## Rashi on Joshua Chapter 18

###### Rashi on Joshua 18:1:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:1:1)

**וַיַשְׁכִּינוּ שָׁם אֶת־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד** שֶׁעָשׂוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר, וְלֹא הָיָה שָׁם תִּקְרָה, אֶלָּא בַּיִת שֶׁל אֲבָנִים מִלְּמַטָּן וִירִיעוֹת מִלְמַעְלָן, כָּךְ שָׁנִינוּ בִּשְׁחִיטַת קָדָשִׁים (זבחים כד ב).

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And there they made a dwelling place for the Tent of Meeting.** [This refers to the Tent of Meeting] that they had constructed in the wilderness.¹ It did not have a roof, but it was a stone structure on the bottom and was covered with curtains above.² remained at Gilgal. They had been too occupied with conquering and dividing the land to establish a permanent dwelling place for the Tent of Meeting. Once they began settling in the land, they established a House of God. The walls of the House were made of stone, and instead of a roof it was covered with curtains of cloth and skins, as it had been when it was constructed in the wilderness. This we learned in Maseches Zevachim.

footnotes:
¹ Since Scripture does not identify the Tent of Meeting, Rashi explains that it is the same one they had constructed in the wilderness.
² Zevachim 24b. During the fourteen years since they entered Eretz Yisroel, the Mishkan


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:1:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:1:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:1:2)

**וְהָאָרֶץ נִכְבְּשָׁה לִפְנֵיהֶם** מִשֶּׁנִּקְבַּע הַמִּשְׁכָּן, הָיְתָה הָאָרֶץ נוֹחָה לִיכָּבֵשׁ לִפְנֵיהֶם.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And the land had been conquered before them.** Once the *Mishkon* was established, it became easier for them to conquer the land.³ they would be blessed with continued victory in the remaining battles of conquest.

footnotes:
³ The land had actually not been conquered at that point in time, but even though the conquest had not been completed, they had faith that in the merit of the Mishkan,


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:2:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:2:1)

**שִׁבְעָה שְׁבָטִים** שֶׁכְּבָר קִבְּלוּ נַחֲלָתָן רְאוּבֵן וְגָד וַחֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה בִּימֵי משֶׁה בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, וּבְאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן כְּבָר נָפַל גּוֹרָל לִיהוּדָה וּלְאֶפְרַיִם וְלַחֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה, הֲרֵי חֲמִשָּׁה שְׁבָטִים.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**Seven tribes.** [For the following tribes] had already received their portions: Reuvein, Gad, and the half tribe of Menashe had received their inheritance in the days of Moshe on the other side of the Jordan. In the land of Canaan itself, the lot had already fallen for Yehudah, Ephraim and the half tribe of Menashe. These five tribes were provided for.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:3:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:3:1)

**מִתְרַפִּים** מִתְרַשְּׁלִין.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**Timid**—weak.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:4:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:4:1)

**לַשָּׁבֶט** לְכָל שֵׁבֶט מִן הַשִּׁבְעָה.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**For each tribe.** For each of the remaining seven tribes.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:4:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:4:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:4:2)

**לְפִי נַחֲלָתָם** לְשִׁבְעָה חֲלָקִים וְלֹא בְּשָׁוֶה, אֶלָּא לְפִי הַשְּׁבָטִים הָרְאוּיִין לְחֶלְקָם, לָרַב לְפִי רֻבּוֹ וְלַמְּעַט לְפִי מִיעוּטוֹ, כְּמָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כו נד): לָרַב תַּרְבֶּה נַחֲלָתוֹ וְלַמְּעַט תַּמְעִיט נַחֲלָתוֹ וְגוֹמֵר.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**According to their inheritance.** Into seven parts but not equal ones, but according to the tribes appropriate portions— to the large tribe according to its largeness, and to the small tribe according to its smallness, as it is said, ‘To the large [tribe], increase their inheritance.’⁴

footnotes:
⁴ Bamidbar 26:54.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:5:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:5:1)

