Joshua 15:12
New International Version
The western boundary is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans.

New Living Translation
The western boundary was the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. These are the boundaries for the clans of the tribe of Judah.

English Standard Version
And the west boundary was the Great Sea with its coastline. This is the boundary around the people of Judah according to their clans.

Berean Standard Bible
And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.

King James Bible
And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

New King James Version
The west border was the coastline of the Great Sea. This is the boundary of the children of Judah all around according to their families.

New American Standard Bible
The western border was at the Great Sea, even its coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.

NASB 1995
The west border was at the Great Sea, even its coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.

NASB 1977
And the west border was at the Great Sea, even its coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the west border was at the Great Sea, even its coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.

Amplified Bible
The western border was at the Great Sea, with its coastline. This is the border around the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the western border was the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. This was the boundary of the descendants of Judah around their clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the western border was the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. This was the boundary of the descendants of Judah around their clans.

American Standard Version
And the west border was to the great sea, and the border thereof. This is the border of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

Contemporary English Version
which was Judah's western border. The clans of Judah lived within these borders.

English Revised Version
And the west border was to the great sea, and the border thereof. This is the border of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The western border is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. These are the borders around Judah that belong to their families.

Good News Translation
which formed the western border. Within these borders lived the people of the families of Judah.

International Standard Version
The western border was at the Mediterranean Sea coastline. This is the border that surrounded the territory of the descendants of Judah, according to their families.

Majority Standard Bible
And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.

NET Bible
The western border was the Mediterranean Sea. These were the borders of the tribe of Judah and its clans.

New Heart English Bible
The west border was to the shore of the Great Sea. This is the border of the people of Judah according to their families.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the west border was to the great sea, and its coast: this is the border of the children of Judah round about, according to their families.

World English Bible
The west border was to the shore of the great sea. This is the border of the children of Judah according to their families.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the west border [is] to the Great Sea, and [its] border; this [is] the border of the sons of Judah all around for their families.

Young's Literal Translation
And the west border is to the great sea, and its border; this is the border of the sons of Judah round about for their families.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the bound of the sea, the great sea: and this bound the bound of the sons of Judah round about according to their families.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These are the borders round about of the children of Juda in their kindreds.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are the borders of the sons of Judah, in their families, on all sides.

New American Bible
The western boundary was the Great Sea and its coast. This was the complete boundary of the Judahites by their clans.

New Revised Standard Version
And the west boundary was the Mediterranean with its coast. This is the boundary surrounding the people of Judah according to their families.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the west border was extended to the Great Sea, and the coast thereof. This is the boundary of the descendants of Judah according to their families.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And its border is from the west to Mariba at its borders; this is the border of the children of Yehuda for their families, like a circle
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And as for the west border, the Great Sea was the border thereof. This is the border of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These are the borders of the children of Juda round about according to their families.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah's Inheritance
11Then it went out to the northern slope of Ekron, curved toward Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went on to Jabneel, and ended at the Sea. 12And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.

Cross References
Numbers 34:6
Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west.

Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea.

Ezekiel 47:20
And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary.

Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—

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.

Psalm 72:8
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 11:14
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Jeremiah 47:7
How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”

Amos 6:2
Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?

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

Mark 3:8
Jerusalem, Idumea, the region beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him when they heard what great things He was doing.

Luke 6:17
Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.

Acts 2:9-11
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, / Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, / both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Romans 15:19
by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

the great sea

Joshua 15:47
Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:

Numbers 34:6,7
And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border…

Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

Jump to Previous
Border Boundaries Boundary Children Clans Coast Coastline Coast-Line Edge Judah Limit Marked Round Sea Shore Thereof West Western
Jump to Next
Border Boundaries Boundary Children Clans Coast Coastline Coast-Line Edge Judah Limit Marked Round Sea Shore Thereof West Western
Joshua 15
1. The borders of the lot of Judah
13. Caleb's portion and conquest
16. Othniel, for his valour, marries Achsah, Caleb's daughter
18. She obtains a blessing of her father
21. The cities of Judah
63. The Jebusites unconquered














And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea.
The "Great Sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which served as the western boundary for the tribe of Judah. This geographical marker was significant in ancient times as it provided access to maritime trade routes and influenced the economic and cultural interactions of the region. The Mediterranean Sea is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing vastness and the boundary of the known world (e.g., Numbers 34:6). The western border being the coastline indicates the strategic importance of Judah's territory, offering both protection and opportunities for expansion. This boundary also fulfilled God's promise to Abraham regarding the land his descendants would inherit (Genesis 15:18).

These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.
The delineation of boundaries for the tribe of Judah underscores the importance of land inheritance in Israelite society. Each tribe received a specific portion of land, which was crucial for maintaining tribal identity and fulfilling God's covenant promises. The tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend, held a prominent position among the tribes of Israel. The boundaries defined here are part of the larger division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes, as commanded by God through Moses and executed by Joshua (Joshua 13-21). This allocation of land also reflects the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing over Judah, where he prophesied leadership and prominence for Judah's descendants (Genesis 49:8-12).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe of Judah is significant in biblical history, as it is the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended.

2. The Great Sea
Known today as the Mediterranean Sea, it served as the western boundary for the tribe of Judah. This sea was a major geographical landmark in the ancient Near East.

3. The Clans of Judah
Refers to the family groups within the tribe of Judah. Each clan had its own inheritance within the tribal territory.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Promises
The delineation of Judah's borders is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. This reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, encouraging us to trust in His word.

Significance of Boundaries
Boundaries were important for maintaining order and identity among the tribes. In our lives, setting boundaries can help us maintain spiritual health and focus on God's purposes.

Heritage and Legacy
The tribe of Judah's inheritance is a reminder of the spiritual heritage we have in Christ. We are called to live in a way that honors our spiritual legacy and passes it on to future generations.

Role of Geography in God's Plan
The geographical boundaries of Judah played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. This teaches us that God uses specific places and circumstances in our lives for His purposes.Verse 12. - And the coast thereof See Joshua 13:23.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

border
וּגְב֣וּל (ū·ḡə·ḇūl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

was the coastline
וּגְב֑וּל (ū·ḡə·ḇūl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

of the Great
הַגָּד֖וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

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

These
זֶ֠ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

are the boundaries
גְּב֧וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

around
סָבִ֖יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the clans
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the descendants
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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


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OT History: Joshua 15:12 The west border was to the shore (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 15:11
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