King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:7 Mean?

Joshua 15:7 in the King James Version says “And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before th... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Joshua 15:7 · KJV


Context

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:

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:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse traces the boundary through historically charged locations. The Valley of Achor (עֵמֶק עָכוֹר, "Valley of Trouble") memorializes Achan's execution for theft during Jericho's conquest (Joshua 7:24-26). This place of judgment and purification became Judah's boundary, illustrating how God redeems sites of discipline for future blessing. Hosea prophesied that this valley would become "a door of hope" (Hosea 2:15).

Gilgal (גִּלְגָל, from galal, "to roll") was Israel's first Canaan encampment, where God "rolled away" Egypt's reproach through circumcision (Joshua 5:9) and where twelve memorial stones commemorated Jordan's crossing (Joshua 4:20). The Ascent of Adummim (מַעֲלֵה אֲדֻמִּים, "Ascent of Red [Places]") likely refers to the reddish limestone formations along the road from Jericho to Jerusalem—the setting for Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

These landmarks connect geography to redemptive history, transforming mere boundary descriptions into theological narratives. Places of failure (Achor), new beginnings (Gilgal), and ongoing journey (Adummim) all mark Judah's inheritance, reminding each generation of God's discipline, deliverance, and direction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Valley of Achor, identified with Buqei'a valley near Qumran, served as a natural route from the Jordan Valley into Judah's highlands. Its association with Achan's judgment made it a perpetual warning against covenant violation. Gilgal, likely located at Khirbet el-Mefjer near Jericho, functioned as Israel's base during the initial conquest phase and later as a sanctuary site where Samuel judged Israel (1 Samuel 7:16) and Saul was confirmed as king (1 Samuel 11:14-15). The Ascent of Adummim corresponds to modern Tal'at ed-Damm on the Jericho-Jerusalem road, a steep, dangerous ascent through wilderness terrain notorious for bandits in Jesus's time. These topographical features created natural divisions between tribal territories and influenced settlement patterns and military strategy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God transformed your personal 'valleys of Achor'—places of trouble and judgment—into doorways of hope and new direction?
  2. What 'Gilgals'—memorial places of God's deliverance—do you need to revisit when facing current challenges to remember His past faithfulness?
  3. How does the boundary's path through varied terrain (valleys, ascents, rivers) mirror the varied experiences God uses to shape and define your spiritual identity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְעָלָ֨ה1 of 27

went up

H5927

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

הַגְּבוּל֙2 of 27

And the border

H1366

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

דְּבִרָה֮3 of 27

toward Debir

H1688

debir, the name of an amoritish king and of two places in palestine

מֵעֵ֣מֶק4 of 27

from the valley

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

עָכוֹר֒5 of 27

of Achor

H5911

akor, the name of a place in palestine

וְצָפ֜וֹנָה6 of 27

and so northward

H6828

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

פֹּנֶ֣ה7 of 27

looking

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אֶל8 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגִּלְגָּ֗ל9 of 27

toward Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

אֲשֶׁר10 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נֹ֙כַח֙11 of 27

that is before

H5227

properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

לְמַֽעֲלֵ֣ה12 of 27

the going up

H4608

an elevation, i.e., (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority

אֲדֻמִּ֔ים13 of 27

to Adummim

H131

adummim, a pass in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִנֶּ֖גֶב15 of 27

which is on the south side

H5045

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

לַנָּ֑חַל16 of 27

of 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)

וְעָבַ֤ר17 of 27

passed

H5674

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

הַגְּבוּל֙18 of 27

And the border

H1366

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

אֶל19 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֵי20 of 27

toward the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

עֵ֣ין21 of 27
H0
שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ22 of 27

of Enshemesh

H5885

en-shemesh, a place in palestine

וְהָי֥וּ23 of 27
H1961

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

תֹֽצְאֹתָ֖יו24 of 27

and the goings out

H8444

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

אֶל25 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵ֥ין26 of 27
H0
רֹגֵֽל׃27 of 27

thereof were at Enrogel

H5883

en-rogel, a place near jerusalem


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 15:7 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 15:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study