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Commentary on Joshua 15 verses 20–63
20 ¶ This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
21 And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,
26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
27 And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
34 And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
42 Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
45 Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:
47 Ashdod 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:
48 And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
49 And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:
52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
53 And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
54 And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
59 And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
60 Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
61 In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
62 And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
63 As 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.
We have here a list of the several cities that fell within the lot of the tribe of Judah, which are mentioned by name, that they might know their own, and both keep it and keep to it, and might neither through cowardice nor sloth lose the possession of what was their own.
I. The cities are here named, and numbered in several classes, which they then could account for the reason of better than we can now. Here are, 1. Some that are said to be the uttermost cities towards the coast of Edom, Jos 15:21-32. Here are thirty-eight named, and yet said to be twenty-nine (Jos 15:32), because nine of these were afterwards transferred to the lot of Simeon, and are reckoned as belonging to that, as appears by comparing Jos 19:2, etc.; therefore those only are counted (though the rest are named) which remained to Judah. 2. Others that are said to be in the valley (Jos 15:33) are counted to be fourteen, yet fifteen are named; but it is probable that Gederah and Gederathaim were either two names or two parts of one and the same city. 3. Then sixteen are named without any head of distinction, Jos 15:37-41, and nine more, Jos 15:42-44. 4. Then the three Philistine-cities, Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza, Jos 15:45-47. 5. Cities in the mountains, eleven in all (Jos 15:48-51), nine more (Jos 15:52-54), ten more (Jos 15:55-57), six more (Jos 15:58, Jos 15:59), then two (Jos 15:60), and six in the wilderness, a part of the country not so thick of inhabitants as some others were.
II. Now here, 1. We do not find Bethlehem, which was afterwards the city of David, and was ennobled by the birth of our Lord Jesus in it. But that city, which at the best was but little among the thousands of Judah (Mic 5:2), except that it was thus dignified, was now so little as not to be accounted one of the cities, but perhaps was one of the villages not named. Christ came to give honour to the places he was related to, not to receive honour from them. 2. Jerusalem is said to continue in the hands of the Jebusites (Jos 15:63), for the children of Judah could not drive them out, through their sluggishness, stupidity, and unbelief. Had they attempted it with vigour and resolution, we have reason to think God would not have been wanting to them to give them success; but they could not do it, because they would not. Jerusalem was afterwards to be the holy city, the royal city, the city of the great King, the brightest ornament of all the land of Israel. God has designed it should be so. It may therefore be justly looked upon as a punishment of their neglect to conquer other cities which God had given them that they were so long kept out of this. 3. Among the cities of Judah (in all 114) we meet with Libnah, which in Joram's days revolted, and probably set up for a free independent state (Kg2 8:22), and Lachish, where king Amaziah was slain (Kg1 14:19); it led the dance in idolatry (Mic 1:13); it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion. Giloh, Ahithophel's town, is here mentioned, and Tekoa, of which the prophet Amos was, and near which Jehoshaphat obtained that glorious victory, Ch2 20:20, etc., and Maresha, where Asa was a conqueror. Many of the cities of this tribe occur in the history of David's troubles. Adullam, Ziph, Keilah, Maon, Engedi, Ziklag, here reckoned in this tribe, were places near which David had most of his haunts; for, though sometimes Saul drove him out from the inheritance of the Lord, yet he kept as close to it as he could. The wilderness of Judah he frequented much, and in it John Baptist preached, and there the kingdom of heaven commenced, Mat 3:1. The riches of this country no doubt answered Jacob's blessing of this tribe, that he should wash his garments in wine, Gen 49:11. And, in general, Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise, not envy.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–63. