Judges 1:36 — Word Study
WLCוּגְבוּל֙ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים מֵהַסֶּ֖לַע וָמָֽעְלָה׃ פ
BSAAnd the bordergᵉbûwl [limit, boundary] of the AmoritesʼĔmôrîy [a Canaanite tribe, descended from Canaan] [extended] from the AscentMaʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym [going up] of AkrabbimMaʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym [the desert pass, or ascent of scorpions] and beyondmaʻal [above, upward, to a higher place]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּגְבוּל֙ | and [the] border of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הָאֱמֹרִ֔י | the Amorite[s] | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה | [was] from [the] ascent of | Preposition, noun proper |
| עַקְרַבִּ֑ים | scorpions | Noun proper |
| מֵהַסֶּ֖לַע | from Sela | Preposition, particle, noun proper |
| וָמָֽעְלָה׃ פ | and up -wards | Conjunction, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond. |
| KJV | And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. |
| ASV | And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. |
| YLT | and the border of the Amorite [is] from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock and upward. |
| WEB | The border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. |
| BBE | And the limit of the Edomites went from the slope of Akrabbim from Sela and up. |
Where they part company is מַעֲלֵה — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is supported by prepositional phrases that specify the starting and ending points of the Amorites' border.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Poole, Ellicott, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Judges 1:36
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Conquest of Canaangenerated
Judges 1:36 describes the boundary of the Amorites, a significant Canaanite tribe. This verse follows a series of accounts detailing the Israelite conquests and the challenges faced in driving out the inhabitants of the land, as seen in the surrounding verses. The Amorites, who occupied the hill country, resisted the Israelites, leading to their forced labor as the Israelites grew stronger.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 34:4 | cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon, |
| 2 | Joshua 15:2 | Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַעֲלֵה, ma'alehgenerated
The term מַעֲלֵה (ma'aleh) refers to an ascent or elevation, indicating an upward movement, such as climbing a hill or stairs. It can also symbolize spiritual growth or progress, as seen in various biblical contexts.
In this verse, it specifically denotes the 'ascent of scorpions', a geographical marker that signifies a notable location along the border of the Amorites. The use of this term emphasizes the physical nature of the terrain that defined their territory.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause centers on the finite verb וּגְבוּל֙ (and the border), with a noun phrase as the subject and several prepositional phrases providing detail about the location and extent of the border. The structure emphasizes the geographical aspects of the Amorites' territory.
The order of the phrases highlights the progression from the specific ascent to the broader geographical markers, illustrating the extent of the Amorites' land.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַעֲלֵה as ἀναβάσεως, which conveys a similar meaning of ascent or elevation. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the geographical significance of the term in the context of the Amorites' territory.
The Greek term emphasizes the physical aspect of the ascent, aligning with the Hebrew's focus on the geographical features that define the border.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Judges 1:36 tells us about the border of the Amorites, a tribe that lived in Canaan. Their territory extended from the ascent known as Akrabbim to a place called Sela and even further. This verse highlights important geographical features that marked their land.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Amorites were a Canaanite tribe descended from Canaan, known for their prominence in the region and their resistance against the Israelites during the conquest.
The Ascent of Akrabbim is a geographical marker that indicates a notable location on the southern border of the Amorites' territory.
Sela refers to a rock-city in Idumaea, also known as Petra, which was a significant location in the biblical world.
Understanding the borders of the Amorites helps us grasp the geographical and cultural context of the Israelites' conquests in Canaan.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do geographical boundaries affect the understanding of historical events in the Bible?
- What challenges did the Israelites face in their conquest of Canaan, as seen in this verse?
- In what ways can we see the significance of place names in our understanding of biblical narratives?
- How does the concept of territory relate to the identity of the Amorites and their interactions with the Israelites?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Judges 1:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the coast of the Amorites [was] from the going up to Akrabbim,.... Of which [See comments on Numbers 34:4] and [See comments on Joshua 15:3]: from the rock, and upwards; even from the city Petra
Read John Gill on Judges 1 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAkrabbim was in the southern part of Canaan, ,3, from whence it went up towards the north. This is added to show the great power and large extent of this people.
