King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:3 Mean?

Joshua 15:3 in the King James Version says “And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kad...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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: Maalehacrebbim: or, the going up to Acrabbim”

Joshua 15:3 · KJV

Context

1

This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

2

And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward: bay: Heb. tongue

3

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: Maalehacrebbim: or, the going up to Acrabbim

4

From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

5

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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it went out to the south side to Maaleh-acrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadesh-barnea. The boundary's westward progression traces crucial wilderness landmarks. Maaleh-Acrabbim (מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים) means "Ascent of Scorpions"—a steep, dangerous pass infested with scorpions, located in the Arabah valley south of the Dead Sea. This formidable terrain marked the transition from the Jordan Rift to the Negev highlands.

The wilderness of Tsin (צִן, not to be confused with Sin, סִין) recalls Israel's forty-year wandering. Here Miriam died (Numbers 20:1), and Moses struck the rock in disobedience (Numbers 20:11-12), forfeiting entry into Canaan. Including this location in Judah's boundary converts judgment geography into inheritance geography—God redeems even places of failure. Kadesh-Barnea (קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ, "Holy [place] of the Desert of Wandering") served as Israel's wilderness headquarters, where the spies' evil report triggered forty years of judgment (Numbers 13-14).

Theologically, this boundary commemorates both judgment and grace. The landmarks testify to God's discipline (wilderness wandering) and faithfulness (eventual inheritance despite failure). The next generation inherits land their fathers forfeited, illustrating redemptive continuity across generations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Kadesh-Barnea, identified with Ein el-Qudeirat in northeastern Sinai, was a major oasis providing water for substantial populations. Archaeological excavations reveal a fortress from the 10th-7th centuries BCE, confirming Israelite presence. The site's strategic location at the intersection of trade routes and its water resources made it ideal for Israel's wilderness encampment. The Ascent of Scorpions likely corresponds to modern Naqb es-Safa, a treacherous pass ascending from the Arabah to the Negev plateau. Ancient travelers feared this route's combination of steep terrain, extreme heat, and dangerous wildlife. The Wilderness of Zin encompassed the central Negev's limestone plateau, characterized by rugged wadis and sparse vegetation supporting only nomadic pastoralism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's inclusion of failure sites (Kadesh-Barnea where Israel rebelled) in Judah's promised inheritance demonstrate His redemptive purposes?
  2. What scorpion-infested 'ascents'—difficult, dangerous passages—has God used to strengthen your faith and lead you into blessing?
  3. How can remembering places of past discipline help you appreciate present grace and avoid repeating previous failures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְ֠יָצָא1 of 17

“And it went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִנֶּ֖גֶב3 of 17

“on the south side”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

לְמַֽעֲלֵ֤ה4 of 17
H0
עַקְרַבִּים֙5 of 17

“to Maalehacrabbim”

H4610

steep of scorpions, a place in the desert

וְעָבַ֤ר6 of 17

“and passed”

H5674

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

צִ֔נָה7 of 17

“along to Zin”

H6790

tsin, a part of the desert

וְעָלָ֣ה8 of 17

“and ascended up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִנֶּ֖גֶב9 of 17

“on the south side”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

לְקָדֵ֣שׁ10 of 17
H0
בַּרְנֵ֑עַ11 of 17

“unto Kadeshbarnea”

H6947

kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert

וְעָבַ֤ר12 of 17

“and passed”

H5674

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

חֶצְרוֹן֙13 of 17

“along to Hezron”

H2696

chetsron, the name of a place in palestine; also of two israelites

וְעָלָ֣ה14 of 17

“and ascended up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אַדָּ֔רָה15 of 17

“to Adar”

H146

addar, a place in palestine; also an israelite

וְנָסַ֖ב16 of 17

“and fetched a compass”

H5437

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

הַקַּרְקָֽעָה׃17 of 17

“to Karkaa”

H7173

karka (with the article prefix), a place 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 15:3 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 15:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 34:4Judges 1:36Numbers 20:1Numbers 32:8Genesis 14:7

Places in This Verse

AddarSettlement · Modern: Ein Qedeis · 30.58°N, 34.48°E1 verse across 1 book
AkrabbimMountain Pass · Modern: Ma’ale Akrabbim · 30.91°N, 35.13°E3 verses across 3 books
HezronSettlement · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E1 verse across 1 book
Kadesh-barneaSettlement · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E24 verses across 5 books
KarkaSettlement · Modern: Ain Qoseimeh · 30.67°N, 34.37°E1 verse across 1 book
Zin 2Region · Modern: Zin Desert · 30.97°N, 35.33°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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