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 15:25 is a specific entry within the meticulous tribal allotments for Judah, cataloging three cities—Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth—and clarifying the relationship between Hezron and Hazor. This verse, part of an extensive geographical register, underscores the precise and faithful fulfillment of God's ancient promises to Israel regarding their inheritance of the land, highlighting the divine order and meticulousness in the distribution of territory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:25, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 15, is Catalog or Enumeration. The entire chapter is a meticulous listing of cities and boundaries, functioning as a comprehensive legal and historical record of Judah's inheritance. This extensive enumeration, while seemingly dry, serves to underscore the divine precision and the tangible fulfillment of God's promises. Furthermore, the phrase "Hezron, which is Hazor" employs a form of Clarification or Identification, which is a specific type of Apposition. This precise naming and cross-referencing serves to remove ambiguity, highlighting the meticulousness of the land division and reflecting the divine order and the legalistic nature of the covenant fulfillment. The sheer detail also contributes to the overall sense of Verisimilitude, lending credibility and historical weight to the narrative of Israel's settlement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:25, though a seemingly minor detail in a long list of geographical markers, profoundly testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous care in fulfilling His covenant promises. The precise naming of cities and the careful demarcation of boundaries demonstrate that God's word is not vague or abstract, but concrete and actionable. What He promised to Abraham generations prior—a land for his descendants—is now being meticulously delivered, down to individual towns and their identifying characteristics. This detailed fulfillment assures us that God is faithful in every promise, great or small, and that His plans are executed with divine order and precision. The inheritance of a physical land for Israel foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, a secure and certain possession in God's kingdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Joshua 15:25 might appear as a mere geographical footnote, its inclusion within the biblical narrative offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of detail and precision, who meticulously fulfills His promises. Just as He ensured every tribe received its specific, divinely appointed inheritance, He works with intentionality in our lives, orchestrating circumstances and fulfilling His purposes with perfect timing and accuracy. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when the details seem mundane or the path unclear. Our spiritual inheritance in Christ is as real and secure as Judah's physical inheritance, guaranteed by God's faithfulness. This should inspire confidence and gratitude, knowing that our position in His kingdom is not accidental but divinely ordained and meticulously secured. It calls us to reflect on the unwavering reliability of God's character, which undergirds every aspect of His interaction with humanity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are there so many lists of names and places in Joshua?
Answer: The extensive lists of names and places in the book of Joshua, particularly in chapters 13-21, serve several crucial purposes. First, they provide a legal and administrative record of the land's division, establishing the boundaries and specific cities allotted to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This meticulous detail functioned as a deed of ownership, preventing future disputes over territory and ensuring an orderly settlement. Second, these lists powerfully demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants, as recorded in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 15:18-21, that they would inherit the land of Canaan. The very existence of these detailed records underscores that God's word is precise and trustworthy, leaving no doubt that His promises are tangibly fulfilled. Third, they highlight the orderly nature of God, who orchestrates the settlement with divine precision, ensuring that each tribe receives its designated portion according to His sovereign plan.
Is the Hazor mentioned in Joshua 15:25 the same as the famous Hazor conquered by Joshua in the north?
Answer: No, the Hazor mentioned in Joshua 15:25, located within the territory of Judah, is not the same as the prominent northern Canaanite city of Hazor that Joshua conquered and burned, as described in Joshua 11:1-11. The name "Hazor" (meaning "village" or "enclosure") was a common place name in ancient Israel and the wider Near East due to its descriptive nature for fortified or enclosed settlements. The biblical text often includes clarifying phrases, such as "Hezron, which is Hazor" in this verse, precisely to distinguish between similarly named locations and ensure geographical accuracy within the tribal allotments. This particular Hazor was a city in the southern part of Judah's inheritance, distinct from the major northern stronghold that was a regional power center.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:25 details a physical inheritance, it points forward to the ultimate spiritual inheritance secured and bestowed by Jesus Christ. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promise of land to Israel, down to the naming of individual cities, so too has He meticulously fulfilled His promises of salvation and eternal life through His Son. Christ is the true and ultimate inheritor of all things, and in Him, believers become co-heirs with Him, receiving an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). The precise boundaries and secure possession granted to Judah prefigure the secure and defined position believers have in God's kingdom, not through conquest of land, but through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Our spiritual inheritance includes not just future glory but also present blessings and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a "guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it" (Ephesians 1:14). Thus, the meticulous detail of Joshua 15:25 serves as a testament to God's faithfulness, a faithfulness fully realized and eternally secured in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who grants us an inheritance far richer and more enduring than any earthly possession.