יהושע, פרק י״ח, פסוק י״ד

The borders of the tribe of Benjamin are mapped with precision, shifting direction to form a western boundary that links the territory of Ephraim in the north to Judah in the south. The primary approach among commentators is that the border curved and circled around the landscape [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], while some specify that it wrapped around a particular mountain from three distinct sides [מלבי״ם]. After finishing its northern run from east to west, the boundary turned westward and began descending south [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

This western line started at the mountain located south of the city of Beth-horon. From this northwestern corner, the border dropped southward, creating a shape resembling the Hebrew letter Dalet [מלבי״ם]. Its path ended at Kiriath-baal, also known as Kiriath-jearim, which is identified as a city belonging to Judah. This geographic layout shows that Benjamin's territory spanned the entire width of land between Judah and Ephraim, with the northern cities of Judah acting as markers for Benjamin's southern and western borders [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Being wedged between two major tribes carried deep historical and spiritual meaning. Benjamin's southern border touched Judah, where the city of Jerusalem was shared between the two tribes. At the same time, its northern border met Ephraim, the location of Shiloh. Because of this unique geographic placement, every location where the Divine Presence rested in Israel, including Shiloh, Nob, and the Temple in Jerusalem, fell within the portion of the tribe of Benjamin [רש״י].