In biblical times, the concept of frontiers was both a physical and spiritual reality, often representing the boundaries of lands, tribes, and nations as well as the limits of human understanding and divine revelation. The Bible frequently addresses the idea of frontiers in terms of territorial boundaries, divine promises, and the expansion of God's kingdom.

Territorial Boundaries

The Bible provides numerous accounts of territorial frontiers, particularly in the context of the Promised Land. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." This delineation of land represents a divine frontier, marking the extent of the territory promised to the descendants of Abraham. Similarly, in Numbers 34:2-12, God instructs Moses on the specific boundaries of the land that the Israelites are to inherit, detailing the frontiers of the land of Canaan.

The division of land among the tribes of Israel further emphasizes the importance of frontiers. Joshua 13-21 meticulously describes the allocation of territories, with each tribe receiving a specific portion of land. These boundaries were not only geographical but also served to maintain order and identity among the tribes.

Divine Promises and Expansion

Frontiers in the Bible are often associated with divine promises and the expansion of God's kingdom. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 exemplifies the spiritual frontier that Jesus sets before His disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This command extends the frontier of the Gospel beyond the physical borders of Israel to encompass all nations, highlighting the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

The Book of Acts records the early church's efforts to cross cultural and geographical frontiers, spreading the message of Christ from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The apostle Paul's missionary journeys further illustrate the breaking of frontiers as he travels across the Roman Empire, establishing churches and preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.

Spiritual Frontiers

Beyond physical and geographical boundaries, the Bible also addresses spiritual frontiers. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the spiritual frontiers that believers must navigate, emphasizing the unseen battles that occur beyond the physical realm.

The concept of frontiers also appears in the context of personal faith and growth. Hebrews 6:1 encourages believers to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity," urging them to push beyond the frontiers of basic understanding and to deepen their spiritual knowledge and relationship with God.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible presents frontiers as multifaceted, encompassing physical territories, divine promises, and spiritual realms. These frontiers serve as markers of God's covenantal faithfulness, the expansion of His kingdom, and the ongoing journey of faith for believers.7097a. qatseh -- end, extremity
... end, extremity NASB Word Usage among (2), border (2), edge (12), end (46), ends
(5), extreme (1), extreme end (2), extremity (2), frontiers (1), last one (1 ...
/hebrew/7097a.htm - 5k

Of the Falsity of the Augury by which the Strength and Stability ...
... should yield to none the place it once occupied; likewise, that on account of the
god Terminus, no one would be able to disturb the Roman frontiers; and also ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the falsity of.htm

A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100.
... tasks. The frontiers of Germany had to be secured, its lands brought under
cultivation, its towns built, its social polity developed. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ii a long twilight.htm

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... for, in case the persons to whom the hare was intrusted were to be seen by any of
the spies or other persons employed by Astyages on the frontiers, they would ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

The visit to Media.
... or sixteen years old, his uncle Cyaxares was married, and in celebrating his nuptials,
he formed a great hunting party, to go to the frontiers between Media ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm

Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... of Asia, and especially to those who ruled over the countries which lay near the
western confines of the empire, and consequently near the Greek frontiers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iv preparations for the.htm

Significance of Compulsory Service.
... and Scotch guards, and makes the Russian authorities of to-day so carefully distribute
the recruits, so that the regiments from the frontiers are stationed in ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter vii significance of compulsory.htm

Introduction
... open for its merchants by sea to the harbours and products of Europe, but the desert
which formed its southern boundary sloped away to the frontiers of Egypt ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... of the northern Arabs (678-676 BC)"Egyptian affairs; Taharqa (Tirhakah), his building
operations, his Syrian policy"Disturbances on the frontiers of Elam ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

Introduction.
... He is "hunted like a partridge upon the mountains," a fugitive and half a freebooter,
taking service at foreign courts, and lurking on the frontiers with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

The Invasion of Scythia.
... was the suppression of a rebellion within their dominions, and the second, an
expedition against some ferocious and half-savage nations beyond their frontiers. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter viii the invasion of.htm

Frontiers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Frontiers (3 Occurrences). Matthew 4:13 and leaving
Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town by ...
/f/frontiers.htm - 7k

Frontier (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/f/frontier.htm - 9k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... The hill country is an area well defined, about 35 miles long and some 15 broad,
and is protected on three sides by natural frontiers of great strength; on the ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Kiriathaim (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/k/kiriathaim.htm - 9k

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... In the Babylonian orthography Nabu-kudur-uzur, which means "Nebo, protect the crown!"
or the "frontiers." In an inscription he styles himself "Nebo's favourite ...
/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm - 57k

Jeshimoth (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/j/jeshimoth.htm - 7k

Flank (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/f/flank.htm - 8k

Frontlet (1 Occurrence)

/f/frontlet.htm - 6k

Deprive (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/d/deprive.htm - 11k

Meon (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from
his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth ...
/m/meon.htm - 7k

Frontiers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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