Joshua 15 5

Joshua 15:5 kjv

And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

Joshua 15:5 nkjv

The east border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan. And the border on the northern quarter began at the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.

Joshua 15:5 niv

The eastern boundary is the Dead Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan. The northern boundary started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan,

Joshua 15:5 esv

And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.

Joshua 15:5 nlt

The eastern boundary extended along the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan River. The northern boundary began at the bay where the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 5 Meaning

This verse meticulously defines a specific segment of the northern boundary line for the tribal territory allotted to Judah. It traces the border from a point likely in the wilderness to the west, directing it northward to the elevated ground near Beth-hoglah. From there, it pinpoints the boundary's termination at the northernmost extension of the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea), precisely where the Jordan River empties into it from the south, marking a crucial geographical juncture. This highlights the precise nature of the land distribution mandated by God.

Joshua 15 5 Context

Joshua chapter 15 specifically details the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the tribes, reflecting its future significance as the tribe from which kings would emerge. The preceding chapters (Joshua 13-14) provide an overview of the initial land divisions east and west of the Jordan and recall the promise to Caleb. Joshua 15:1-12 meticulously describe Judah's comprehensive border, beginning with its southern boundary and proceeding clockwise. Verse 5 is an integral part of this detailed geographic description, specifying a segment of Judah's northern boundary that reaches the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. This level of precise delineation served to formalize the land ownership, establish distinct tribal identities, and fulfill the ancient promises made to the patriarchs regarding their physical inheritance in the land of Canaan, demonstrating God's faithfulness in providing a secure homeland for His people.

Joshua 15 5 Word analysis

• and the border turns northward (וְהַגְּבוּל נָסַב צָפוֹנָה, veha-gevul nasav tsafonah)
  • וְ (ve-): "And," a connective showing continuation or progression.
  • הַגְּבוּל (ha-gevul): "the border" or "the boundary." From root גבל (gvl), meaning "to bound" or "to limit." Signifies a clear, divinely appointed demarcation.
  • נָסַב (nasav): "turns," "encircles," "revolves." Implies a distinct change in direction, guiding the line to a specific landmark.
  • צָפוֹנָה (tsafonah): "northward," "to the north." Specifies the direction of this turn.
• to the shoulder of Beth-hoglah (אֶל-כֶּתֶף בֵּית חָגְלָה, el-kheteph beit choglah)
  • אֶל (el): "to," "toward." Indicates destination or proximity.
  • כֶּתֶף (kheteph): "shoulder." Metaphorically used for the slope, side, or flank of a hill or ridge, or a strategic point on higher ground. Suggests elevation or a distinctive topographical feature.
  • בֵּית חָגְלָה (Beit Choglah): "House of the Partridge" or "House of Circling." A specific biblical settlement, now identified with a site near Jericho in the Jordan Valley wilderness. Its inclusion provides a concrete, verifiable landmark for the ancient audience.
• and the boundary ends (וְהָיָה קְצֵה הַגְּבוּל, ve'haya ketseh ha-gevul)
  • וְהָיָה (ve'haya): "and it was," or "and it became." Here, it marks the culmination or termination of the specific boundary segment.
  • קְצֵה (ketseh): "end," "edge," "farthest part." Denotes the absolute limit of the border line at this point.
  • הַגְּבוּל (ha-gevul): "the boundary," as above.
• at the northern bay of the Salt Sea (אֶל לְשׁוֹן הַיָּם הַצְּפוֹנִי, el leshon ha-yam ha-tsephoni)
  • אֶל (el): "at," "to." Pinpointing the exact location.
  • לְשׁוֹן (leshon): "tongue" (of the sea). Refers to an elongated inlet or extension of water, describing a specific geographic feature where the sea extends northward. This is the northernmost reach of the Dead Sea.
  • הַיָּם הַמֶּלַח (ha-yam ha-melakh): "the Salt Sea," i.e., the Dead Sea. Its high salinity is distinctive.
  • הַצְּפוֹנִי (ha-tsephoni): "the northern." Clarifies which specific part of the "tongue" is referenced, emphasizing its position at the extreme north of the sea.
• at the mouth of the Jordan southward (אֶל קְצֵה הַיַּרְדֵּן הַדְּרוֹמִית, el ketseh ha-yarden ha-deromit)
  • אֶל (el): "at," "to." Location indicator.
  • קְצֵה (ketseh): "end" or "extreme." In this context, it implies the southernmost point of the Jordan River's entry into the Salt Sea, not necessarily the exact mouth but the region where the river flows into the sea from Judah's perspective, or the southern tip of the river's delta.
  • הַיַּרְדֵּן (ha-yarden): "the Jordan," referring to the Jordan River. A major geographical feature, deeply significant in Israel's history.
  • הַדְּרוֹמִית (ha-deromit): "the southward," "the southern." Indicates the southernmost part of the Jordan's confluence with the Dead Sea, making this junction a specific and precise corner for Judah's boundary, forming a potential tri-border point.

Joshua 15 5 Bonus section

The detailed geographic descriptions in Joshua, including Joshua 15:5, have long been a subject of scholarly and archaeological interest. The precise identification of locations like Beth-hoglah and the specific contours of the Salt Sea's northern bay lend significant credence to the historical reliability of these narratives. Scholars note that the Hebrew term "shoulder" (katheph) when applied to terrain, frequently refers to a significant geographical prominence or a strategic elevation, underscoring its role as a visible landmark for defining boundaries. This detailed geographical data suggests either direct divine revelation for land division or incredibly meticulous record-keeping and surveys conducted during or shortly after the initial conquest. The borders described here effectively positioned Judah as a dominant tribe, securing its territory to the Salt Sea and along the Jordan, which provided access and control over vital trade routes and water sources, a testament to God's wise provision for His chosen people. The fulfillment of these promises served as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Joshua 15 5 Commentary

Joshua 15:5 offers a remarkable testament to the precision and divine order inherent in the land distribution for the tribes of Israel. This verse, describing a segment of Judah's northern boundary, moves from a general westward area, directs the border's course "northward" to the strategic elevation of "the shoulder of Beth-hoglah." This specific topographical reference highlights the practical geographical understanding of the ancient scribes and serves as a firm landmark. From Beth-hoglah, the boundary reaches its definitive endpoint at "the northern bay of the Salt Sea," referring to the very top, tongue-shaped extension of the Dead Sea. Crucially, this point is further qualified as being precisely where the "Jordan southward" meets the Salt Sea, indicating the southern limit of the Jordan's delta at its confluence. This pinpoint accuracy underscores not only the thoroughness of the biblical record but also the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to provide an exact and defined inheritance. The meticulous nature of these boundary descriptions throughout Joshua minimized future disputes over land, ensuring that each tribe understood its precise God-given inheritance. It reflects a divine care for order and property, establishing the secure foundation upon which Israel's identity as a nation was to be built.