**וְהִתְחַלְּקוּ אֹתָהּ לְשִׁבְעָה חֲלָקִים** אוֹתָהּ שֶׁנִכְבְּשָׁה כְּבָר וְהָעֲתִידָה לִיכָּבֵשׁ.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And they will divide it into seven parts.** Including that which was already conquered and that which was destined to be conquered.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:5:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:5:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:5:2)

**יְהוּדָה יַעֲמֹד עַל גְּבוּלוֹ מִנֶּגֶב** אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁשָּׁם נָפַל לוֹ גּוֹרָל כָּל הַמֶּצֶר הַדְּרוֹמִי.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**Yehudah will remain at his boundary in the south**— of Eretz Yisroel, for there fell to his lot the entire southern boundary.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:5:3
[Rashi on Joshua 18:5:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:5:3)

**וּבֵית יוֹסֵף וְגוֹ' מִצָּפוֹן** צְפוֹנִי לְמַה שֶּׁנִּכְבַּשׁ כְּבָר, וְעוֹד יֵשׁ הַרְבֵּה לִכְבּוֹשׁ צַד הַמֶּצֶר מִבַּעַל גַּד עַד לְבוֹא חֲמָת, שֶׁהוּא אֵצֶל הֹר הָהָר בְּמֶצֶר צְפוֹנִי, וְהַשִּׁבְעָה שְׁבָטִים יְחַלְּקוּ אוֹתָהּ שֶׁבֵּין יְהוּדָה לְיוֹסֵף, וְאוֹתָהּ הָעוֹמֶדֶת לִיכָּבֵשׁ.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And the house of Yoseif—in the north.** The north of the land already conquered. There is however much more to be conquered: the side of the boundary from Baal-gad to Levo-chamos which is near Hor hoHor in the northern boundary. The seven tribes will divide [the land] between Yehudah and Yoseif, and [the land] which remains to be conquered.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:6:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:6:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:6:1)

**וְיָרִיתִי** וְהִשְׁלַכְתִּי, כְּמוֹ (שמות טו ד): יָרָה בַיָּם.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**I will cast.**—I will throw, similar to, ‘He threw into the sea.’⁵

footnotes:
⁵ Shemos 15:4.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:12:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:12:1)

**וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפוֹנָה** וַיְהִי מֶצֶר גְּבוּל הַצְּפוֹנִי שֶׁלָּהֶם מִן הַיַּרְדֵּן, שֶׁבַּמִּזְרָח מַתְחִיל הַמֶּצֶר, וְעָלָה אֶל כֶּתֶף יְרִיחוֹ מִצָּפוֹן, וְעָלָה מִשָּׁם אֶל הַמַּעֲרָב אֶל עֵבֶר יְרִיחוֹ, וּמוֹשֵׁךְ הַחוּט בִּצְפוֹנָהּ שֶׁל יְרִיחוֹ, נִמְצֵאת יְרִיחוֹ לִפְנִים מִן הַחוּט בְּחֵלֶק בִּנְיָמִין.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**Their northern boundary.** Their northern boundary was the Jordan, since the border started from the east and went up alongside Yericho from the north. It went from there westward alongside Yericho and the border line is drawn on the northside of Yericho. Thus Yericho is within the border line in the portion of Binyomin.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:12:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:12:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:12:2)

**מִדְבָּרָהּ בֵּית אָוֶן** לַמִּדְבַּר שֶׁל בֵּית אָוֶן.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**To the wilderness of Beis-Oven.** To the wilderness of Beis-Oven.⁶

footnotes:
⁶ Rashi explains that the text מִדְבְּרָה בֵּית אָוֶן is the same as לַמִדְבַּר שֶׁל בֵּית אָוֶן.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:13:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:13:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:13:1)

**וְעָבַר מִשָּׁם** לְצַד הַמַּעֲרָב.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**From there the boundary passed**—westward.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:13:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:13:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:13:2)

