Joshua 15:2

Translations

Modern

Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea,

Traditional

And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

Literal

And their southern border began at the shore of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward.

Latin

Initium ejus a summitate maris salsissimi, et a lingua ejus, quæ respicit meridiem.

Original

Hebrew

English

Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea,

Notes

Joshua 15:2–4

Judah’s southern boundary extended well into the desert of the Negev, which had little if any settled population throughout the Old Testament period.

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

Related verses

Ezekiel 47:8
And he said to me, “This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Dead Sea, the water there becomes fresh.
Genesis 14:3
The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
Isaiah 11:15
The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.
Ezekiel 47:18
On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Eastern Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.
Numbers 34:3
Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,
Joshua 3:16
…the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Places

Salt Sea: Another name for the Dead Sea

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Dead Sea Ezem Gilgal Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Tekoa, Tekoites Tribe of Dan

Topics

Salt: Salt Sea the Tribe of Judah: Bounds of Inheritance

Joshua 15:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?