TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
Complete Jewish Bible
Sh'arim, 'Aditayim, G'derah and G'derotayim - fourteen cities, together with their villages.
Berean Standard Bible
Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages.
American Standard Version
and Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages.
World English Bible Messianic
Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim: fourteene cities with their villages.
Young's Literal Translation
and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities and their villages.
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In the KJVVerse 6,239 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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 15:36 precisely enumerates four cities—Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim—culminating in the definitive statement of "fourteen cities with their villages" allocated to the tribe of Judah. This verse, embedded within an extensive geographical inventory, powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous precision in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises, ensuring each Israelite tribe received its divinely appointed and tangible portion of the Promised Land as a secure inheritance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 15 meticulously details the vast territorial inheritance assigned to the tribe of Judah, which was the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. Following the initial delineation of Judah's expansive boundaries in Joshua 15:1-12, the chapter transitions into a comprehensive enumeration of the cities situated within these limits. Verses Joshua 15:21-62 are specifically dedicated to listing these urban centers, which are systematically grouped by distinct geographical sub-regions: the Negeb, the Shephelah (lowlands), the hill country, and finally the wilderness. Joshua 15:36 is situated within the section describing cities in the Shephelah, thereby underscoring the thoroughness of the land distribution and the profound divine order that underpinned the settlement of Canaan. The repetitive, almost liturgical, nature of these detailed lists serves to reinforce the undeniable reality and completeness of the inheritance bestowed upon God's people.
Historical & Cultural Context: The precise allocation of land was a foundational and transformative act for the nascent nation of Israel, marking their transition from nomadic wanderers to settled inhabitants of the Promised Land. In the ancient Near East, land ownership was inextricably linked to identity, security, and prosperity, deeply rooted in family lineage and tribal affiliation. The exhaustive lists found in the book of Joshua reflect a meticulous administrative process, likely based on comprehensive surveys and lots cast under divine guidance, as described in Numbers 26 and Joshua 18. The inclusion of "villages" (Hebrew: ḥaṣerim) alongside the cities is particularly significant, as it indicates that the surrounding agricultural lands, vital pastures, and smaller, often unfortified, settlements were considered an integral part of the inheritance. This comprehensive approach ensured that each tribe received not merely urban centers but also the full economic and residential infrastructure necessary for sustaining their population and fulfilling God's command to be fruitful and multiply within the land.
Key Themes: The meticulous enumeration of cities such as Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim in Joshua 15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates the Fulfillment of Divine Promise. God's ancient covenant with Abraham, subsequently reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, explicitly promised their descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). The detailed record in Joshua serves as tangible and irrefutable proof that God is utterly faithful to His word, bringing His promises to fruition with remarkable exactitude. Secondly, these lists highlight Divine Order and Precision. The allocation of land was not an arbitrary process but a carefully managed, divinely orchestrated distribution, ensuring that each tribe received its designated portion according to a larger, sovereign strategy. This speaks profoundly to God's meticulous attention to detail and His absolute control over the destiny of His people. Lastly, the repeated emphasis on "cities with their villages" underscores the critical theme of Inheritance and Possession. This physical inheritance of the land was central to Israel's identity, their covenant relationship with God, and their establishment as a sovereign nation, providing a secure dwelling place and a foundational basis for their future.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 15:36, as an integral part of a larger geographical catalog, primarily employs Enumeration and Polysyndeton. The most prominent device is the Enumeration of specific city names (Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim), which serves to convey the exhaustive and meticulous nature of the land distribution. This detailed listing emphasizes the absolute completeness of God's provision and the remarkable precision of the tribal allotments. The repeated use of the conjunction "and" (as in "And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah...") is a clear example of Polysyndeton. This stylistic choice creates a powerful sense of accumulation and thoroughness, reinforcing the profound idea that every single entity, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, was meticulously accounted for within the divine plan for Israel's inheritance. The sheer volume of names, though potentially tedious to a modern reader, would have profoundly impressed upon the original audience the undeniable reality and comprehensive scope of their God-given possession.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous listing of cities and their associated villages in Joshua 15:36, while appearing to be a mundane historical record, carries profound theological weight. It stands as a tangible testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, His impeccable divine order, and His sovereign control over the intricate details of His covenant promises. Just as God precisely measured and allocated the physical land to Judah, so too does He work with precision and purpose in the lives of His people, bringing His word to fruition down to the smallest detail. This detailed record assures us that God's promises are not vague generalities but specific, reliable realities. It demonstrates that His comprehensive plan for His people encompasses not just the grand narratives of redemption but also the seemingly ordinary aspects of their existence, ensuring their complete provision and security within His perfect will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise enumeration of cities and their villages in Joshua 15:36, though a historical record of ancient land division, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of meticulous detail, not only in His grand redemptive plan for humanity but also in the seemingly "mundane" aspects of our individual lives. Just as He faithfully and precisely allotted every parcel of land to His chosen people, we can trust that He is intricately involved in every detail of our existence, from our daily provisions to our eternal destiny. This verse encourages us to look for God's faithfulness not just in the miraculous and extraordinary, but also in the ordinary and commonplace, recognizing His sovereign hand in the precise circumstances and provisions of our lives. It fosters a deeper trust in His unwavering sovereign care, knowing with certainty that our spiritual inheritance in Christ is just as real, secure, and meticulously prepared as Judah's physical inheritance in Canaan, guaranteeing our eternal place in His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are so many of these cities difficult to identify today?
Answer: The difficulty in definitively identifying many of the cities listed in Joshua, including those mentioned in Joshua 15:36, stems from several complex factors. Firstly, the passage of millennia has led to significant geographical and demographic transformations, including the renaming of settlements, the complete abandonment of sites, and the subsequent rise of new ones. Secondly, archaeological identification presents considerable challenges; while numerous ancient sites have been excavated, correlating biblical names with specific archaeological remains requires robust and conclusive evidence, which is often elusive for smaller or less significant settlements. The primary purpose of these extensive lists in the book of Joshua was to serve as a legal and administrative record for the ancient Israelites, meticulously detailing their inheritance and established boundaries, rather than functioning as a geographical guide for future generations. The remarkable meticulousness of the record, even for towns now lost to history, profoundly underscores the undeniable reality and comprehensive completeness of the land division at that time, demonstrating how God's promise was faithfully fulfilled to His people (Joshua 18:1-10).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:36 describes a physical inheritance of land, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper theological significance are profoundly found in Christ. The meticulous division of Canaan among the tribes of Israel beautifully foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Jesus. Just as God faithfully provided a secure and tangible dwelling place for Israel, Christ has secured an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance for all who are in Him (1 Peter 1:4). The land of Canaan, though a tangible blessing and a place of rest, was ultimately but a shadow of the true and eternal rest and dwelling place found in God's very presence, which Jesus, our great High Priest, has entered on our behalf (Hebrews 4:8-10). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus has opened the way for us to inherit not merely a piece of land, but eternal life, complete reconciliation with God, and a secure place in His heavenly kingdom (Ephesians 1:3-14). He is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, ensuring that our spiritual inheritance is not merely a future hope but a present reality, guaranteed and sealed by the Holy Spirit as a divine down payment (Ephesians 1:13-14). Thus, the detailed enumeration of cities in Joshua points forward to the comprehensive and eternally secure spiritual blessings we possess in Christ, our true and everlasting inheritance.