וּמֵחֶשְׁבֹּ֛ון עַד־רָמַ֥ת הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וּבְטֹנִ֑ים וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם עַד־גְּב֥וּל לִדְבִֽר׃
And from Ḥeshbon to Ramat hammitspe and Betonim, and from Maḥanayim to the border of Devir.
Morphology
- וּמֵחֶשְׁבֹּ֛ון (u-meḥeshbon) – Root: חשב (ḥ-sh-b); Form: Preposition מִן + proper noun; Translation: “And from Ḥeshbon”; Notes: Ḥeshbon was a major city of the Amorites, later given to the Reubenites.
- עַד־רָמַ֥ת (ʿad-ramat) – Root: רום (r-w-m); Form: Preposition עַד + noun, feminine singular construct; Translation: “to Ramat”; Notes: Indicates a territorial boundary.
- הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה (ha-Mitspeh) – Root: מצפה (m-ts-p-h); Form: Proper noun, definite; Translation: “the Mitspeh”; Notes: A place name meaning “the watchtower”.
- וּבְטֹנִ֑ים (u-venotonim) – Root: בטן (b-t-n); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “and Betonim”; Notes: A city in the territory of Gad.
- וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם (u-mi-maḥanayim) – Root: מחנה (m-ḥ-n-h); Form: Preposition מִן + proper noun; Translation: “and from Maḥanayim”; Notes: Maḥanayim was a Levitical city, possibly named for Jacob’s angelic vision (Genesis 32:2).
- עַד־גְּב֥וּל (ʿad-gevul) – Root: גבול (g-v-l); Form: Preposition עַד + noun, masculine singular construct; Translation: “to the border of”; Notes: Indicates a boundary limit.
- לִדְבִֽר (li-divir) – Root: דבר (d-b-r); Form: Proper noun with preposition לְ; Translation: “to Divir”; Notes: A city in the Transjordan region.
Syntax Analysis
This verse lists geographical boundaries, with “from” (מִן) and “to” (עַד) structuring the territorial descriptions. The conjunction וּ links multiple locations, indicating their inclusion in the tribal allotments.
Grammatical Analysis
The verse employs a sequence of prepositional phrases, emphasizing directional movement across territorial landmarks. The construct chain רָמַ֥ת הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה signifies a place associated with high elevation (“Ramat”) and oversight (“ha-Mitspeh”).
Lexical Semantics
- מִצְפֶּה (Mitspeh): Meaning “watchtower” or “lookout,” often used for locations of strategic or religious significance.
- מַחֲנַיִם (Maḥanayim): Literally “two camps,” referencing Jacob’s vision (Genesis 32:2).
- דְבִר (Divir): A city name, possibly linked to a “sanctuary” or “holy place” in some contexts.
Word Study
- גבול (gevul) – “border, boundary”: Used frequently in territorial descriptions to mark tribal lands.
- עד (ʿad) – “until, up to”: A common preposition denoting geographical or temporal limits.
Textual Criticism
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