The term "Southern" in the context of the Bible often refers to geographical regions, tribes, or directions that are situated in the southern part of the ancient Near East, particularly in relation to the land of Israel. The southern regions hold significant historical and theological importance throughout the biblical narrative.

Geographical Context

1. Negev: The Negev, or "Negeb," is a desert region located in the southern part of ancient Israel. It is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a place where the patriarchs, such as Abraham and Isaac, sojourned. Genesis 12:9 states, "And Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev." The Negev served as a transitional area between the more fertile lands of Canaan and the wilderness.

2. Judah: The tribe of Judah occupied the southern part of the land of Israel. This region included Jerusalem, the capital city, and was known for its rugged terrain and strategic location. The southern kingdom of Judah, after the division of the united monarchy, played a crucial role in the history of Israel, maintaining the Davidic line and the temple in Jerusalem.

3. Edom: Located to the south of the Dead Sea, Edom was a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The Edomites often had contentious relations with Israel. Obadiah 1:10-12 highlights the judgment against Edom for its actions against Judah: "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever."

Tribal and National Significance

1. Tribe of Simeon: The tribe of Simeon was allocated land within the territory of Judah, in the southern part of Israel. This tribe's inheritance is described in Joshua 19:1: "The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah."

2. Southern Kingdom of Judah: After the death of Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The southern kingdom, consisting primarily of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty. This kingdom is central to the biblical narrative, especially in the books of Kings and Chronicles, as it preserved the line through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come.

Prophetic and Theological Themes

1. Judgment and Restoration: The prophets often spoke of judgment coming from the south. For instance, in Ezekiel 20:46-47, the prophet is instructed to prophesy against the southern forest: "Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the Negev."

2. Messianic Hope: The southern kingdom of Judah is significant in the messianic prophecies. The promise of a ruler from the line of David, who would reign eternally, is a central theme. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of this hope: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders."

Cultural and Historical Influence

The southern regions, particularly Judah, have had a lasting impact on Jewish and Christian history. The preservation of the Davidic line and the temple worship in Jerusalem are pivotal to understanding the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and the coming of Jesus Christ. The southern kingdom's resilience and faithfulness to the covenant, despite periods of apostasy, highlight the enduring nature of God's promises and the hope of redemption.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the south; situated in, or proceeding from, the south; situated or proceeding toward the south.

2. (n.) A Southerner.

3558. notos -- the south wind, hence the southern quarter
... the south wind, hence the southern quarter. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: notos Phonetic Spelling: (not'-os) Short Definition: the south ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3558.htm - 6k

4484. Rhegion -- Rhegium, a city in southern Italy
... Rhegium, a city in southern Italy. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
Rhegion Phonetic Spelling: (hrayg'-ee-on) Short Definition: Rhegium Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4484.htm - 6k

1149. Dalmatia -- Dalmatia, southern Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea
... Dalmatia, southern Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Dalmatia Phonetic Spelling: (dal-mat-ee'-ah) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1149.htm - 6k

2455. Ioudas -- Judah, Judas, the name of several Israelites, also ...
... 2454, 2455. Ioudas. 2456 . Judah, Judas, the name of several Israelites, also
one of the twelve tribes of Isr., also the Southern kingdom. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2455.htm - 6k

3082. Lustra -- Lystra, a city of Lycaonia
... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: Lustra Phonetic Spelling: (loos'-trah) Short Definition:
Lystra Definition: Lystra, a Lycaonian city in the southern part of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3082.htm - 6k

1056. Galilaia -- Galilee, the northern region of Palestine, also ...
... Feminine Transliteration: Galilaia Phonetic Spelling: (gal-il-ah'-yah) Short Definition:
Galilee Definition: Galilee, a district towards the southern end of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1056.htm - 6k

1639. Elamites -- an Elamite, an inhabitant of Elam
... Spelling: (el-am-ee'-tace) Short Definition: an Elamite Definition: an Elamite,
one of a people living to the north of the Persian Gulf in the southern part of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1639.htm - 6k

1191. Derbe -- Derbe, a city of Lycaonia
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Derbe Phonetic Spelling: (der-bay') Short Definition:
Derbe Definition: Derbe, a town in Lycaonia and in the southern part of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1191.htm - 6k

