Keraia
Joshua 15

Joshua 15:10

Judah’s Inheritance · Joshua 15:1–12
Read Joshua 15

Translations

Modern
The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah.
Traditional
And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Beth–shemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
Literal
And the border turned from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed over to the side of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon) on the north, and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed over to Timnah.
Latin
Et circuit de Baala contra occidentem, usque ad montem Seir: transitque juxta latus montis Jarim ad aquilonem in Cheslon: et descendit in Bethsames, transitque in Thamna.

Original

Hebrew
English
The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah.

Notes

Joshua 15:5–11

Although Judah’s northern boundary is described in great detail, some sections of this border cannot be determined with certainty.

Joshua 15:1–63

The description of Judah's allotment of tribes is more detailed than that of the other tribes. The failures of Judah's older brothers positioned him to lead (Genesis 34:25–31; 35:22). As a result, the tribe of Judah received a central location among the tribes, guaranteeing its leadership in the nation (Genesis 49:8–12; Deuteronomy 33:7).

Joshua 14:1–19:51

  • The allotment of land to the tribes on the west side of the Jordan describes what God intended for each tribe to possess.

  • The one narrating the story begins this section with Caleb receiving land and ends with Joshua receiving land (14:6–15; 19:49–51). Only Caleb and Joshua had shown faith in God that Israel could conquer the land (Numbers 13:30; 14:6–9).

Joshua 13:1–21:45

  • As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.

  • The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.

  • In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Inheriting the Land

Places

Beth-shemesh: City in Judah, associated with the Ark's return Chesalon: Landmark on Judah's northern border Kiriath-jearim: A city where the ark resided Mount Seir: Landmark on the boundary of Judah Timnah: Canaanite city associated with Judah and Dan

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Beth-Arabah Beth-Shemesh Brook of Egypt Chesalon Ezem Gilgal Jearim, Mount Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Kesalon Seir (Place) Tekoa, Tekoites Timnah (Place) Tribe of Dan Wadi

Topics

Baalah: A Mountain in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah: Probably Identical with Mount Jearim Beth-Shemesh: A Priestly City of the Tribe of Dan: On the Northern Border of Territory of the Tribe of Judah Chesalon: A Landmark on the North Boundary of the Tribe of Judah the Tribe of Judah: Bounds of Inheritance Timnah: A City in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah