Joshua Chapter 15

Commentary

The Territory of Judah

1This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast. 2And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward: 3And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa: 4From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast. 5And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan: 6And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben: 7And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel: 8And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward: 9And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim: 10And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah: 11And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. 12And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

Caleb's Portion and Conquest

(Judges 1:11-26)

13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. 14And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher. 16And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 17And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 18And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? 19Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

The Cities of Judah

20This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

21And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur, 22And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, 23And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, 24Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, 25And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor, 26Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, 27And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet, 28And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah, 29Baalah, and Iim, and Azem, 30And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, 31And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah, 32And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:

33And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, 34And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, 35Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, 36And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:

37Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, 38And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, 39Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, 40And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, 41And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:

42Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan, 43And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, 44And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:

45Ekron, with her towns and her villages: 46From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:

47Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:

48And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh, 49And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir, 50And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, 51And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:

52Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, 53And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, 54And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:

55Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, 56And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah, 57Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

58Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor, 59And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:

60Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:

61In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah, 62And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

63As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Judah’s Inheritance

1 The lot for the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families was to the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the uttermost part of the south. 2 Their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward; 3 and it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh Barnea, and passed along by Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned about to Karka; 4 and it passed along to Azmon, went out at the brook of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your south border. 5 The east border was the Salt Sea, even to the end of the Jordan. The border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan. 6 The border went up to Beth Hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth Arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 7 The border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is over against the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river. The border passed along to the waters of En Shemesh, and ended at En Rogel. 8 The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite southward (the same is Jerusalem); and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the farthest part of the valley of Rephaim northward. 9 The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (the same is Kiriath Jearim); 10 and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (the same is Chesalon), and went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed along by Timnah; 11 and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward; and the border extended to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. 12 The west border was to the shore of the great sea. This is the border of the children of Judah according to their families.

Caleb’s Portion and Conquest
(Judges 1:8–26)

13 To Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (the same is Hebron). 14 Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15 He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher. 16 Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” 17 Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. 18 It happened, when she came, that she had him ask her father fore a field. She got off of her donkey, and Caleb said, “What do you want?” 19 She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” He gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

The Cities of Judah

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

21 The farthest cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (the same is Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

33 In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages.

37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel, 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, 40 Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.

42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.

45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages; 46 from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.

47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the brook of Egypt, and the great sea with its coastline.

48 In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (which is Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.

52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.

55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.

60 Kiriath Baal (the same is Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.

61 In the wilderness, Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages.

63 As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out; but the Jebusites live with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

Judah’s Inheritance

1 Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary:

2 Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea, a 3 proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, b continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka. 4 It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. c This was their d southern border.

5 The eastern border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

The northern border started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, 6 went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. 7 Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel. 8 From there the border went up the Valley of Hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. 9 From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). 10 The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah. 11 Then it went out to the northern slope of Ekron, curved toward Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went on to Jabneel, and ended at the Sea.

12 And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea.

These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.

Caleb’s Portion and Conquest
(Judges 1:8–26)

13 According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) 14 And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

15 From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” 17 So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

18 One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him e to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”

19 “Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.”

So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

The Cities of Judah

20 This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah. 21 These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom:

Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet, 28 Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—twenty-nine cities in all, along with their villages.

33 These were in the foothills: f

Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages.

37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad, 38 Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel, 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, 40 Cabbon, Lahmas, Chitlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen cities, along with their villages.

42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.

45 Ekron, with its towns and villages; 46 from Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages; 47 Ashdod, with its towns and villages; Gaza, with its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.

48 These were in the hill country:

Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, 49 Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven cities, along with their villages.

52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—nine cities, along with their villages.

55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten cities, along with their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor, 59 Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six cities, along with their villages.

60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah—two cities, along with their villages.

61 These were in the wilderness:

Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages.

63 But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.

 

Footnotes:

2 a That is, the Dead Sea; also in verse 5
3 b Or the Ascent of Scorpions  or Scorpion Pass
4 c That is, the Mediterranean Sea, also called the Great Sea; also in verses 11, 12, and 47
4 d LXX; Hebrew your
18 e Hebrew and some LXX manuscripts; other LXX manuscripts and he urged her ; see Judges 1:14.
33 f Hebrew Shephelah  or lowlands ; that is, the western foothills of Judea

