Joshua 18:14
And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
Original Language Analysis
הַגְּבוּל֩
And the border
H1366
הַגְּבוּל֩
And the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וְנָסַ֨ב
thence and compassed
H5437
וְנָסַ֨ב
thence and compassed
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
3 of 28
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
פְּאַת
quarter
H6285
פְּאַת
quarter
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָֽם׃
of the sea
H3220
יָֽם׃
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 28
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
נֶגְבָּה֒
southward
H5045
נֶגְבָּה֒
southward
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
6 of 28
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָהָר֙
from the hill
H2022
הָהָר֙
from the hill
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 28
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֥י
that lieth before
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
that lieth before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חֹרוֹן֮
Bethhoron
H1032
חֹרוֹן֮
Bethhoron
Strong's:
H1032
Word #:
13 of 28
beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine
נֶגְבָּה֒
southward
H5045
נֶגְבָּה֒
southward
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
14 of 28
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וְהָי֣ה
H1961
וְהָי֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תֹֽצְאֹתָ֗יו
and the goings out
H8444
תֹֽצְאֹתָ֗יו
and the goings out
Strong's:
H8444
Word #:
16 of 28
(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source
בַּ֙עַל֙
thereof were at Kirjathbaal
H7154
בַּ֙עַל֙
thereof were at Kirjathbaal
Strong's:
H7154
Word #:
19 of 28
kirjath-baal, a place in palestine
הִ֚יא
H1931
הִ֚יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
20 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְעָרִ֔ים
which is Kirjathjearim
H7157
יְעָרִ֔ים
which is Kirjathjearim
Strong's:
H7157
Word #:
22 of 28
kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine
עִ֖יר
a city
H5892
עִ֖יר
a city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
23 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
24 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
25 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Historical Context
Kirjath-jearim stood on the Judah-Benjamin border, about 9 miles west of Jerusalem. Its identification as Judahite despite being on Benjamin's boundary shows the overlapping nature of tribal territories. The city's role in ark history (1 Samuel 6-7) made it significant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God transform pagan places and practices for His purposes in your life?
- What does the ark's 20-year stay at Kirjath-jearim teach about waiting for God's timing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward—The boundary curves westward ('compass' = savav, סָבַב, 'to turn/surround'). The 'sea' likely refers to the Mediterranean, though Benjamin didn't reach the coast. From the hill that lieth before Beth-horon continues the western line to Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, identifying it as a city of the children of Judah.
Kirjath-jearim ('city of forests') housed the ark for 20 years after the Philistines returned it (1 Samuel 7:1-2). Its alternate name Kirjath-baal ('city of Baal') suggests Canaanite origins. God redeems pagan places for His glory—the ark sanctified this former Baal shrine.