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Joshua 15:12

Joshua 15:12 in Multiple Translations

And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

And the west border was to the great sea, and the border thereof. This is the border of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

And the limit on the west is the edge of the Great Sea. This is the line going round the land marked out for the children of Judah, by their families.

The western boundary was the coastline of the Great Sea. These were the boundaries around the tribe of Judah, by families.

And the Westborder is to the great Sea: so this border shalbe the bounds of the children of Iudah round about, according to their families.

And the west border [is] to the great sea, and [its] border; this [is] the border of the sons of Judah round about for their families.

The west border was to the shore of the great sea. This is the border of the children of Judah according to their families.

And the west border was to the great sea, and its coast: this is the border of the children of Judah round about, according to their families.

These are the borders round about of the children of Juda in their kindreds.

The western border of the land that was allotted to the tribe of Judah was the Mediterranean Sea. All the clans of Judah lived inside those borders.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 15:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 15:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וּ/גְב֣וּל יָ֔ם הַ/יָּ֥מָּ/ה הַ/גָּד֖וֹל וּ/גְב֑וּל זֶ֠ה גְּב֧וּל בְּנֵֽי יְהוּדָ֛ה סָבִ֖יב לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/ם
וּ/גְב֣וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border Conj | N-ms
יָ֔ם yâm H3220 West N-ms
הַ/יָּ֥מָּ/ה yâm H3220 West Art | N-ms | Suff
הַ/גָּד֖וֹל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Art | Adj
וּ/גְב֑וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border Conj | N-ms
זֶ֠ה zeh H2088 this Pron
גְּב֧וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border N-ms
בְּנֵֽי bên H1121 son N-mp
יְהוּדָ֛ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper
סָבִ֖יב çâbîyb H5439 around N-cs
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/ם mishpâchâh H4940 family Prep | N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 15:12

וּ/גְב֣וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
יָ֔ם yâm H3220 "West" N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
הַ/יָּ֥מָּ/ה yâm H3220 "West" Art | N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
הַ/גָּד֖וֹל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וּ/גְב֑וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
זֶ֠ה zeh H2088 "this" Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
גְּב֧וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
בְּנֵֽי bên H1121 "son" N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יְהוּדָ֛ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
סָבִ֖יב çâbîyb H5439 "around" N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ/ם mishpâchâh H4940 "family" Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.

Study Notes — Joshua 15:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Numbers 34:6–7 Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west. Your northern border will run from the Great Sea directly to Mount Hor,
2 Joshua 15:47 Ashdod, with its towns and villages; Gaza, with its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.
3 Ezekiel 47:20 And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary.
4 Deuteronomy 11:24 Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea.

Joshua 15:12 Summary

[The western border of the territory allocated to the descendants of Judah was the coastline of the Great Sea, also known as the Mediterranean Sea. This verse helps us understand the geography of the Promised Land and how God divided it among the Israelite tribes, as seen in Joshua 13:1-7. By looking at the borders, we can see God's faithfulness to His people and His attention to detail, which encourages us to trust in His sovereignty and provision, just like the Israelites did in Deuteronomy 8:1. This reminds us that God is always in control and has a plan for our lives, just as He did for the Israelites.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Sea mentioned in Joshua 15:12?

The Great Sea is another name for the Mediterranean Sea, which formed the western border of the territory allocated to the descendants of Judah, as seen in Joshua 15:12. This is also referenced in Numbers 34:6-7, where God describes the borders of the land He is giving to the Israelites.

Why is it important to know the boundaries of the clans of Judah?

Understanding the boundaries of the clans of Judah helps us appreciate the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites, as stated in Genesis 15:18-21 and Joshua 21:43-45. It also highlights the organization and structure of the Israelite community.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Joshua?

Joshua 15:12 is part of the detailed description of the division of the land among the Israelite tribes, which is a central theme in the book of Joshua, as seen in Joshua 13:1-7 and Joshua 23:1-16. This theme emphasizes God's faithfulness to His people and the importance of obeying His commands.

What can we learn from the way the borders are described in this verse?

The detailed description of the borders in Joshua 15:12 teaches us about the importance of precision and attention to detail in our walk with God, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 8:1 and Psalm 119:105. It also highlights the significance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the concept of boundaries and borders teach us about God's character and our relationship with Him?
  2. How can we apply the idea of defined borders to our own lives, in terms of setting healthy limits and prioritizing what is important?
  3. What role does trust in God's sovereignty play in our understanding of the allocation of the land to the Israelite tribes, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
  4. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness to His people demonstrated in the description of the borders in Joshua 15:12?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 15:12

And the west border [was] to the great sea, and the coast [thereof],.... The western border of the tribe of Judah went along by the Mediterranean sea, which lay west to the land of Canaan; and this

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 15:12

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-je'arim:

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 15:12

Joshua 15:12 And the west border [was] to the great sea, and the coast [thereof]. This [is] the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.Ver. 12. The great sea,] i.e., The midland sea, great in comparison of the lakes of Palestine, called also seas.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 15:12

Verse 12. The great sea] The Mediterranean.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 15:12

12. the west border] was formed by the Mediterranean Sea. to the great sea] From Jabneel the boundary continued to the Mediterranean Sea along the Wady es Surah. and the coast thereof] or borders thereof; see above, ch. Joshua 13:23; Joshua 13:27, and comp. Numbers 34:6.

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 15:12

12. To the great sea and the coast — That is, the coast of the Mediterranean from Jebneel southward formed Judah’s western boundary.The writer, having now given the boundaries of Judah, is about to

Sermons on Joshua 15:12

SermonDescription
Joseph Alleine An Alarm to the Unconverted 4 of 5 by Joseph Alleine In this sermon, Christ is calling upon the listeners to arise and take possession of the good land that is promised to them. The preacher encourages the audience to view the glory

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