The Territory of Judah

1And the lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah, for their families, is unto the border of Edom; the wilderness of Zin southward, at the extremity of the south; 2and to them the south border is at the extremity of the salt sea, from the bay which is looking southward; 3and it hath gone out unto the south to Maaleh-Akrabbim, and passed over to Zin, and gone up on the south to Kadesh-Barnea, and passed over to Hezron, and gone up to Adar, and turned round to Karkaa, 4and passed over to Azmon, and gone out at the brook of Egypt, and the outgoings of the border have been at the sea; this is to you the south border. 5And the east border is the salt sea, unto the extremity of the Jordan, and the border at the north quarter is from the bay of the sea, at the extremity of the Jordan; 6and the border hath gone up to Beth-Hoglah, and passed over on the north of Beth-Arabah, and the border hath gone up to the stone of Bohan son of Reuben: 7and the border hath gone up towards Debir from the valley of Achor, and northward looking unto Gilgal, which is over-against the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south of the brook, and the border hath passed over unto the waters of En-Shemesh, and its outgoings have been unto En-Rogel; 8and the border hath gone up the valley of the son of Hinnom, unto the side of the Jebusite on the south (it is Jerusalem), and the border hath gone up unto the top of the hill-country which is on the front of the valley of Hinnom westward, which is in the extremity of the valley of the Rephaim northward; 9and the border hath been marked out, from the top of the hill-country unto the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah, and hath gone out unto the cities of mount Ephron, and the border hath been marked out to Baalah, (it is Kirjath-Jearim); 10and the border hath gone round from Baalah westward, unto mount Seir, and passed over unto the side of mount Jearim (it is Chesalon), on the north, and gone down to Beth-Shemesh, and passed over to Timnah; 11and the border hath gone out unto the side of Ekron northward, and the border hath been marked out to Shicron, and hath passed over to mount Baalah, and gone out to Jabneel; and the outgoings of the border have been at the sea. 12And the west border is to the great sea, and its border; this is the border of the sons of Judah round about for their families.

Caleb's Portion and Conquest

(Judges 1:11-26)

13And to Caleb son of Jephunneh hath he given a portion in the midst of the sons of Judah, according to the command of Jehovah to Joshua, even the city of Arba, father of Anak -- it is Hebron. 14And Caleb is dispossessing thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, children of Anak, 15and he goeth up thence unto the inhabitants of Debir; and the name of Debir formerly is Kirjath-Sepher. 16And Caleb saith, 'He who smiteth Kirjath-Sephar, and hath captured it -- I have given to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.' 17And Othniel son of Kenaz, brother of Caleb, doth capture it, and he giveth to him Achsah his daughter for a wife. 18And it cometh to pass, in her coming in, that she persuadeth him to ask from her father a field, and she lighteth from off the ass, and Caleb saith to her, 'What -- to thee?' 19And she saith, 'Give to me a blessing; when the land of the south thou hast given me, then thou hast given to me springs of waters;' and he giveth to her the upper springs and the lower springs.

The Cities of Judah

20This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah, for their families.

21And the cities at the extremity of the tribe of the sons of Judah are unto the border of Edom in the south, Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur, 22and Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, 23and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, 24Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, 25and Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, Hezron, (it is Hazor,) 26Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, 27and Hazar-Gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-Palet, 28and Hazar-Shual, and Beer-Sheba, and Bizjothjah, 29Baalah, and Iim, and Azem, 30And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, 31and Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah, 32and Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon; all the cities are twenty and nine, and their villages.

33In the low country: Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, 34and Zanoah, and En-Gannim, Tappuah, and Enam, 35Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, 36and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities and their villages.

37Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-Gad, 38and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, 39Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, 40and Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, 41and Gederoth, Beth-Dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities and their villages.

42Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan, 43and Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, 44and Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities and their villages.

45Ekron and its towns and its villages, 46from Ekron and westward, all that are by the side of Ashdod, and their villages.

47Ashdod, its towns and its villages, Gaza, its towns and its villages, unto the brook of Egypt, and the great sea, and its border.

48And in the hill-country: Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh, 49and Dannah, and Kirjath-Sannah (it is Debir) 50and Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, 51and Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities and their villages.

52Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, 53and Janum, and Beth-Tappuah, and Aphekah, 54and Humtah, and Kirjath-Arba (it is Hebron), and Zior; nine cities and their villages.

55Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, 56and Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah, 57Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities and their villages.

58Halhul, Beth-Zur, and Gedor, 59and Maarath, and Beth-Anoth, and Eltekon; six cities and their villages.

60Kirjath-Baal (it is Kirjath-Jearim), and Rabbah; two cities and their villages.

61In the wilderness: Beth-Arabah, Middin, and Secacah, 62and Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and En-Gedi; six cities and their villages.

