TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
and Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.
Young's Literal Translation
and Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities and their villages.
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In the KJVVerse 6,247 of 31,102
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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 15:44 meticulously lists Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah as three of nine cities, along with their associated villages, within a specific district of the Shephelah allocated to the tribe of Judah. This verse serves as a precise legal and historical record, underscoring the comprehensive fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the inheritance of the land of Canaan, thereby establishing Judah's extensive and divinely sanctioned territory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:44, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 15, is Cataloging or Enumeration. This extensive listing of cities and their associated villages serves a crucial purpose beyond mere geographical description. It functions as a legal and historical record, meticulously documenting the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel regarding the land. The repetitive structure of city names followed by "with their villages" creates a powerful sense of thoroughness, precision, and divine certainty. While not poetic in the traditional sense, this detailed listing imbues the text with an authoritative and declarative tone, underscoring the undeniable reality of Israel's inheritance. Furthermore, the text employs a subtle form of Metonymy, where the named cities and their villages stand in for the entire tribal territory and, by extension, the divine act of giving and possessing it. The specific names become representative of the broader fulfillment of God's promise.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:44, though seemingly a dry list of names, is profoundly theological in its implications. It stands as a tangible testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the meticulous precision with which He fulfills His covenant promises. The detailed allocation of land, down to specific cities and their associated villages, demonstrates that God's promises are not vague generalities but concrete, measurable realities. This divine order and sovereignty over the land underscore His ultimate control over history and the destiny of His people. It also serves as a foundational narrative for Israel's identity as a people rooted in a specific, divinely appointed inheritance, a concept that would shape their understanding of blessing, responsibility, and their unique relationship with Yahweh. This passage reminds us that God is a God of detail, ensuring that every aspect of His plan is brought to fruition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail of Joshua 15:44, listing cities and their villages, might initially appear mundane, yet it offers profound spiritual lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of precision, order, and absolute faithfulness. Just as He meticulously oversaw the division of the land for Israel, ensuring every tribe received its specific, divinely appointed inheritance, so too does He orchestrate the details of our lives and faithfully fulfill His promises to us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's detailed providence, knowing that He oversees even the seemingly small aspects of our circumstances and our spiritual inheritance in Christ. It calls us to recognize that our "inheritance"—whether it be our spiritual gifts, vocational callings, relationships, or material resources—is divinely appointed and should be stewarded with gratitude and purpose. We are invited to find deep peace in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He has a unique place and purpose for each of us within His grand design, just as He did for each city and village in Judah's territory. This level of divine attention should inspire both awe and confidence in His care.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is there such a detailed list of cities in Joshua 15?
Answer: The detailed list of cities in Joshua 15, including those in Joshua 15:44, serves several crucial purposes that extend beyond mere geography. Firstly, it functions as a legal and administrative document for the newly formed nation of Israel, meticulously recording the precise boundaries and specific cities allocated to each tribe. This was essential for establishing tribal identity, defining land ownership, and organizing administrative control over the territory. Secondly, it provides historical and theological validation for the absolute fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants, demonstrating that God had indeed given them the land He swore to them (e.g., Genesis 12:7). Every city listed is a tangible testament to God's faithfulness and the reliability of His word. Thirdly, it underscores the divine order and sovereignty in the land's distribution, showing that it was not a chaotic conquest but a divinely orchestrated inheritance, distributed by lot under God's explicit guidance (Numbers 26:55). This meticulous record was vital for future generations to understand their heritage, their identity as God's chosen people, and the foundational basis of their national existence.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:44 is a geographical listing in the Old Testament, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the spiritual inheritance promised and secured by Jesus Christ for all believers. Just as the land of Canaan was a physical inheritance for Israel, a tangible and meticulously defined fulfillment of God's covenant, so too Christ has secured for His people an eternal, spiritual inheritance that is far richer and more enduring. The meticulous detail of the land division in Joshua foreshadows God's precise and perfect plan for our salvation and sanctification, where every divine promise is irrevocably "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). The stability, security, and rest offered by Judah's inherited cities like Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah point to the ultimate security, peace, and eternal rest found exclusively in Christ, who is our true "promised land" and eternal dwelling place (Hebrews 4:9-11). Furthermore, the concept of "cities with their villages" speaks to the comprehensive nature of Christ's redemptive work, encompassing not just our individual salvation but also our inclusion into the "household of God" (Ephesians 2:19), the spiritual city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Our inheritance in Christ is not merely a piece of land but full participation in His eternal kingdom, a dwelling place prepared for us by the Lord Himself (John 14:2-3).