**לוּזָה אֶל כֶּתֶף לוּזָה נֶגְבָּה הִיא בֵּית אֵל** שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ יַעֲקֹב (בראשית כח יט), וְלֹא זוֹ הִיא בֵּית אֵל שֶׁאֵצֶל הָעַי, שֶׁהֲרֵי אוֹמֵר בִּגְבוּל יוֹסֵף (לעיל טז ב): וְיָצָא מִבֵּית אֵל לוּזָה, לָמַדְנוּ שֶׁשְּׁנַיִם הָיוּ, וְלוּז לֹא בְּחֵלֶק בִּנְיָמִין הָיְתָה, שֶׁהֲרֵי חוּט הַמֶּצֶר מִלּוּז וְלִפְנִים הוּא, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר (פסוק יג): אֶל כֶּתֶף לוּזָה נֶגְבָּה, הַחוּט הוֹלֵךְ בִּדְרוֹמָהּ שֶׁל לוּז, נִמְצֵאת לוּז מִן הַחוּט וְלַחוּץ, בְּנַחֲלַת בְּנֵי יוֹסֵף, וּבֵית אֵל הָיְתָה בְּחֵלֶק בִּנְיָמִין, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב לְמַטָּה בָּעִנְיָן (להלן פסוק כב).

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**To Luz, the southside of Luz which is Beis El.** [This is the city] that Yaakov called [Beis-el.] It is not the Beis-el which is near Ai, for it is said about the boundary of Yoseif: ‘And it extended from Beis-el to Luz.’⁷ Thus we learn that there were two [Beis-els]. Luz was not in the portion of Binyomin; for the boundary line was from Luz and within; as it is said: ‘To the southside of Luz.’ the boundary line goes south of Luz, thus Luz is outside the boundary line, and is within the inheritance of the Bnei Yoseif. Beis-el is in the portion of Binyomin; as it said later in this section.⁸

footnotes:
⁷ Chapter 16:2.
⁸ See Verse 22.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:14:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:14:1)

**וְתָאַר הַגְּבוּל וְנָסַב לִפְאַת יָם נֶגְבָּה** בְּעַטְרוֹת אַדָּר כָּלָה אוֹרֶךְ הַצְּפוֹנִי מִן הַמִּזְרָח לַמַּעֲרָב, וּמִשָּׁם נָסַב הַחוּט לִגְבוּל הַמַּעֲרָב שֶׁל בִּנְיָמִין לֵילֵךְ נֶגְבָּה מִן הַצָּפוֹן לַדָּרוֹם, חוּט הַמַּעֲרָבִית מִן הָהָר אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי בֵּית חוֹרוֹן נֶגְבָּה מִן הָהָר אֲשֶׁר בִּדְרוֹמָהּ שֶׁל בֵּית חוֹרוֹן, מִשָּׁם הָיָה מַתְחִיל מִקְצוֹעַ מַעֲרָבִית צְפוֹנִית שֶׁל בִּנְיָמִין וּבָא לוֹ הַחוּט מִצָּפוֹן לְדָרוֹם.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And the boundary circled and went around the western side southward.** At Atros-ador, the length of the northern boundary ended; it went from east to west. From there the boundary line encircled the western boundary of Binyomin to go southward from north to south. The western boundary line, extended from the mountain which was opposite Beis-choron— south of the mountain— which was south of Beis-choron; that was the beginning of the northwest corner of Binyomen’s [portion,] and the boundary line went from north to south.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:14:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:14:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:14:2)

