Joshua 15:28

KJV

And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hazarshual {H2705}, and Beersheba {H884}, and Bizjothjah {H964},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hatzar-Shu'al, Be'er-Sheva, Bizyot-Yah,

Berean Standard Bible

Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,

American Standard Version

and Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Biziothiah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:28 meticulously lists three specific towns—Hazarshual, Beersheba, and Bizjothjah—as integral components of the vast inheritance divinely apportioned to the tribe of Judah within the southern reaches of the Promised Land. This verse is part of an exhaustive geographical catalog that underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, detailing the precise boundaries and urban centers granted to Judah following the successful Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, thereby solidifying their territorial claims and demonstrating divine faithfulness in meticulous detail.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15:28 is embedded within a comprehensive and meticulously detailed account of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, which occupies the entirety of Joshua chapter 15. Following the initial military victories and the establishment of the tabernacle at Shiloh, the book of Joshua systematically transitions from conquest to distribution, recording the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. This particular verse is part of a long list of cities (verses 21-63) designated for Judah, following the description of the tribe's extensive borders. The inclusion of such specific, often obscure, place names underscores the legal and historical precision of the tribal allotments, serving as a permanent record of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of the land among the tribes was a monumental event in Israelite history, marking the transition from nomadic wanderings and military campaigns to settled life in the Promised Land. These detailed lists of cities and boundaries served as crucial legal documents, defining tribal identity, land ownership, and the basis for future governance and taxation. Culturally, land was inextricably linked to identity, inheritance, and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. The southern region, where these cities are located, was often a frontier, bordering the Negev desert and various non-Israelite peoples. The precise enumeration of these towns, even those in less fertile or more remote areas, affirmed the comprehensive nature of Israel's inheritance and God's sovereign control over every inch of the land He had promised.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous cataloging of cities in Joshua 15, including Hazarshual, Beersheba, and Bizjothjah, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to fulfilling His promises made centuries earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that their descendants would inherit this land (as seen in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham") and reiterated in [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land")). Secondly, it underscores the **Order and Detail in God's Plan**, revealing that God's administration of His people and their inheritance was not haphazard but a carefully orchestrated and precise undertaking. Every boundary, every city, was part of a divine blueprint. Finally, it emphasizes the **Significance of Tribal Allotments**, particularly for Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe. Judah's vast and strategically important inheritance, extending to the southern reaches marked by cities like Beersheba, foreshadowed its future preeminence, especially concerning the Davidic line and the ultimate coming of the Messiah from this tribe.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazarshual (Hebrew, _Hazar Shu'al'_):** This name translates to "village of foxes" or "courtyard of foxes." Its inclusion indicates a smaller, perhaps less significant, settlement within Judah's vast territory. The presence of such a detailed, even seemingly minor, place name emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the land distribution and God's comprehensive provision.
* **Beersheba (Hebrew, _Be'er Sheva'_):** Meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven," Beersheba is by far the most historically and biblically significant city listed in this verse. It frequently appears in Scripture as a key landmark, marking the southern boundary of Israel (e.g., "from Dan to Beersheba," found in [Judges 20:1](/judges/20-1 "Judges 20:1 - From Dan to Beersheba")). Its name is rooted in the covenants made there by Abraham ([Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Genesis 21:31 - Abraham's Covenant at Beersheba")) and later reaffirmed by Isaac ([Genesis 26:33](/genesis/26-33 "Genesis 26:33 - Isaac's Well at Beersheba")), making it a site of deep patriarchal significance and a symbol of God's covenant faithfulness.
* **Bizjothjah (Hebrew, _Bizyothyah'_):** The meaning of this name is less certain, with proposed interpretations including "despised places" or "olive trees of Yah." Like Hazarshual, its inclusion highlights the meticulous detail of the record, ensuring that every designated city, regardless of its prominence or perceived value, was accounted for in Judah's inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hazarshual":** This phrase introduces the first of three specific towns, emphasizing the continuous listing of settlements within Judah's southern allotment. Hazarshual, though not a major city, is precisely named, affirming the comprehensive nature of the divine distribution and the legal exactitude of the record.
* **"and Beersheba":** The conjunction "and" links Hazarshual to Beersheba, a town of immense historical and patriarchal significance. Its inclusion here solidifies its status as a key landmark within Judah's territory, specifically marking its southern frontier. This detail grounds the abstract concept of inheritance in tangible, recognizable geography.
* **"and Bizjothjah":** The final "and" completes the triplet of towns, adding Bizjothjah to the list. The repetitive conjunction (polysyndeton) serves to underscore the exhaustive nature of the catalog, ensuring that every designated city, whether famous or obscure, is accounted for as part of Judah's divinely apportioned inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 15:28, though a brief enumeration, employs several literary techniques to achieve its purpose. The most prominent device is **Cataloging** or **Listing**, which is characteristic of the entire chapter. This meticulous enumeration of cities serves as a legal and historical document, affirming the precise boundaries and possessions of Judah. The sheer volume of names, often unfamiliar, lends an air of authenticity and thoroughness to the account, emphasizing the comprehensive fulfillment of God's promise. Furthermore, the repeated use of the conjunction "and" (a form of **Polysyndeton**) before each city name ("And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah") creates a sense of exhaustive completeness, underscoring that no detail was overlooked in the divine distribution. This detailed **Toponymy** (the study of place names) is not merely geographical; it carries theological weight, as each name, particularly Beersheba, often encapsulates historical or covenantal significance, embedding the narrative of God's faithfulness directly into the landscape.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous listing of cities in Joshua 15:28 transcends mere geography, serving as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the precise fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This detailed enumeration underscores the divine order in the distribution of the Promised Land, demonstrating that God's plans are not vague but meticulously executed, down to the specific boundaries and settlements for each tribe. It highlights the tangible reality of God's inheritance for His people, a concept that finds echoes throughout Scripture, pointing to both earthly blessings and spiritual realities. The very act of naming these places, especially a historically significant one like Beersheba, grounds the abstract concept of divine promise in concrete, verifiable reality, assuring Israel that every word spoken by God would indeed come to pass.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Covenant Promise to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "The Lord's Oath to Give the Land")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalms/105-8 "God's Everlasting Covenant and Land Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Joshua 15:28 might appear as a dry list of ancient place names, it offers profound spiritual truths for contemporary believers. The divine precision in allotting every city, including those seemingly obscure, reminds us that God's promises are not vague aspirations but meticulously detailed commitments that He unfailingly brings to pass. Just as Israel received a tangible, geographical inheritance, believers in Christ are heirs to an even greater, spiritual inheritance—a secure, eternal possession that transcends earthly boundaries. This passage encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, recognizing that His attention to detail extends to every facet of our lives, ensuring that His perfect plan unfolds with precision and purpose. It invites us to consider the tangible ways God has fulfilled His promises in our own lives, building our confidence in His ongoing work and inspiring us to live in gratitude for the detailed care of our Heavenly Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's land distribution in Joshua 15:28 strengthen your faith in His faithfulness to His promises in your own life?**
* **In what ways do you recognize God's "attention to detail" in your personal circumstances, even in seemingly small or mundane aspects?**
* **How does understanding Israel's tangible inheritance inform your perspective on the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific cities listed with such detail in Joshua 15?**

