“And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed on to Timnah: Joshua 15:10 (KJV)”
Historical Context:The book of Joshua is part of the Old Testament and recounts the events that took place after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Joshua, Moses’ successor, led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and the book describes the distribution of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel.
Geographic Reference:In this verse, the passage describes the border of the tribe of Judah. It delineates the specific boundaries of the land allotted to Judah as part of their inheritance.
Baalah:Baalah was a city located within the territory of the tribe of Judah. It is also referred to as Kiriath-jearim (1 Chronicles 13:6) and was known for being the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before it was moved to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 7:1-2).
Mount Seir:Mount Seir is located east of the Jordan River, in the region inhabited by the Edomites. The reference to Mount Seir indicates the southern border of Judah’s territory.
Mount Jearim:Mount Jearim, also known as the Hill of Jearim or Gibeon, is located to the north of Judah’s territory. It served as a prominent landmark in the border description.
Chesalon:Chesalon is another name for the city of Chezib, which was located on the northern side of Mount Jearim. It was one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:44).
Beth-shemesh:Beth-shemesh was a city located on the border between the tribes of Judah and Dan. It was situated west of Jerusalem and was allocated to the tribe of Judah. This city is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, including as the place where the Ark of the Covenant was sent when returned by the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:9-21).
Timnah:Timnah was a town located in the territory of the tribe of Judah. It was known for various events, including Samson’s interaction with a woman from Timnah, which eventually led to his marriage (Judges 14:1-2).
This verse primarily focuses on the borders and landmarks of the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah during the distribution of the Promised Land. It emphasizes the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Israelites to possess the land, as outlined in the earlier parts of the book of Joshua.
By studying these geographical references and historical context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the specific locations and boundaries of the tribe of Judah’s inheritance, providing us with insights into the biblical narrative and the significance of the Promised Land for the Israelites.
