Definition: And the border was drawn [thence], and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that [lieth] before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which [is] Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this [was] the west quarter.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 18:14. It’s a really important and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes the beginning of establishing borders around the sea. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the border was drawn [thence], and compassed the corner of the sea southward…” – This means the boundary line was established. It wasn't just a vague idea; they actually drew a line on the coast, marking where the sea ends. "Compassed" suggests it was done with a measuring tool to make sure it was straight. “…from the hill that [lieth] before Bethhoron southward…” – This tells us where this boundary line started. It's located near the town of Bethhoron, which is about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. "Lieth" means "lay" or “was located." “And the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which [is] Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah:” - This is the key part! Kirjathbaal was a place where people began to build and move into this new territory. “Goings out” means they started moving or establishing something there. And “Kirjathjearim” is the name of a city – specifically, it's the capital city of Judah, which is part of Israel. “this [was] the west quarter.” - This phrase is slightly more complex. It means that this initial boundary line was the western side of the area being established. It’s like saying “This is where we started our settlement.” In short, this verse tells us that after a long period of preparation and surveying, God began establishing boundaries around the sea to mark the edge of the land that Israel would eventually occupy. Context & Significance: This passage is significant because it’s often interpreted as foreshadowing the conquest of Canaan (the Promised Land) by the Israelites. It shows that God was already working in this area and preparing the way for their future arrival. It's a moment of establishing order and setting a foundation for a new nation. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Compare it to another passage in the Bible?