Joshua15

Joshua chapter 15 details the extensive territorial inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah by lot, outlining its precise boundaries from the wilderness of Zin to the Great Sea. It also records Caleb's specific inheritance of Hebron and his successful expulsion of the Anakims from that region. The chapter concludes with a comprehensive list of cities within Judah's territory, noting that the Jebusites inhabiting Jerusalem were not fully driven out by the children of Judah.

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The Boundaries of Judah's Inheritance

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:

Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea,

proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka.

It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border.

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, went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 Inheritance and Conquest

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.)

And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).

And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”

So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

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

“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.

List of Cities in Judah's Territory

This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah.

These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom:

Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,

Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,

Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),

Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,

Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,

Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,

Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,

Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—twenty-nine cities in all, along with their villages.

These were in the foothills:

Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,

Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages.

Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,

Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel,

Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,

Cabbon, Lahmas, Chitlish,

Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen cities, along with their villages.

Libnah, Ether, Ashan,

Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.

Ekron, with its towns and villages;

from Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages;

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.

These were in the hill country:

Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),

Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven cities, along with their villages.

Arab, Dumah, Eshan,

Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,

Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—nine cities, along with their villages.

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten cities, along with their villages.

Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,

Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six cities, along with their villages.

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

These were in the wilderness:

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

Failure to Drive Out the Jebusites

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.

Study Notes for Joshua 15

Verse 1

Judah, the largest and most powerful tribe, received the largest territory, extending from the Dead Sea west to the Mediterranean and south toward Edom.

Verse 4

The 'river of Egypt' is generally identified as the Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal stream that formed the traditional southwestern boundary line between Canaan and Egypt.

Verse 7

The Valley of Achor ('trouble') was the site where Achan was executed for sin (Joshua 7). Its inclusion here signifies that even places of past judgment are now integrated into the Promised Land inheritance.

Verse 8

This verse locates the Jebusite city (Jerusalem) within Judah’s northern border, setting the stage for the conflict described in the final verse (v. 63).

Verse 13

Caleb received Hebron as his special inheritance, a promise given to him by God through Moses for his faithfulness during the original spying mission forty years earlier (Numbers 14:24).

Verse 14

Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak, giants whose fearsome stature had caused the rest of the spies to lose faith. This conquest demonstrates Caleb’s reliance on God’s strength.

Verse 17

Othniel, Caleb's nephew, successfully took Debir. He later became the first Judge of Israel, demonstrating that future leadership arose from those who actively participated in the conquest (Judges 3:9-11).

Verse 19

Achsah’s request for springs of water was vital in the arid highlands of Judah. Caleb’s generous gift of both upper and lower springs ensured the lasting fertility and prosperity of their land.

Verse 28

Beersheba was a significant ancient city, often cited as the southern limit of Israelite settlement, defining the entire nation's territory ('from Dan to Beersheba').

Verse 47

The inclusion of Philistine cities (Gaza, Ashdod) indicates that while these territories were allotted to Judah, they were not yet fully conquered or possessed at this time, foreshadowing ongoing conflict.

Verse 49

Kirjathsannah is the ancient name for Debir, the city conquered by Othniel (v. 15). This confirms its location within the mountainous region of Judah.

Verse 54

Kirjatharba ('city of Arba') is the ancient name for Hebron, linking the city back to the Anakim whom Caleb drove out.

Verse 63

This concluding statement records the first significant failure of the conquest narrative in Judah. The inability to expel the Jebusites meant Jerusalem remained unconquered until the time of King David centuries later (2 Samuel 5).

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Joshua15

The Boundaries of Judah's Inheritance

Caleb's Inheritance and Conquest

List of Cities in Judah's Territory

Failure to Drive Out the Jebusites

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