The borders of the tribal territories (Josh 13-19)

THE BORDERS OF THE TRIBAL TERRITORIES

The description of the tribal territories in Joshua 13–19 comprised some detailed border descriptions and lists of towns for the respective tribes. The town lists are assumed by most scholars to date to a period of centralized administration during the monarchy. This is especially relevant for the extensive lists of Judah which are organized into regions and districts. The border descriptions are only partial. The map shows that detailed descriptions are given for only a few of the tribes. Those accounts that do exist consist of recognizable boundary points given in geographical order. The course of the border can be traced by means of the descriptive verbs used in the delineations. Comparison of parallel passages giving the same border, such as the mutual boundary of Benjamin with Judah and Ephraim, show that the original text must have been much more detailed than the abridged versions preserved in the book of Joshua. One finds careful recording of small details only in crucial areas, such as the boundary passing around Jerusalem. The zones where definite borders are not given correspond roughly to those areas where the Israelites had not actually penetrated during the initial stages of the settlement process (as depicted in Judg 1).

Article abstract from The Sacred Bridge