“And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river. And the border passed toward the waters of En-shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En-rogel.”
In this verse, we encounter several geographic locations and borders. Let’s break it down to better understand its significance:
Debir:The border starts at Debir, which was a city located in the hill country of Judah.
Valley of Achor:The border goes up from the valley of Achor. The valley of Achor is mentioned earlier in the Bible as the place where Achan and his family were stoned for disobeying God’s command regarding the destruction of Jericho (Joshua 7:24-26). The valley was associated with a solemn reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Northward toward Gilgal:From Debir, the border goes northward, looking towards Gilgal. Gilgal was an important location for the Israelites, serving as their first camp after crossing the Jordan River and the place where they circumcised the new generation of Israelites (Joshua 5:2-10). It also became a base for military operations during the conquest of Canaan.
Going up to Adummim:The border is situated before the going up to Adummim. Adummim was a pass or ascent located on the south side of the Wadi Qilt, a valley near Jericho.
Waters of En-shemesh and En-rogel:The border proceeds toward the waters of En-shemesh, with its goings out at En-rogel. En-shemesh and En-rogel were likely water sources or landmarks in the vicinity.
From a spiritual standpoint, this passage primarily serves to document the precise boundaries of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah. It emphasizes the fulfilment of God’s promise to give the Israelites possession of the Promised Land. The meticulous detailing of borders and landmarks demonstrates the accuracy and faithfulness of God in fulfilling His word.
