In the context of the Bible, "bordering" refers to the delineation and demarcation of territories, lands, and nations. This concept is significant throughout the biblical narrative, as it often relates to the fulfillment of divine promises, the establishment of tribal inheritances, and the maintenance of peace and order among neighboring peoples.

Old Testament Context

The concept of borders is first introduced in the Book of Genesis, where God promises specific lands to the descendants of Abraham. 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 promise establishes a divine boundary for the future nation of Israel.

The delineation of borders becomes more detailed in the Book of Numbers, where God instructs Moses on the boundaries of the Promised Land. Numbers 34:2 states, "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." The chapter goes on to describe the specific borders of the land allotted to the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Joshua, the division of the land among the tribes is further detailed. Joshua 13-21 outlines the specific territories assigned to each tribe, emphasizing the importance of borders in maintaining tribal identity and inheritance. Joshua 13:1 notes, "Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, 'You are old and advanced in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed.'"

Significance of Borders

Borders in the biblical narrative often signify divine order and provision. They are not merely geographical markers but are imbued with theological significance. The establishment of borders is seen as a fulfillment of God's promises and a means of ensuring the orderly distribution of land among His people.

Borders also play a role in the relationships between Israel and neighboring nations. In Deuteronomy 2:4-5 , God instructs the Israelites regarding their interactions with the descendants of Esau: "You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so be very careful. Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a foot of it, because I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus on physical borders in the same way as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual boundaries is present. The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles and the expansion of the gospel beyond the borders of Israel. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' command to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This expansion signifies a breaking of traditional boundaries, emphasizing the universality of the gospel message. The spiritual borders of God's kingdom extend beyond ethnic and geographical lines, inviting all people to partake in the promises of God.

Conclusion

The concept of bordering in the Bible underscores the importance of divine order, inheritance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It highlights the significance of both physical and spiritual boundaries in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Border.4195. Pontos -- "a sea," Pontus, a region of Asia Minor
... Pontos Phonetic Spelling: (pon'-tos) Short Definition: Pontus Definition: Pontus,
a Roman province in the north of Asia Minor, bordering on the Black Sea ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4195.htm - 6k

Some Places Bordering Upon Tsippor. Jeshanah. Ketsarah. Shihin.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 81-90 Chapter 83 Some places bordering
upon Tsippor. Jeshanah. Ketsarah. Shihin. I. In the place ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 83 some places bordering.htm

The Doctrine of Manich??us not Only Uncertain, but False. His ...
... Uncertain, But False. His Absurd Fancy of a Land and Race of Darkness Bordering
on the Holy Region and the Substance of God. 19. What if ...
/.../chapter 15 name doctrine of.htm

Of the Situation of Tiberias.
... And the towns bordering upon Tiberias, and the land of the Scythopolitans, were
laid waste." Note, how the towns of those of Gadara and Hippo are called "towns ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 73 of the situation.htm

On Genesis.
... And in saying, moreover, that Zabulun will dwell by the sea, he speaks prophetically
of his territory as bordering on the sea, and of Israel as mingling with ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

The Sixt Part.
... but hardly any truely zealous man of God (though of lesser gifts) but have had much
comfort of their labours, in their owne and bordering parishes, being in ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the sixt part.htm

Introduction
... the Spaniards; for though the Cabots were the first to discover the continent, and
Columbus the first European who set foot on the islands bordering upon the ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume i/introduction.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... A wicker rocking-chair had a cushion of bright-colored satine firmly tied in, and
matching the ribbons which were drawn through the bordering interstices of ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

Croesus.
... The country of Lydia, over which this famous sovereign originally ruled, was
in the western part of Asia Minor, bordering on the AEgean Sea. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager
... The Wilderness of Canaan is a wild, rough district bordering on the Jordan Valley,
through which every pilgrim and home-seeker must pass before he finds his ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter nine in the dungeon.htm

The Causes of Impatience, and their Correspondent Precepts.
... so, if, when suffering from a loss, we feel impatiently, grieving for what is lost
from what is not our own, we shall be detected as bordering on covetousness ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter vii the causes of impatience.htm

Bordering (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Border. Multi-Version
Concordance Bordering (3 Occurrences). Ezekiel 45:7 As to the ...
/b/bordering.htm - 7k

Frontier (6 Occurrences)
... of a country which fronts or faces another country or an unsettled region; the marches;
the border, confine, or extreme part of a country, bordering on another ...
/f/frontier.htm - 9k

Ophrah (9 Occurrences)
... oppressing Midianites. Manasseh, of course, as bordering on the southern
edge of the plain, was in close touch with the invaders. At ...
/o/ophrah.htm - 13k

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
... The country bordering on the shores of the Dead Sea for some miles inland was known
as the Wilderness of Judea (see JUDAH; JESHIMON) (Matthew 3:1), or "the ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)
... life can exist. (2) The sterile plateau West of the steep cliffs bordering
the western shores of the Dead Sea. Here between the ...
/j/jeshimon.htm - 11k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... 13:2, the King James Version reads "Geshuri," the Revised Version (British and American)
"the Geshurites," referring evidently to a district bordering on the ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Geology
...Bordering either the Crystalline or the Paleozoic rocks in Egypt, Sinai and Arabia
are large areas of Nubian Sandstone (N). The Nubian Sandstone in turn is ...
/g/geology.htm - 16k

Innocence (10 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Simplicity or plainness, bordering on weakness or silliness;
artlessness; ingenuousness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/i/innocence.htm - 12k

Tattenai (4 Occurrences)
... Tatnai, tat'ni, tat'na-i'): A Persian governor, who was the successor of Rehum in
Samaria and some other provinces belonging to Judah, bordering on Samaria. ...
/t/tattenai.htm - 8k

Terrace (1 Occurrence)
... row of houses. 5. (n.) A level plain, usually with a steep front, bordering
a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea. 6. (vt) To form ...
/t/terrace.htm - 7k

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Bordering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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