Joshua 15 11

Joshua 15:11 kjv

And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

Joshua 15:11 nkjv

And the border went out to the side of Ekron northward. Then the border went around to Shicron, passed along to Mount Baalah, and extended to Jabneel; and the border ended at the sea.

Joshua 15:11 niv

It went to the northern slope of Ekron, turned toward Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah and reached Jabneel. The boundary ended at the sea.

Joshua 15:11 esv

The boundary goes out to the shoulder of the hill north of Ekron, then the boundary bends around to Shikkeron and passes along to Mount Baalah and goes out to Jabneel. Then the boundary comes to an end at the sea.

Joshua 15:11 nlt

The boundary then proceeded to the slope of the hill north of Ekron, where it turned toward Shikkeron and Mount Baalah. It passed Jabneel and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 11 Meaning

Joshua 15:11 delineates a specific segment of the northern border of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. It describes this boundary moving eastward from the vicinity of the Philistine city of Ekron, through particular geographic points—Shicron, Mount Baalah, and Jabneel—before ultimately reaching its western terminus at the Mediterranean Sea. This verse precisely defines a portion of Judah's inheritance as divinely ordained and recorded.

Joshua 15 11 Context

Joshua chapter 15 records the specific boundaries and allotted cities for the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the tribes. This detailed description underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land. The chapter begins by outlining the extreme boundaries (southern and northern) of Judah's inheritance, followed by the specific cities within that territory. Verses 1-12 particularly focus on the northern and southern borders. Verse 11, specifically, is a meticulous description of a segment of Judah's northern border, demonstrating the divine precision and Israel's geographical claim to the promised land. Historically, this precise detailing was crucial for defining tribal territories, preventing disputes, and ensuring that God's plan for the settlement of Israel was meticulously followed. It shows God's intention for His people to possess all the land promised to their ancestors.

Joshua 15 11 Word analysis

• And the border went out (וְיָצָא הַגְּבוּל, və-yāṣāʾ hag-gəḇūl):

  • Border (גְּבוּל, gəḇūl): Signifies a physical boundary, limit, or territory. In biblical usage, borders are not merely geographical lines but often carry divine sanction. God established the "borders of the nations" (Deut 32:8).
  • Went out (יָצָא, yāṣāʾ): This verb suggests progression, extension, or continuing forth. Its repeated use highlights the meticulous survey and demarcation of the land, demonstrating an established and defined path.
  • Significance: God's ordered allocation of the land through clear boundaries, not ambiguous zones, emphasizes His faithfulness and orderly nature.

• unto the side of Ekron northward (אֶל-כָּתֵף עֶקְרוֹן צָפוֹנָה, ʾel-kātēp̄ ʿeqrōn ṣāfōnāh):

  • Side (כָּתֵף, kātēp̄): Literally "shoulder" or "flank," implying the border ran along the edge or close to Ekron, not necessarily through it. It denotes proximity.
  • Ekron (עֶקְרוֹן, ʿeqrōn): One of the five major Philistine cities (1 Sam 5:10, 6:17). This indicates that while Ekron was within the promised land of Israel and allotted to Judah, it remained largely a Philistine stronghold.
  • Northward (צָפוֹנָה, ṣāfōnāh): Specifies the direction of the border segment.
  • Significance: The mention of a Philistine city within the allotted territory highlights the ongoing challenge for Israel to fully possess the land promised by God (Josh 13:2-3). It also subtly reveals that while the territory was granted, the physical task of dispossessing all inhabitants was still pending. This can be seen as a latent polemic against the idea of easily won land; it was God's grant, but human effort was required for full possession.

• and the border was drawn to Shicron (וְהִתְאֲרָה הַגְּבוּל שִׁכְרוֹן, wə-hitʾarāh hag-gəḇūl šikhrōn):

  • Was drawn (הִתְאֲרָה, hitʾarāh): A less common verb, possibly implying it meandered, extended along, or was marked out meticulously. It denotes the border's tracing or outlining.
  • Shicron: An otherwise obscure geographical landmark. Its inclusion emphasizes the specificity and detailed nature of the survey, pointing to a real, known location to the original audience.
  • Significance: The exact detailing of unknown points underscores the precision of the biblical account, reinforcing its function as an official record of tribal inheritance.

