And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

JOSHUA 15:3KJV
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Joshua 15:3 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:3 mean?

Joshua 15:3 describes part of the southern boundary of the tribe of Judah’s territory, listing specific places the border passed through, including Maalehacrabbim, Zin, Kadeshbarnea, Hezron, Adar, and Karkaa. 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 writer is recording the borders as assigned by Joshua to the people of Judah, giving exact locations to define their inheritance. The verse helps readers visualize the southern edge of Judah’s land, showing the care taken to mark out each tribe’s area with reference to known landmarks and towns.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:3

  • מַעֲלֵה־עַקְרַבִּים (Maalehacrabbim, H4610): This name means "Ascent of the Scorpions," likely referring to a steep pass or ridge known for scorpions. Its mention marks a recognizable southern landmark.
  • צִן (Zin, H6790): Zin is a desert region near the southern border. Naming it clarifies that the border runs through a dry, wilderness area.
  • קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ (Kadeshbarnea, H6947): This site is famous in Israel’s history as a major campsite during the wilderness wanderings. Its inclusion roots Judah’s border in a place of historical significance.
  • סָבַב (compass, H5437): This verb means "to turn" or "to go around." Here, it shows the border did not run straight but curved or looped around certain locations, giving a more precise outline.

Why Joshua 15:3 matters

  • Joshua 15:3 shows the careful, legal precision used in dividing the land, which was important for the tribes’ identity and inheritance.
  • The mention of well-known places like Kadeshbarnea connects the land division to earlier events in Israel’s journey, reminding readers of their history.
  • The detailed border description helps modern readers understand the geography of ancient Israel and the importance of land boundaries in biblical times.

Where else these words appear

“Adar” Hebrew H146 · used in 2 verses

“Maalehacrabbim” Hebrew H4610 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 34:4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
  • Judges 1:36 And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

“Zin” Hebrew H6790 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • Numbers 27:14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
  • Numbers 34:4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:

“Kadeshbarnea” Hebrew H6947 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 32:8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.
  • Deuteronomy 1:19 And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.
  • Joshua 10:41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.