King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:9 Mean?

Joshua 15:9 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Joshua 15:9 · KJV

Context

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:

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Kirjath-jearim. The boundary continues from Jerusalem's heights to the Fountain of Nephtoah (מֵי נֶפְתּוֹחַ, "Waters of Opening/Unfolding"), likely the spring at modern Lifta northwest of Jerusalem. Water sources were crucial landmarks in the semi-arid hill country, making springs natural and stable boundary markers. Access to water meant survival, and spring locations were jealously guarded and precisely remembered.

Mount Ephron (הַר עֶפְרוֹן) and its associated cities mark the boundary's westward progression. More significant is Baalah (בַּעֲלָה), identified as Kirjath-Jearim (קִרְיַת יְעָרִים, "City of Forests"). This city gained prominence in Israel's history as the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant for twenty years after the Philistines returned it (1 Samuel 7:1-2), before David brought it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:2). The alternate name Baalah ("mistress" or related to Baal) suggests pre-Israelite Canaanite worship, later sanctified by the Ark's presence.

This verse illustrates redemptive geography: places associated with pagan worship (Baalah) become sites of true worship through God's transforming presence. The Ark's residence at Kirjath-jearim converted a Canaanite town into a holy site, foreshadowing how the gospel transforms defiled humanity into God's temple.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Kirjath-jearim is identified with modern Deir el-Azhar (Abu Ghosh), about 9 miles northwest of Jerusalem on the road to Joppa. Archaeological surveys confirm ancient occupation during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. The city sat on Judah's northern boundary with Benjamin and Dan, making it strategically important for controlling access to Jerusalem from the coastal plain. The Ark's twenty-year residence here (c. 1070-1050 BCE) followed its capture by Philistines at Ebenezer, its destructive tour of Philistine cities (1 Samuel 5), and its return (1 Samuel 6). During this period, the Tabernacle remained at Shiloh (destroyed by Philistines) or later at Nob and Gibeon, while the Ark stayed separated at Kirjath-jearim—a liturgical anomaly reflecting Israel's spiritual disarray during the judges period. David's retrieval of the Ark reunited Israel's worship and centralized it in Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Kirjath-jearim's transformation from Canaanite Baalah to Ark repository illustrate God's power to redeem and repurpose places (and people) with pagan pasts?
  2. What does the Ark's separation from the Tabernacle for twenty years teach about the consequences of treating holy things carelessly (1 Samuel 4-6)?
  3. How can the progression from Baalah to Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem (Ark's journey) model spiritual growth from initial redemption through sanctification to final glorification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְתָאַ֤ר1 of 19

“was drawn”

H8388

to delineate; reflexive to extend

הַגְּבוּל֙2 of 19

“And the border”

H1366

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

מֵרֹ֣אשׁ3 of 19

“from the top”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַר4 of 19

“of mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶל5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַעְיַן֙6 of 19

“unto the fountain”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

מֵ֣י7 of 19

“of the water”

H4325

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

נֶפְתּ֔וֹחַ8 of 19

“of Nephtoah”

H5318

nephtoach, a place in palestine

וְיָצָ֖א9 of 19

“and went out”

H3318

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

אֶל10 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עָרֵ֣י11 of 19

“to the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַר12 of 19

“of mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

עֶפְר֑וֹן13 of 19

“Ephron”

H6085

ephron, the name of a canaanite and of two places in palestine

וְתָאַ֤ר14 of 19

“was drawn”

H8388

to delineate; reflexive to extend

הַגְּבוּל֙15 of 19

“And the border”

H1366

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

בַּֽעֲלָ֔ה16 of 19

“to Baalah”

H1173

baalah, the name of three places in palestine

הִ֖יא17 of 19
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

קִרְיַ֥ת18 of 19
H0
יְעָרִֽים׃19 of 19

“which is Kirjathjearim”

H7157

kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, 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 15:9 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 15:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 13:6Joshua 18:15Judges 18:122 Samuel 6:2Joshua 9:17

Places in This Verse

Baalah 2Settlement · Modern: Deir el Azar · 31.81°N, 35.10°E3 verses across 2 books
Kiriath-jearimSettlement · Modern: Deir el Azar · 31.81°N, 35.10°E19 verses across 8 books
Mount EphronMountain · Modern: Al Qastal · 31.80°N, 35.14°E1 verse across 1 book
NephtoahSpring · Modern: Lifta · 31.79°N, 35.20°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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