Joshua 15:7

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the border {H1366} went up {H5927} toward Debir {H1688} from the valley {H6010} of Achor {H5911}, and so northward {H6828}, looking {H6437} toward Gilgal {H1537}, that is before {H5227} the going up {H4608} to Adummim {H131}, which is on the south side {H5045} of the river {H5158}: and the border {H1366} passed {H5674} toward the waters {H4325} of Enshemesh {H5885}, and the goings out {H8444} thereof were at Enrogel {H5883}:

Complete Jewish Bible

then the border went up to D'vir from the Akhor Valley, then northward facing Gilgal (that is, across from Ma'alei-Adumim, which is on the south side of the vadi); next the border passed to the 'Ein-Shemesh Spring and went out at 'Ein-Rogel.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.

American Standard Version

and the border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is over against the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river; and the border passed along to the waters of En-shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En-rogel;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:7 meticulously delineates a crucial segment of the northern boundary of the tribal territory allotted to Judah, stretching from the Valley of Achor, northward towards Gilgal, past the Ascent of Adummim, and concluding at the ancient springs of Enshemesh and Enrogel. This detailed geographical description is not merely a dry list of places but serves as a tangible testament to God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel, establishing their inheritance in the land of Canaan with divine order and clarity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15:7 is embedded within the extensive and highly detailed account of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, specifically focusing on the tribal allotment for Judah ([Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Allotment")). This chapter meticulously outlines Judah's boundaries—northern, southern, eastern, and western—and then lists the cities within its territory. The preceding verses ([Joshua 15:1-6](/joshua/15-1-6 "Joshua 15:1-6 - Judah's Southern and Eastern Borders")) describe the southern and part of the eastern borders, while verses 7-11 continue the northern boundary, leading into the enumeration of cities. This meticulous geographical record underscores the legal and theological significance of the land as a divine inheritance, ensuring that each tribe received its designated portion as promised by God. The precision serves to prevent future disputes and affirm the tangible reality of God's faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the conquest campaigns under Joshua, the division of the land was a critical phase in establishing Israel as a settled nation. This process was carried out by lot, as commanded by God ([Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55-56 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Division by Lot")), signifying divine appointment rather than human negotiation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, land ownership and clear boundaries were paramount for identity, livelihood, and stability. The detailed descriptions in Joshua reflect a common practice of recording territorial claims, but here, it is imbued with theological weight, as the land was a direct fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. The mention of specific landmarks like springs (Enshemesh, Enrogel) highlights their vital importance in an arid region for water supply, agriculture, and settlement, making them natural and undisputed markers for boundaries.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 15:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises made to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). The detailed boundaries also emphasize **Order and Inheritance**, showcasing God's meticulous organization in establishing His people in their designated territories, thereby securing their future and preventing chaos. Furthermore, the inclusion of places like the [Valley of Achor](/joshua/7-26 "Joshua 7:26 - Achan's Punishment in the Valley of Achor"), a site of past national failure, subtly introduces the theme of **Redemption and Integration**, showing how even places associated with sin are incorporated into God's redemptive plan for His people's inheritance. This precision grounds the narrative in **Tangible Reality**, affirming that God's actions are not abstract but have concrete, historical manifestations in the physical world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Border (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** This term (H1366) refers to a defined boundary or territory, literally "a cord (as twisted)," implying a demarcation. Its repeated use throughout Joshua 15 emphasizes the precise and divinely ordained nature of the land division. It signifies not merely a geographical line but a legal and theological demarcation of inheritance, reflecting God's order and the secure possession of the promised land. The meticulous detailing of the _gᵉbûwl_ underscores the certainty of God's word.
* **Adummim (Hebrew, _ʼĂdummîym'_):** This name (H131), meaning "red spots," refers to a specific pass in Palestine. The "going up to Adummim" (H4608, _maʻăleh_ - "an elevation, i.e. acclivity") indicates a significant ascent, likely named for the reddish color of its rocks. Its inclusion highlights the use of prominent, identifiable natural features as markers for the tribal boundaries, emphasizing the practical and verifiable nature of the land distribution.
* **Passed (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This verb (H5674) means "to cross over," used widely for any transition. In this context, it describes the movement of the boundary line itself, indicating its trajectory and progression through the landscape. The active sense of "passed" reinforces the dynamic and established nature of the border, not merely a static line but one that has been surveyed and confirmed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor,"**: This clause establishes the initial segment and direction of Judah's northern boundary. The border ascends from the Valley of Achor, a place famously associated with Israel's failure and judgment (Achan's sin in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Punishment")), moving towards Debir, likely a prominent city or geographical feature in the Judean hill country. This movement from a low-lying valley to higher ground sets the topographical scene and symbolically incorporates a place of past trouble into the promised inheritance.
* **"and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that [is] before the going up to Adummim, which [is] on the south side of the river:"**: This segment further refines the boundary's trajectory. The border continues northward, passing by or in the vicinity of Gilgal. Gilgal was a highly significant site, serving as Israel's first encampment after crossing the Jordan, where they were circumcised and celebrated the Passover ([Joshua 5](/joshua/5 "Joshua 5 - Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal")). Its mention here anchors the boundary in a key historical and spiritual landmark. The phrase "before the going up to Adummim" precisely locates Gilgal in relation to the "Ascent of Adummim," a notoriously dangerous pass on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, known for its reddish rocks. "On the south side of the river" likely refers to the Wadi Qelt or a similar seasonal stream, further pinpointing the geographical context of this challenging ascent.
* **"and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:"**: The final part of this border description moves towards two vital water sources. Enshemesh, meaning "Fountain of the Sun," and Enrogel, meaning "Fountain of the Fuller" or "Fountain of the Foot," were prominent springs near ancient Jerusalem. Enrogel, in particular, was a significant landmark at the confluence of the Hinnom and Kidron Valleys. The "goings out thereof" signifies the termination point of this specific border segment, emphasizing the importance of these springs as clear, identifiable markers for territorial limits in an arid region, crucial for life and settlement.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 15:7 primarily employs **Topographical Description**, a detailed and precise outlining of geographical features to define boundaries. This technique is pervasive throughout [Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Allotment"), serving to establish the concrete reality of the land inheritance. The meticulous naming of valleys, ascents, and springs grounds the theological promises in tangible, verifiable locations. The text also uses **Repetition** of directional phrases ("went up toward," "passed toward") and prepositions ("from," "toward," "before," "on the south side") to create a sense of movement and progression along the border, emphasizing its continuous and established nature. While not explicitly symbolic in itself, the inclusion of places like the **Valley of Achor** introduces a subtle **Allusion** to past events, reminding the reader of Israel's history—both triumph and failure—and how God integrates all aspects of their journey into His overarching plan for their inheritance. The precise naming of specific springs (Enshemesh, Enrogel) also functions as **Specificity**, providing undeniable and enduring landmarks that would have been well-known to the original audience, thereby reinforcing the authenticity and divine authority of the land division.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, with its meticulous geographical detail, powerfully underscores the theme of God's absolute faithfulness and the tangible fulfillment of His covenant promises. The land, promised to Abraham centuries earlier, is now being precisely apportioned to his descendants, demonstrating that God's word is not abstract but concretely realized in history. This divine precision in land distribution highlights God's sovereignty, His commitment to order, and His provision for His people. It also serves as a foundational example of how God works through specific, sometimes seemingly mundane, details to accomplish His grand redemptive purposes. The physical inheritance of the land foreshadows a greater, spiritual inheritance.

