Joshua 15:5

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the east {H6924} border {H1366} was the salt {H4417} sea {H3220}, even unto the end {H7097} of Jordan {H3383}. And their border {H1366} in the north {H6828} quarter {H6285} was from the bay {H3956} of the sea {H3220} at the uttermost part {H7097} of Jordan {H3383}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The eastern border was the Dead Sea to where the Yarden entered it. The northern border began at the bay of the sea at the end of the Yarden;

Berean Standard Bible

The eastern border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

American Standard Version

And the east border was the Salt Sea, even unto the end of the Jordan. And the border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:5 provides a precise geographical demarcation of Judah's tribal inheritance, meticulously detailing its eastern and northern boundaries. This verse anchors the territory to the prominent natural landmarks of the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) and the Jordan River, underscoring the divine order and specificity with which God fulfilled His covenant promises regarding the land. It establishes a tangible and secure inheritance for Judah, the leading tribe of Israel, highlighting the meticulous nature of God's provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15:5 is embedded within the detailed geographical accounts of tribal allotments found in Joshua chapters 13-19. Following the successful military campaigns led by Joshua, the narrative shifts from conquest to the systematic division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Chapter 15 is specifically dedicated to outlining the extensive boundaries and cities belonging to the tribe of Judah. This particular verse, Joshua 15:5, precisely defines a crucial segment of Judah's eastern and northern borders, building upon the general description of the southern border in verses 1-4 and setting the stage for further details of the northern and western boundaries. The inclusion of such meticulous geographical data serves to emphasize the divine order, the tangible fulfillment of God's promises, and the legal establishment of each tribe's rightful possession.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Joshua marks a pivotal transition for the Israelites from a nomadic, warring people to a settled nation in their divinely promised land. In the ancient Near East, clearly defined land boundaries were not merely administrative details but were foundational for establishing tribal identity, preventing inter-tribal conflicts, and ensuring economic stability and inheritance rights. The meticulous record in Joshua reflects the legal and administrative importance of these demarcations within Israelite society. The Salt Sea (Dead Sea) and the Jordan River were, and remain, unmistakable and enduring geographical features, serving as permanent natural landmarks. Judah, destined to be the largest and most prominent tribe—from which future kings like David and ultimately the Messiah would descend—received a vast and strategically significant territory in the southern part of Canaan. This land was not just a possession but the tangible manifestation of God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, as recorded in passages like [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham").
* **Key Themes:** Though primarily geographical, Joshua 15:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to bringing His covenant promises to pass, particularly the promise of a land for His people, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land"). Secondly, the detailed nature of these boundary descriptions highlights God's **Order and Specificity**. It underscores that God acts with precision and purpose, ensuring that every tribe received a specific, divinely appointed inheritance, reflecting His orderly character and meticulous planning. Thirdly, the central theme of **Inheritance and Possession** is paramount. For the Israelites, this land was a tangible sign of their covenant relationship with God and their secure place as His chosen people. This earthly inheritance foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, an eternal and secure possession that is guaranteed by God's faithfulness, as described in [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Border (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** This term (H1366) signifies a boundary, limit, or the territory enclosed by such a limit. Its repeated use throughout the land allocation chapters, including twice in this verse, emphasizes the definitive and secure nature of the tribal inheritances. It underscores that these divisions were not arbitrary but divinely ordained and legally established, ensuring each tribe had a defined and protected possession, akin to a "landmark" or "limit."
* **Salt Sea (Hebrew, _melach yâm'_):** This compound term (H4417 for "salt," H3220 for "sea") is the biblical designation for what is commonly known today as the Dead Sea. Characterized by its extremely high salinity, it served as an unmistakable and permanent natural landmark, forming a significant portion of Judah's eastern border. Its unique geological properties made it an ideal, unchanging boundary marker, often referred to as a "sea" despite being an inland lake.
* **Bay (Hebrew, _lâshôwn'_):** This word (H3956), literally meaning "tongue," is used figuratively here to describe a cove or inlet of water, specifically a "bay" of the sea. In the context of the Salt Sea, it likely refers to a distinctive northern extension or "tongue" of the sea where the Jordan River empties into it. This precise geographical detail highlights the meticulousness of the boundary descriptions, pinpointing a specific natural feature as a starting point for the northern border.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the east border [was] the salt sea, [even] unto the end of Jordan."**: This clause defines the easternmost extent of Judah's territory. The Salt Sea (Dead Sea) formed the primary eastern boundary, stretching northward to the point where the Jordan River empties into it. This indicates a long, natural, and clearly identifiable eastern frontier, demonstrating the vastness and geographical clarity of Judah's inheritance. The phrase "end of Jordan" specifically refers to the southern terminus of the Jordan River where it converges with the Salt Sea.
* **"And [their] border in the north quarter [was] from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:"**: This clause transitions to the northern boundary, specifying that it began from the "bay of the sea" (likely referring to the northernmost bay or inlet of the Salt Sea) at the "uttermost part of Jordan" (which reiterates the point where the Jordan River enters the Salt Sea from the north). This pinpoints the precise starting point of the northern border, extending westward from this critical junction. The phrasing suggests a pivot point where the eastern and northern borders converge, establishing a clear corner for the tribal land, with "north quarter" indicating the direction of this segment of the boundary.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Joshua 15:5, and indeed throughout the land allocation chapters, is **Topography**. The detailed description of specific geographical features like the Salt Sea and the Jordan River is not merely descriptive but serves a profound theological purpose, grounding God's promises in tangible, verifiable reality. This meticulous geographical detail also employs **Precision**, using specific landmarks and directional terms ("east border," "north quarter," "bay of the sea," "end of Jordan") to create an undeniable and unambiguous record of the inheritance. The repeated emphasis on "border" (Hebrew: _gᵉbûwl_) throughout these chapters, including its implicit presence in this verse, functions as a form of **Repetition** that underscores the importance of defined and secure boundaries, highlighting the certainty of God's provision and the legal establishment of the tribal territories.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:5, though a geographical description, deeply resonates with core biblical themes. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, specifically the land given to Abraham's descendants. The meticulous detail in defining Judah's borders reflects God's orderly character and His commitment to providing a secure and tangible inheritance for His people. This earthly inheritance foreshadows the greater spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, a secure and eternal possession that transcends physical boundaries and is guaranteed by God's unchanging character and redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalms/78-55 "Psalm 78:55 - God's Allotment of Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer live under the Old Testament covenant of a physical land inheritance, Joshua 15:5 offers profound spiritual lessons. It reminds us that God is a God of precision and promise-keeping. Just as He meticulously ensured Israel's inheritance, He is faithful to fulfill all His promises to us, providing for our needs and guiding our paths with divine accuracy. This verse encourages us to trust in His sovereignty over our lives, recognizing that our "boundaries" – our circumstances, gifts, and callings – are often divinely appointed. It invites us to find security not in earthly possessions, but in the certainty of God's provision and the eternal inheritance secured for us in Christ, knowing that His plans for us are as detailed and sure as the borders He set for Judah. This passage calls us to reflect on the faithfulness of God in our own lives, acknowledging that the same God who precisely defined the borders of Judah is actively involved in ordering the details of our existence for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's provision for Judah's land inheritance encourage your trust in His provision for your own life?**
* **In what ways can recognizing God's "borders" or boundaries in your life (e.g., limitations, gifts, circumstances) lead to greater peace and contentment?**
* **How does the fulfillment of God's land promise to Israel strengthen your faith in the certainty of His spiritual promises for believers today?**