**וְהָיוּ תֹצְאֹתָיו** מִקְצוֹעַ מַעֲרָבִית דְּרוֹמִית שֶׁלּוֹ אֶל קִרְיַת יְעָרִים שֶׁל יְהוּדָה, נִמְצָא רוֹחַב גְּבוּל בִּנְיָמִין נוֹטֵל כָּל רוֹחַב הָאָרֶץ שֶׁבֵּין יְהוּדָה לְאֶפְרַיִם, גְּבוּל דְּרוֹמִי שֶׁלּוֹ עִם גְּבוּל צְפוֹנִי שֶׁל יְהוּדָה, וְשָׁם הָיְתָה יְרוּשָׁלַיִם כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמוּר לְמַטָּה בָּעִנְיָן, לְפִיכָךְ הָיָה לִשְׁנֵי הַשְּׁבָטִים חֵלֶק בָּהּ, וּגְבוּל צְפוֹנִי שֶׁל בִּנְיָמִין וּדְרוֹמִי שֶׁל אֶפְרַיִם נוֹגְעִין זֶה בָּזֶה, וְשָׁם הָיְתָה שִׁילֹה בְּחֵלֶק אֶפְרַיִם, כְּמָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים עח ס סז): וַיִּטֹּשׁ מִשְׁכַּן שִׁילֹה וְגוֹמֵר וַיִּמְאַס בְּאֹהֶל יוֹסֵף וּבְשֵׁבֶט אֶפְרַיִם לֹא בָחָר, וְאַף לְבִנְיָמִין הָיָה בּוֹ חֵלֶק, וְכֵן שָׁנִינוּ בִּשְׁחִיטַת קָדָשִׁים (זבחים כד ב): בְּג' מְקוֹמוֹת שָׁרְתָה לָהֶם שְׁכִינָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּשִׁילֹה וְנוֹב וּבֵית הָעוֹלָמִים, וּבְכֻלָּן לֹא שָׁרְתָה אֶלָּא בְּחֶלְקוֹ שֶׁל בִּנְיָמִין.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**It extended—** From its south-western corner to Kiryas-yearim which belonged to Yehudah. Thus the width of Binyomin’s boundary occupies the entire width of the land between Yehudah and Ephraim. His [Binyomin’s] southern boundary meets with the northern boundary of Yehudah, which was the location of *Yerushalayim*, as is said later in this chapter.⁹ Thus both tribes had a share in it.¹⁰. (See v. 28) The city and the *Beis ha Mikdosh* were situated right on the border of the two tribes. There are various opinions regarding the exact location of the Altar itself. Some say that it was in Binyomin’s portion, while others maintain that it was in the portion of Yehudah. The Northern boundary of Binyomin and the sourthern boundary of Ephraim meet, and Shiloh was located there in the portion of Ephraim, as it is said, ‘And He abandoned the Mishkan of Shiloh, etc., and He abhorred the tent of Yoseif, and the tribe of Ephraim He did not choose.’¹¹ Binyomin too had a share in it [Shiloh], and so we learned in Maseches Zevachim, ‘In three places the Divine Presence rested in Eretz Yisroel: in Shiloh, in Nov and in the Beis ha Mikdosh; and of all of them, it rested only in the portion of Binyomin:¹² where the Beis ha Mikdosh was built. The reason for the pre-eminence of Binyomin in this respect, was the blessing Moshe gave to him, as it is said: “Adonoy’s friend, let him live secure with Him. He hovers protectively over him throughout the day, and He resides between his shoulders.” (Devorim 33:12) The *Shechina,* Divine Presence, resided in Shiloh for many years, and for a short time it *hovered* over Nov and Givon, and finally a permanent, eternal dwelling place for the *Shechina* was established in *Yerushalayim*. Thus in his blessing, Moshe alluded to the places within the territory of Binyomin in which the Divine Presence would reside. (See Rashi there).

footnotes:
⁹ V. 28.
¹⁰ The major portion of Yehudah’s territory was to the south, but there was one strip of land that extended north and bordered the portion of Binyomin. It extended to the city of the Yevusim which later became Yerushalayim
¹¹ Tehillim 78:60,67.
¹² From the time the land was divided, the Divine Presence (שְׁכִינָה) rested within the portion of Binyomin. Initially the Divine Presence rested in the Mishkon at Shiloh. After its destruction, the Mishkon was established at Nov, which was also within Binyomin’s portion. It was moved from there to Givon and afterwards to Yerushalayim


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:14:3
[Rashi on Joshua 18:14:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:14:3)

