Joshua15
New Living Translation
1The allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah reached southward to the border of Edom, as far south as the wilderness of Zin.
2The southern boundary began at the south bay of the Dead Sea,
3ran south of Scorpion Pass into the wilderness of Zin, and then went south of Kadesh-barnea to Hezron. Then it went up to Addar, where it turned toward Karka.
4From there it passed to Azmon until it finally reached the Brook of Egypt, which it followed to the Mediterranean Sea. This was their southern boundary.
5The eastern boundary extended along the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan River. The northern boundary began at the bay where the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea,
6went up from there to Beth-hoglah, then proceeded north of Beth-arabah to the Stone of Bohan. (Bohan was Reuben’s son.)
7From that point it went through the valley of Achor to Debir, turning north toward Gilgal, which is across from the slopes of Adummim on the south side of the valley. From there the boundary extended to the springs at En-shemesh and on to En-rogel.
8The boundary then passed through the valley of Ben-Hinnom, along the southern slopes of the Jebusites, where the city of Jerusalem is located. Then it went west to the top of the mountain above the valley of Hinnom, and on up to the northern end of the valley of Rephaim.
9From there the boundary extended from the top of the mountain to the spring at the waters of Nephtoah, and from there to the towns on Mount Ephron. Then it turned toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
10The boundary circled west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passed along to the town of Kesalon on the northern slope of Mount Jearim, and went down to Beth-shemesh and on to Timnah.
11The boundary then proceeded to the slope of the hill north of Ekron, where it turned toward Shikkeron and Mount Baalah. It passed Jabneel and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.
12The western boundary was the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. These are the boundaries for the clans of the tribe of Judah.
13The Lord commanded Joshua to assign some of Judah’s territory to Caleb son of Jephunneh. So Caleb was given the town of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), which had been named after Anak’s ancestor.
14Caleb drove out the three groups of Anakites—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the sons of Anak.
15From there he went to fight against the people living in the town of Debir (formerly called Kiriath-sepher).
16Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.”
17Othniel, the son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othniel’s wife.
18When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?”
19She said, “Give me another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
20This was the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Judah.
21The towns of Judah situated along the borders of Edom in the extreme south were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
22Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
23Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
24Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
25Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),
26Amam, Shema, Moladah,
27Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,
28Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
29Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
30Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah,
31Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
32Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—twenty-nine towns with their surrounding villages.
33The following towns situated in the western foothills were also given to Judah: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
34Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
35Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
36Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim—fourteen towns with their surrounding villages.
37Also included were Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,
38Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
39Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
40Cabbon, Lahmam, Kitlish,
41Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen towns with their surrounding villages.
42Besides these, there were Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
43Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
44Keilah, Aczib, and Mareshah—nine towns with their surrounding villages.
45The territory of the tribe of Judah also included Ekron and its surrounding settlements and villages.
46From Ekron the boundary extended west and included the towns near Ashdod with their surrounding villages.
47It also included Ashdod with its surrounding settlements and villages and Gaza with its settlements and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
48Judah also received the following towns in the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
49Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
50Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
51Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven towns with their surrounding villages.
52Also included were the towns of Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
53Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,
54Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—nine towns with their surrounding villages.
55Besides these, there were Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
56Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
57Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten towns with their surrounding villages.
58In addition, there were Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,
59Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six towns with their surrounding villages.
60There were also Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim) and Rabbah—two towns with their surrounding villages.
61In the wilderness there were the towns of Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
62Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six towns with their surrounding villages.
63But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to 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.