Joshua 18:15
New International Version
The southern side began at the outskirts of Kiriath Jearim on the west, and the boundary came out at the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

New Living Translation
The southern boundary began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. From that western point it ran to the spring at the waters of Nephtoah,

English Standard Version
And the southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. And the boundary goes from there to Ephron, to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

Berean Standard Bible
On the south side the border began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim and extended westward to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah.

King James Bible
And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:

New King James Version
The south side began at the end of Kirjath Jearim, and the border extended on the west and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

New American Standard Bible
Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went westward and went to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

NASB 1995
Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went westward and went to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

NASB 1977
Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went westward and went to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went out westward and went out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

Amplified Bible
The southern side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went on westward and went to the source of the waters of Nephtoah.

Christian Standard Bible
The south side began at the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border extended westward; it went to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The south side began at the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border extended westward; it went to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah.

American Standard Version
And the south quarter was from the uttermost part of Kiriath-jearim; and the border went out westward, and went out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah;

Contemporary English Version
Benjamin's southern border started at the edge of Kiriath-Jearim and went east to the ruins and on to Nephtoah Spring.

English Revised Version
And the south quarter was from the uttermost part of Kirjath-jearim, and the border went out westward, and went out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The southern border begins just outside Kiriath Jearim and goes west, to the springs of Nephtoah.

Good News Translation
The southern border started on the edge of Kiriath Jearim and went to the Springs of Nephtoah.

International Standard Version
The southern boundary began at the edge of Kiriath-jearim, proceeding from there to Ephron and then to the spring at the Nephtoah Waters.

Majority Standard Bible
On the south side the border began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim and extended westward to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah.

NET Bible
The southern side started on the edge of Kiriath Jearim and extended westward to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

New Heart English Bible
The south quarter was from the farthest part of Kiriath Jearim. The border went out westward, and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjah-jearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:

World English Bible
The south quarter was from the farthest part of Kiriath Jearim. The border went out westward, and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the south quarter [is] from the end of Kirjath-Jearim, and the border has gone out westward, and has gone out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah;

Young's Literal Translation
And the south quarter is from the end of Kirjath-Jearim, and the border hath gone out westward, and gone out unto the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the south side from the extremity of the City of Forests, and the bound went out to the sea, and went out to the fountain of water of Neptitoah:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But on the south side the border goeth out from part of Cariathiarim towards the sea, and cometh to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoa.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But to the south, the border goes on from the part of Kiriath-jearim toward the sea, and it continues as far as the Fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

New American Bible
The southern boundary began at the limits of Kiriath-jearim and projected to the spring at Nephtoah.

New Revised Standard Version
The southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim; and the boundary goes from there to Ephron, to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the southern boundary was from the end of Koriath-narin, and the border went out to the sea, and went out to the fountain of waters of Naphtali:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the side of the south from the end of Quryath Nahrayn, and the border to the sea went out, and it went out into the Spring of waters of Naphtali
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the south side was from the uttermost part of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went out westward, and went out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the south side on the part of Cariath-Baal; and the borders shall go across to Gasin, to the fountain of the water of Naphtho.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Benjamin's Inheritance
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. 16Then it went down to the foot of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim and ran down the Valley of Hinnom toward the southern slope of the Jebusites and downward to En-rogel.…

Cross References
Numbers 34:2-5
“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 boundaries: / Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, / 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, ...

Deuteronomy 3:12-17
So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. / To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.) / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. ...

Joshua 15:1-12
Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary: / Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea, / proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka. ...

Ezekiel 47:13-20
This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance. / This shall be the boundary of the land: On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, ...

Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

Judges 1:18-19
And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory. / The LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had chariots of iron.

1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

2 Chronicles 9:26
He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.

Isaiah 33:17
Your eyes will see the King in His beauty and behold a land that stretches afar.

Jeremiah 31:17
So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land.

Matthew 4:13-16
Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ...

Mark 7:31
Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.

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 4:3-5
He left Judea and returned to Galilee. / Now He had to pass through Samaria. / So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:

Nephtoah

Joshua 15:9
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:

Jump to Previous
Border Edge End Ephron Extreme Jearim Kiriath Kiriath-Jearim Kir'iath-Je'arim Kirjathjearim Kirjath-Jearim Line Nephtoah Nephto'ah Outskirts Part Point Quarter Side South Southern Spring Uttermost Waters West Westward
Jump to Next
Border Edge End Ephron Extreme Jearim Kiriath Kiriath-Jearim Kir'iath-Je'arim Kirjathjearim Kirjath-Jearim Line Nephtoah Nephto'ah Outskirts Part Point Quarter Side South Southern Spring Uttermost Waters West Westward
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














On the south side
This phrase indicates a specific geographical orientation, which is crucial in understanding the territorial boundaries being described. In the context of ancient Israel, directions were often given in relation to the cardinal points, which were significant for tribal allocations. The south side here refers to the southern boundary of the land being described, emphasizing the precision with which God allocated the land to the tribes of Israel. This precision reflects God's order and intentionality in His promises and provisions.

the border began
The term "border" in Hebrew is "gevul," which signifies a boundary or limit. In the ancient Near Eastern context, borders were essential for defining the extent of a tribe's inheritance. This demarcation was not just a physical boundary but also a spiritual and covenantal one, as it represented the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. The beginning of the border signifies the starting point of this divine allotment, underscoring the faithfulness of God in delivering what He has promised.

at the edge of Kiriath-jearim
Kiriath-jearim, meaning "City of Forests," was a significant landmark in the tribal territories of Israel. It was located on the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Historically, Kiriath-jearim is known as the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a time before being moved to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 7:1-2). This location serves as a reminder of God's presence and guidance among His people, as well as the importance of sacred spaces in the life of Israel.

and extended to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah
The extension of the border to the "spring of the waters of Nephtoah" highlights the importance of water sources in ancient territorial boundaries. Springs were vital for sustaining life and agriculture, making them valuable landmarks. The Hebrew word for "spring" is "ma'ayan," which can also mean a fountain or source. This imagery of water is often used in Scripture to symbolize life, purity, and sustenance, reflecting God's provision for His people. The specific mention of Nephtoah, though not widely known today, indicates a precise and intentional demarcation, reinforcing the idea that God’s promises are detailed and reliable.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

side
וּפְאַת־ (ū·p̄ə·’aṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity

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

began at the outskirts
מִקְצֵ֖ה (miq·ṣêh)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

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

and extended
וְיָצָ֤א (wə·yā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

westward
יָ֔מָּה (yām·māh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

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

the spring
מַעְיַ֖ן (ma‘·yan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4599: A fountain, a source

at the Waters
מֵ֥י (mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of Nephtoah.
נֶפְתּֽוֹחַ׃ (nep̄·tō·w·aḥ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5318: Nephtoah -- a place on the border of Judah and Benjamin


Links
Joshua 18:15 NIV
Joshua 18:15 NLT
Joshua 18:15 ESV
Joshua 18:15 NASB
Joshua 18:15 KJV

Joshua 18:15 BibleApps.com
Joshua 18:15 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 18:15 Chinese Bible
Joshua 18:15 French Bible
Joshua 18:15 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 18:15 The south quarter was from the farthest (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 18:14
Top of Page
Top of Page