5045. negeb -- south country, the Negeb, south
... south country, the Negeb, south NASB Word Usage Negev (36), South (11), south (45),
south side (2), south* (3), southeast* (1), southern (2), southward (9). ...
/hebrew/5045.htm - 6k

Tries to Become a Politician. Fails. Last Act as a Politician. ...
... Fails. Last Act as a Politician. Tries to Join the Southern Army. Fails Again. ... Fails.
Last Act as a Politician. Tries to Join the Southern Army. Fails Again. ...
/.../chapter vii tries to become.htm

The South Country. Judea Called 'the South,' in Respect of Galilee ...
... Therefore, said they of Zippor, R. Joshua Ben Levi obtained rain for the southern
people: but R. Chaninah hinders it from coming upon the people of Zippor. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 12 the south country.htm

The Story of an Opium Smoker
... THE STORY OF AN OPIUM SMOKER. THE first man to enter the Opium Refuge in Hwochow,
as patient, was named Fan of the village of Southern Springs. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter x the story of.htm

Beyond Cincinnati
... ZeBarney Phillips. 6. The diocese of southern Ohio, of which Christ Church is a
part, was vastly strengthened by the leadership of Frank Nelson. ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/beyond cincinnati.htm

With the Rev. William Burns
... Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journey from home; and before
proceeding to his former sphere of service in the southern province of FU-KIEN ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

Native Christians.
... parts. In Southern India there are thousands calling themselves Syrian
Christians, still more frequently Christians of St. Thomas. ...
/.../chapter xxvi native christians.htm

The Churches of the East
... The presence of the Normans in Southern Italy should have united Pope and Eastern
Emperor against the intruders; but the Greek Church only saw in the Norman ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvii the churches of.htm

The Civil War --Antecedents and Consequences.
... It does not appear that the spiritual quickening of 1857 had any effect in allaying
the sharp controversy between northern and southern Christians on the ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chapter xix the civil warantecedents.htm

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
... argument of the ill placing of En-gedi in the maps, being set too much towards the
north, when it ought to have been placed towards the utmost southern coasts. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 6 the coast of.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... The very difference in the northern and southern territories and their products
tended to keep alive a rivalry between the tribes occupying them. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Southern (9 Occurrences)
...Southern (9 Occurrences). ... Joshua 15:2 And their southern border was from the end
of the salt sea, from the tongue that turns southward; (DBY NIV). ...
/s/southern.htm - 9k

South (170 Occurrences)
... stretching from the mountains and lowlands of Judah in the north to the mountains
of Azazemeh in the south, and from the Dead Sea and southern Ghoron the east ...
/s/south.htm - 46k

Negeb (37 Occurrences)
... To the East it is bounded by the Dead Sea and the southern Ghor, and to the
West there is no defined boundary before the Mediterranean. ...
/n/negeb.htm - 26k

Negev (39 Occurrences)
... To the East it is bounded by the Dead Sea and the southern Ghor, and to the
West there is no defined boundary before the Mediterranean. ...
/n/negev.htm - 26k

Vale (20 Occurrences)
... across. On a steep hill to the southern side and a little Southeast of
the wide expanse is Kh. esh-Shuweikeh, the site of Socoh. ...
/v/vale.htm - 29k

Geology
... or Archean, rocks (A) occupy extensive areas in Asia Minor, and that they are found
in the South in Sinai, Western Arabia, and Eastern and Southern Egypt. ...
/g/geology.htm - 16k

Derbe (4 Occurrences)
... in South Galatia is now accepted by the majority of English and American scholars,
and a traveler passing through the Cilician Gates to Southern Galatia must ...
/d/derbe.htm - 15k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... mo'abhi; Moabites, bene mo'abh): 1. The Land: Moab was the district East of the
Dead Sea, extending from a point some distance North of it to its southern end. ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)
... loosing from Paphos, sailed north-west and came to Perga, the capital of Pamphylia
(Acts 13:13, 14), a province about the middle of the southern sea-board of ...
/p/pamphylia.htm - 12k

Beersheba (33 Occurrences)
... ones. It is nearly midway between the southern end of the Dead Sea and the
Mediterranean. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEERSHEBA. ...
/b/beersheba.htm - 22k

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