Read Matthew Poole on Judges 1 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(36) The coast of the Amorites.—This notice is added to account for the obstinate resistance of the Amorites, by showing the extent of their domain, which reached far to the south of Petra. Hazezon Tamar, “the sanctuary of the palm,” afterwards called Engedi, “the goat’s fountain,” belonged to them (Genesis 14:7; 2 Chronicles 20:2; Tristram, Land of Israel, p. 784). Another opinion given is, that the verse is added to sum up the chapter, by showing that neither the northern, eastern, nor western boundaries were thoroughly secured, but only that of the southern tribes. From the going up to Akrabbim.—The same as Maaleh Akrabbim (Joshua 15:3), and “the ascent of scorpions” (Numbers 34:4)…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Judges 1 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 36. Akrabbim] Of scorpions; probably so called from the number of those animals in that place. From the rock, and upward.] The Vulgate understand by סלע sela, a rock, the city Petra, which was the capital of Arabia Petraea. THE whole of this chapter appears to be designed as a sort of supplement to those places in the book of Joshua which are referred to in the notes and in the margin; nor is there any thing in it worthy of especial remark. We everywhere see the same fickle character in the Israelites, and the goodness and long-suffering of God towards them. An especial Providence guides their steps, and a fatherly hand chastises them for their transgressions. They are obliged to live…
Read AdamClarke on Judges 1 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges36. the border of the Amorites] The text describes a boundary line; but there was no boundary between the Israelites and the Amorites, i.e. the old Canaanite population, for they occupied the same territory. Some recensions of LXX (cod. A, Lucian), Ethiop., Syro-Hex., read ‘the border of the Amorite was the Edomite’; this suggests that the Hebr. text should be corrected to the border of the Edomite. The verse indicates the S. frontier of Judah which extended ‘unto the border of Edom,’ Joshua 15:1. the ascent of Akrabbim] i.e. ‘the Scorpions’ Pass’ Numbers 34:4, Joshua 15:3, must be one of the chief passes which lead up from the ‘Arâbah S. of the Dead Sea, probably the Naḳ ?b eṣ ?-Ṣ ?afâ, on…
Read Cambridge on Judges 1 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe going up to Akrabbim - See the margin and references; properly “the ascent of scorpions,” with which the whole region abounds.
Read Albert Barnes on Judges 1 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible36. Akrabbim — Probably the range of cliffs which form the southern boundary of the Valley of Salt, or the lower end of the Ghor, south of the Dead Sea. See on Joshua 15:3, where it is called Maaleh-acrabbim.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Judges 1 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
The border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
The border of Amorite territory ran from the Scorpion Ascent to Sela and on up.
Tyndale line
And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And the coast of the Amorites was from Maaleh-akrabbim, euen from Selah and vpward.
Strictly literal
And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upwards.
and the border of the Amorite [is] from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock and upward.
and the border of the Amorite [is] from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock and upward.
And the territory of the Emorites was from the ascent of 'Akrabbim, from the Rock upward.
The border of the Amorites ran from the hill of Akrabbim at Sela up into the hill country.
From the Latin
And the border of the Amorrhite was from the ascent of the scorpion, the rock, and the higher places.
Simplified
The border with the Amorites ran from Scorpion Pass through Sela and on up from there.
And the limit of the Edomites went from the slope of Akrabbim from Sela and up.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely in their wording, with all six words matched in the Septuagint. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the territory described in this verse.
וּגְבוּל֙ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים מֵהַסֶּ֖לַע וָמָֽעְלָה׃ פ
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Judges 1:36
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גְּבוּל (gbuwl) refers to a border or boundary, often implying a defined territory. It can denote a physical limit, such as a coast or landmark, and can also have figurative uses, like a region of darkness. The word is derived from a root meaning 'cord' and encompasses various meanings related to boundaries and territories.
גְּבוּל 240 n.m. border, boundary, territory
border, boundary
territory (enclosed within boundary)
base
H1366 גְּבוּל border, boundary, territory
1366 gbuwl gheb-ool'
or (shortened) gbul {gheb-ool'}; from 1379; properly, a cord
(as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extens. the
territory inclosed:--border, bound, coast, X great, landmark,
limit, quarter, space.
see HEBREW for 01379
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: boundary.
: boundary
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
גְּבוּל (ge.vul) — border: area.
: area
1) border, territory
1a) border
1b) territory (enclosed within boundary)
1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֱמֹרִי (Emoriy) refers to the Amorites, a group of people descended from Canaan, possibly meaning 'mountain-dwellers.' They are noted as a prominent tribe dispossessed by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. The term may derive from a root meaning 'to say,' suggesting a connection to prominence or publicity.
אֱמֹרִי n.pr.m.coll. Amorites (perh. = mountain-dwellers)
called son of Canaan
a chief people dispossessed by Hebrews
adj.gent.
base
H567 אֱמֹרִי Amorites (perh. = mountain-dwellers)
567 'Emoriy em-o-ree'
probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from 559 in
the sense of publicity, i.e. prominence; thus, a mountaineer;
an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes:--Amorite.
see HEBREW for 0559
אֱמֹרִי (e.mo.ri) — Amorite.
Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577)
§ Amorite = "a sayer"
one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
מַעֲלֶה (ma`aleh) refers to an ascent or elevation, such as a hill or stairs. It can denote both a physical incline and a figurative rise in status or priority. The term is derived from a root meaning to go up, and is used in contexts like the ascent of a mountain or a passageway.
