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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 15:37 meticulously records three towns—Zenan, Hadashah, and Migdalgad—as part of the extensive inheritance allocated to the tribe of Judah in the Promised Land. Far from being a mere geographical enumeration, this verse, embedded within a comprehensive list of cities, powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness, His meticulous attention to detail in fulfilling His covenant promises, and the tangible reality of the inheritance bestowed upon His people. It serves as a historical and theological testament to the divine precision in establishing Israel's territorial boundaries, solidifying their identity and demonstrating the certainty of God's word.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:37 and the surrounding chapters is Catalog or Enumeration. The meticulous listing of cities and their associated villages creates an exhaustive inventory of Judah's inheritance. This detailed Repetition of place names serves to emphasize the completeness and precision of the land distribution. It is not merely a dry list but a literary technique that conveys the absolute fulfillment of God's promises and the tangible reality of the inheritance. The sheer volume of names, even those seemingly insignificant, underscores God's Attention to Detail and His thoroughness in executing His divine plan. This detailed accounting also lends an air of legal authority and historical authenticity to the narrative, solidifying the Israelites' claim to the land as a divinely granted and legally documented possession.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:37, though seemingly a minor detail in a long list, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It stands as a testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God, who meticulously fulfills every aspect of His covenant promises, even down to the precise geographical boundaries and individual towns allocated to His people. This divine precision assures us that God's word is reliable and His plans are executed with perfect order. The inheritance of the land was not merely a physical possession but a tangible sign of God's presence and provision, establishing Israel's identity and security as a nation under His sovereign rule. It foreshadows a greater, spiritual inheritance promised to all who are in Christ, a testament to God's steadfast character across dispensations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of ancient cities might appear distant from contemporary life, Joshua 15:37 offers profound lessons for the modern believer. This verse reminds us that God is a God of meticulous detail and unwavering faithfulness. If He cared enough to record every specific town and boundary in the inheritance of Judah, we can trust that He cares about every detail of our lives and every promise He has made to us. It invites us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's precision and His commitment to fulfilling His word. Just as the Israelites received a tangible inheritance, we are assured of a spiritual inheritance in Christ, guaranteed by the same faithful God. This passage encourages us to look for God's hand in the seemingly mundane or overlooked aspects of Scripture and our own lives, recognizing that even the smallest details can reveal His grand design and steadfast character. It challenges us to live with the confidence that God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ, providing a secure foundation for our hope and future, knowing that His plans for us are as precise and certain as His ancient promises to Israel.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these long lists of cities included in the Bible? Are they really important?
Answer: Yes, these lists are profoundly important, even if they seem like dry historical records at first glance. Their inclusion serves several critical purposes. Firstly, they provide irrefutable evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan (e.g., Genesis 12:7). The detailed enumeration of cities, like Zenan, Hadashah, and Migdalgad in Joshua 15:37, demonstrates that God's word is not vague but precise and meticulously fulfilled. Secondly, these lists functioned as legal and administrative documents for ancient Israel, defining tribal boundaries, establishing ownership, and preventing disputes over territory. They ensured an orderly and just distribution of the inheritance. Thirdly, they underscore the tangible reality of the Israelites' possession of the land, affirming their identity as a nation settled according to God's divine plan. Far from being unimportant, these lists are a powerful testament to God's character, His commitment to His promises, and His sovereign ordering of history, providing a concrete foundation for the unfolding narrative of redemption.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:37 details an earthly inheritance, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual inheritance found in Jesus Christ. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promise of land to Israel, demonstrating His faithfulness and precision, so too has He fulfilled His greatest promise of salvation and eternal life through His Son. The land of Canaan, a place of rest and provision for Israel, points to the true rest and abundant life offered in Christ (e.g., Matthew 11:28). The secure possession of their inheritance in Joshua prefigures the secure and eternal inheritance believers have in Christ, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven (e.g., 1 Peter 1:4). The detailed listing of cities, signifying God's thoroughness in establishing Israel's physical boundaries, finds its ultimate parallel in God's comprehensive plan of redemption, where every believer is "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (e.g., Ephesians 1:3). Thus, the earthly inheritance in Joshua serves as a tangible type, pointing to the far greater, spiritual inheritance and rest that is fully realized in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the true and everlasting fulfillment of all God's promises.