From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
From the Shihor River, which flows near Egypt, all the way north to the territory of Ekron, which belongs to the Canaanites: the five rulers of the Philistines who control Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron; and also the Avites.
This verse describes the specific territories and peoples that Israel still needed to conquer, including five major Philistine cities along the coast.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, this verse is part of God's instructions to Joshua about dividing the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes after their conquests from Egypt. At this stage, Joshua was an elderly leader, and the text outlines the western boundaries, including areas occupied by the Philistines, a group of seafaring peoples who would become ongoing rivals to Israel. This highlights the incomplete nature of the conquest, showing that some regions still needed to be claimed.
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