יהושע, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ח׳

The boundary lines drawn through the land of Israel do more than simply divide property. They trace a mountainous, complex route over prominent geographic landmarks, marking historical meeting points between the tribes. Around the area of Jerusalem, this path navigates a striking landscape of deep valleys and high peaks that deeply shaped the history of the region. The boundary is initially described as moving upward, even though it immediately passes through a deep valley. This upward movement refers to the general elevation of the region, as the area surrounding Jerusalem sits higher than the rest of the land of Israel [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The border continually climbs the mountain until it hits its absolute highest peak. This summit, identified as the spring of Mei Neftoach or Ein Eitam, is the single point in the area higher than Jerusalem itself, and from there, the border finally begins its descent [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

As it descends, the path cuts through the Valley of Ben Hinnom, situated just south of Jerusalem [מצודת דוד]. The valley took its name from its ancient owner, a man known as Hinnom or Ben Hinnom. In later generations, King Josiah intentionally defiled this very valley to permanently abolish the idol worship that had taken root there, and ancient Aramaic translations refer to it simply as the stream of Ben Hinnom [רד״ק]. From the valley, the border travels to the edge of the Jebusite territory [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This area was named for the Jebusite nation that inhabited it, as they maintained control over the city until the era of King David [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This Jebusite stronghold is in fact the city of Jerusalem [מצודת דוד]. Because the border passes to the south of the city, Jerusalem itself seemingly falls outside the territory of the tribe of Judah, belonging instead to the tribe of Benjamin to the north [רש״י, מלבי״ם].

However, the tribal ownership of Jerusalem is highly complex. Some commentators note that a small strip of land from Judah's territory did cross into the city limits [מצודת דוד]. A broader debate exists among the sages regarding whether Jerusalem was entirely divided among multiple tribes or belonged exclusively to one, especially since other accounts suggest the people of Judah maintained a strong foothold in the city [רלב״ג]. Looking at the broader map of tribal lands, the initial borders drawn for Judah according to God actually included many more cities than the tribe needed. As a result, several of those cities were later transferred to the tribe of Simeon [רלב״ג].

Continuing its route, the border climbs again to the very top of the mountain, reaching the edge of its slope [מלבי״ם]. This mountain stands to the west of the Valley of Ben Hinnom [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Finally, the boundary arrives at the northern edge of the Valley of Rephaim. This valley, which remained entirely within the borders of Judah [מצודת דוד], was famously known in ancient times as a home for giants and powerful warriors, earning it the title of the plain of the mighty in early Aramaic translations [רד״ק].