Joshua Chapter 15

Updated: September 14, 2025

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.

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The F.O.G Commentary

Joshua 15 – Drawing Lines in the Promised Land

What’s Joshua 15 about?

This chapter reads like an ancient surveyor’s report as it meticulously details the boundaries and cities given to the tribe of Judah. But beneath all those geographical coordinates lies a profound story about God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises and the practical reality of claiming what’s already been given.

The Full Context

Joshua 15 comes at a pivotal moment in Israel’s history – they’ve crossed the Jordan, conquered key cities, and now it’s time to divvy up the Promised Land. This isn’t just administrative paperwork; it’s the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham centuries earlier. The chapter focuses specifically on Judah’s inheritance, the largest and most prominent tribe, whose territory would later become the heartland of the southern kingdom and the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

The detailed boundary descriptions and city lists might seem tedious to modern readers, but they represented something revolutionary in the ancient world – permanent land ownership for formerly enslaved people. These weren’t just geographical markers; they were declarations of identity, security, and divine faithfulness. The chapter also includes the intriguing story of Caleb claiming his mountain inheritance and his daughter Aksah’s bold request for springs of water, showing us that taking possession of God’s promises often requires both faith and action.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Hebrew word for “inheritance” (nahalah) appears throughout this chapter, and it’s loaded with meaning. This isn’t just about real estate – it’s about a permanent family legacy that passes from generation to generation. Unlike other ancient cultures where land could be easily bought and sold, Israel’s tribal inheritance was meant to stay within the family forever.

Grammar Geeks

The Hebrew phrase “according to their families” (lemishpechotam) appears repeatedly in these territorial descriptions. The word mishpachah comes from the root meaning “to pour out” – suggesting that families flow like water into their designated spaces, filling every corner of their inheritance.

The boundary descriptions use a fascinating mix of natural landmarks and human settlements. Mountains, valleys, springs, and seas provide permanent markers that won’t disappear, while cities and towns reflect the living, breathing community that would inhabit this space. The ancient surveyors knew exactly what they were doing – creating boundaries that would last for generations.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

For the Israelites hearing this for the first time, these weren’t just random place names – they were hearing their future being spelled out in concrete detail. Imagine being a refugee family who had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and suddenly someone is telling you, “This valley is yours. That hill belongs to your children. These springs will water your crops.”

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What is the F.O.G?

The original audience would have caught the significance of Judah receiving the prime real estate. This territory included Jerusalem (though not yet conquered), Hebron where the patriarchs were buried, and fertile valleys perfect for agriculture. They would have understood that this wasn’t random – God was positioning Judah for future leadership.

Did You Know?

The southern boundary of Judah extended all the way to the “Brook of Egypt” (Wadi el-Arish), making Judah’s territory roughly the size of Connecticut. For a nomadic people, this represented unimaginable wealth and security.

But Wait… Why Did They Leave Some Cities Unconquered?

Here’s where things get puzzling. Joshua 15:63 casually mentions that “the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live with the people of Judah in Jerusalem to this day.” Wait – what happened to all that divine power that brought down Jericho’s walls?

This isn’t a failure of God’s power, but rather a failure of human follow-through. The text suggests that while God had given them the victory, the people didn’t complete the task. Sometimes the gap between God’s promises and our experience isn’t about His faithfulness – it’s about our willingness to do the hard work of actually possessing what He’s already given us.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Jerusalem, the future capital of Israel and site of the Temple, remained in enemy hands for generations after this chapter. David wouldn’t capture it until 2 Samuel 5:6-9. Sometimes God’s greatest gifts require patient, persistent effort to fully claim.

Wrestling with the Text

The story of Caleb and his daughter Aksah (Joshua 15:16-19) offers a beautiful counterpoint to the incomplete conquest of Jerusalem. Here we see people actively claiming their inheritance. Caleb, at 85 years old, takes his mountain. His daughter boldly asks for additional springs of water to make her land more valuable.

This little family drama teaches us something profound about how God’s promises work. They’re given freely, but they must be actively claimed. Aksah didn’t just accept the land her father gave her – she asked for what would make it truly flourish. That’s the kind of bold faith that transforms promises into reality.

How This Changes Everything

Looking at this chapter through New Testament eyes, we see it as more than ancient history – it’s a preview of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. Just as each tribe received specific territories, believers receive specific spiritual gifts and callings. Just as the Israelites had to actively possess their land, we must actively walk in the good works God has prepared for us.

“Sometimes the gap between God’s promises and our experience isn’t about His faithfulness – it’s about our willingness to do the hard work of actually possessing what He’s already given us.”

The detailed boundaries remind us that God’s gifts aren’t vague or general – they’re specific and personal. He knows exactly what each of us needs to fulfill our calling, and He’s already provided it. The question is whether we’ll have the faith to claim it and the persistence to fully possess it.

Key Takeaway

God’s promises aren’t just positional statements – they’re territorial realities waiting to be claimed. Your inheritance in Christ isn’t just about eternity; it’s about the specific ways God wants to use you right here, right now.

Joshua Chapter 15

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God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.