Litani A river in southern Lebanon that empties into the Mediterranean Sea just north of the Phoenician city of Tyre. The river likely marks the northern extent of the territory allotted to the Israelite tribes of Asher and Naphtali. In the description of the territory of Asher in Josh 19:24–31, the northern boundary is said to extend up to “Sidon Rabbah” (צִידוֹן רַבָּה, tsidon rabbah) or Greater Sidon (Josh 19:28), then west to Tyre (Josh 19:29). The regions of Lebanon under Phoenician control are part of the territory of Canaan left unconquered by Israel in the list found in Josh 13:1–6 (compare Judg 1:31). Joshua 11:8 suggests the area of Greater Sidon around Misrephoth-Maim (מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם, misrephoth mayim) marks Israel’s northern frontier. Since the deep gorge of the Litani would have formed a natural boundary, it may be that the river is meant by Misrephoth-Maim, the location mentioned twice in connection with the border with Sidon (Josh 11:8; 13:6). The second part of the name, mayim, means “water.”