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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 15:51 precisely enumerates three specific cities—Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—and then states the total count of "eleven cities with their villages" within a particular district of Judah's vast territorial inheritance. This verse, embedded within a detailed geographical survey, underscores the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel regarding the land of Canaan, highlighting divine order, the tangible nature of their inheritance, and the establishment of clear tribal boundaries as the nation settled in the Promised Land.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 15:51 is situated within the extensive and highly detailed account of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, which spans the entirety of Joshua 15. Following the general division of the land by lot as commanded by God (Joshua 14:1-2), this chapter meticulously outlines Judah's boundaries and then lists its cities, grouped by geographical region. Verses 48-60 specifically detail cities within the "hill country" (the mountainous central spine of Judah), with verses 48-51 forming a distinct cluster of eleven cities. The preceding verses (Joshua 15:48-50) list eight other cities, making Joshua 15:51 the final three in this particular group, concluding the enumeration for this sub-district before moving to other regions. This meticulous cataloging serves to document the precise fulfillment of God's promises and establish a clear record for future generations.
Historical & Cultural Context: The distribution of land in Joshua occurred after the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, a pivotal moment in their history following their exodus from Egypt and forty years in the wilderness. This process was not merely an administrative task but a theological act, realizing the ancient promises made to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), Isaac, and Jacob. The land was the physical manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness. Culturally, land ownership was central to Israelite identity, social structure, and economic stability. Each tribe and family received an inheritance that was largely inalienable, ensuring long-term stability and preventing the accumulation of land by a few. The detailed lists, like the one in Joshua 15, would have served as legal documents, defining tribal boundaries and preventing disputes, much like modern property deeds. The naming of specific cities like Giloh (2 Samuel 15:12) indicates these places were not just abstract points on a map but would become integral to Israel's future history and identity.
Key Themes: The meticulous listing of cities in Joshua 15, including Goshen, Holon, and Giloh, powerfully reinforces several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the Fulfillment of Divine Promise, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). Secondly, it highlights Divine Order and Meticulousness; God's plans are not haphazard but executed with precise detail, down to the enumeration of individual cities and their associated villages. This attention to detail reflects the divine wisdom and sovereignty over all aspects of creation and history. Thirdly, the concept of Inheritance and Possession is central; the land was a gift from God, establishing the permanent dwelling place for the twelve tribes and securing their identity as God's chosen people. Finally, these lists were crucial for establishing Tribal Identity and Boundaries, providing a clear framework for Israelite society and preventing future conflicts over territory, as seen throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:51, and indeed throughout the extensive geographical lists in Joshua 15, is Enumeration or Cataloguing. This involves the systematic listing of items—in this case, cities and their associated villages—to convey a sense of completeness, order, and factual accuracy. The repetitive structure ("And X, and Y, and Z") is a form of Polysyndeton, which, while simple, emphasizes each item in the list and contributes to the exhaustive nature of the account. The sheer volume of names across the chapter creates a sense of Verisimilitude, lending an air of historical authenticity and demonstrating the tangible fulfillment of God's promises. The meticulous detail, down to specific numbers of cities within districts, reflects the Precision of the divine plan and the thoroughness with which it was executed and recorded. This literary approach transforms what might seem like a dry list into a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and the reality of Israel's inheritance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:51, though a seemingly mundane list of cities, profoundly reinforces the theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The meticulous detail in enumerating each city and its villages serves as a tangible testament to the fact that God fulfills His word precisely as He declares it. This divine precision in land distribution foreshadows the meticulous nature of God's redemptive plan, where every detail is orchestrated for His sovereign purposes. It speaks to the concept of a divinely ordained inheritance, not just of physical land, but of spiritual blessings and eternal life for those who are in covenant with Him. The establishment of clear boundaries also reflects God's desire for order and peace within His people, a principle that extends to the spiritual realm, where believers are called to live within the boundaries of God's will and purpose.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 15:51, nestled within a chapter of geographical lists, might initially appear distant from daily life, yet it offers profound spiritual lessons. This verse, like the broader account of Israel's inheritance, is a powerful reminder of God's meticulous faithfulness. Just as He meticulously ensured every city and village was accounted for in Israel's inheritance, so too does He attend to the minute details of our lives. We can trust that His promises, whether for salvation, provision, or guidance, are not vague assurances but divinely guaranteed realities. The concept of a secure, divinely appointed inheritance should instill a deep sense of peace and belonging in believers. It encourages us to recognize that our spiritual inheritance in Christ is equally sure and precisely ordained by God. This passage also subtly calls us to stewardship—to value and wisely manage the "inheritance" God has given us, whether it be our gifts, resources, or relationships, reflecting the order and purpose evident in His divine distribution of the Promised Land.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of cities and territories?
Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists of cities and territories, such as in Joshua 15, serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides undeniable evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants, giving them the land of Canaan as an inheritance (Genesis 12:7). These lists are a tangible, verifiable record of divine action. Secondly, they served as legal and administrative documents for the Israelite tribes, defining their precise boundaries and preventing future disputes over land ownership. This established order and stability within the nascent nation. Thirdly, the meticulous detail underscores God's sovereignty and meticulousness in His plans, demonstrating that His work is not haphazard but perfectly ordered, even down to geographical allocations. Finally, these places become integral to Israel's history, often serving as backdrops for future biblical narratives, such as Giloh being the hometown of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:12).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:51 is a geographical detail within the Old Testament, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The meticulous distribution of physical land to Israel foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ. Just as God precisely allotted territories to His chosen people, so too does He meticulously prepare an eternal inheritance for those adopted into His family through Christ (Ephesians 1:11). The land of Judah, where Goshen, Holon, and Giloh were located, is the very territory from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would emerge—born in Bethlehem of Judah (Micah 5:2) and of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14). The detailed fulfillment of the land promise in Joshua points to the even greater, more precise fulfillment of all God's promises in Jesus, who is the "Amen" to all of God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). The establishment of God's people in the promised land prefigures the establishment of the new covenant people of God, the Church, who inherit spiritual blessings and eternal life through Christ's redemptive work (1 Peter 1:3-4). Thus, even a list of ancient cities ultimately directs our gaze to the One who perfectly fulfills God's entire redemptive plan.