יהושע, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ה׳

Mapping the territory of the Tribe of Judah requires tracing its eastern and northern borders. The eastern boundary stretches along the eastern side of the territory [רש״י], advancing from south to north [מצודת דוד]. The Dead Sea, situated in the southeastern corner of the land of Israel [רש״י], serves as the entire length of this eastern border [מצודת דוד]. This natural boundary continues until it reaches the specific point where the southern end of the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. According to ancient tradition, from this exact meeting point, the Jordan River turns westward and eventually flows into the Great Sea. This geographic detail helps clarify other biblical descriptions regarding the territory on the other side of the Jordan [מצודת דוד].

From that point, the boundary transitions to map the northern edge of Judah's land, moving in a northern direction [מצודת ציון]. This northern line begins in the east and stretches westward [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Its precise starting location is the exact juncture where the Jordan River falls into the Dead Sea [ביאור שטיינזלץ], a spot where the northern tip of the sea meets the southward flow of the river [מצודת דוד]. At this meeting point, the eastern border officially ends. The boundary line then rises and turns west, cutting inward across the land. This specific geographic route is significant because it brings settlements such as Beth-arabah safely inside the internal territory of the Tribe of Judah [רש״י].