**זֹאת פְּאַת יָם** רוּחַ מַעֲרָבִי מֵעַטְרוֹת אַדָּר עַד קִרְיַת יְעָרִים.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**This was the western side—** the west side extending from Atros-ador to Kiryas-yearim.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:15:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:15:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:15:1)

**וּפְאַת נֶגְבָּה** מִצַּד דְּרוֹמִי לְבִנְיָמִין וְהוּא צְפוֹנִי שֶׁל יְהוּדָה, וְכָל הַתְּחוּמִין הַמְּנוּיִין כָּאן נִמְנוּ בִּצְפוֹנָהּ שֶׁל יְהוּדָה, וְכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁכָּתוּב כָּאן 'וְיָרַד', כָּתוּב בִּיהוּדָה 'וְעָלָה', לְפִי שֶׁכָּאן הוּא מוֹנֶה מִן הַמַּעֲרָב לַמִּזְרָח, וְשָׁם מוֹנֶה מִן הַמִּזְרָח לַמַּעֲרָב.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And the southern side—** Referring to the southern border of Binyomin which is identical with the northern border of Yehudah. All the borders that are listed here are listed relative to the north of Yehudah, and every place described here as descending, is described in reference to Yehudah as going up because here he is listing [boundaries] from west to east and there he lists them from east to west.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:15:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:15:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:15:2)

**וְיָצָא הַגְּבוּל יָמָּה** אֶל יָם אֶחָד וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי אֵיזֶה יָם הוּא.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**And the boundary extended to the sea—** to a sea, but I do not know which sea it is.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:19:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:19:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:19:1)

**אֶל לְשׁוֹן יַם הַמֶּלַח צָפוֹנָה** בִּצְפוֹנוֹ שֶׁל לָשׁוֹן, נִמְצָא כָּל הַלָּשׁוֹן בְּחֶלְקוֹ שֶׁל יְהוּדָה.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**To the bay of the Salt Sea to the north.** To the north of the bay. Thus the entire bay was in the portion of Yehudah.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:19:2
[Rashi on Joshua 18:19:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:19:2)

**אֶל קְצֵה הַיַּרְדֵּן** מָקוֹם שֶׁהַיַּרְדֵּן נוֹפֵל בְּיַם הַמֶּלַח, וְהוּא נִמְנֶה מִקְצוֹעַ מִזְרָחִית צְפוֹנִית לִיהוּדָה, וְכָאן הוּא מוֹנֶה מִקְצוֹעַ דְּרוֹמִית מִזְרָחִית לְבִנְיָמִין.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**[To the southern] end of the Jordan.** Referring to the place where the Jordan falls [empties into] the Dead Sea. This was listed as the north-eastern edge [of the territory] of Yehudah. And here it is listed as the south-eastern edge [of the territory] of Binyomin.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:20:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:20:1)

**וְהַיַּרְדֵּן יִגְבֹּל־אֹתוֹ לִפְאַת קֵדְמָה** הַיַּרְדֵּן הָיָה לוֹ לְבִנְיָמִין מֶצֶר מִזְרָחִי, שֶׁהַיַּרְדֵּן הוֹלֵךְ עַל פְּנֵי רוֹחַב כָּל גְּבוּלוֹ לְמִזְרָח.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**The Jordan borders it on the east.** The Jordan was the eastern boundary of Binyomin; as the Jordan goes along the width of his entire boundary to the east.


###### Rashi on Joshua 18:28:1
[Rashi on Joshua 18:28:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Joshua/r/18:28:1)

**וְצֵלַע הָאֶלֶף וְהַיְבוּסִי הִיא יְרוּשָׁלַיִם** כָּל אַחַת עִיר לְעַצְמָהּ, וְכֵן גִּבְעַת, קִרְיַת, חָמֵשׁ עָרִים בְּפָסוּק זֶה.

**The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997:**
**Tzeilah, Eleph and Yevusi which is *Yerushalayim*.** Each of these are individual cities. Similarly, Givas and Kiryas [are individual cities]. Thus five cities are mentioned in this verse.