Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, the concept of a "border" encompasses both physical and metaphorical boundaries. Borders in the Bible often refer to the geographical limits of territories, nations, or tribes, as well as the spiritual and moral boundaries set by God for His people.Geographical Borders The Bible frequently mentions borders in the context of the Promised Land, which God allocated to the Israelites. These borders were divinely ordained and described in detail. For instance, in Numbers 34:2-12, God provides Moses with specific instructions regarding the boundaries of the land that the Israelites are to inherit: "Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these borders..." (Numbers 34:2). The passage goes on to delineate the northern, southern, eastern, and western borders of the land. Borders also played a significant role in the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe received a specific portion of land with defined borders, as seen in the book of Joshua. For example, Joshua 13-21 details the allotment of land to each tribe, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these divinely appointed boundaries. Spiritual and Moral Borders Beyond physical borders, the Bible also speaks of spiritual and moral boundaries. These are the limits set by God to guide the behavior and faith of His people. In Deuteronomy 19:14, the Israelites are commanded not to move their neighbor's boundary stone, which serves as a metaphor for respecting the limits established by God: "You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, set up by your ancestors, in the inheritance you will receive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess" (Deuteronomy 19:14). The concept of borders extends to the moral law, where God establishes clear boundaries for righteous living. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a moral border, delineating the behavior expected of God's people. These commandments set the limits for ethical conduct and define the spiritual territory within which the Israelites were to live. Borders as Protection and Separation Borders in the Bible also symbolize protection and separation. They serve to protect the Israelites from external threats and influences that could lead them away from God. In Numbers 23:9, Balaam speaks of Israel as a people set apart: "For from the top of the rocks I see them, and from the hills I behold them: there! A people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations" (Numbers 23:9). This separation underscores the idea that borders are not only physical but also spiritual, marking the distinction between God's people and the surrounding nations. Borders in Prophecy and Eschatology Prophetic literature in the Bible often uses the imagery of borders to describe future events and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. In Ezekiel 47:13-23, the prophet describes the borders of the land in the Messianic age, emphasizing the restoration and expansion of Israel's territory. This vision reflects the hope of a future where God's people will dwell securely within their divinely appointed borders. In summary, the concept of borders in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing geographical, spiritual, and moral dimensions. These borders serve as a means of defining, protecting, and guiding God's people throughout biblical history. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The outer part or edge of anything, as of a garment, a garden, etc.; margin; verge; brink.2. (n.) A boundary; a frontier of a state or of the settled part of a country; a frontier district. 3. (n.) A strip or stripe arranged along or near the edge of something, as an ornament or finish. 4. (n.) A narrow flower bed. 5. (v. i.) To touch at the edge or boundary; to be contiguous or adjacent; -- with on or upon as, Connecticut borders on Massachusetts. 6. (v. i.) To approach; to come near to; to verge. 7. (v. t.) To make a border for; to furnish with a border, as for ornament; as, to border a garment or a garden. 8. (v. t.) To be, or to have, contiguous to; to touch, or be touched, as by a border; to be, or to have, near the limits or boundary; as, the region borders a forest, or is bordered on the north by a forest. 9. (v. t.) To confine within bounds; to limit. