Joshua15
King James Version · Public Domain
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 Maaleh–acrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadesh–barnea, 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 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:
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 En–shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En–rogel:
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 Kirjath–jearim:
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 Beth–shemesh, 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.
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 Kirjath–sepher.
16And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath–sepher, 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.
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 Hazar–gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth–pelet,
28And Hazar–shual, and Beer–sheba, and Bizjothjah,
29Baalah, and Iim, and Ezem,
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 Zorah, and Ashnah,
34And Zanoah, and En–gannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
35Jarmuth, and Adullam, Soco, and Azekah,
36And Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with 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 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 Kirjath–sannah, 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 Beth–tappuah, and Aphekah,
54And Humtah, and Kirjath–arba, 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, Beth–zur, and Gedor,
59And Maarath, and Beth–anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
60Kirjath–baal, which is Kirjath–jearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
61In the wilderness, Beth–arabah, Middin, and Secacah,
62And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and En–gedi; 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.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 15.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The borders of the lot of Judah. (1–12). Caleb's portion, His daughter's blessing. (13–19). The cities of Judah. (20–63).
vv1-12
Joshua allotted to Judah, Ephraim, and the half of Manasseh, their inheritances before they left Gilgal. Afterwards removing to Shiloh, another survey was made, and the other tribes had their portion assigned. In due time all God's people are settled.
vv13-19
Achsah obtained some land by Caleb's free grant. He gave her a south land. Land indeed, but a south land, dry and apt to be parched. She obtained more, on her request, and he gave the upper and the nether springs. Those who understand it but of one field, watered both with the rain of heaven, and the springs that issued out of the earth, countenance the allusion commonly made to this, when we pray for spiritual and heavenly blessings which relate to our souls, as blessings of the upper springs, and those which relate to the body and the life that now is, as blessings of the nether springs. All the blessings, both of the upper and the nether springs, belong to the children of God. As related to Christ, they have them freely given of the Father, for the lot of their inheritance.
vv20-63
Here is a list of the cities of Judah. But we do not here find Bethlehem, afterwards the city of David, and ennobled by the birth of our Lord Jesus in it. That city, which, at the best, was but little among the thousands of Judah, Mic 5:2, except that it was thus honoured, was now so little as not to be accounted one of the cities.
Key Words
גּוֹרָל: properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
מַטֶּה: a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מִשְׁפָּחָה: a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
נֶגֶב: the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine)
גְּבוּל: properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
אֱדֹם: Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him
מִדְבָּר: a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
צִן: Tsin, a part of the Desert
Cross References
Joshua 15Directly corresponds to the southern border of Judah as originally detailed in Moses' boundary of the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel historical account of Caleb's conquest of Debir and Othniel winning Achsah as his wife.
Supported by JFB
Verbatim parallel record of Achsah requesting the blessing of the upper and nether springs.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Direct parallel recording Benjamin's similar failure to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The background covenant and commandment where Caleb originally petitioned Joshua for the inheritance of Hebron.
Supported by JFB
Beer-sheba is transferred from Judah's lot to Simeon's inheritance as noted in Joshua 19:2.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Kirjath-arba (Hebron) as Caleb's portion given according to God's commandment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Kirjath-arba (Hebron) to its ancient namesake Arba, the great man among the Anakim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historic fulfillment where David finally conquers the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem.
Parallel account of David and Joab taking the Jebusite castle at Jerusalem.
Parallel boundary marker of Benjamin, tracing the Valley of Hinnom in reverse direction.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Records the fulfillment of Caleb taking Hebron and driving out the three sons of Anak.
Supported by JFB
Identifies the three Anakite chiefs—Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai—encountered during the original spying mission.
Supported by JFB
Hormah is later assigned to Simeon, illustrating that Judah's portion was later shared.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Ziklag is listed here for Judah but is later assigned to the tribe of Simeon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Ziklag, listed in Judah's cities, became a key royal city given to David.
Ain and Rimmon are also among the southern cities of Judah transferred to Simeon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corresponds to the southern border definition 'river of Egypt' and the Great Sea.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Kirjath-sannah (Debir) with its earlier narrative context and naming in this chapter.
Supported by JFB
Mentions Maon and Carmel in Judah's highlands as the setting of Nabal's estate.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Kirjath-baal (Kirjath-jearim) as the place where the Ark of God was fetched.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Earlier mention in this chapter establishing that the border ran by the Jebusite city, Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Identifies Jebusi (Jerusalem) as belonging to Benjamin, explaining the joint tribal struggle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical deterioration of the Valley of Hinnom (Topheth) under idolatry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Thematic parallel of a leader offering his daughter in marriage as a reward for military valor.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Othniel as Caleb's younger brother who becomes Israel's first judge.
Supported by JFB
Several of these southern cities of Judah were resettled after the Babylonian exile.
Eshtaol and Zorah, listed in Judah's valley, are crucial in Samson's history.
Adullam and Azekah were re-inhabited by the children of Judah after the captivity.
Soco and Azekah are key defensive locations during David's battle with Goliath.
The famous cave of Adullam was located at this city in the lowlands.
Keilah, listed here in the lowland valley, is the site of David's battle against Philistines.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic wordplay on Achzib as a lie to the kings of Israel.
Supported by JFB
Lists Kirjath-jearim as one of the four original Gibeonite confederate cities.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Beth-arabah on the northern border of Judah, also listed here as a wilderness city.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Places En-gedi in the wilderness of Judah, where David fled from Saul.