Joshua 18:14
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.
Joshua 18:14 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse describes the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah during the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. The borders of Judah’s territory were delineated starting from a designated point and then extending southward to the corner of the sea, all the way to Kirjathbaal, which is known as Kirjathjearim. This description serves as a geographical reference point to help the readers understand the extent of the land that was given to the tribe of Judah. The location of these cities and landmarks mentioned in the verse played a significant role in defining the boundaries of Judah’s inheritance. Understanding these details helps paint a clearer picture of the division of the land and the distribution of territories among the tribes of Israel, as outlined in the Bible.
Theological Overview
This verse from Joshua 18:14 describes how the border of the land of Benjamin was drawn to encompass the area southward, extending from the hill facing Bethhoron towards the southwest, all the way to Kirjathbaal, also known as Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah. The mention of the west quarter indicates the boundary of the territory of Benjamin in relation to the neighboring lands. Understanding the geographical context and the location of these cities gives us insight into the division of the land among the tribes of Israel as they settled in the Promised Land. By studying the location of these cities and the significance of the borders, we gain a clearer understanding of the historical and theological implications of the distribution of land as outlined in the book of Joshua.
Joshua 18:14 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the border extended [thence], and turned about on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kiriath-baal (the same is Kiriath-jearim), a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
World English Bible
The border extended, and turned around on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth Horon southward; and ended at Kiriath Baal (the same is Kiriath Jearim), a city of the children of Judah. This was the west quarter.
Douay-Rheims
And it bendeth thence going round towards the sea, south of the mountain that looketh towards Beth-horon to the southwest: and the outgoings thereof are into Cariathbaal, which is called also Cariathiarim, a city of the children of Juda This is their coast towards the sea, westward.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the border turneth, and compasseth the corner of the Sea Southward, from the mount that lyeth before Beth-horon Southward: and the endes thereof are at Kiriath-baal (which is Kiriath-iearim) a citie of the children of Iudah: this is the Westquarter.