Joshua 15:51

KJV

And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Goshen {H1657}, and Holon {H2473}, and Giloh {H1542}; eleven {H259}{H6240} cities {H5892} with their villages {H2691}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Goshen, Holon and Giloh - eleven cities, together with their villages.

Berean Standard Bible

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven cities, along with their villages.

American Standard Version

and Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.

Commentary

### 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](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Inheritance"). Following the general division of the land by lot as commanded by God ([Joshua 14:1-2](/joshua/14-1-2 "Joshua 14:1-2 - Land Divided by Lot")), 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](/joshua/15-48-50 "Joshua 15:48-50 - Cities in Judah's Hill Country")) 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](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")), 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](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Inheritance"), 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](/2_samuel/15-12 "2 Samuel 15:12 - Ahithophel of Giloh")) 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](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Inheritance"), 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](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - Covenant with Abraham")). 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
* **Goshen (Hebrew, _Gôshen'_):** (H1657) This is a proper noun, referring to a specific place in Palestine. Its inclusion, alongside Holon and Giloh, grounds the abstract concept of land distribution in concrete geographical realities. The name "Goshen" is also familiar from the Israelite residence in Egypt, but here it denotes a distinct location within Judah's inheritance, emphasizing the new context of their settled life in the Promised Land.
* **City (Hebrew, _ʻîyr'_):** (H5892) This term denotes a fortified settlement, a place guarded by a watch, serving as a center for population, commerce, and administration. In the context of the land distribution, "cities" represent the primary points of settlement and control within each tribal inheritance. The presence of cities signifies established communities and the tangible nature of the land being possessed, indicating a fully functional and defensible territory.
* **Village (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** (H2691) This term refers to a yard or an enclosed hamlet, often unwalled, that was dependent on or associated with a main city. The inclusion of "villages" alongside "cities" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the inheritance—it was not just the major urban centers but the entire surrounding agricultural and residential areas that were allotted. This detail indicates a complete and viable territory for each tribe, ensuring resources and space for growth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh;":** This clause lists three specific cities by name. These are not just generic locations but distinct places within the hill country of Judah. The conjunctive "And" links them together as part of a continuous enumeration, suggesting they belong to a single district or grouping of cities. The naming of each city adds specificity and anchors the abstract concept of land inheritance to concrete geographical points, making the divine promise tangible and verifiable.
* **"eleven cities with their villages:":** This phrase serves as a summary statement for the preceding list (which began in [Joshua 15:48](/joshua/15-48 "Joshua 15:48 - Cities in Judah's Hill Country")). It confirms that Goshen, Holon, and Giloh are the final three of a total of eleven cities in this particular cluster, including their associated smaller settlements. This detail highlights the comprehensive nature of the land allocation, encompassing not just urban centers but also the surrounding rural areas, ensuring a complete and viable inheritance for the tribe of Judah. The precise number "eleven" underscores the meticulousness of the record-keeping and the divine order in the distribution.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:51, and indeed throughout the extensive geographical lists in [Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Inheritance"), 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.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abraham Regarding Land")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalm/105-8-11 "God's Enduring Covenant and Land Promise")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Our Inheritance in Christ")

### 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
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's land distribution in Joshua 15:51 strengthen your faith in His faithfulness regarding His promises in your own life?**
* **What "inheritance" (spiritual blessings, gifts, relationships) has God given you, and how are you stewarding it with the same care and intentionality that God showed in distributing the land?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's precise and orderly plan, even when the details seem overwhelming or mundane?**

### 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](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - Judah's Inheritance"), 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](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abraham")). 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](/2_samuel/15-12 "2 Samuel 15:12 - Ahithophel of Giloh")).

### 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](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). 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](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem, Birthplace of the Ruler")) and of the tribe of Judah ([Hebrews 7:14](/hebrews/7-14 "Hebrews 7:14 - Jesus from Judah")). 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](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). 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](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Thus, even a list of ancient cities ultimately directs our gaze to the One who perfectly fulfills God's entire redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 11:16

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

Joshua 10:41

And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

2 Samuel 15:12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.