And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

JOSHUA 15:5KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 15:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:5 mean?

Joshua 15:5 describes the eastern and northern boundaries of the territory given to the tribe of Judah, using the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea) and the Jordan River as key landmarks. The verse explains that the eastern border runs along the Salt Sea up to where the Jordan River ends, and the northern border starts from a bay or inlet of the sea at the farthest point of the Jordan.

Joshua is recording the specific borders of Judah’s land as assigned by God through Moses and Joshua to the Israelite tribes. The verse uses well-known natural features—the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) and the Jordan River—to mark the edges of Judah’s territory. This detailed description would have helped the Israelites understand exactly where Judah’s land began and ended, which was important for settling and living in the land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:5

  • The word for "east" is קֵדֶם (qedem), which often means "in front" or "toward the sunrise," emphasizing direction from the perspective of someone facing east.
  • "Salt" is מֶלַח (melach), referring specifically to the Salt Sea, known today as the Dead Sea, which is a key geographic marker in the region.
  • "Border" is גְּבוּל (gevul), meaning a boundary or limit, showing the legal and physical extent of the land given to Judah.
  • "Bay" is לִשֹׁן (lishon), which literally means "tongue," here describing a tongue-shaped inlet or projection of the sea, highlighting a specific geographic feature used to define the border.

Why Joshua 15:5 matters

  • Joshua 15:5 helps clarify the exact boundaries of Judah’s territory, which is essential for understanding later stories about land disputes or tribal movements.
  • The verse shows how the Israelites used natural landmarks to define property lines, which was a practical and recognizable way to organize land among the tribes.
  • This detailed boundary list connects to the larger narrative of Joshua, where the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land to Israel is being carefully documented and carried out.

Where else these words appear

“salt” Hebrew H4417 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Joshua 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
  • 2 Kings 14:7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

“quarter” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“east” Hebrew H6924 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

“end” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.