י ׀ שֵׁ֣בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה מֵאֵת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִשִּׁלֹ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּאֶֽרֶץ־כְּנָ֑עַן לָלֶ֜כֶת אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַגִּלְעָ֗ד אֶל־אֶ֤רֶץ אֲחֻזָּתָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נֹֽאחֲזוּ־בָ֔הּ עַל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, and made their way back to the land of Gilead, the land of their own holding, which they had acquired by GOD’s command through Moses.

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־גְּלִיל֣וֹת הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיִּבְנ֣וּ בְנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֣ן וּבְנֵי־גָ֡ד וַחֲצִ֣י שֵׁ֩בֶט֩ הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֨ה שָׁ֤ם מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ עַל־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן מִזְבֵּ֥חַ גָּד֖וֹל לְמַרְאֶֽה׃ When they came to the region of the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a great conspicuous altar.

וַיִּשְׁמְע֥וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֣ה בָנ֣וּ בְנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֣ן וּבְנֵי־גָ֡ד וַחֲצִי֩ שֵׁ֨בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ אֶל־מוּל֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֶל־גְּלִילוֹת֙ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן אֶל־עֵ֖בֶר בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ A report reached the Israelites: “The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar opposite the land of Canaan, in the region of the Jordan, across from the Israelites.”

וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּקָּ֨הֲל֜וּ כׇּל־עֲדַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ שִׁלֹ֔ה לַעֲל֥וֹת עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לַצָּבָֽא׃ {פ}
When the Israelites heard this, the whole community of the Israelites^cwhole community of the Israelites I.e., the leadership or the militia, on the community’s behalf. assembled at Shiloh to make war on them.

וַיִּשְׁלְח֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל־בְּנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֧ן וְאֶל־בְּנֵי־גָ֛ד וְאֶל־חֲצִ֥י שֵֽׁבֶט־מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַגִּלְעָ֑ד אֶת־פִּֽינְחָ֖ס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֥ר הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ But [first] the Israelites sent the priest Phinehas son of Eleazar to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead,

וַעֲשָׂרָ֤ה נְשִׂאִים֙ עִמּ֔וֹ נָשִׂ֨יא אֶחָ֜ד נָשִׂ֤יא אֶחָד֙ לְבֵ֣ית אָ֔ב לְכֹ֖ל מַטּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְאִ֨ישׁ רֹ֧אשׁ בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָ֛ם הֵ֖מָּה לְאַלְפֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ accompanied by ten chieftains, one chieftain from each of the tribal families of Israel, every one of them a family head among the contingents of Israel.

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ אֶל־בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵ֧ן וְאֶל־בְּנֵי־גָ֛ד וְאֶל־חֲצִ֥י שֵׁבֶט־מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַגִּלְעָ֑ד וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ אִתָּ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ When they came to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead, they spoke to them as follows:

כֹּ֣ה אָמְר֞וּ כֹּ֣ל ׀ עֲדַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֗ה מָֽה־הַמַּ֤עַל הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר מְעַלְתֶּם֙ בֵּאלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לָשׁ֣וּב הַיּ֔וֹם מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה בִּבְנוֹתְכֶ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לִמְרׇדְכֶ֥ם הַיּ֖וֹם בַּיהֹוָֽה׃ “Thus said all of GOD’s community: What is this treachery that you have committed this day against the God of Israel, turning away from GOD, building yourselves an altar and rebelling this day against GOD !

הַמְעַט־לָ֙נוּ֙ אֶת־עֲוֺ֣ן פְּע֔וֹר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא־הִטַּהַ֙רְנוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיְהִ֥י הַנֶּ֖גֶף בַּעֲדַ֥ת יְהֹוָֽה׃ Is the sin of Peor, which brought a plague upon GOD’s community, such a small thing to us? We have not purified ourselves from it to this very day;

וְאַתֶּם֙ תָּשֻׁ֣בוּ הַיּ֔וֹם מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֗ה אַתֶּ֞ם תִּמְרְד֤וּ הַיּוֹם֙ בַּיהֹוָ֔ה וּמָחָ֕ר אֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִקְצֹֽף׃ and now you would turn away from GOD ! If you rebel against GOD today, tomorrow the divine wrath will be directed at the whole community of Israel.

וְאַ֨ךְ אִם־טְמֵאָ֜ה אֶ֣רֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶ֗ם עִבְר֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם אֶל־אֶ֨רֶץ אֲחֻזַּ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁכַן־שָׁם֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהֵאָחֲז֖וּ בְּתוֹכֵ֑נוּ וּבַיהֹוָ֣ה אַל־תִּמְרֹ֗דוּ וְאֹתָ֙נוּ֙ אַל־תִּמְרֹ֔דוּ בִּבְנֹתְכֶ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֔י מִזְבַּ֖ח יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ If it is because the land of your holding is impure, cross over into the land of GOD’s own holding, where the Tabernacle of GOD abides, and acquire holdings among us. But do not rebel against GOD, and do not rebel against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the ETERNAL our God.

הֲל֣וֹא ׀ עָכָ֣ן בֶּן־זֶ֗רַח מָ֤עַל מַ֙עַל֙ בַּחֵ֔רֶם וְעַֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הָ֣יָה קָ֑צֶף וְהוּא֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד לֹ֥א גָוַ֖ע בַּעֲוֺנֽוֹ׃ {ס}         When Achan son of Zerah violated the proscription, anger struck the whole community of Israel; he was not the only one who perished for that sin.”^dhe was not the only one who perished for that sin Or “—and he was [just] one man! Did he not perish for his sin?”

וַֽיַּעֲנוּ֙ בְּנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֣ן וּבְנֵי־גָ֔ד וַחֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֣בֶט הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ אֶת־רָאשֵׁ֖י אַלְפֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the contingents of Israel: They said,

אֵל֩ ׀ אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵ֣ל ׀ אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ יְהֹוָה֙ ה֣וּא יֹדֵ֔עַ וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל ה֣וּא יֵדָ֑ע אִם־בְּמֶ֤רֶד וְאִם־בְּמַ֙עַל֙ בַּיהֹוָ֔ה אַל־תּוֹשִׁיעֵ֖נוּ הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ “God, the ETERNAL God! God, the ETERNAL God, surely knows, and Israel too shall know! If we acted in rebellion or in treachery against GOD, do not vindicate us this day!

לִבְנ֥וֹת לָ֙נוּ֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לָשׁ֖וּב מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאִם־לְהַעֲל֨וֹת עָלָ֜יו עוֹלָ֣ה וּמִנְחָ֗ה וְאִם־לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת עָלָיו֙ זִבְחֵ֣י שְׁלָמִ֔ים יְהֹוָ֖ה ה֥וּא יְבַקֵּֽשׁ׃ If we built an altar to turn away from GOD, if it was to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings upon it, or to present sacrifices of well-being upon it, may GOD be the one to demand [a reckoning].

וְאִם־לֹ֤א מִדְּאָגָה֙ מִדָּבָ֔ר עָשִׂ֥ינוּ אֶת־זֹ֖את לֵאמֹ֑ר מָחָ֗ר יֹֽאמְר֨וּ בְנֵיכֶ֤ם לְבָנֵ֙ינוּ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַה־לָּכֶ֕ם וְלַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ We did this thing only out of our concern that, in time to come, your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the ETERNAL, the God of Israel?