* [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 - God's Command to Possess the Land")
* [Psalm 16:6](/psalms/16-6 "Psalm 16:6 - The Pleasant Lines of Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intricate details of Joshua 15:7, while seemingly a dry geographical listing, offer profound spiritual insights for believers today. They remind us that God is a God of meticulous detail and unwavering faithfulness. Just as He precisely delineated the boundaries for Judah, He orchestrates the details of our lives, ensuring that His promises and purposes are fulfilled with precision. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when the path seems complex or the details mundane. Our "inheritance" in Christ, though spiritual, is just as real and secure as Judah's physical land. We can rest in the assurance that God oversees every boundary and every blessing, guiding us through both "valleys of trouble" and "fountains of the sun," integrating all experiences into His perfect design for our ultimate good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in Joshua 15:7 encourage your trust in His care for the details of your own life?**
* **What "boundaries" or "inheritances" (spiritual or otherwise) has God defined for you, and how does this verse affirm His faithfulness in fulfilling them?**
* **Considering the Valley of Achor's significance, how might God use past failures or "troublesome" places in your life as part of His ongoing redemptive plan?**

### FAQ
**Why is so much detail given to geographical boundaries in the book of Joshua?**

Answer: The extensive geographical details in Joshua, including [Joshua 15:7](/joshua/15-7 "Joshua 15:7 - Judah's Northern Boundary"), serve several crucial purposes. Firstly, they provide a **legal and historical record** of the land distribution, validating each tribe's specific inheritance and preventing future disputes over territory. Secondly, they are a powerful testament to **God's faithfulness** in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land")). The precision underscores that God's word is not abstract but concretely realized in the physical world. Thirdly, it highlights **divine order and sovereignty**, demonstrating that God is meticulously orchestrating every aspect of His people's settlement. Finally, it grounds the biblical narrative in **tangible reality**, making the events of the conquest and settlement historically verifiable and emphasizing that God's actions occur within real-world contexts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise delineation of Judah's inheritance in [Joshua 15:7](/joshua/15-7 "Joshua 15:7 - Judah's Northern Boundary"), a physical land given by divine promise, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Judah received a tangible portion of Canaan, believers in Christ receive an eternal, spiritual inheritance that is far greater and incorruptible. Christ is the true "inheritance" (e.g., [Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Sharing in the Inheritance of the Saints in Light")), and through Him, we are granted access to all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (e.g., [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). The meticulous boundaries in Joshua foreshadow the secure and unshakeable nature of our salvation and eternal dwelling, which is guaranteed by Christ's finished work. The "Valley of Achor," a place of past judgment, being integrated into the inheritance, beautifully prefigures how Christ takes our past failures and sins, redeeming them and incorporating them into His glorious plan for our future, transforming places of trouble into "doors of hope" ([Hosea 2:15](/hosea/2-15 "Hosea 2:15 - Valley of Achor as a Door of Hope")). Our true "Gilgal" is found in Christ, where we are spiritually circumcised and enter into new life ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Circumcision of Christ")). Ultimately, the earthly inheritance points to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, where God's people will dwell securely with Him forever, an inheritance prepared for us by the Lamb of God (e.g., [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem")).

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

1 Kings 1:9

And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which [is] by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

2 Samuel 17:17

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

Joshua 7:26

And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

Joshua 10:43

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

Joshua 5:9

And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

Joshua 5:10

¶ And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

Hosea 2:5

For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give [me] my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.