Definition: And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that [is] before the going up to Adummim, which [is] on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Joshua 15:7. It’s a really important part of the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan and shows how they established a clear defensive boundary. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they built a wall around the entire area to protect their land. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the border went up toward Debir…” – This refers to a wall built near the city of Debir (which is believed to be a place in modern-day Lebanon). It was a significant marker and point of defense. “…from the valley of Achor…” – The “valley of Achor” is a very specific area, located on the eastern side of the river. It’s known for being a desolate, barren place. “And so northward, looking toward Gilgal…” – This means they built the wall northward , towards the city of Gilgal (also in modern-day Lebanon). “…that [is] before the going up to Adummim…” – This is a crucial detail. They were building this wall before the Israelites went to the city of Adummim, which was located on the southern side of the river. “which [is] on the south side of the river:” – This reinforces that they built the wall along the river's edge. “and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh…” – This is where it gets really important. They built the wall towards a large body of water called Enshemesh (likely a lake or marshland). “and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:” - This means that the water flowed out from this area, and the flow of water was channeled towards the city of Enrogel. Putting it all together: The verse describes a wall built to protect Israel’s land, starting near Debir and moving north toward Gilgal, then continuing northward towards Adummim, before reaching the river and eventually flowing out towards Enrogel. It's essentially a secure perimeter around the territory. Why was this important? It shows that they were establishing a strong defensive line to prevent enemies from entering their land. It also demonstrates their focus on securing their borders and controlling the flow of resources within their territory. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular part in more detail? Provide context about the history surrounding this verse? Compare it to a similar passage in the Bible?