BORDER, BORDERS (גְּבוּל, H1473, border, boundary, territory; קָצֶה, H7895, end, extremity are two frequently used words). A land or national boundary marked by an imaginary line, mountain (Josh 18:16), river (18:19), stone, city (Gen 49:13) or other means.

While the integrity of the borders in ancient times is often stressed in the Bible, occasionally the enlargement of the borders is seen as a blessing from the Lord (Exod 34:24; 1 Chron 4:10). National and tribal land divisions are the most commonly mentioned borders in the OT. Borders are not referred to in the NT.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)



Frank E. Hirsch