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Joshua 15

Joshua 15:7

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

Translations

Modern
Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.
Traditional
And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of En–shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En–rogel:
Literal
And the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and it turned northward toward Gilgal, which is before the Ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the ravine. And the border continued toward the waters of En-shemesh, and it ended at En-rogel.
Latin
…et tendens usque ad terminos Debera de valle Achor, contra aquilonem respiciens Galgala, quæ est ex adverso ascensionis Adommim, ab australi parte torrentis: transitque aquas, quæ vocantur fons solis: et erunt exitus ejus ad fontem Rogel.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.

Notes

Joshua 15:7

  • This Debir was a different town from the Debir that was also known as Kiriath-sepher in 15:15.

  • This Gilgal was different from the Gilgal where the Israelites established their camp earlier (4:19).

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

Adummim: A pass on the border between Judah and Benjamin Debir: A place on the northern border of Judah En-rogel: Spring near Jerusalem; associated with Adonijah's and David's kingships En-shemesh: Spring on the border between Judah and Benjamin Gilgal: A significant site during Israel's early history in Canaan Valley of Achor: A valley near Jericho, where Achan was stoned

Glossary

Achor Adummim Allotment of the Land Beth-Arabah Brook of Egypt Debir (Place) En-rogel En-Shemesh Ezem Fuller’s Field Gilgal Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Tekoa, Tekoites Tribe of Dan Wadi

Topics

Achor: A Valley Near Jericho Adummim: A Place on the Road Leading from the Fords of the Jordan to Jerusalem Debir: A Place Near the Valley of Achor En-Rogel: A Spring Near Jerusalem En-Shemesh: A Spring Between the Territories of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin Geliloth: Gilgal is Substituted the Tribe of Judah: Bounds of Inheritance