King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:14 Mean?

Joshua 18:14 in the King James Version says “And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoro... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.

Joshua 18:14 · KJV


Context

12

And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.

13

And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.

14

And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.

15

And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:

16

And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward—The boundary curves westward ('compass' = savav, סָבַב, 'to turn/surround'). The 'sea' likely refers to the Mediterranean, though Benjamin didn't reach the coast. From the hill that lieth before Beth-horon continues the western line to Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, identifying it as a city of the children of Judah.

Kirjath-jearim ('city of forests') housed the ark for 20 years after the Philistines returned it (1 Samuel 7:1-2). Its alternate name Kirjath-baal ('city of Baal') suggests Canaanite origins. God redeems pagan places for His glory—the ark sanctified this former Baal shrine.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Kirjath-jearim stood on the Judah-Benjamin border, about 9 miles west of Jerusalem. Its identification as Judahite despite being on Benjamin's boundary shows the overlapping nature of tribal territories. The city's role in ark history (1 Samuel 6-7) made it significant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God transform pagan places and practices for His purposes in your life?
  2. What does the ark's 20-year stay at Kirjath-jearim teach about waiting for God's timing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְתָאַ֣ר1 of 28

was drawn

H8388

to delineate; reflexive to extend

הַגְּבוּל֩2 of 28

And the border

H1366

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

וְנָסַ֨ב3 of 28

thence and compassed

H5437

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

פְּאַת4 of 28

quarter

H6285

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

יָֽם׃5 of 28

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

נֶגְבָּה֒6 of 28

southward

H5045

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

מִן7 of 28
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָר֙8 of 28

from the hill

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 28
H834

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

עַל10 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י11 of 28

that lieth before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בֵית12 of 28
H0
חֹרוֹן֮13 of 28

Bethhoron

H1032

beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine

נֶגְבָּה֒14 of 28

southward

H5045

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

וְהָי֣ה15 of 28
H1961

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

תֹֽצְאֹתָ֗יו16 of 28

and the goings out

H8444

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

אֶל17 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קִרְיַת18 of 28
H0
בַּ֙עַל֙19 of 28

thereof were at Kirjathbaal

H7154

kirjath-baal, a place in palestine

הִ֚יא20 of 28
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

קִרְיַ֣ת21 of 28
H0
יְעָרִ֔ים22 of 28

which is Kirjathjearim

H7157

kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine

עִ֖יר23 of 28

a city

H5892

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

בְּנֵ֣י24 of 28

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֑ה25 of 28

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

זֹ֖את26 of 28
H2063

this (often used adverb)

פְּאַת27 of 28

quarter

H6285

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

יָֽם׃28 of 28

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


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 18:14 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 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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