• and passed along to Mount Baalah (וְעָבַר הַר-בַּעֲלָה, wə-ʿāḇar har-Baʿăālāh):

  • Passed along (וְעָבַר, və-ʿāḇar): "To cross over," or "to go through," indicating the border moved across or by this mountain.
  • Mount Baalah (הַר-בַּעֲלָה, har-Baʿăālāh): A mountain whose name, "Baalah," means "mistress" or "lady," often associated with Canaanite fertility deities or specific Baal-worship sites. Also known as Kirjath-baal or Kiriath-jearim (Josh 15:9).
  • Significance: The use of a pre-existing Canaanite place name demonstrates God's sovereignty over the entire land, including places previously associated with pagan worship. Israel was to transform the land, not just occupy it. The land was cleansed and renamed by God's people for their purpose (Josh 15:9 notes its other name Kirjath-jearim - "City of forests").

• and went out unto Jabneel (וְיָצָא יַבְנְאֵל, wə-yāṣāʾ yaḇnəʾēl):

  • Went out (יָצָא, yāṣāʾ): Again, suggesting the continued progression of the border.
  • Jabneel (יַבְנְאֵל, yaḇnəʾēl): Also known as Jabneh (later Jamnia), a historically significant coastal city. It later became a vital center for rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70.
  • Significance: Marks another crucial point in the border's westward trajectory towards the sea. Its historical prominence in later periods provides further anchors to the geographical reality.

• and the goings out of the border were at the sea (וְהָיוּ תֹּצְאֹות הַגְּבוּל הַיָּמָּה, wə-hāyū tōṣʾōṯ hag-gəḇūl hay-yāmâ):

  • Goings out (תֹּצְאֹות, tōṣʾōṯ): Plural, refers to the termini, endpoints, or extremities.
  • At the sea (הַיָּמָּה, hay-yāmâ): Specifically, the Mediterranean Sea, defining the western limit of this segment of the border.
  • Significance: The sea serves as a natural, definitive boundary, reinforcing the clear and complete allocation of territory given by God. It marks the extent of the land as distinct from its surrounding regions.

Joshua 15 11 Bonus section

• The geographical precision of Joshua 15:11 and other boundary descriptions provided ancient Israel with what functioned as a divine deed and a tribal charter, legally delineating their inheritance from the Lord. This level of detail in territorial claims is historically consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices but uniquely rooted in divine promise.
• The continuous chain of landmarks described ("went out... drawn to... passed along... went out... goings out") gives a strong sense of a surveyed line rather than general regional allocations, implying a precise fulfillment of prophecy.
• The use of both "Mount Baalah" (with its pagan association) and the later historical context of "Jabneel" (Jabneh, significant for Judaism) illustrates the dynamic transformation of the land and its spiritual purpose over time, all under God's overarching plan.

Joshua 15 11 Commentary

Joshua 15:11, part of the extensive land allotments to Judah, highlights the meticulous nature of God's plan for Israel. It underscores His faithfulness in bringing them into the Promised Land, detailing a segment of Judah's northern border with precise geographical points. This meticulous recording reflects the divine order and intention that not one jot or tittle of His word would fail.

The passage emphasizes several themes: divine fidelity, human responsibility, and the nature of inheritance. While the land was divinely promised and meticulously mapped, the mention of Ekron, a Philistine city, within the bounds points to a critical challenge: Israel did not fully dispossess all inhabitants immediately. This highlights a recurring tension throughout the Old Testament: God gives the promise, but His people must act in faith and obedience to fully realize it. The detailed geographical names, some obscure and others associated with pagan worship, authenticate the biblical record and declare God's ultimate sovereignty over all places and peoples, even those previously associated with idolatry. The land, with its natural and man-made features, becomes a tangible sign of God's covenant blessings and a reminder of the task ahead for His people.