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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 15:35 is a precise entry within the extensive geographical record of cities allotted to the tribe of Judah, specifically identifying Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah. These locations are situated within the Shephelah, the strategic lowlands between the coastal plain and the Judean mountains. This meticulous enumeration of cities underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land, providing a foundational administrative and historical document for the nascent nation of Israel and serving as a testament to divine order and provision.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 15:35, as part of an extensive geographical register, primarily employs Enumeration and Topographical Detail. The precise listing of city names serves as a comprehensive inventory, emphasizing the thoroughness and exactitude of the land distribution. This detailed Enumeration functions not merely as a dry list but as a testament to God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises, demonstrating His commitment to every detail of His covenant. The cities are presented within their specific geographical context (the Shephelah), providing crucial Topographical Detail that anchors the narrative in real-world locations. This grounded reality makes the divine act of giving the land tangible and verifiable, reinforcing the historical veracity of the account. Furthermore, for a discerning reader of the entire biblical narrative, these specific place names carry a subtle element of Foreshadowing, hinting at the significant historical events that would later unfold in these very locations, such as David's refuge in Adullam or his battle near Azekah and Socoh. The seemingly mundane list thus becomes a foundational map for future divine interventions and human dramas.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:35, though a simple list of names, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness and the tangible reality of His covenant promises. The detailed enumeration of cities, even in seemingly obscure passages, testifies to the divine precision in fulfilling every word spoken. Just as God promised Abraham a land for his descendants, so He meticulously delivered it, down to the specific cities and their boundaries. This level of detail underscores that God's promises are not vague aspirations but concrete realities, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and geography. It reminds us that God's character is one of absolute reliability and that His plans are executed with perfect order and purpose, providing a secure foundation for Israel's identity and future. The very act of naming these cities confirms God's active involvement in the physical and political establishment of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail of Joshua 15:35, listing ancient cities in a specific geographical region, might at first seem distant from our contemporary lives. Yet, it offers a profound spiritual truth: God is faithful in the details. Just as He precisely fulfilled His promise to Israel by giving them every inch of the land, even down to the strategic cities in the Shephelah, so He is faithful in every promise He has made to us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect plan and timing, even when the path ahead seems long or the details overwhelming. It reminds us that God's Word is not merely theoretical but is active, precise, and will accomplish all that He intends. Our inheritance in Christ, though spiritual, is just as real and meticulously prepared by God. We are called to live in confident assurance that the God who meticulously divided the land for Judah is the same God who is working out every detail of our lives and preparing an eternal inheritance for us. This passage invites us to find comfort and strength in the unwavering reliability of our covenant-keeping God, knowing that His faithfulness extends to the minutiae of our existence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these long lists of cities included in the Bible, and what is their significance?
Answer: These extensive lists, like the one in Joshua 15:35, serve multiple crucial purposes beyond mere geographical record-keeping. Firstly, they are a powerful testament to God's divine faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan, as seen in passages like Genesis 12:7. The detailed enumeration demonstrates that God's word is not vague but precise and meticulously executed. Secondly, they functioned as administrative and legal documents for the nascent Israelite nation, defining tribal boundaries, establishing land ownership, and providing a basis for governance and taxation. This highlights God's concern for order and justice within His people. Thirdly, these lists provide historical and geographical anchors for later biblical narratives. Many of these seemingly obscure cities, like Adullam and Azekah, become significant backdrops for key events in Israel's history, demonstrating the continuity of God's plan over generations. They show that God works in real places and real time, weaving His story into the fabric of human geography.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:35 is a historical record of geographical inheritance, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate inheritance secured by Jesus Christ. The physical land given to Judah, though a tangible fulfillment of God's promise, was but a shadow of the spiritual and eternal inheritance promised to believers in Christ. Just as the land provided rest and security for Israel, Christ provides true rest for our souls, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him, as promised in Matthew 11:28. The meticulous division of the land foreshadows the precise and perfect plan of God for our salvation and adoption into His family, where we are made "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ," as articulated in Romans 8:17. The earthly inheritance in Canaan, secured through conquest and divine faithfulness, points to the heavenly inheritance, secured not by human might but by the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Through Christ, we receive an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you," as beautifully described in 1 Peter 1:4. Thus, the detailed land grants in Joshua ultimately serve as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, culminating in the infinitely greater and eternal blessings bestowed upon those who are "in Christ Jesus," encompassing every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, as celebrated in Ephesians 1:3-14.