Joshua 18:14-15
Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city belonging to the people of Judah. This forms the western side. And the southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. And the boundary goes from there to Ephron, to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed here is the subtle name change of Kirjath-baal to Kirjath-jearim, which signals a deliberate shift away from honoring the Canaanite idol Baal. This act highlights the Israelites' ongoing spiritual struggle to replace foreign gods with the worship of the one true God, even within their territorial boundaries.
This passage is part of the detailed description of the land division among the tribes, specifically outlining the boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance. Following the placement of Benjamin's lot between Judah and Joseph, this verse marks the western edge of their territory, extending southward from the hills near Beth-horon until it reaches the city of Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah. This careful demarcation ensures clarity and avoids future disputes over land claims.
Ever felt like you're reading a map that's a little… off? This verse describes a boundary, but the words used are tricky, leading some readers astray.
The phrase 'corner of the sea' is a prime example of how translation can obscure meaning. Ancient Hebrew had a word that could mean 'sea' but also 'west.' Given Benjamin's territory didn't reach the Mediterranean Sea, scholars widely agree 'west side' is the intended meaning here.
Also, notice the name change: Kirjath-baal became Kirjath-jearim. 'Baal' was a Canaanite deity. The Israelites purposefully replaced this pagan name with one meaning 'city of forests' or 'city of books.' This wasn't just a renaming; it was an act of spiritual cleansing and remembrance, wiping out the memory of idolatry and affirming their devotion to the Lord.
Benjamin's inheritance is described as being sandwiched between two other major tribes. What does this placement reveal about their role and significance?
Joshua 18:11 clearly states that Benjamin's lot fell 'between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.' This strategic position wasn't accidental. It placed Benjamin as a buffer and a bridge between the largest and most prominent tribes.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Joshua 18:14-15 is available in the Sola app.
This positioning highlights a key aspect of God's design: even smaller or seemingly less significant groups have a crucial role. Benjamin, with its limited territory, was tasked with maintaining proximity and connection between these powerful neighbors. It’s a reminder that every part of God’s people has a purpose and place within the larger whole.
Understand the original words
ir · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a city or town; in this context, emphasizing the structured settlement and civil organization of the people within the promised land.
ma'yan · Hebrew Noun
An outflow of groundwater, essential for life in the arid climate of Israel, often symbolizing sustenance, refreshing grace, or divine blessing.
The detailed description of boundaries, like the one in Joshua 18:14, wasn't just about geography; it was a sacred act of ordering the promised land according to God's decree, impacting tribal identity and later political divisions.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquered the land of Canaan. This set the stage for the subsequent division of the land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC - 1300 BC
Division of the Land
After the conquest, the land was systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel. This process involved meticulous surveying and marking of boundaries, as described in the books of Joshua and Numbers.
c. 1300 BC - 1000 BC
Period of the Judges
Following Joshua's death, the tribes operated with varying degrees of unity. Boundaries sometimes became contested, and cities like Kirjath-jearim, originally associated with Judah, played roles in interactions with other tribes and neighboring peoples.
c. 1000 BC
Ark of the Covenant at Kirjath-jearim
The Ark of the Covenant resided at Kirjath-jearim for an extended period after being captured by the Philistines. This highlights the city's prominence and its connection to significant religious events, impacting its perceived boundaries and alliances.
c. 970 BC - 931 BC
David's Reign and Jerusalem
King David established Jerusalem as the capital. Kirjath-jearim's proximity to Jerusalem and its historical significance made its boundaries relevant to the broader political and religious landscape of the united kingdom.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
The united monarchy split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The defined borders of the tribes, including Benjamin's, became crucial as they now delineated separate kingdoms.
Joshua 18:14— this verse
Benjamin's Inheritance Defined
This verse specifically delineates the western boundary of the tribe of Benjamin's inheritance, noting its southern turn from Beth-horon and its endpoint at Kirjath-jearim, a city within Judah's territory.
This passage directly mentions Kiriath-jearim (Kiriath-baal), highlighting its significance as a border city that also falls within Judah's territory, reinforcing the geographical context of Benjamin's western border.
Judges 18:12This verse recounts the Danites traveling from Zorah and Eshtaol, passing near Kiriath-jearim, showing how this city served as a landmark in the region's geography and travel routes.
1 Samuel 7:1-2This passage describes the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Kiriath-jearim and staying there for twenty years, indicating its important religious and historical role in the area during the period following Joshua.
Psalm 132:6This psalm references Kiriath-jearim (called 'fields of Jaar') in the context of searching for the Ark, linking the city to a significant event in Israel's history and its connection to God's presence.
bensonJoshua 18:14: "And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter."
Joshua 18:14 . The corner of the sea southward — No account can be given of this border, according to our translation. For it is certain it did not compass any corner of the Mediterranean sea, (and no other sea can be…
calvinJoshua 18:11-28: "And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph."
And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.
Fuitque eis terminus ad latus Aquilonis a Jordane: et ascendi…
What's easily missed here is the subtle name change of Kirjath-baal to Kirjath-jearim, which signals a deliberate shift away from honoring the Canaanite idol Baal. This act highlights the Israelites' ongoing spiritual struggle to replace foreign gods with the worship of the one true God, even within their territorial boundaries.
This passage is part of the detailed description of the land division among the tribes, specifically outlining the boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance. Following the placement of Benjamin's lot between Judah and Joseph, this verse marks the western edge of their territory, extending southward from the hills near Beth-horon until it reaches the city of Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah. This careful demarcation ensures clarity and avoids future disputes over land claims.
This passage is part of the detailed description of the land division among the tribes, specifically outlining the boundaries of Benjamin's inheritance. Following the placement of Benjamin's lot between Judah and Joseph, this verse marks the western edge of their territory, extending southward from the hills near Beth-horon until it reaches the city of Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah. This careful demarcation ensures clarity and avoids future disputes over land claims.
"Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city belonging to the people of Juda…" — What's easily missed here is the subtle name change of Kirjath-baal to Kirjath-jearim, which signals a deliberate shift away from honoring the Canaanite idol Baal. This act highlights the Israelites'…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