Answer: The detailed listing of cities like Hazarshual, Beersheba, and Bizjothjah serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it functioned as a legal and historical document, precisely defining the tribal boundaries and land ownership for Judah, preventing future disputes. Secondly, it underscores God's absolute faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan. Every city named was a tangible manifestation of this divine commitment. Thirdly, it established tribal identity and provided a basis for the social, economic, and religious life of the Israelites in their new homeland. The inclusion of significant cities like Beersheba, a site of patriarchal covenants (see [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Genesis 21:31 - Abraham's Covenant at Beersheba")), alongside lesser-known towns, highlights the comprehensive nature of God's provision for His people.

**What is the significance of Beersheba in the Bible, beyond this verse?**

Answer: Beersheba is one of the most significant and frequently mentioned cities in the Old Testament. Its name, meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven," is tied to the covenants made there by Abraham with Abimelech ([Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Genesis 21:31 - Abraham's Covenant at Beersheba")) and later by Isaac ([Genesis 26:33](/genesis/26-33 "Genesis 26:33 - Isaac's Well at Beersheba")). It served as a vital watering hole and a common dwelling place for the patriarchs. Geographically, Beersheba consistently marked the southern boundary of Israel, hence the common phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" ([Judges 20:1](/judges/20-1 "Judges 20:1 - From Dan to Beersheba")), signifying the entire breadth of the land. Its prominence in patriarchal narratives and as a geographical marker underscores its enduring importance in the biblical narrative as a place of covenant, settlement, and national identity.

**How does this seemingly mundane list relate to God's character?**

Answer: This seemingly mundane list of cities profoundly reveals aspects of God's character. It showcases His **faithfulness** in meticulously fulfilling His promises, demonstrating that His word is reliable and His plans are precise. The detailed nature of the land distribution highlights God's **orderliness** and **attention to detail**, indicating that He is not a God of chaos but of careful design and meticulous administration. It also speaks to His **generosity** in providing a vast and specific inheritance for His people. Ultimately, the very existence of these lists testifies to God's **sovereignty** over the land and the destiny of His people, proving that His divine will is perfectly executed, even in the most granular details.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:28 details a physical inheritance for an earthly people, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, spiritual inheritance found in Christ Jesus. The meticulous division of land, a tangible fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, points forward to the precise and perfect plan of salvation orchestrated by God through His Son. Just as Judah received its allotted portion, believers in Christ are granted an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" as described in [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - The Believer's Heavenly Inheritance"). Jesus, the true [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David"), born into the tribe of Judah, is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, not merely of land but of eternal life and spiritual blessing. He is the one who secures our portion in the [new heavens and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Creation"), where God's people dwell in perfect fellowship with Him forever. Through Christ, we inherit not a geographical territory but a spiritual kingdom, becoming co-heirs with Him, as affirmed in [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"). The meticulous detail of Joshua's distribution thus finds its ultimate and glorious culmination in the comprehensive and eternal provision of our Lord, who is Himself our greatest inheritance, securing for us a place in His eternal kingdom (see [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")).

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 26:33

And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

Genesis 21:31

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Genesis 21:33

¶ And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

1 Chronicles 4:28

And they dwelt at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,

Genesis 21:14

¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Joshua 19:2

And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

Joshua 19:3

And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,