Joshua 15:55

KJV

Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

KJV (with Strong's)

Maon {H4584}, Carmel {H3760}, and Ziph {H2128}, and Juttah {H3194},

Complete Jewish Bible

Ma'on, Karmel, Zif, Yutah,

Berean Standard Bible

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

American Standard Version

Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Jutah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:55 meticulously enumerates four specific towns—Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah—as integral components of the territorial inheritance allocated to the tribe of Judah within the Promised Land. This verse, embedded within a comprehensive geographical survey, serves as a powerful testament to the precise fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel, highlighting His unwavering faithfulness and meticulous provision in establishing His chosen people securely within their divinely ordained boundaries in the rugged hill country of Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15 provides an exhaustive and detailed account of the vast and strategically significant territory allotted to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. Following the initial conquests and the general division of the land among the tribes, this chapter offers a precise delineation of Judah's boundaries (verses 1-12) and then an extensive, region-by-region enumeration of its cities (verses 21-63). Verse 55 is situated within the list of cities located in the "hill country" (verses 48-60), specifically its southern sector. These seemingly dry geographical lists are, in fact, profoundly significant, serving as crucial evidence for the literal fulfillment of God's promises, the orderly establishment of Israel within Canaan, and as a vital legal and historical record solidifying Judah's divinely sanctioned claim to its inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The meticulous allocation of specific tribal territories was foundational to Israel's national identity and their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. Land in the ancient Near East was not merely property but a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant, which explicitly promised a land where His people would dwell securely and multiply (e.g., as seen in God's promise to Abram in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The exhaustive nature of these land lists mirrors the common ancient Near Eastern practice of meticulously documenting land grants, treaties, and boundaries, which held immense legal, social, and religious significance. The towns mentioned in Joshua 15:55—Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah—were situated in the rugged and often contested hill country of Judah, a region bordering the wilderness that would later serve as a crucial backdrop for pivotal events in Israelite history, particularly during the period of the united monarchy.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed enumeration of towns in Joshua 15, including the specific locations in verse 55, contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Fulfillment of God's Promises**, demonstrating God's absolute fidelity to His word by literally delivering the land He had promised to Abraham's descendants centuries earlier (e.g., the covenant established in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - The Covenant of Land")). Secondly, these lists highlight **Divine Order and Inheritance**, showcasing God's meticulous, sovereign, and just distribution of the land, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion according to His perfect plan. This precision emphasizes that God's work is purposeful and orderly, not chaotic. Lastly, these geographical records establish **Israel's Identity and Belonging** within the land, solidifying their presence and future as a divinely established nation under God's rule, rooting their history and destiny in specific, tangible locations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maon (Hebrew, _Mâʻôwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "residence," Maon signifies a dwelling place or habitation. As a specific town in Judah, its name underscores the establishment of Israelite settlements and the fulfillment of the promise of a secure dwelling for God's people in the land.
* **Carmel (Hebrew, _Karmel'_):** Meaning "fruitful field" or "garden land," Carmel's name evokes imagery of fertility, abundance, and blessing. Its inclusion highlights the rich agricultural potential and desirable nature of the land God provided for Judah, contrasting with the surrounding wilderness.
* **Ziph (Hebrew, _Zîyph'_):** Related to a word meaning "flowing," Ziph likely refers to a spring or possibly a place associated with the smelting of metals. This name points to the geographical features and potential resources within Judah's territory, even as its later narrative association becomes one of treachery.
* **Juttah (Hebrew, _Yuṭṭâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "extended," Juttah suggests a place that is spread out or extensive. Its name, though not immediately revealing of its character, signifies another distinct and established settlement within the vast expanse of Judah's allotted inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Maon":** This town, situated in the southern hill country of Judah, was a specific and tangible part of Judah's inheritance. Its inclusion signifies a particular settlement within the divinely allotted territory, representing a concrete piece of the fulfillment of God's promise. Maon is notably mentioned in later narratives as a place where David sought refuge from King Saul.
* **"Carmel":** As a fertile and prosperous area, Carmel represented a valuable and blessed portion of Judah's inheritance. Its mention here firmly establishes its belonging to the tribe. Later, it becomes the home of Nabal and Abigail, where the narrative of David's character and God's providential care are vividly unfolded, demonstrating the significance of even seemingly mundane geographical details in the unfolding of biblical history.
* **"and Ziph":** Ziph's inclusion confirms its status as a Judahite town within the allocated territory. This location gains particular narrative significance as it is repeatedly mentioned as a hiding place for David from King Saul, and its inhabitants, the Ziphites, twice betrayed David's location to Saul, highlighting the dangers and complexities faced even within the promised land.
* **"and Juttah":** Juttah, also located in the hill country, is listed as another town belonging to Judah. Its specific importance is further illuminated in [Joshua 21:16](/joshua/21-16 "Joshua 21:16 - Juttah as a Levitical City"), where it is designated as one of the Levitical cities, underscoring its role within the religious and administrative structure of the newly settled Israel, even if it features less prominently in narrative events than Carmel or Ziph.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Joshua 15:55, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 15, is **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**. This involves the systematic listing of items—in this case, specific towns—to convey a sense of comprehensiveness, order, and meticulous detail. The exhaustive nature of these lists serves to establish profound **Geographical Precision** and **Verisimilitude**, grounding the narrative in historical reality and emphasizing the tangible, literal nature of the inheritance God provided. By naming each town, the text underscores the precise fulfillment of God's promises. Furthermore, for readers familiar with later biblical narratives, the inclusion of towns like Carmel and Ziph can be seen as a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at future events and the significant roles these locations will play in the lives of key figures such as David, thereby enriching the historical and narrative depth of the biblical account.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The listing of towns like Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah in Joshua 15:55, though seemingly mundane and purely geographical, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, His meticulous attention to detail, and His absolute sovereignty in fulfilling His ancient promises. Just as He precisely measured, delineated, and allocated the land to each tribe, so too does He work with divine precision in the lives of His people, ensuring that every word of His covenant comes to pass. This detailed record highlights God's sovereign control over history and geography, demonstrating that His redemptive plan is not vague or abstract but concrete, tangible, and meticulously executed. It reminds us that every detail in God's grand narrative, even those that appear small or incidental, contributes to the unfolding of His redemptive purposes and the establishment of His kingdom.

