Your territory will extend from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all of Syria) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

And sons were also born to Shem (the older brother of Japheth), the father of all the sons of Eber.

“‘And for a western border you will have the Great Sea. This will be your western border.

and he displayed great power and awesome might in view of all Israel.

The western border was the Mediterranean Sea. These were the borders of the tribe of Judah and its clans.

“So now, take your positions and watch this great thing that the Lord is about to do in your sight.

They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.

After them the men of Tekoa worked on another section, from opposite the great protruding tower to the wall of Ophel.

Now one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. So I banished him from my sight.

“This will be the border of the land: On the north side, from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon to the entrance of Zedad;

On the west side the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side.

The sunlight will be turned to darkness and the moon to the color of blood, before the day of the Lord comes – that great and terrible day!

Indeed, look! The Lord is giving the command. He will smash the large house to bits, and the small house into little pieces.

Then take some silver and gold to make a crown and set it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

Then all the nations will ask, “Why has the Lord done all this to this land? What is this fierce, heated display of anger all about?”

When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will turn against us and destroy the very memory of us from the earth. What will you do to protect your great reputation?”

(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba. Arba was a famous Anakite.) Then the land was free of war.

Ashdod with its surrounding towns and settlements, and Gaza with its surrounding towns and settlements, as far as the Stream of Egypt and the border at the Mediterranean Sea.

The Lord will not abandon his people because he wants to uphold his great reputation. The Lord was pleased to make you his own people.

When they hear about your great reputation and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds, they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple.