Mapmaking for a nation involves more than marking territory; it establishes the physical and historical contours of the land. The eastern boundary of the Land of Israel traces a journey southward, moving past prominent geographic landmarks until it reaches the Sea of Galilee. Any border traveling from north to south is described as going down, progressing downward in a nearly straight line [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Along this route, the line passes to the east of a location known as the spring. By routing to the east, the boundary naturally sweeps this water source, whether it is a specific local spring or the larger Hula lake, firmly into the territory of Israel [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Beyond mere geography, the names of these border stations carry a dark prophetic shadow concerning the future of King Zedekiah. The sequence of locations hints at the tragic events where Zedekiah would eventually be blinded in Riblah by Nebuchadnezzar. The station named Shepham mirrors the traditional mourning practice of covering the upper lip, symbolizing the deep mourning Zedekiah would experience after his sons were slaughtered right before his eyes [שפתי כהן].
The boundary continues its descent until it meets the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Consequently, the entire body of water rests safely within the borders of the land, positioned to the west of the boundary line [רש״י]. This sea is distinctly unique because it is entirely landlocked and separated from the oceans of the world, enclosed completely by the settlements of the Land of Israel like a private, sealed pool [חזקוני].
The exact way the border interacts with the sea is understood in a few different ways. The primary approach is that the boundary simply reaches, touches, and brushes against the water [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this meeting as a forceful striking or clapping against the shore [רבנו בחיי, אבן עזרא]. A more conceptual approach suggests that the boundary loses its defined shape upon hitting the water. While land borders can be drawn with precise geometric shapes like squares or sharp angles, a border is essentially erased the moment it meets the sea, since a solid shape cannot be imprinted into water [הכתב והקבלה].
From this point on the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee, the boundary continues its downward, diagonal path along the Jordan River until it finally reaches the Dead Sea. This final stretch seals the southeastern corner of the land, ensuring the territory is completely surrounded and defined from every direction [רש״י].