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BORDER; BORDERSbor'-der: Indicating in both singular and plural the outlines or territory of a country. In the sense of "limits," "boundaries" or "territory," it occurs as a translation of gebhul (and its feminine gebhulah, in Psalm 74:17) in numerous passages in Old Testament, especially in Joshua. yerekhdh = "the flank," "the side," "the coast," hence, "the border" occurs in Genesis 49:13; qatseh = "an extremity" "brim," "brink," "edge" (Exodus 16:35; Exodus 19:12 Joshua 4:19); micgereth = something enclosing, i.e. "a margin" (Exodus 37:12, 14 1 Kings 7:28, 31, 35 f the King James Version; 2 Kings 16:17 the King James Version); saphah or sepheth = "the lip" (as a natural boundary) hence, "a margin" "brim," "brink," "edge" (Exodus 28:26; Exodus 39:19 the King James Version); qets = "an extremity" "end" (2 Kings 19:23 the King James Version); totsa'ah = "exit," hence, "boundary" (1 Chronicles 5:16); tor = "a succession" "a string" "row," hence, "border" (Songs 1:11 the King James Version); yadh = "hand," used in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, proximate and remote; but how it should be translated with "border" in 1 Chronicles 7:29 is not clear; better would be: "in the hands of the children of Manasseh." Three Greek words occur for the idea: kraspedon = "a margin," "fringe" (Matthew 23:5 Mark 6:56 Luke 8:44); horion = "a limit," "a boundary line" (Matthew 4:13); methorios = "contiguous" (neuter plural as noun, "frontier," "border" in Mark 7:24). Greek 3181. methorion -- border. ... 3180, 3181. methorion. 3182 . border. Part of Speech ... confine, border, boundary. Word Origin variant reading for horion, qv. border. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3181.htm - 6k 2899. kraspedon -- a border, tassel 4927. sunomoreo -- to border on 3725. horion -- a boundary 5085. Tiberias -- Tiberias, a city of Galilee, also another name ... Strong's Hebrew 1366. gebul -- border, boundary, territory... 1365, 1366. gebul. 1367 . border, boundary, territory. Transliteration: gebul Phonetic Spelling: (gheb-ool') Short Definition: border. ... /hebrew/1366.htm - 6k 1379. gabal -- to bound, border 2213. zer -- circlet, border 1367. gebulah -- border, boundary 4526. misgereth -- border, rim, fastness 8448. tor -- border, row, turn 2704. Chatsar Enan -- a place on the NE border of Canaan 4831. Maralah -- a place on the border of Zebulun 7883. Shichor -- a stream on the border of Egypt 6367. Pi Hachiroth -- a place on the E. border of Egypt Library The Border of his Sanctuary Ep. xxviii. In visiting the Mountain Cities which Border on ... The Beauty of the Straight Line Might be Taken from the Region of ... A Discourse On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, "After Six Days Jesus ... The Healing of the Sick on the Other Side. The Method of Healing. Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom. How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not ... How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished. On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 8, "I am not Worthy that ... Thesaurus Border (233 Occurrences)... 6. (vi) To approach; to come near to; to verge. 7. (vt) To make a border for; to furnish with a border, as for ornament; as, to border a garment or a garden. ... /b/border.htm - 40k Adjoining (16 Occurrences) Slope (29 Occurrences) Extended (40 Occurrences) Passes (74 Occurrences) Southern (9 Occurrences) Rim (18 Occurrences) Eastern (22 Occurrences) Extending (15 Occurrences) Baalah (5 Occurrences) Resources Who was Zebulun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Mount Hermon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the Book of the Wars of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org Border: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Border (233 Occurrences)Matthew 9:20 Matthew 14:36 Luke 8:44 Luke 17:11 Genesis 10:19 Genesis 14:6 Genesis 23:17 Genesis 25:18 Genesis 47:21 Genesis 49:13 Exodus 8:2 Exodus 10:4 Exodus 10:14 Exodus 10:19 Exodus 13:7 Exodus 16:35 Exodus 19:12 Exodus 19:23 Exodus 23:31 Exodus 25:11 Exodus 25:24 Exodus 25:25 Exodus 25:27 Exodus 28:26 Exodus 28:32 Exodus 30:3 Exodus 30:4 Exodus 34:24 Exodus 37:2 Exodus 37:11 Exodus 37:12 Exodus 37:14 Exodus 37:26 Exodus 37:27 Exodus 38:4 Exodus 39:19 Exodus 39:23 Leviticus 19:9 Leviticus 23:22 Numbers 15:38 Numbers 20:16 Numbers 20:17 Numbers 20:21 Numbers 20:23 Numbers 21:13 Numbers 21:15 Numbers 21:22 Numbers 21:23 Numbers 21:24 Numbers 22:36 Numbers 33:37 Numbers 33:44 Numbers 34:3 Numbers 34:4 Numbers 34:5 Numbers 34:6 Numbers 34:7 Numbers 34:8 Numbers 34:9 Numbers 34:10 Numbers 34:11 Numbers 34:12 Numbers 35:26 Numbers 35:27 Deuteronomy 2:4 Deuteronomy 2:18 Deuteronomy 2:37 Deuteronomy 3:14 Deuteronomy 3:16 Deuteronomy 3:17 Deuteronomy 11:24 Deuteronomy 12:20 Deuteronomy 16:4 Deuteronomy 19:3 Deuteronomy 19:8 Deuteronomy 19:14 Deuteronomy 27:17 Deuteronomy 28:40 Joshua 1:4 Joshua 4:19 Joshua 12:2 Joshua 12:4 Joshua 12:5 Joshua 12:23 Joshua 13:3 Joshua 13:4 Joshua 13:10 Joshua 13:11 Joshua 13:16 Joshua 13:23 Joshua 13:25 Joshua 13:26 Joshua 13:27 Joshua 13:30 Joshua 15:1 Joshua 15:2 Joshua 15:4 Joshua 15:5 Joshua 15:6 Joshua 15:7 Subtopics Related Terms |