Joshua 15:31

KJV

And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Ziklag {H6860}, and Madmannah {H4089}, and Sansannah {H5578},

Complete Jewish Bible

Ziklag, Madmanah, Sansanah,

Berean Standard Bible

Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,

American Standard Version

and Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:31 is a concise yet significant verse, meticulously listing three cities—Ziklag, Madmannah, and Sansannah—as part of the vast territorial inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah in the southern reaches of the Promised Land. This seemingly simple enumeration underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, demonstrating His precise and detailed provision of the land He swore to their ancestors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15 falls within the extensive second major section of the Book of Joshua (chapters 13-21), which meticulously details the division of the conquered land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the successful military campaigns and the initial subjugation of Canaanite strongholds, the focus shifts from conquest to settlement and inheritance. Chapter 15 specifically outlines the boundaries and cities belonging to Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe, which received the most extensive territory. The detailed enumeration of towns, often grouped by region, serves as a vital legal and historical record, solidifying Israel's claim to the land and demonstrating the meticulous fulfillment of God's promises. This painstaking record, while appearing as a dry list, is foundational to understanding Israel's identity and their divinely appointed place in the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of land was central to ancient Israelite identity and societal structure, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land")). In a pre-modern world, land ownership was the primary source of wealth, security, and tribal identity. The meticulous detailing of boundaries and cities in Joshua provided clear legal documentation, preventing future disputes among tribes and establishing the administrative framework for the nascent nation. This process also highlighted the ongoing challenge of fully dispossessing the remaining Canaanite inhabitants, as many of these listed cities would require further conquest and settlement. The very act of listing these places, even those not yet fully secured, was an act of faith and a declaration of divine ownership.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of cities like Ziklag, Madmannah, and Sansannah within Judah's inheritance contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Promise Fulfilled**. The meticulous detail of these lists testifies to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, meticulously delivering on His promise to give them the land, as affirmed in passages like [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Promises Fulfilled"). Secondly, the precise naming of cities and boundaries established clear **Order and Ownership**, reflecting God's desire for structure and peace within His people, a principle evident in the detailed instructions for land division found in [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1 "Numbers 34:1-12 - Boundaries of the Land"). Lastly, the extensive nature of Judah's inheritance, including these southern towns, underscores **Judah's Significance** as the royal tribe from which the lineage of King David and ultimately the Messiah would emerge, setting the stage for its future prominence in Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ziklag (Hebrew, _Tsiqlag'_):** The precise etymology is debated, possibly meaning "winding" or "measuring out." While its initial mention here is purely geographical, Ziklag gains immense historical significance later in the biblical narrative. It was a Philistine town given to David by King Achish of Gath, serving as a refuge for David and his men while he was fleeing from King Saul ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag given to David")). It was also the site of the Amalekite raid where David famously "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" after his family and possessions were taken captive ([1 Samuel 30:6](/1_samuel/30-6 "1 Samuel 30:6 - David Encourages Himself in the Lord")). Its inclusion in Judah's inheritance in Joshua 15:31 establishes its rightful place within the tribal boundaries, even if it was later occupied by the Philistines for a period.
* **Madmannah (Hebrew, _Madmannah'_):** Likely derived from a root meaning "dunghill" or "midden." This name suggests a place that might have been associated with refuse or perhaps a less significant settlement, yet it was still important enough to be included in the meticulous record of Judah's inheritance. Its inclusion highlights the comprehensive nature of the land allocation, encompassing all types of settlements.
* **Sansannah (Hebrew, _Sansannah'_):** The meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "thorn-bush" or "lily" (from the root "shushan"). Like Madmannah, Sansannah is primarily known from these geographical lists. Its inclusion further emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the tribal allotments, ensuring that every piece of the promised land was accounted for and assigned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Ziklag,"**: This phrase introduces the first of three specific cities listed in this verse, immediately following a list of other towns in the southern district of Judah. Its placement within this geographical grouping indicates its location in the Negev, the southern desert region. The conjunction "And" connects it seamlessly to the preceding enumeration, maintaining the continuous flow of the detailed census of Judah's inheritance.
* **"and Madmannah,"**: The second city in the enumeration, also located in the Negev. Its inclusion reinforces the meticulous nature of the record, ensuring that all settlements, regardless of their size or perceived importance, were accounted for in the tribal allotment. This detail underscores the divine precision in fulfilling the land promise.
* **"and Sansannah,"**: The third and final city named in this verse, completing a trio of settlements in the same southern region. The repetitive use of "and" (polysyndeton) emphasizes each individual city, giving weight to its inclusion and highlighting the thoroughness of the land division process. This clause, like the others, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in providing every promised detail of the inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 15:31, though brief, employs several literary techniques characteristic of the broader chapter and book. The most prominent device is **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**, where a detailed list of places is provided. This serves not merely as a dry geographical record but as a theological statement, demonstrating the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land. The sheer volume of names, including seemingly obscure ones like Madmannah and Sansannah, underscores the **Meticulous Detail** and divine precision involved in the land allocation. Furthermore, the repeated use of the conjunction "and" between each city name exemplifies **Polysyndeton**, a rhetorical device that slows the pace of the reading and gives equal emphasis and weight to each item in the list. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Judah's inheritance, ensuring that no part of the promised land was overlooked in the divine distribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:31, in its seemingly mundane listing of cities, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness to His covenant promises. It reminds us that God's plans are not vague or general, but detailed and precise, extending even to the specific geographical locations of a tribe's inheritance. This verse testifies to the truth that every detail of God's Word and His providential care is significant, contributing to the grand narrative of His redemptive purposes. The land itself, meticulously divided, serves as a tangible symbol of God's blessing and the fulfillment of His oath to Abraham, providing a secure dwelling place for His people. This divine precision in land distribution foreshadows God's equally precise and perfect plan for our spiritual inheritance and eternal dwelling.

* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Lord's Promise of the Land")
* [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - Not One Word Failed")
* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1 "Numbers 34:1-12 - Boundaries of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly ordinary list of cities in Joshua 15:31 offers profound insights into the character of God and His interaction with humanity. It reveals a God who is not distant or abstract, but intimately involved in the details of His creation and His covenant people. Just as He meticulously allotted land to Judah, including even places like Ziklag, Madmannah, and Sansannah, He is equally precise and faithful in His plans for our individual lives. This verse encourages us to trust in His detailed providence, recognizing that even the small, seemingly insignificant parts of His Word or our personal journeys contribute to the grand narrative of His redemptive work. It highlights that God's faithfulness extends to every promise, every detail, and every season, reminding us that He is at work even in the "mundane" aspects of our existence. Moreover, the later history of Ziklag, where David found strength in the Lord amidst distress ([1 Samuel 30:6](/1_samuel/30-6 "1 Samuel 30:6 - David Encourages Himself in the Lord")), serves as a powerful reminder that God uses specific places and circumstances, however ordinary they may seem, to shape character, teach dependence, and reveal His sustaining power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous fulfillment of promises in Joshua 15:31 strengthen your faith in His detailed plans for your own life?**
* **What "mundane" or seemingly insignificant details in your life might God be using to fulfill a greater purpose, similar to how Ziklag later became a significant site for David?**
* **How can reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past (both biblical and personal) equip you to "strengthen yourself in the Lord" during times of distress, like David at Ziklag?**

### FAQ
**Why are these lists of cities so detailed in Joshua?**

Answer: The detailed lists of cities and boundaries in Joshua, including those in Joshua 15:31, serve multiple crucial purposes. Historically and legally, they functioned as a precise record of tribal inheritance, solidifying Israel's claim to the land promised by God and preventing future disputes over territory. Theologically, they are a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land")). Every city named, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, represents a tangible fulfillment of God's word, as confirmed in [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Promises Fulfilled"), which states that "not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." These lists also underscore the divine order and administration established for the fledgling nation of Israel.

**What is the significance of Ziklag being mentioned here, given its later role in David's life?**

Answer: Ziklag's initial mention in Joshua 15:31 as part of Judah's inheritance establishes its rightful place within the divinely appointed tribal boundaries. This foundational detail is crucial because, despite its later occupation by the Philistines, it remained, in God's eyes, part of Judah's land. Its later prominence in David's life—as a refuge from King Saul ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag given to David")) and the site where he "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" after the Amalekite raid ([1 Samuel 30:6](/1_samuel/30-6 "1 Samuel 30:6 - David Encourages Himself in the Lord"))—adds a rich layer of historical and spiritual significance. The fact that a place initially listed as a mere geographical point in a tribal inheritance later became the backdrop for pivotal moments in the life of Israel's greatest king highlights God's sovereign hand at work in specific locations and seemingly ordinary details, orchestrating events for His greater redemptive purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 15:31, with its meticulous detailing of Judah's inheritance, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly land, meticulously measured and distributed, foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ, which is far richer and eternal. Just as God faithfully provided a physical dwelling place for Israel, Christ is the One in whom we find our true and lasting rest and spiritual home ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Believer's Rest")). As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jesus embodies the full significance of Judah's preeminence and its vast inheritance, not merely of land, but of a spiritual kingdom. He is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, transforming the earthly promise of land into the heavenly reality of salvation, adoption, and eternal life for all who believe ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The precision with which God allotted every city, including Ziklag, Madmannah, and Sansannah, points to the even greater precision of His redemptive plan, culminating in Christ, through whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Our ultimate "place" and "inheritance" are not found in geographical boundaries, but in union with the risen Lord, who prepares a place for us in His Father's house ([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

1 Samuel 27:6

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

1 Samuel 30:1

¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

1 Chronicles 12:1

¶ Now these [are] they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

Joshua 19:5

And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,