### FAQ
**Why are these geographical details so extensively recorded in Joshua?**

Answer: These extensive geographical details are crucial for several reasons. Primarily, they serve as tangible proof of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan, as seen in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham"). The precise boundaries established tribal identities, prevented disputes over territory among the twelve tribes, and confirmed their legal possession of the land as their divine inheritance. This meticulous record underscores the orderly nature of God's plan and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, ensuring that each family and tribe knew their designated place within the Promised Land, thereby solidifying their national, social, and religious identity.

**What is the "Salt Sea" and "end of Jordan" referring to?**

Answer: The "Salt Sea" is the biblical name for what is known today as the Dead Sea, a hyper-saline lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley. Its extreme salt content makes it inhospitable to most life. The "end of Jordan" refers to the southern terminus of the Jordan River, where it flows into the northern part of the Salt Sea. These two prominent geographical features formed a clear and unmistakable natural boundary for the eastern and northeastern parts of Judah's tribal inheritance, providing a precise and permanent landmark for their territory. This geographical precision highlights the literal and tangible nature of the land inheritance God bestowed upon His people, ensuring no ambiguity regarding their divinely appointed possession.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:5 describes a physical land inheritance, it points forward to the ultimate, spiritual inheritance found in Christ. Just as God meticulously secured a physical territory for Judah, He has, with even greater precision, secured an eternal inheritance for all who are in Christ Jesus. This spiritual inheritance is not bound by earthly borders but is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you," as described in [1 Peter 1:4](/1-peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance"). Jesus, the true and greater Joshua, leads His people not into a geographical land, but into the spiritual reality of God's kingdom and the full blessings of salvation. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of rest and inheritance, as highlighted in [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest in Christ"), making us co-heirs with Him in glory, as affirmed in [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"). Through Christ, we are brought into a new creation where God Himself is our portion and dwelling, a reality beautifully depicted in [Revelation 21:3-7](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-7 - God Dwells with His People"). The physical boundaries of Judah's land ultimately point to the boundless and eternal security found in our union with Christ, who is our true and everlasting inheritance and the guarantee of our future glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 34:12

And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.

Numbers 34:10

And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:

Joshua 18:15

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:

Joshua 18:19

And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this [was] the south coast.