* [Genesis 13:14-17](/genesis/13-14-17 "God's Promise of Land to Abram")
* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1-12 "The Borders of Canaan")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43-45 "God's Fulfillment of Promises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 15:55, a seemingly dry list of names, offers profound and spiritually nourishing insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of both grand promises and meticulous detail. Just as He faithfully and precisely fulfilled His ancient promises to Israel concerning a physical inheritance in the land, so too does He remain utterly faithful to every promise He has made to us, His spiritual children. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's precise and orderly plan for our lives, even when the path ahead seems unclear, the details overwhelming, or the waiting long. It teaches us that every aspect of our lives, much like every town in Judah's inheritance, is known and purposed by God. We are called to live in confident assurance that the God who delivered a physical land to His people will also deliver on His spiritual promises, providing for us, guiding us, and ultimately leading us into the full, eternal inheritance we have in Christ. This passage cultivates a deeper appreciation for the historical grounding of our faith and the unwavering reliability of God's Word, demonstrating that even the "mundane" or "detailed" parts of Scripture are imbued with divine purpose and profound truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of land distribution in Joshua 15, including verse 55, strengthen your faith in God's faithfulness to His promises in your own life?**
* **In what ways might we be prone to overlook or undervalue the "mundane" or "detailed" parts of Scripture, and what spiritual insights might we miss by doing so?**
* **How does the concept of a "promised inheritance" in Joshua relate to the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ today, and what does this mean for our present hope?**

### FAQ
**Why are these detailed lists of towns so important in the book of Joshua?**

Answer: These detailed lists, like the one in Joshua 15:55, are critically important for several reasons. Firstly, they serve as an irrefutable historical and legal record, demonstrating the literal and precise fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants to give them the land of Canaan (e.g., as first promised in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). They prove that God's word is utterly reliable and that He meticulously carries out His plans. Secondly, they establish the definitive boundaries and specific inheritances of each tribe, preventing future disputes and ensuring an orderly and just settlement of the land. This highlights God's divine order, justice, and wisdom in governance. Thirdly, they ground the biblical narrative in tangible geography, emphasizing that these events are not mythical but occurred in real places with real people, solidifying Israel's identity and their legitimate claim to the land. Finally, for later generations, these lists served as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and a call to occupy, steward, and defend the land He had graciously given them.

**What is the significance of the specific towns mentioned in Joshua 15:55 (Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah)?**

Answer: While their primary significance in this verse is their inclusion in Judah's divinely apportioned inheritance, several of these towns gain further prominence and meaning in later biblical narratives. [Carmel](/1_samuel/25 "1 Samuel 25 - Nabal, Abigail, and David at Carmel") is famously associated with Nabal and Abigail, where David's character is tested and God's providence is strikingly evident. [Ziph](/1_samuel/23-19 "1 Samuel 23:19 - The Ziphites Betray David") is known as a place where David hid from King Saul, and its inhabitants twice notoriously betrayed David's location, highlighting the complexities of loyalty and the dangers faced even within the promised land. [Maon](/1_samuel/23-24 "1 Samuel 23:24-26 - David's Escape at Maon") is closely linked to Carmel and also served as a hiding place for David during his flight from Saul. [Juttah](/joshua/21-16 "Joshua 21:16 - Juttah as a Levitical City") is later explicitly identified as one of the Levitical cities, indicating its crucial role in the religious and administrative infrastructure of Israel. Thus, these seemingly ordinary place names become significant backdrops for key events, demonstrating how God weaves His grand redemptive story through specific historical and geographical contexts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:55 meticulously describes a physical inheritance of land for the tribe of Judah, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment points profoundly to the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest that believers receive in Jesus Christ. The precise and meticulous division of the land in Canaan foreshadows the perfect and complete provision of God for His people through Christ. Just as the earthly land was a gift secured by God's sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness, so too is our spiritual inheritance in Christ an unmerited gift, not earned by human works, but secured eternally by His finished work on the cross. Jesus is the true "Promised Land" or "Rest" that the earthly Canaan could only imperfectly represent. He is the one who leads His people into their eternal dwelling, a "better country—a heavenly one" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Country")). Through His atoning sacrifice, we are granted an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Imperishable Inheritance")). The detailed boundaries of Judah's land find their ultimate, boundless expression in the immeasurable spiritual blessings and eternal life that are ours in Christ, who is "our peace" and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"); [Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")). He is the true and complete fulfillment of all God's promises, providing an inheritance that transcends physical location and endures for all eternity.

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 15:24

Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

1 Samuel 25:2

¶ And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

1 Samuel 23:25

Saul also and his men went to seek [him]. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard [that], he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

1 Samuel 23:14

¶ And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

1 Samuel 23:15

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David [was] in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

1 Kings 18:42

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

2 Chronicles 26:10

Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen [also], and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.