This verse from Joshua 15:11 describes a section of the boundary line for the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
"and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward...": This means the border reached the northern side of the Philistine city of Ekron. Ekron was a significant Philistine city-state, and this indicates that Judah's territory bordered on Philistine lands.
"and the border extended to Shikkeron...": The border continued on to a place called Shikkeron. The exact location of Shikkeron is uncertain, but it likely lay somewhere between Ekron and Mount Baalah.
"and passed along to Mount Baalah...": The border then extended to Mount Baalah. This identifies a specific hill or mountain (Baalah means "mistress" or "lady," often used as a title for a local deity). Again, the precise location is debated, but it served as a landmark for defining the boundary.
"and went out at Jabneel...": The border proceeded towards Jabneel. Jabneel (also called Yibna) was a town on the coast, and its presence indicates the border was approaching the Mediterranean Sea.
"and the goings out of the border were at the sea.": The final destination of this section of the border was the Mediterranean Sea. This confirms that Judah's territory had a coastal boundary. "Goings out" simply refers to where the border terminated or ended.
In Summary:
The verse describes a portion of Judah's western border, starting near Ekron, moving through specific landmarks like Shikkeron and Mount Baalah, then proceeding to the coastal town of Jabneel, and finally terminating at the Mediterranean Sea. This verse, along with others in Joshua 15, are legal and geographical descriptions aimed at establishing the land claims of the tribe of Judah. It's important to remember that the accuracy and permanence of these boundaries have been debated by scholars for centuries, given the changes in political landscapes throughout history.
This verse from Joshua 15:11 describes a section of the boundary line for the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
"and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward...": This means the border reached the northern side of the Philistine city of Ekron. Ekron was a significant Philistine city-state, and this indicates that Judah's territory bordered on Philistine lands.
"and the border extended to Shikkeron...": The border continued on to a place called Shikkeron. The exact location of Shikkeron is uncertain, but it likely lay somewhere between Ekron and Mount Baalah.
"and passed along to Mount Baalah...": The border then extended to Mount Baalah. This identifies a specific hill or mountain (Baalah means "mistress" or "lady," often used as a title for a local deity). Again, the precise location is debated, but it served as a landmark for defining the boundary.
"and went out at Jabneel...": The border proceeded towards Jabneel. Jabneel (also called Yibna) was a town on the coast, and its presence indicates the border was approaching the Mediterranean Sea.
"and the goings out of the border were at the sea.": The final destination of this section of the border was the Mediterranean Sea. This confirms that Judah's territory had a coastal boundary. "Goings out" simply refers to where the border terminated or ended.
In Summary:
The verse describes a portion of Judah's western border, starting near Ekron, moving through specific landmarks like Shikkeron and Mount Baalah, then proceeding to the coastal town of Jabneel, and finally terminating at the Mediterranean Sea. This verse, along with others in Joshua 15, are legal and geographical descriptions aimed at establishing the land claims of the tribe of Judah. It's important to remember that the accuracy and permanence of these boundaries have been debated by scholars for centuries, given the changes in political landscapes throughout history.
