יהושע, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ט׳

The borders defining the tribal lands are rarely simple, straight lines. Between the territories of Judah and Benjamin, the boundary follows a highly complex and winding path, shaped by strategic mountain peaks and natural springs. Rather than cutting straight across the land, the border moves in a sweeping, circular motion, much like a compass drawing a curve. This route wraps around specific areas from three different directions, creating a rounded strip of land that juts out from Benjamin's territory and is absorbed entirely into the land of Judah [מלבי״ם].

Tracing this path, the boundary sweeps westward from the mountain peak, carefully following the natural ridge of the hills [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It continues along this high ground until it reaches the spring of Nephtoah, recognized in early rabbinic traditions as the spring of Ein Eitam [רד״ק]. From this vital water source, the border line expands northward, reaching toward the cities of Mount Ephron, an area firmly established as part of Judah's inheritance [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

As the border continues, it makes another distinct curve at Baalah. Instead of moving west, the boundary pushes northward again, creating another geographical bulge [רש״י]. This specific location is explicitly identified as Kiriath-jearim to avoid any geographical mix-up, as there was another city named Baalah in the southern desert region that belonged to the tribe of Simeon. Kiriath-jearim was a possession of Judah that ran right against the boundary of Benjamin. By wrapping around Kiriath-jearim on three sides, the border line effectively enclosed the city entirely within Judah, even as it physically protruded outward into Benjamin's land [מלבי״ם].