Bohan
Bohan, son of Reuben, was the namesake of a boundary stone between the territories of Judah and Benjamin.
Biography
Bohan was a son of Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, and his name has been preserved in Scripture solely through a geographical reference. The "Stone of Bohan son of Reuben" (Joshua 15:6; 18:17) served as a landmark boundary point used in demarcating the territorial allotments of both Judah and Benjamin. This stone was situated in the Jordan Valley region near the northeastern corner of Judah's territory. While nothing is recorded of Bohan's personal history, deeds, or character, his name became permanently etched into the sacred geography of the Promised Land as a fixed landmark recognized by the Israelites during Joshua's surveying of the land.
Significance
Though Bohan is one of Scripture's most obscure figures, his legacy illustrates how God's administration of the Promised Land was precise and ordered. The use of his named stone as a boundary marker in Joshua 15 and 18 reflects the meticulous division of Canaan among the tribes, a fulfillment of promises made to the patriarchs. It also demonstrates that even unnamed and unremarkable individuals can leave permanent impressions on redemptive history, serving as waypoints in the unfolding story of Israel's inheritance of the land God had sworn to give them.
Verse Appearances (2)
Joshua
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]