King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:10 Mean?

Joshua 15:10 in the King James Version says “And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 15:10 · KJV

Context

8

And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

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:

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:

11

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.

12

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

Read Joshua 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Beth-shemesh, and passed on to Timnah. The boundary curves (nasav, נָסַב, "compassed" or "turned") westward from Kirjath-jearim toward the Shephelah (foothills). Mount Seir here refers to a ridge in western Judah, distinct from the Edomite Mount Seir east of the Arabah. Mount Jearim (הַר יְעָרִים, "Mount of Forests"), also called Chesalon (כְּסָלוֹן), continues the forested hill country descending toward the coastal plain.

Beth-Shemesh (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ, "House of the Sun") was a significant Levitical city (Joshua 21:16) guarding the Sorek Valley route from the coast to Jerusalem. This city witnessed the Ark's return from Philistia (1 Samuel 6:12-19), where seventy men died for irreverently looking into it—divine holiness tolerating no presumption. Later, King Amaziah of Judah suffered defeat here against Jehoash of Israel (2 Kings 14:11-13), leading to Jerusalem's partial destruction.

Timnah (תִּמְנָה) in the Sorek Valley was where Samson sought a Philistine wife (Judges 14:1-2), killed a lion (Judges 14:5-6), and later returned for vengeance (Judges 15:6). These locations embed Judah's boundary in Israel's narrative history—each place name evoking stories of faithfulness, failure, judgment, and redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Beth-shemesh, identified with Tel Bet Shemesh in the Sorek Valley, controlled a major route from Philistine territory to Jerusalem. Extensive archaeological excavations reveal occupation from the Middle Bronze Age through the Babylonian destruction in 586 BCE. The city's strategic location made it a perpetual conflict zone between Israelites and Philistines. Fortifications, pottery, and destruction layers confirm biblical accounts of repeated battles. Timnah (Tel Batash) in the Sorek Valley shows similar patterns of contested occupation. The Sorek Valley, famous in Samson narratives, provided a natural invasion route making border cities like Beth-shemesh militarily crucial. The Shephelah ("lowlands") formed a transitional zone between coastal plain and central highlands—agriculturally rich but militarily vulnerable, requiring strong defensive positions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the stories associated with boundary cities (Beth-shemesh's irreverence, Timnah's compromise) serve as warnings about respecting holy boundaries in your spiritual life?
  2. What borderlands—areas between clear spiritual territory and worldly influence—require special vigilance and fortification in your walk with God?
  3. How does Beth-shemesh's dual role as Levitical city and battlefield illustrate that even dedicated holy places require active defense against spiritual compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְנָסַב֩1 of 20

“compassed”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

הַגְּב֨וּל2 of 20

“And the border”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

מִבַּֽעֲלָ֥ה3 of 20

“from Baalah”

H1173

baalah, the name of three places in palestine

יָ֙מָּה֙4 of 20

“westward”

H3220

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

אֶל5 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַר6 of 20

“of mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

שֵׂעִ֔יר7 of 20

“Seir”

H8165

seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

וְעָבַ֥ר8 of 20

“and passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶל9 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֶּ֧תֶף10 of 20

“along unto the side”

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַר11 of 20

“of mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יְעָרִ֛ים12 of 20

“Jearim”

H3297

jearim, a place in palestine

מִצָּפ֖וֹנָה13 of 20

“on the north side”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

הִ֣יא14 of 20
H1931

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

כְסָל֑וֹן15 of 20

“which is Chesalon”

H3693

kesalon, a place in palestine

וְיָרַ֥ד16 of 20

“and went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בֵּֽית17 of 20
H0
שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ18 of 20

“to Bethshemesh”

H1053

beth-shemesh, a place in palestine

וְעָבַ֥ר19 of 20

“and passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

תִּמְנָֽה׃20 of 20

“to Timnah”

H8553

timnah, the name of two places in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 15:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 15:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:1Judges 14:51 Samuel 6:12-21Joshua 15:57Genesis 38:12-13

Places in This Verse

Baalah 2Settlement · Modern: Deir el Azar · 31.81°N, 35.10°E3 verses across 2 books
Beth-shemesh 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Bet Shemesh · 31.75°N, 34.97°E17 verses across 6 books
ChesalonSettlement · Modern: Kesla · 31.78°N, 35.05°E1 verse across 1 book
Mount JearimMountain · Modern: Kesla · 31.78°N, 35.05°E1 verse across 1 book
Mount Seir 2Mountain · Modern: Shoresh · 31.80°N, 35.07°E1 verse across 1 book
Timnah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Batash · 31.78°N, 34.91°E9 verses across 3 books
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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