63As to the Jebusites, inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah have not been able to dispossess them, and the Jebusite dwelleth with the sons of Judah in Jerusalem unto this day.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Joshua 15?
2Introduction to Joshua 15
3Context of Joshua 15
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Joshua 15 Unique Insights
7Joshua 15 Connections to Yeshua
8Joshua 15 Scriptural Echoes
9Joshua 15 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Joshua 15?

Introduction to Joshua 15

Joshua 15 stands as a pivotal chapter in Israel’s history, detailing the territorial inheritance of Judah, the tribe from which the Messiah would eventually come. This chapter might initially appear as a mere geographical catalog, but it actually serves as a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. The detailed boundary descriptions and city listings demonstrate יהוה’s meticulous care in providing for His people, while also establishing the foundation for future messianic prophecies.

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The chapter’s precision in recording Judah’s inheritance reflects the importance of this tribal allocation, as Judah would later become the royal tribe of King David and ultimately the lineage of Yeshua the Messiah. This careful delineation of boundaries and cities serves not just as historical record, but as a prophetic marker pointing toward God’s greater redemptive plan.

Context of Joshua 15

Within the book of Joshua, chapter 15 follows the initial tribal allotments that began in chapter 14, where Caleb received his inheritance. It forms part of the larger section (chapters 13-21) dealing with the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. This chapter specifically focuses on Judah’s inheritance, providing the most detailed tribal territory description in the entire book, befitting Judah’s future prominence.

In the broader biblical narrative, Joshua 15 serves as a crucial link between God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21 and the eventual establishment of David’s kingdom. The chapter’s detailed boundary descriptions would later prove vital for establishing tribal identity and land rights, particularly during the post-exilic period when the Jewish people returned to rebuild their homeland.

The placement of Judah’s inheritance first among the tribal allotments is significant, as it foreshadows this tribe’s leadership role in Israel’s future. This arrangement wasn’t merely geographical but prophetic, pointing toward Judah’s royal destiny as foretold in Genesis 49:10, where Jacob prophesied that the scepter would not depart from Judah until Shiloh (the Messiah) comes.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • נַחֲלָה (nachalah) – “inheritance”: This term carries deeper meaning than simple property ownership. It implies a divine grant, connecting to God’s covenant promises. The root suggests both permanent possession and spiritual legacy, pointing to the eternal nature of God’s promises to His people.
  • גְּבוּל (gevul) – “border/boundary”: Beyond just geographical markers, this word carries the concept of divine protection and limitation. It appears repeatedly in the chapter, emphasizing God’s sovereign role in establishing His people’s dwelling places.
  • יְרֻשָּׁה (yerushah) – “possession”: Different from nachalah, this term emphasizes active taking possession of what God has granted. It reflects the partnership between divine gift and human responsibility in claiming God’s promises.
  • קִרְיַת (kiryat) – “city”: Used in compound names like Kiryat Arba, this term denotes more than just an urban settlement. It implies a center of civilization and authority, often with spiritual significance.
  • יְבוּסִי (Yevusi) – “Jebusite”: The name of Jerusalem’s original inhabitants carries historical significance, as this city would later become David’s capital and the location of the Temple.
  • עֵין (ein) – “spring”: Appearing in several place names, this word symbolizes both physical and spiritual life-giving resources in the arid landscape of the Holy Land.
  • חֶבְרוֹן (Chevron) – “Hebron”: This city name is related to the root חבר (chaver), meaning “to join” or “ally,” prophetically significant as it would become David’s first capital before Jerusalem.
  • כָּלֵב (Caleb) – Beyond being a personal name, it connects to the root meaning “whole-hearted,” exemplifying faithful devotion to God’s promises.
  • עֲנָקִים (Anakim) – These giants represented seemingly insurmountable obstacles that could only be overcome through faith in God’s power.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1’s description of Judah’s southern border uses עַד־קְצֵה (ad-ktze) “to the end/extremity” rather than גְּבוּל (gevul) “border,” emphasizing the completeness of God’s provision extending to the uttermost parts of the promised territory.
  • The phrase כִּי נָתַתָּה (ki natatta) “because you have given” in verse 19 employs the perfect tense, suggesting not just a past action but an enduring gift, reflecting God’s unchanging faithfulness.
  • Verse 8’s reference to Jerusalem uses יְבוּס (Yebus) alongside יְרוּשָׁלִַם (Yerushalayim), preserving both historical context and prophetic destiny of the city.
  • The description of Caleb’s inheritance uses the term וַיִּתֶּן־לוֹ (vayiten-lo) “and he gave him” rather than the standard inheritance terminology, highlighting the special nature of this grant based on faithful service.
  • Verse 63’s admission about the Jebusites uses the term לְהוֹרִישָׁם (lehorisham) “to drive them out” rather than להשמיד (lehashmid) “to destroy,” suggesting future redemptive purposes for Jerusalem.
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Joshua 15 Unique Insights

The detailed boundary descriptions in this chapter follow an ancient Near Eastern treaty pattern known as kudurru, where land grants were meticulously documented. However, unlike other ancient land grants that merely served political purposes, these boundaries were divinely established, reflecting God’s covenant faithfulness and prophetic purposes.

