“And the border turned to the west side southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward: and the outgoings thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.”
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Joshua that describes the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel after their conquest of Canaan. Specifically, this verse relates to the territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin.
In this verse, the border being described here is the western boundary of Benjamin’s allotment. The border starts from the hill that lies in front of Beth-horon, an area located to the west of Jerusalem. From there, the border extends southward to Kirjath-baal, also known as Kirjath-jearim, which was a city belonging to the tribe of Judah. Kirjath-jearim was situated in the west quarter of Benjamin’s territory.
It’s important to note that the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel was significant because it fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. The division of land among the tribes was conducted under the guidance of Joshua, who was appointed by God to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. This distribution allowed each tribe to settle in their respective portions and establish their inheritance in the Promised Land.
While this verse may not contain explicit moral or theological teachings, it contributes to the historical account of the Israelites’ possession of the land and serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It highlights the meticulous nature of the division of the land and the importance of territorial boundaries for each tribe. Overall, Joshua 19:14 provides historical context and contributes to the narrative of the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan.
