Joshua 15:22

KJV

And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Kinah {H7016}, and Dimonah {H1776}, and Adadah {H5735},

Complete Jewish Bible

Kinah, Dimonah, 'Ad'adah,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

and Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:22 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse within the meticulous geographical record of Judah's tribal inheritance. It enumerates three specific towns—Kinah, Dimonah, and Adadah—located in the southern region of Judah. This seemingly simple enumeration serves as a vital component of the biblical narrative, underscoring the precise and systematic fulfillment of God's ancient promises regarding the land inheritance for the tribes of Israel, thereby demonstrating divine faithfulness in the detailed establishment of His people in the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15 meticulously details the extensive territorial inheritance assigned to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. This chapter follows the initial conquest narratives and the general command for land distribution found in earlier chapters like [Joshua 13 - Division of the Land](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land"). Verses 21-62 provide a comprehensive catalog of cities within Judah's vast domain, organized by geographical region. Joshua 15:22 specifically falls within the list of cities located in the southernmost region of Judah, often referred to as the Negeb or the "south country," bordering the territory stretching towards Edom, as indicated by the preceding verse [Joshua 15:21 - Cities of the Negeb](/joshua/15-21 "Joshua 15:21 - Cities of the Negeb"). These lists are not merely geographical data but serve as a legal and theological record of the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following the conquest of Canaan was marked by the monumental task of dividing the land among the twelve tribes, as commanded by God through Moses and executed by Joshua, as detailed in [Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot"). Such detailed geographical lists were common in ancient Near Eastern treaties and administrative documents, serving as a legal record of ownership and boundaries. For the Israelites, this meticulous documentation was crucial: it affirmed their divinely granted right to the land, established tribal identities and responsibilities, and provided a framework for governance and taxation. The mention of obscure towns like Kinah, Dimonah, and Adadah highlights the thoroughness of this division, ensuring that every parcel of the Promised Land was accounted for and assigned, reflecting a divine order in the new societal structure.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of these specific place names, even those whose exact locations remain uncertain today, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the **Fulfillment of Promise**, demonstrating God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, particularly the promise of a land inheritance for their descendants, as seen in [Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abram"). Secondly, these lists emphasize **Divine Order and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's meticulous planning and execution of His will, down to the smallest detail of territorial boundaries. The act of dividing and documenting the land also solidifies the theme of **Inheritance**, not just as a physical possession but as a tangible sign of God's blessing and the identity of Israel as His chosen people, now dwelling securely in the land He provided, a theme powerfully articulated throughout [Deuteronomy - The Law and the Land](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Law and the Land").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kinah (Hebrew, _Qîynâh'_):** This is a proper noun, a place name. While its precise etymology is debated, it functions here as a specific geographical marker within the Negeb region of Judah. The inclusion of such a seemingly minor town underscores the exhaustive nature of the land division and the meticulous record-keeping, affirming that God's promises were fulfilled with precise detail, leaving no part of the inheritance unaccounted for. Its obscurity today does not diminish its significance in the ancient context as a real, inhabited location within Judah's allotted territory.
* **Dimonah (Hebrew, _Dîymôwnâh'_):** This proper noun refers to another specific place within the territory of Judah. The name's etymology, possibly related to "silence" or "desert," suggests a location in the arid southern region. Its inclusion alongside Kinah and Adadah reinforces the comprehensive nature of the biblical record, demonstrating the thoroughness with which the land was surveyed and assigned, leaving no ambiguity about Judah's divinely ordained boundaries.
* **Adadah (Hebrew, _ʻĂdʻâdâh'_):** This proper noun, meaning "festival" or "assembly," designates a third town in Judah's southern inheritance. The name itself might hint at a place of gathering or significance within its local context. Its presence in this list, like the others, emphasizes the detailed and systematic approach to the land distribution, validating the divine promise of a homeland for Israel down to the level of individual settlements, regardless of their size or prominence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Kinah":** This phrase introduces the first of three specific towns listed in this verse, immediately following a general introduction to the southern cities of Judah in [Joshua 15:21 - Cities of the Negeb](/joshua/15-21 "Joshua 15:21 - Cities of the Negeb"). Its placement within this enumeration signifies its inclusion as a legitimate and divinely appointed part of Judah's inheritance, highlighting the precision of the land allotment.
* **"and Dimonah":** This conjunction and proper noun continue the precise listing of towns. Dimonah, like Kinah, is presented as a distinct geographical entity within the same southern region, further emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the tribal allotment. The repetitive "and" structure reinforces the systematic cataloging, underscoring the thoroughness of God's provision and the meticulous record-keeping of the land's division.
* **"and Adadah":** The final proper noun in this verse concludes this specific triplet of towns. Adadah completes the enumeration for this particular line, contributing to the broader, detailed inventory of Judah's cities. The cumulative effect of these names highlights the vastness of Judah's territory and the thoroughness of the divine distribution, ensuring every part of the promised land was accounted for and assigned.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 15:22, like much of the surrounding chapter, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Topographical Listing**. The verse is a straightforward list of place names, serving to catalog the cities within Judah's inheritance. This **Enumeration** is not merely a dry record but functions as a legal and theological document, providing irrefutable evidence of the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding the land. The meticulous nature of this **Topographical Listing** also contributes to the overarching **Fulfillment Narrative** of the book of Joshua, demonstrating that every detail of God's covenant was brought to pass. The repetition of the conjunction "and" before each city name creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, emphasizing the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the inventory, reinforcing the divine order and precision in the land's distribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:22, though a simple list of names, is deeply theological. It stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the precision of His promises. The meticulous cataloging of every city, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, underscores that God's covenant with Israel regarding the land was not a vague generality but a concrete, detailed reality. This attention to detail demonstrates God's sovereignty over all creation, His meticulous planning, and His unwavering commitment to His word. It reminds us that God's plans are comprehensive, extending even to the seemingly mundane geographical specifics, ensuring the complete establishment of His people within their divinely appointed inheritance.

