יהושע, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ז׳

The boundaries of the tribal lands take shape through a precise geographic journey, mapping out every rise, turn, and curve of the land. The northern border of the tribe of Judah winds carefully through valleys, steep ascents, and natural springs, creating a shared seam with the neighboring tribe of Benjamin.

The boundary line drops down from an earlier landmark, Even Bohan, into the Valley of Achor. This valley sits exactly between Even Bohan and the city of Devir [רש"י]. From the valley floor, the border climbs upward to Devir, a city firmly placed within Judah's own territory [מלבי"ם, מצודת דוד]. Just north of Devir [ביאור שטיינזלץ], the boundary shifts direction. Breaking away from a straight path, the border widens and pushes northward toward Gilgal [רש"י, מלבי"ם, מצודת דוד]. This area is also known as Gelilot. While many regions bearing that name belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, one specific section located south of the local river belonged to Judah, forming the boundary line [רד"ק, מלבי"ם].

Gilgal sits directly across from a well-known ascent called Maaleh Adumim [רד"ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This steep, dry incline, entirely lacking in water [רש"י], lies to the south of the river. Because the boundary line runs south of this waterway, the river itself is left outside the territory of Judah [רש"י, מצודת דוד].

Moving past Maaleh Adumim, the border continues its journey toward the waters of Ein Shemesh before stretching onward to Ein Rogel. Reaching Ein Rogel marks the end of the border's northern expansion. From this spot, the boundary line begins to pull back inward, shortening and returning to a straighter path [מלבי"ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ein Rogel itself is a natural spring located south of Jerusalem [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It served as a working spring for local launderers. Its name, Rogel, comes from the physical footwork of these workers, who would rub, stomp, and kick woolen garments with their feet to wash them [רש"י, רד"ק].