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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 15:56 is a concise verse within a comprehensive list detailing the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah as part of their divinely appointed inheritance in the land of Canaan. It specifically names Jezreel, Jokdeam, and Zanoah, serving as a meticulous record of God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel by providing them with a tangible homeland. This verse underscores the precision and order of the divine plan for His people's settlement, demonstrating God's commitment to every detail of His word.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:56, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 15, is Catalog or List. This exhaustive enumeration of cities serves several crucial purposes: it provides a precise legal and historical record of the land division, emphasizes the completeness of God's fulfillment of His promises, and underscores the meticulousness of the divine plan. The repetitive use of the conjunction "and" (Polysyndeton) between each city name creates a sense of continuous accumulation, reinforcing the vastness and thoroughness of Judah's inheritance. While the individual names themselves might carry etymological significance (Toponymy), their collective function within this list is to serve as concrete markers of possession, transforming abstract promises into tangible reality. This detailed listing also contributes to the Verisimilitude of the narrative, lending an air of authenticity and historical accuracy to the account of Israel's settlement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:56, though seemingly a dry list of names, powerfully reinforces the theological truth of God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises. The meticulous detail in enumerating every city, no matter how obscure, demonstrates that God's word is precise and will be fulfilled down to the smallest particular. This passage reminds us that God is not vague in His commitments; He is a God of order, specificity, and unwavering resolve. The inheritance of land to Judah foreshadows the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in Christ, an inheritance secured not by conquest but by grace, and ultimately far more enduring than any earthly territory. It speaks to God's sovereign provision and His desire for His people to dwell securely in the blessings He has prepared for them, a testament to His character as a God who keeps His word.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of such detailed lists in Scripture, like Joshua 15:56, serves as a profound testament to God's character: His faithfulness, His meticulousness, and His commitment to fulfilling every promise He makes. In a world often characterized by uncertainty and broken promises, this verse reminds us that God is utterly reliable. Just as He precisely allotted every city to Judah, He has a specific and perfect plan for our lives, down to the details we might overlook or deem insignificant. This should inspire us to trust Him with the seemingly small aspects of our existence as much as with the grand narratives. Furthermore, if God was so diligent in securing an earthly inheritance for His people, how much more diligent is He in securing our eternal, spiritual inheritance in Christ? This passage calls us to reflect on the tangible blessings God has already provided and to rest in the assurance that His future promises for us will also be perfectly fulfilled, knowing that His divine plan is always precise and purposeful.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this verse, which is just a list of names, included in the Bible?
Answer: Joshua 15:56, along with the entire chapter, is included in the Bible for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it serves as a vital historical and legal record, documenting the precise fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). These lists were essential for establishing tribal boundaries, resolving disputes, and affirming Israel's God-given right to the land. Secondly, it highlights God's meticulousness and faithfulness; every single city, whether prominent or obscure, was accounted for, demonstrating that God's promises are fulfilled with absolute precision. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of divine order and sovereignty, showing that the distribution of the land was not arbitrary but divinely orchestrated, often by lot (Joshua 14:2). Thus, even a seemingly "dry" list like this is rich with theological significance, affirming God's character and His active involvement in the history of His people.
What is the significance of the names Jezreel, Jokdeam, and Zanoah in this context?
Answer: In the context of Joshua 15:56, the primary significance of Jezreel, Jokdeam, and Zanoah lies in their function as specific geographical markers. They are not chosen for any profound individual etymological revelation in this particular verse but rather for their role in completing the exhaustive inventory of cities within Judah's inheritance. Their inclusion demonstrates the thoroughness of the land division and the tangible nature of the fulfillment of God's promise. While "Jezreel" has a rich and complex history elsewhere in the Bible, particularly in the northern kingdom and prophetic contexts (e.g., Hosea 1:4-5), in this specific passage, it simply identifies one of the many towns now belonging to the tribe of Judah. The names collectively serve to confirm the vast extent and specific boundaries of the land God had given to His people, underscoring the precision of His divine plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:56 details an earthly inheritance, it profoundly points to the greater, spiritual inheritance found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous division of land among the tribes foreshadows God's precise and perfect plan for the redemption of humanity and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Just as Judah received a tangible land as a fulfillment of God's promise, believers in Christ receive an incorruptible and eternal inheritance, not of earthly territory, but of spiritual blessings and co-heirship with Christ (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "land" or "rest" for God's people, the one in whom all promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). The earthly possession in Joshua points to the heavenly reality where Christ, the true King from the line of Judah, secures for His people a spiritual dwelling place and an eternal rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). Ultimately, the detailed mapping of Judah's territory prefigures the new heaven and new earth, where God's people will dwell eternally in His presence, a fulfillment far grander and more glorious than any earthly inheritance (Revelation 21:1-4).