Bible Commentaries

And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the ^a bay that looketh southward:

(a) The Hebrew word signifies tongue, by which it means either the arm of the sea that comes into the land, or a rock, or cape that goes into the sea.

And the east border [was] the salt sea, [even] unto the ^b end of Jordan. And [their] border in the north quarter [was] from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

(b) Meaning the mouth of the river where it runs into the Salt sea.

And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the ^c stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

(c) Which was a mark to part their countries.

And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the ^d sea.

(d) Meaning, toward Syria.

And Caleb ^e drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

(e) This was done after the death of Joshua, (Judges 1:10) , (Judges 1:20).

And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: ^f and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

(f) Because her husband tarried too long.

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; ^g give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

(g) Because her country was barren, she wanted a field that had springs from her father. (Judges 1:14-15).

And Eltolad, and Chesil, and ^h Hormah,

(h) Which before was called Zephath, (Judges 1:17).

Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the ⁱ river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border [thereof]:

(i) Meaning, the Nile (Joshua 13:3).

And Dannah, and ^k Kirjathsannah, which [is] Debir,

(k) Which is also called Kirjath-sepher, (Joshua 15:15).

And Nibshan, and the ^l city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

(l) Of this city the salt sea has it's name.

As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them ^m out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

(m) That is, utterly, though they slew the most part, and burnt their city, (Judges 1:8).