Joshua 18:14 On the west side the border curved southward from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south and came out at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the western side.

◄ Joshua 18:14 ►

New International Version
From the hill facing Beth Horon on the south the boundary turned south along the western side and came out at Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a town of the people of Judah. This was the western side.

New Living Translation
The boundary then made a turn and swung south along the western edge of the hill facing Beth-horon, ending at the village of Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a town belonging to the tribe of Judah. This was the western boundary.

English Standard Version
Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city belonging to the people of Judah. This forms the western side.

Berean Standard Bible
On the west side the border curved southward from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south and came out at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the western side.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then the border extended around the west side to the south, from the hill that lies before Beth Horon southward; and it ended at Kirjath Baal (which is Kirjath Jearim), a city of the children of Judah. This was the west side.

New American Standard Bible
And the border changed direction from there and turned around on the west side southward, from the hill which lies opposite Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side.

NASB 1995
The border extended from there and turned round on the west side southward, from the hill which lies before Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side.

NASB 1977
And the border extended from there, and turned round on the west side southward, from the hill which lies before Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the border curved from there and turned round on the west side southward, from the hill which lies before Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side.

Amplified Bible
The border changed course [from there] and turned around on the western side southward, from the hill that lies to the south opposite Beth-horon; it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of [the tribe of] the sons of Judah. This formed the western side [of Benjamin’s territory].

Christian Standard Bible
On the west side, from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south, the border curved, turning southward, and ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the descendants of Judah. This was the west side of their border.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the west side, from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south, the border curved, turning southward, and ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the descendants of Judah. This was the west side of their border.

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.

English Revised Version
And the border was drawn and turned about on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal (the same is Kiriath-jearim), a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The border turns and goes around on the west side, south of the mountain that faces Beth Horon, and ends at Kiriath Baal (now called Kiriath Jearim), a city of Judah.

Good News Translation
The border then went in another direction, turning south from the western side of this mountain and going to Kiriath Baal (or Kiriath Jearim), which belongs to the tribe of Judah. This was the western border.

International Standard Version
From there the boundary changed direction, turning southward on the western side opposite Beth-horon, terminating at Kiriath-baal (also known as Kiriath-jearim), which belongs to Judah. This formed the western boundary.

Majority Standard Bible
On the west side the border curved southward from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south and came out at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the western side.

NET Bible
It then turned on the west side southward from the hill near Beth Horon on the south and extended to Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a city belonging to the tribe of Judah. This is the western border.

New Heart 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 (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a city of the people of Judah. This was the west quarter.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the limits of it were at Kirjath-baal (which is Kirjath-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 (also called Kiriath Jearim), a city of the children of Judah. This was the west quarter.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the border has been marked out, and has gone around to the corner of the sea southward, from the hill which [is] at the front of Beth-Horon southward, and its outgoings have been to Kirjath-Ba‘al (it [is] Kirjath-Jearim), a city of the sons of Judah: this [is] the west quarter.

Young's Literal Translation
and the border hath been marked out, and hath gone round to the corner of the sea southward, from the hill which is at the front of Beth-Horon southward, and its outgoings have been unto Kirjath-Baal (it is Kirjath-Jearim), a city of the sons of Judah: this is the west quarter.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the bound was marked out, and encompassed to the side of the sea, south, from the mountain which is upon the face of the House of the Hollow, south; and its goings-out were at the city of Baal (this is the City of the Forests) the city of the sons of Judah. This is the side of the sea.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it turns aside, circling toward the sea, to the south of the mountain which looks out toward Beth-horon, toward the southwest. And its exits are toward Kiriath-baal, which is also called Kiriath-jearim, a city of the sons of Judah. This is their region, toward the sea, in the west.

New American Bible
For the western border, the boundary line swung south from the mountaintop opposite Beth-horon until it reached Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim; this city belonged to the Judahites). This was the western boundary.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a town belonging to the tribe of Judah. This forms the western side.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the border extended to the side of the sea southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth-hauran southward; and the limits thereof were at Koriath-baal, which is Koriath-narin, a city of the children of Judah: this is the sea side.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the border faced the side of the sea from the south of the Mountain that faces Bayth Khuran in the south, and its limits were on Quryath Baal, which is Quryath Nahrayn, the city of the children of Yehuda; this is the side of the sea

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the border was drawn and turned about on the west side 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 side.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the borders shall pass through and proceed to the part that looks toward the sea, on the south, from the mountain in front of Baethoron southward, and its termination shall be at Cariath-Baal, this is Cariath-Jarin, a city of the children of Juda; this is the part toward the west.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Benjamin's Inheritance
…13From there the border crossed over to the southern slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth-addar on the hill south of Lower Beth-horon. 14On the west side the border curved southward from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south and came out at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the western side. 15On the south side the border began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim and extended westward to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Joshua 15:9
From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).

Joshua 15:6-8
went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. / 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. / From there the border went up the Valley of Ben-hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.

Numbers 34:4-5
cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon, / where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.

Ezekiel 47:19
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

Ezekiel 48:28
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.

Deuteronomy 3:17
The Jordan River in the Arabah bordered it from Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) with the slopes of Pisgah to the east.

Judges 1:34
The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.

1 Chronicles 6:66-81
And some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory: / They were given Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer, / Jokmeam, Beth-horon, ...

1 Kings 4:19
Geber son of Uri in the land of Gilead, including the territories of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. There was also one governor in the land of Judah.

