King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:5 Mean?

Joshua 15:5 in the King James Version says “And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the ba...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 15:5 · KJV

Context

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:

7

And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The eastern boundary uses the Dead Sea as a natural barrier, extending northward to where the Jordan River empties into it. The Hebrew emphasizes totality: "unto the end (qetseh, קְצֵה) of Jordan"—the river's terminus, not some arbitrary point. This geographical precision continues the pattern of meticulous boundary definition.

The northern boundary begins where the eastern ended—"the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan" refers to the Jordan's delta where it meets the Dead Sea's northern basin. The Hebrew pe'ah (פֵּאָה, "quarter") indicates a specific directional sector. This careful description ensured later generations could identify borders accurately, preventing territorial disputes that plagued other nations.

Theologically, the Jordan River carries immense significance throughout Scripture: Israel crossed it to enter Canaan (Joshua 3-4), Elijah and Elisha crossed it (2 Kings 2:8-14), and Jesus was baptized in it (Matthew 3:13-17). Using the Jordan as a boundary marker connects Judah's inheritance to redemptive history's pivotal moments. The river that represented transition from wilderness to promise now defines the promised land's edge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan River, approximately 156 miles long, descends from Mount Hermon through the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, dropping from 2,814 feet above sea level to 1,410 feet below—a total descent of over 4,200 feet. This dramatic elevation change creates a unique ecosystem. The river's width varies from 90-100 feet, with depths of 3-10 feet, though spring flooding (Joshua 3:15) could double these dimensions. The Dead Sea, fed by the Jordan, loses water only through evaporation, concentrating minerals to toxic levels. Ancient sources including Josephus describe the sea's remarkable buoyancy and the bitumen deposits exploited for Egyptian mummification and waterproofing. The Jordan Rift Valley, part of the Great Rift system extending to Africa, creates a formidable natural boundary defending Judah's eastern flank.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Jordan's role as both entrance point to Canaan (Joshua 3-4) and boundary marker illustrate transitions in your spiritual journey—places of breakthrough becoming reference points?
  2. What natural 'boundaries' has God established in your life that you need to respect rather than resent or transgress?
  3. How can the precision of Judah's borders inform your understanding of God's specificity in directing your life's path and calling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּגְב֞וּל1 of 14

“And their border”

H1366

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

קֵ֙דְמָה֙2 of 14

“And the east”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

הַיָּ֔ם3 of 14

“of 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

הַמֶּ֔לַח4 of 14

“was the salt”

H4417

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

עַד5 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מִקְצֵ֖ה6 of 14

“at the uttermost part”

H7097

an extremity

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃7 of 14

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וּגְב֞וּל8 of 14

“And their border”

H1366

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

לִפְאַ֤ת9 of 14

“quarter”

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

צָפ֙וֹנָה֙10 of 14

“in the north”

H6828

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

מִלְּשׁ֣וֹן11 of 14

“was from the bay”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

הַיָּ֔ם12 of 14

“of 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

מִקְצֵ֖ה13 of 14

“at the uttermost part”

H7097

an extremity

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃14 of 14

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of 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 15:5 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 15:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 34:12Numbers 34:10Joshua 18:15-19

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
Salt SeaBody of Water · Modern: Dead Sea · 31.50°N, 35.50°E21 verses across 11 books
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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