The Rabbinical tradition notes that Judah’s territory formed a rough triangle, similar to the Hebrew letter ד (dalet), which has the numerical value of 4, representing God’s rule over the four corners of the earth. This geometric insight suggests Judah’s future role in bringing God’s kingdom to all nations through the Messiah.

Early Jewish commentators observed that the listing of cities in groups of tens and fives parallels the structure of the Ten Commandments and the five books of Torah, suggesting that this territorial inheritance was meant to facilitate the establishment of a society built on God’s laws and wisdom.

The mention of Hebron’s former name, Kiriath-arba, connects to Jewish tradition that identifies it as one of the few places where heaven and earth kiss, making it spiritually significant as a burial place of the patriarchs and a future city of refuge. This spiritual significance would later be fulfilled when David was anointed king there, foreshadowing the greater Son of David, Yeshua.

Joshua 15 Connections to Yeshua

The detailed focus on Judah’s inheritance gains profound significance in light of Matthew 1:1-17, which traces Yeshua’s legal lineage through the tribe of Judah. The territory described would later nurture the royal line leading to the Messiah, including Bethlehem, the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah.

The chapter’s mention of Jerusalem, though still under Jebusite control, foreshadows its destiny as the city where Yeshua would accomplish His redemptive work. The fact that the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem until David’s conquest parallels how the spiritual Jerusalem (the hearts of people) would not be fully conquered until the Greater Son of David, Yeshua, established His spiritual kingdom through His death and resurrection.

Joshua 15 Scriptural Echoes

The inheritance theme resonates with Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 1:11-14 about believers’ spiritual inheritance in the Messiah. Just as Judah’s boundaries were precisely defined, believers’ spiritual inheritance is securely established in Yeshua.

The chapter’s emphasis on taking possession of the land echoes the New Testament’s call to appropriate our spiritual inheritance, as seen in Colossians 2:6-7. The physical conquest of Canaan foreshadows believers’ spiritual victory through the Messiah.

The mention of springs of water in Caleb’s territory (Joshua 15:19) connects to Yeshua’s promise of living water in John 7:37-39, showing how physical blessings in the Old Testament often prefigure spiritual realities in the New.

Joshua 15 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to appreciate the precision and faithfulness of God’s promises. Just as He meticulously defined Judah’s inheritance, He has carefully planned every aspect of our spiritual inheritance in the Messiah. Are we living in the full awareness of our spiritual boundaries and blessings?

Caleb’s daughter Achsah’s bold request for springs of water reminds us to approach our Heavenly Father with confidence, asking for both physical and spiritual resources to flourish in our inherited territory. How often do we settle for dry land when God desires to give us springs of living water?

The detailed border descriptions remind us that God cares about the specifics of our lives. Nothing is too small or insignificant for His attention. This should encourage us to bring every detail of our lives under His lordship and trust His sovereign care.

Did You Know

  • The territory of Judah was the largest of all tribal allocations, covering approximately 2,300 square miles of diverse terrain from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean.
  • The phrase “upper springs and lower springs” granted to Achsah likely referred to a sophisticated ancient irrigation system that made agriculture possible in the Negev region.
  • The city list in Joshua 15 provides one of the most important archaeological resources for understanding the settlement patterns of ancient Canaan.
  • Hebron, mentioned in this chapter, remains one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning over 3,000 years.
  • The Jebusite stronghold mentioned in verse 63 was considered impregnable until David conquered it about 400 years later, demonstrating God’s perfect timing in fulfilling His promises.
  • The boundary descriptions follow ancient surveying techniques that used natural landmarks and astronomical observations, showing remarkable sophistication in ancient Hebrew cartography.
  • Many of the cities mentioned in this chapter have been archaeologically excavated, confirming the historical accuracy of the biblical account.
  • The springs mentioned in Achsah’s request were crucial for survival in the Negev region, where annual rainfall could be as low as 4 inches.
  • The term “South” (Negev) in verse 19 actually refers to a specific geographical region, not just a cardinal direction.
  • The Judean territory described here would later become the heartland of the Davidic kingdom and the setting for many of Yeshua’s earthly ministry activities.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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