What was Janohah?

Janohah was a town located in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim, as delineated during the conquest and division of the Promised Land under Joshua. The name Janohah (Hebrew: יָנוֹחַ, Yānōwaḥ) is believed to mean “he rests” or “resting place.” Though not one of the most prominent cities in biblical history, it is mentioned in connection with the tribal boundaries of Israel and plays a role in defining the inheritance of God’s people in the land He promised them.

Biblical References and Location

Janohah appears primarily in the following passages:

• Joshua 16:6-7 – “…and the border went out westward to Michmethath on the north side; and the border turned about eastward unto Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah. And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarah, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.”

• 2 Kings 15:29 – This passage references a different Janohah in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Pekah: “In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah…” This may be a second Janohah, suggesting there were at least two locations by that name—one in Ephraim and another in the northern kingdom, possibly in Naphtali or Issachar.

Historical and Biblical Significance

Janohah is mentioned as part of the eastern border of the inheritance of Ephraim—a leading tribe of Israel. It was one of the markers that helped define the precise boundaries of the land allocated to the tribes following the conquest of Canaan.

Although not central to major biblical narratives, Janohah’s inclusion in the land allotment emphasizes the importance of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. Each town and border listed in Joshua testifies to the detailed and intentional fulfillment of God’s plan for His people.

In 2 Kings 15:29, the other Janohah is one of the cities taken by the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III during the beginning of Israel’s downfall. Its mention in this context represents the judgment of God upon Israel for its rebellion and idolatry, serving as a contrast to the original promise and peace implied in the name Janohah.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Janohah represents more than geography—it symbolizes rest in God’s promises and the eventual loss of that rest when disobedience reigns. As believers, we are reminded that while God is faithful to provide us with rest and inheritance, we must walk in obedience to maintain fellowship and the blessings of His covenant.

Just as Janohah marked the rest and security of Ephraim’s land under Joshua, it later marked the sorrow of Israel’s defeat under Assyria. This dual image calls believers to vigilance in faith and gratitude for the security found in Christ.

How Janohah Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The name “he rests” echoes a central theme of the gospel—rest for the weary found in Jesus Christ. In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus invites, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Janohah serves as a faint shadow of the true rest that Jesus offers. The physical rest of inheriting land was only a temporary picture of the eternal spiritual rest found in Christ. The fall of Janohah in 2 Kings is also a reminder of the need for redemption—one that only Jesus could fulfill perfectly. While the Old Testament inheritance could be lost, the inheritance through Christ is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4).

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Inheritance and Covenant Fulfillment

Janohah’s place in the Ephraimite inheritance highlights God’s fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 26:3; Genesis 28:13).

2. Rest and Peace

The concept of rest pervades Scripture—from the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3) to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 12:9-10), and ultimately to Jesus (Hebrews 4:9-11). Janohah symbolizes a temporary rest which points to the greater Sabbath rest in Christ.

3. Judgment and Exile

The fall of Janohah in 2 Kings 15:29 illustrates the result of national apostasy. It anticipates the exile and discipline that Israel would face due to disobedience, calling God’s people to remain faithful.

4. Typology of Christ

Jesus, as the better Joshua, leads His people into an eternal inheritance. The land inheritance, with towns like Janohah, prefigures the spiritual inheritance secured by Jesus (Hebrews 4:8–9).

Reflection Questions

1. How does the idea of “rest” in Janohah challenge you to consider where your own rest is found?

2. In what ways are you tempted to take God’s promises for granted, as Israel did before their fall?

3. What does the contrast between Janohah’s inheritance and eventual fall reveal about the importance of ongoing faithfulness?

4. How does Jesus fulfill and surpass the idea of inheritance shown through places like Janohah?

5. Are you living in the assurance of the eternal rest and inheritance secured in Christ?

Conclusion:
Janohah, though a small and seemingly insignificant place, is woven into the larger biblical narrative of God’s faithfulness, human responsibility, and the redemptive plan fulfilled in Christ. Its legacy challenges believers today to treasure their inheritance in Christ, walk in obedience, and rest in the eternal peace that only He can give.