King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:4 Mean?

Joshua 15:4 in the King James Version says “From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the s...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 15:4 · KJV

Context

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:

6

And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

Read Joshua 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The southern boundary concludes at the Mediterranean, having traced from the Dead Sea through the Negev. Azmon (עַצְמוֹן) was likely a fortress settlement in the southwestern Negev. The "river of Egypt" (nachal Mitsrayim, נַחַל מִצְרַיִם) refers to Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal watercourse in northern Sinai—not the Nile.

The phrase "this shall be your south coast" (zeh yihyeh lakhem gevul negev, זֶה־יִהְיֶה לָכֶם גְּבוּל נֶגֶב) employs emphatic Hebrew: "THIS shall be to you..." The definitive language brooks no ambiguity. God's territorial assignments are authoritative and final. The boundary's conclusion "at the sea" (ha-yam, הַיָּם)—the Mediterranean—establishes the western terminus, completing the southern border's description.

This verse demonstrates covenant precision: God's promises include specific geography, not nebulous spirituality. The detailed borders prevented tribal disputes and established clear jurisdictions. For Christians, this specificity illustrates how God's spiritual promises—eternal life, adoption, inheritance in Christ—are equally definite and reliable, anchored in the historical work of Christ at a specific time and place.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The River of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish) formed the traditional southwestern boundary between Canaan and Egypt, mentioned in the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:18) and Solomon's kingdom extent (1 Kings 8:65). This seasonal watercourse, dry most of the year, flows only during winter rains. The boundary's placement here, rather than at the Nile, reflects geopolitical realities—Egypt's sphere of influence extended into Sinai, but Israel's covenant land stopped at Wadi el-Arish. Archaeological surveys identify numerous fortresses along this border from various periods, confirming its role as a major political boundary. The Mediterranean coast in this region features sandy beaches and shifting dunes, less suitable for harbors than Lebanon's rocky coast to the north, explaining Israel's limited naval development.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the definitiveness of 'this shall be your south coast' encourage you to accept God's assignments in your life rather than coveting others' inheritances?
  2. What does the boundary's precision teach about the importance of respecting God-ordained limits and boundaries in relationships, ministry, and responsibilities?
  3. How can Judah's defined territory illustrate the Christian's spiritual inheritance—specific, guaranteed, but requiring appropriation through faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְעָבַ֣ר1 of 14

“From thence it passed”

H5674

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

עַצְמ֗וֹנָה2 of 14

“toward Azmon”

H6111

atsmon, a place near palestine

וְיָצָא֙3 of 14

“and went out”

H3318

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

נַ֣חַל4 of 14

“unto the river”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

מִצְרַ֔יִם5 of 14

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהָי֛ה6 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

תֹּֽצְא֥וֹת7 of 14

“and the goings out”

H8444

(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source

גְּב֥וּל8 of 14

“coast”

H1366

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

יָ֑מָּה9 of 14

“were at the sea”

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

זֶה10 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה11 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֖ם12 of 14
H0
גְּב֥וּל13 of 14

“coast”

H1366

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

נֶֽגֶב׃14 of 14

“this shall be your south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to 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 15:4 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 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 34:5Joshua 13:3Exodus 23:31Genesis 15:18

Places in This Verse

AzmonSettlement · Modern: Ain Muweileh · 30.69°N, 34.33°E3 verses across 2 books
Brook of EgyptRiver · Modern: Wadi al Arish · 31.15°N, 33.81°E9 verses across 7 books
Great SeaBody of Water · Modern: Mediterranean Sea · 31.80°N, 34.17°E36 verses across 14 books
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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