Territory of judah in Biblical History

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What is the Territory of Judah?
TERRITORY OF JU'DAH
Situation and Extent. -- The district assigned to the tribe of Judah in the Promised Land, with its cities, is described in Josh 15. It extended across the whole of Western Palestine, from the Dead Sea on the east to the Mediterranean on the west. The northern boundary extended from Beth-hogla (the present 'Ain Hajleh, a little to the south-east of Jericho), entered the hills near the present road from Jericho, ran westward to Enshemesh (below Bethany), thence over the Mount of Olives to Enrogel, and along the ravine of Hinnom (just south of Jerusalem), thence by the water of Nephtoah, Kirjath-jearim, Beth-shemesh, Timnah, and Ekron to Jabneel, on the sea-coast, some 4 miles below Joppa. See Josh 15:6-11. The Nahr Rubin, "River of Reuben," a winding, reedy river, the only real stream south of Jaffa, seems to have constituted the natural boundary. The southern boundary-line is more difficult to trace, since some of the places mentioned in Josh 15:2-4 cannot be identified with certainty. It left the Dead Sea at its southern end, and extended westward to the river of Egypt, Wady el Arish. The average extent of this district was 50 miles from east to west and 45 miles from north to south, and its area about half that of the State of Connecticut. A portion of this territory was subsequently cut off for Simeon, which thus became the frontier tribe of the south. Josh 19:1-9. A portion of the north-western part was also given to Dan. Comp. Josh 19:40-48. Physical Features. -- The territory of Judah comprised four regions quite distinct in physical features: (1) The south country, or Negeb, where the fertile land shaded off into the wilderness. (2) The valley, plain, or Shefelah, lying between the Mediterranean and the central hill-country. Josh 15:33-47. This was an exceedingly fertile country, occupied by the Philistines, who constantly disputed possession. (3) The hill-country, occupying the central range of mountains. Josh 15:48-60. This region was favorable for the olive and vine. (4) The wilderness, sloping from the central hills to the Dead Sea, at which it terminates in precipitous cliffs. Josh 15:61-62. This barren tract has evidently been uncultivated and uninhabited from the remotest times, for here alone, of all Palestine, are found no traces of the ruins of former cities. An exception must be made of the fringe of the Dead Sea, where were six cities. Josh 15:21-62. For a more detailed account of its physical geography, see Palestine. Cities and Towns. -- A list of the cities belonging to the territory allotted to Judah is given in Josh 15:21-62. These are grouped in several divisions. There were 29 in the southern district, Josh 15:32. Mr. Wilton, in his book, The Negeb, gives a list of 29. The nearly 40 names in the received version are diminished by noting that some of the names standing for separate towns are really compound words. The towns of most note in Judah were Hebron, Bethlehem, Kirjath-jearim, Lachish, and Libnah. Thirteen of the cities of Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon were allotted to the priests. Josh 21:9-19. The Levites also had cities in other tribes. History. -- Under Joshua a part of the plain and some of the hill-towns were taken. Josh 10:28-35, Josh 10:38-40; Jer 11:21, Ex 11:23. After his death Judah and Simeon captured some of the Philistine cities and sacked Jerusalem. Jud 1:1-20. During the time of the Judges little is heard of Judah. Only one judge, Othniel, is certainly known to have belonged to that tribe. Jud 3:9-11. That its people were cowed by the Philistines appears from their conduct concerning Samson. Jud 15:9-13. Judah furnished a small contingent for the army of King Saul the Benjamite. 1 Sam 15:4. David was made king at Hebron, and for seven years and a half ruled over Judah from that city. 2 Sam 2:11. After the splendid reigns of David and Solomon over the united tribes came the division and the separate kingdom of Judah, which is treated above.

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Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'territory of judah' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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