מַעֲלֶה 19 n.m. ascent
ascent of hill or mt.; מ׳ עַקְרַבִּים = Scorpion-pass, on S. border of Pal.
of stairs; to a wall
base
H4608 מַעֲלֶה ascent
4608 ma`aleh mah-al-eh'
from 5927; an elevation, i.e. (concretely) acclivity or
platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or
(figuratively) priority:--ascent, before, chiefest, cliff,
that goeth up, going up, hill, mounting up, stairs.
see HEBREW for 05927
מַעֲלֶה (ma.a.leh) — ascent.
ascent, incline
HR/Npl — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַעֲלֶה (Ma`aleh) refers to an ascent or a steep place, specifically noted as the 'ascent of scorpions' or מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים (Maaleh Aqrabbiym), a location on the southern border of Palestine. The term is derived from roots meaning 'to go up' and is associated with a geographical feature in the desert.
מַעֲלֶה 19 n.m. ascent
ascent of hill or mt.; מ׳ עַקְרַבִּים = Scorpion-pass, on S. border of Pal.
of stairs; to a wall
base
H4610 מַעֲלֶה, מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים
4610 Ma`aleh `Aqrabbiym mah-al-ay' ak-rab-beem'
from 4608 and (the plural of) 6137; Steep of Scorpions, a
place in the Desert:--Maaleh- accrabim, the ascent (going up)
of Akrabbim.
see HEBREW for 04608
see HEBREW for 06137
עַקְרַבִּים (ma.a.leh aq.rab.bim) — Akrabbim.
§ Maaleh-acrabbim = "ascent of scorpions"
a pass on the southern border of Palestine
scorpion-pass; ascent of Akrabbim
Prep | N-ms — Noun properHNpl
Scorpions
Mentioned along with serpents (Deut. 8:15). Used also figuratively to denote wicked persons (Ezek. 2:6; Luke 10:19); also a particular kind of scourge or whip (1 Kings 12:11). Scorpions were a species of spider. They abounded in the Jordan valley.
סֶ֫לַע refers to Sela, a location in Edom, described as a rock or rock-city. The entries indicate that it may also be an early name for Petra, emphasizing its geographical significance. There is no disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meaning or usage.
סֶ֫לַע n.pr.loc. in Edom
base
H5554 סֶ֫לַע in Edom
5554 Cela` seh'-lah
the same as 5553; Sela, the rock-city of Idumaea:--rock,
Sela(-h).
see HEBREW for 05553
סֶ֫לַע (se.la) — Sela.
§ Sela = "the rock"
a place in Edom
perhaps an early name for 'Petra'
HR/Td/Npl — Preposition · particle · noun properHR/Td/Npl
se'-la (sela`, ha-cela` (with the article); petra, he petra; the King James Version Selah (2Ki 14:7)): English Versions of the Bible renders this as the name of a city in 2Ki 14:7; Isa 16:1. In Jud 1:36; 2Ch 25:12; and Ob 1:3, it translates literally, "rock"; but the Revised Version margin in each case "Sela." It is impossible to assume with Hull (HD B, under the word) that this name, when it appears in Scripture, always refers to the capital of Edom, the great city in Wady Musa. In Jud 1:36 its association with the…
Sela
=Se’lah, rock, the capital of Edom, situated in the great valley extending from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea (2 Kings 14:7). It was near Mount Hor, close by the desert of Zin. It is called “the rock” (Judg. 1:36). When Amaziah took it he called it Joktheel (q.v.) It is mentioned by the prophets (Isa. 16:1; Obad. 1:3) as doomed to destruction.
It appears in later history and in the Vulgate Version under the name of Petra. “The caravans from all ages, from the interior of Arabia and from the Gulf of Persia, from Hadramaut on the ocean, and even from Sabea or Yemen, appear to have pointed to Petra as a common centre; and from Petra the tide seems again to have branched…
The name of a place mentioned in 2Ki 14:7, where it is said that Amaziah king of Judah slew ten thousand men of Edom, in the valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called the name of it JOKTHEEL, subdued by God. Sela, in Hebrew, signifies, a rock, and answers to the Greek word Petra; whence it has been reasonably inferred that the city bearing the name of Petra, and which was the celebrated capital of Arabia Petraea, is the place mentioned by the sacred historian. It is also mentioned in Isa 16:1, and may be intended by the word Sela, translated rock, in Jud 1:36 Isa 42:11. The ruins of this place were in modern times first visited by Burckhardt, 1812, and attest the…
a rock
מַ֫עַל (ma'al) refers to the concept of being above or upward. It is primarily used as a noun meaning 'higher part' but appears adverbially and prepositionally in phrases indicating positions such as 'above' or 'on higher ground.' The word is built from a root meaning 'to go up' and is found in various contexts in the Old Testament.
מַ֫עַל 140 subst., higher part, only in adv. and prep. phrases, above, upward
base
H4605 מַ֫עַל subst., higher part, only in adv. and prep. phrases, above, upward
4605 ma`al mah'al
from 5927; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially
with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.:--
above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over,
up(-on, -ward), very.
see HEBREW for 05927
מַ֫עַל (ma.al) — above.
subst
1) higher part, upper part
adv
1a) above
prep
1b) on the top of, above, on higher ground than
with locative
1c) upwards, higher, above
Conj | Adv | Suff — Conjunction · suffixHC/Acbsa/Sd