2 Samuel 24:7
They went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to the Negev of Judah, to Beersheba.

Matthew 4:15
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

Luke 4:14-15
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region. / He taught in their synagogues and was glorified by everyone.

John 4:3-4
He left Judea and returned to Galilee. / Now He had to pass through Samaria.

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:37-38
You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: / how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

Treasury of Scripture

And the border was drawn there, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lies 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.

Kirjath-baal

Joshua 15:9,60
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 Kirjathjearim: …

1 Samuel 7:1,2
And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD…

2 Samuel 6:2
And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

Jump to Previous

Baal Beth Bethhoron Beth-Horon Border Children City Compassed Corner Drawn Ended Extended Hill Horon Jearim Judah Kiriath Kirjathbaal Kirjath-Baal Kirjath-Jearim Lies Mountain Quarter Sea Southward Thence Thereof Turned West

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Joshua 18

1. The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh
2. The remainder of the land is described, and divided into seven parts
10. Joshua distributes it by lot
11. The lot and border of Benjamin
21. Their cities

Berean Study Bible

Then the border curved and turned on the west side
This phrase describes the geographical delineation of the tribal lands. The Hebrew word for "border" is "גְּבוּל" (gevul), which signifies a boundary or limit. In the context of the Promised Land, these borders were divinely ordained, reflecting God's sovereign allocation of land to the tribes of Israel. The "curved and turned" aspect indicates a precise and intentional demarcation, emphasizing the care and detail with which God directed the division of the land. The "west side" situates this portion of the boundary in a specific cardinal direction, which is significant in biblical geography as the west often symbolizes the direction of the sea, representing both opportunity and challenge.

running southward from the hill facing Beth-horon to the south
The "hill facing Beth-horon" refers to a strategic location in ancient Israel. Beth-horon was a significant site, known for its two towns, Upper and Lower Beth-horon, which guarded the ascent from the coastal plain to the hill country. The Hebrew name "Beth-horon" means "house of the hollow," indicating its geographical features. The phrase "running southward" suggests a movement or progression, which in biblical terms often symbolizes a journey or transition. This movement from the hill signifies a descent into the heartland of Judah, highlighting the importance of this territory in Israel's history.

and ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim)
"Kiriath-baal" and "Kiriath-jearim" are two names for the same city, reflecting its historical and religious significance. "Kiriath-baal" means "city of Baal," indicating a past association with Canaanite worship. However, the name "Kiriath-jearim," meaning "city of forests," reflects a transformation and re-identification under Israelite control. This dual naming underscores the theme of redemption and the reclaiming of land for God's purposes. The "ending" of the border here marks a completion, a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to His people.

a city of the descendants of Judah
This phrase highlights the tribal inheritance of Judah, one of the most prominent tribes of Israel. The "descendants of Judah" were known for their leadership and strength, with the tribe producing significant biblical figures, including King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. The allocation of this city to Judah signifies the tribe's central role in Israel's history and God's redemptive plan. It also reflects the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:10, where Judah is promised leadership and prominence.

This was the western side
The repetition of the boundary's location as "the western side" reinforces the importance of precise territorial divisions. In biblical symbolism, the west can represent the setting sun, a place of rest and completion. This phrase serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in establishing His people in the land, providing them with a secure and defined inheritance. It also reflects the order and structure that God brings to His creation, ensuring that each tribe has its rightful place within the covenant community.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the border of the sea. This is a serious mistranslation, arising from the same word being used for sea and west in Hebrew. The LXX. has πρὸς (some copies have παρὰ) θάλασσαν. The literal translation is, and the border extended, and deflected to the western side. What is meant is that the further portion of the border now described was the western side of Benjamin. Southward. The western border of course ran in a southerly direction. Quarter. This is the same word that is translated border above, in the phrase, "border of the sea." Kirjath-Jearim. Any one who will take the trouble to examine a map will see how much more probable the site Kuriet el Enab is here, than any place "four miles from Beth-shemesh," as suggested by Lieut. Conder. The distance from nether Beth-horon to Kuriet el Enab is not great. It is improbable that the boundary should have run double that distance without any mention of locality.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

On the west
יָ֜ם (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

side
לִפְאַת־ (lip̄·’aṯ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity

the border
הַגְּבוּל֩ (hag·gə·ḇūl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

curved
וְתָאַ֣ר (wə·ṯā·’ar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8388: Taanath-shiloh -- probably to incline

southward
נֶ֗גְבָּה (neḡ·bāh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the hill
הָהָר֙ (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

facing
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Beth-horon
חֹרוֹן֮ (ḥō·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1032: Beth-horon -- 'place of a hollow', two adjoining cities in Palestine

on the south
נֶגְבָּה֒ (neḡ·bāh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

and came out
וְהָי֣וּ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Kiriath-baal
בַּ֙עַל֙ (ba·‘al)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7154: Kiriath-baal -- 'city of Baal', another name for Kiriath-jearim

(that is,
הִ֚יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

Kiriath-jearim),
יְעָרִ֔ים (yə·‘ā·rîm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7157: Kiriath-jearim -- 'city of forests', a city given to Judah, then to Benjamin

a city
עִ֖יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of the sons
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Judah.
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

This
זֹ֖את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

was the western
יָֽם׃ (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

side.
פְּאַת־ (pə·’aṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity

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OT History: Joshua 18:14 The border extended and turned around (Josh. Jos)