“And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,”
In this passage, we find a description of the cities that were located on the southern border of the territory allocated to the tribe of Judah:during the distribution of the Promised Land after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.
To better understand this verse, it is helpful to provide some context:Joshua, who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites, led the conquest of Canaan, the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. After dividing the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, each tribe received its portion.
The verse specifically mentions three cities: Kabzeel, Eder, and Jagur:These cities were situated on the southern border of the land assigned to the tribe of Judah, in the vicinity of the Edomites, a neighboring people.
Kabzeel:Kabzeel was a town in the region of Judah and is also mentioned in 1 Samuel 30:14 as the hometown of a man who joined David during his time of exile from King Saul. The exact location of Kabzeel is uncertain today.
Eder:Eder, also spelled as Jether, was a town within the territory of Judah. It is mentioned in Joshua 15:42 as well. Its exact location is not definitively known.
Jagur:Jagur was another town in the region of Judah. Like Kabzeel and Eder, its precise location is uncertain.
These cities served as markers along the southern border of the land given to the tribe of Judah. They are mentioned as part of the historical account in the book of Joshua to provide geographical and historical context to the distribution of the land among the tribes.
While this verse may not hold significant theological or moral teachings, it offers valuable historical information regarding the allocation of territory to the tribe of Judah during the time of Joshua:It highlights the meticulousness and accuracy with which the land was divided among the Israelite tribes as God had commanded.
