Keraia
Joshua 15

Joshua 15:8

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

Translations

Modern
From there the border went up the Valley of Ben-hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
Traditional
And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
Literal
And the border went up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem), and the border went up to the top of the hill that is upon the face of the Valley of the Son of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the Valley of the Rephaim northward.
Latin
Ascenditque per convallem filii Ennom ex latere Jebusæi ad meridiem, hæc est Jerusalem: et inde se erigens ad verticem montis, qui est contra Geennom ad occidentem in summitate vallis Raphaim contra aquilonem:

Original

Hebrew
English
From there the border went up the Valley of Ben-hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.

Notes

Joshua 15:8

The Valley of Ben-Hinnom marked Judah's northern border. Jerusalem was along a narrow hilltop going north from the valley's lower end, within Benjamin's territory. Neither tribe controlled Jerusalem, so when David captured it, it became the royal city of his family line of kings instead of just another city of a tribe.

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

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions Topheth: Site of pagan child sacrifice, south of Jerusalem Valley of Rephaim: Valley near Jerusalem, site of battles

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Beth-Arabah Brook of Egypt Ezem Gehenna Giants Gilgal Jebus, Jebusite Jerusalem Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Tekoa, Tekoites Tribe of Dan Valley of Rephaim Valley of the Giants Wadi

Topics

Giants, Rephaim: The: The Valley of a Border of Judah Hinnom: A Valley West and Southwest of Jerusalem Jerusalem: The Ancient Jebusi or Jebus Rephaim: A Valley; the Boundary Between the Territories of Judah and Benjamin the Tribe of Judah: Bounds of Inheritance Valleys: Rephaim or Giants