And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

JOSHUA 15:11KJV
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Joshua 15:11 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:11 mean?

Joshua 15:11 describes the northern boundary of the tribe of Judah’s territory, listing several specific locations the border passes through and ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This verse is part of a detailed account of how the land was divided among the tribes of Israel after they entered Canaan.

In this passage, the text is recording the borders for Judah, one of the twelve tribes, as assigned by Joshua to the people. The verse names places like Ekron, Shicron, Mount Baalah, and Jabneel, which were real locations in ancient Israel, to show exactly where Judah’s land ended. This kind of detail helped the Israelites know the exact extent of their inheritance and avoid disputes with neighboring tribes.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:11

  • The word for "border" (גְּבוּל, gevul) appears several times in this verse, emphasizing the legal and physical limits of Judah’s territory. This word often refers to a marked or recognized boundary, not just a general area.
  • The term "out" (יָצָא, yatsa) is used for the border extending or reaching out to certain points, showing movement and progression along the boundary line.
  • "Side" (כָּתֵף, katef) is used to describe the edge or flank of a place, here referring to the side of Ekron, which helps pinpoint the exact path of the border.
  • "Sea" (יָם, yam) refers to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the westernmost edge of Judah’s territory and serving as a clear, natural boundary.

Why Joshua 15:11 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the exact borders of Judah’s territory, which was important for legal inheritance and tribal identity among the Israelites.
  • By naming specific locations, Joshua 15:11 connects the biblical narrative to real geography, grounding the story in the physical land of ancient Israel.
  • Understanding these boundaries helps make sense of later stories in the Bible, where conflicts or alliances often depend on which tribe controlled which area.

Where else these words appear

“Jabneel” Hebrew H2995 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 19:33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:

“drawn” Hebrew H8388 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:
  • Joshua 18:14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
  • Joshua 18:17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,

“Baalah” Hebrew H1173 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:
  • Joshua 15:10 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 Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
  • Joshua 15:29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

“Ekron” Hebrew H6138 · used in 20 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 1 Samuel 6:16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
  • 2 Kings 1:6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.