* [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "God's Covenant with Abram Regarding the Land")
* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1-12 "The Boundaries of the Promised Land")
* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "The Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of names in Joshua 15:22 offers profound spiritual lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of intricate detail and unwavering faithfulness. Just as He meticulously ensured the precise fulfillment of His land promises to Israel, down to every town and boundary, so too does He oversee the details of our lives and His broader redemptive plan. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and comprehensive provision, even when our circumstances seem small or insignificant. It challenges us to recognize that every aspect of our lives, every "place" we inhabit, is part of His sovereign design, contributing to a larger narrative of His faithfulness. We are called to find assurance in the God who remembers every name and fulfills every promise, knowing that His meticulous care extends to every facet of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's land distribution in Joshua 15:22 deepen your understanding of His character and faithfulness?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be overlooking God's precise and detailed work, perhaps dismissing it as "mundane" or "insignificant"?**
* **How does the fulfillment of ancient promises in Joshua strengthen your faith in God's promises for your own life and for the future of His kingdom?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of order, careful stewardship, and attention to detail in our own lives, reflecting God's nature?**

### FAQ
**Why are these lists of names so detailed and seemingly mundane in the Bible?**

Answer: These detailed lists, like the one in Joshua 15:22, are far from mundane; they serve crucial theological and historical purposes. The meticulous enumeration of towns and boundaries functions as a legal and administrative record, providing concrete evidence of the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land inheritance. They demonstrate God's faithfulness and precision in delivering on His word, proving that the land was indeed divided and possessed exactly as He commanded, as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution"). Furthermore, these lists established tribal identities, prevented disputes over territory, and laid the foundation for the future governance and social structure of Israel. They underscore that God's plan is comprehensive, leaving no detail to chance, and that His promises are tangible realities, not abstract concepts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:22 is a seemingly dry list of geographical names, it powerfully points to Christ through the overarching theme of promised inheritance and divine fulfillment. The physical land given to Judah foreshadows the spiritual inheritance secured for believers in Christ, an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven," as promised in [1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Kept in Heaven](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Kept in Heaven"). The meticulous division of the land by lot, ensuring every tribe received its portion, prefigures the perfect and precise work of Christ, who, by His sacrifice, has secured an eternal dwelling place for all who believe, declaring, "In My Father's house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you," in [John 14:2-3 - My Father's House](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - My Father's House"). The faithfulness of God in fulfilling His ancient land promises to Israel finds its ultimate and most glorious expression in the person and work of Jesus, who is the "yes" and "amen" to all of God's promises, as affirmed in [2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ"). Just as these towns were part of Judah's physical domain, so too are believers, through Christ, made part of God's spiritual kingdom, inheriting eternal life and a place in the new heavens and new earth, described vividly in [Revelation 21:1-7 - The New Heaven and New Earth](/revelation/21-1-7 "The New Heaven and New Earth"). The precision of God's Old Testament promises, down to the names of obscure towns, testifies to the absolute certainty of His New Testament promises, all of which are fulfilled in the Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.