Joshua 15:57

KJV

Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

KJV (with Strong's)

Cain {H7014}, Gibeah {H1390}, and Timnah {H8553}; ten {H6235} cities {H5892} with their villages {H2691}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Kayin, Giv'ah and Timnah - ten cities, together with their villages.

Berean Standard Bible

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten cities, along with their villages.

American Standard Version

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:57 concludes a specific enumeration of cities within the tribal inheritance of Judah, listing "Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah" as part of a group of "ten cities with their villages." This meticulous cataloging, characteristic of the entire chapter, underscores the precise fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel regarding the land, demonstrating His faithfulness in providing a secure and defined inheritance for His people, thereby establishing their territorial rights and identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua chapter 15 is entirely devoted to meticulously detailing the extensive land inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah, recognized as the largest and most prominent of the tribes. The chapter systematically lists cities and their boundaries, organizing them by distinct geographical regions such as the Negeb, the Shephelah, and the hill country. Verse 57 is situated within the section describing the cities of the hill country ([Joshua 15:48-60](/joshua/15-48-60 "Cities of Judah's Hill Country")), specifically concluding a group of ten cities. This exhaustive cataloging, while seemingly tedious to a modern reader, serves a crucial theological and historical purpose: it provides irrefutable evidence of the precise fulfillment of God's promises of land to Israel, ensuring that each tribe received its divinely appointed portion. The preceding verses, such as those listing [Hebron and its surrounding towns](/joshua/15-55 "Joshua 15:55 - Hebron and its Surrounding Towns"), demonstrate the consistent pattern of detailed enumeration throughout the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The distribution of land in Canaan marked the culmination of Israel's forty-year wilderness journey and the successful military campaigns led by Joshua. Land ownership was foundational to Israelite society, serving as the bedrock of tribal identity, economic stability, and social structure. Each tribe's inheritance was not merely a geographical plot but a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness, tracing back to the promises made to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham") and emphatically reaffirmed in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Covenant of Land"). The specific naming of cities like Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah would have been vital for the ancient Israelites, functioning as legal documentation and providing a clear understanding of their territorial rights and responsibilities within the Promised Land. These cities, often strategically located on hills or near essential water sources, were integral to the daily life, defense, and communal identity of the tribal communities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, deeply embedded within the broader narrative of [Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - The Inheritance of Judah"), powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Provision**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to fulfilling His ancient promises to His people, providing them with a secure and abundant inheritance. Secondly, it emphasizes **Order and Specificity in God's Plan**. The meticulous detail in these geographical listings, often overlooked, underscores the divine precision and intentionality in the distribution of the Promised Land. This was not a haphazard assignment but a carefully orchestrated fulfillment, reflecting God's meticulous care in all things, from the grand scope of the conquest to the specific boundaries of a single tribe's inheritance. Thirdly, it speaks to **Identity and Belonging**. For ancient Israel, land was intrinsically tied to tribal heritage, security, and a profound sense of belonging within the covenant community. These city names, though seemingly just a list, represented the physical manifestation of Judah's inheritance and their established place within the nation of Israel, a tribe from whom the Messiah would eventually come, as prophesied in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Genesis 49:10 - The Scepter from Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cain (Hebrew, _Qayin'_):** This city name (H7014) is distinct from the biblical figure Cain and is mentioned only here in the Old Testament as a place. Its inclusion signifies a specific, identifiable settlement within Judah's territory, reinforcing the meticulous detail of the land distribution.
* **Gibeah (Hebrew, _Gibʻâh'_):** Meaning "hill" or "height" (H1390), this is a common place name in ancient Israel, indicating a settlement situated on elevated ground. While there are several places named Gibeah in the Bible (e.g., Gibeah of Benjamin in [Judges 19:14](/judges/19-14 "Judges 19:14 - Gibeah of Benjamin")), in Joshua 15:57, it refers to a specific Gibeah within Judah's hill country, underscoring the precise geographical demarcation.
* **Timnah (Hebrew, _Timnâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "a portion assigned" (H8553), this name is found elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., [Judges 14:1](/judges/14-1 "Judges 14:1 - Samson goes to Timnah")). It was a significant Philistine city at various times, often located in the Shephelah (lowlands) bordering Judah. Its inclusion here, if referring to the same Timnah, highlights the strategic importance of border towns and the extent of Judah's claim, even into areas that might later become contested. Its presence in this list within the hill country suggests either a different Timnah or a broader geographical understanding of the "hill country" section.
* **cities (Hebrew, _ʻîyr'_):** This term (H5892), meaning "a city" or "a place guarded by waking or a watch," denotes a significant population center, often fortified. The use of "cities" emphasizes that these were not mere hamlets but established urban areas, central to the tribal inheritance.
* **villages (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** This word (H2691) refers to a "yard," "hamlet," or "court," signifying the smaller, dependent settlements surrounding the main cities. Their inclusion indicates that the inheritance was comprehensive, encompassing not just the urban centers but also the agricultural lands and smaller communities that sustained the tribal population.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah;":** This clause precisely lists three distinct cities. The semi-colon indicates that these three are part of a larger enumeration (which began in [Joshua 15:48](/joshua/15-48 "Joshua 15:48 - Cities of Judah's Hill Country")), but also highlights them as specific, identifiable entities within the group. The precision of naming each city emphasizes the literal and tangible nature of the inheritance. It's not a vague promise but a concrete reality, down to the individual towns.
* **"ten cities with their villages:":** This concluding phrase provides a summary count for the preceding list of cities in this section. It indicates that the named cities were not isolated settlements but centers of population, each with its surrounding agricultural lands and smaller dependent communities. The phrase "with their villages" signifies a complete and viable territory, capable of sustaining the tribal population and representing a full, functional inheritance, ensuring the tribe's livelihood and security.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:57, and indeed throughout much of [Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - The Inheritance of Judah"), is **Cataloging** or **Listing**. This extensive enumeration of cities serves to provide a detailed and authoritative record of the land distribution. It functions effectively as a legal document, establishing clear boundaries and ownership for the tribe of Judah. The sheer volume and specificity of the names lend an air of authenticity and historical veracity to the narrative, emphasizing the literal fulfillment of God's promises. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** in the pattern of listing cities followed by a summary count, which reinforces the meticulousness of the divine allocation. While seemingly dry, this detailed cataloging implicitly communicates God's **Orderliness** and **Faithfulness**, demonstrating that His plans are executed with precision and completeness, leaving no doubt about the divine origin and security of the inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:57, though a seemingly mundane list of names, powerfully testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. The meticulous detailing of Judah's inheritance underscores that God's word is not abstract but concrete, culminating in a tangible, physical manifestation of His provision for His people. This act of land distribution, carefully recorded, serves as a foundational historical precedent for understanding God's commitment to His people across generations. It highlights that God's promises are specific, detailed, and ultimately realized, providing a secure dwelling place for His chosen nation, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and geography.

* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1-12 "The Boundaries of Canaan")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalm/78-55 "God's Inheritance for Israel")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Abraham's Faith and the Promised Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed accounting of land in Joshua 15:57, while specific to ancient Israel, carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of precision, order, and absolute faithfulness. Just as He meticulously ensured Judah received its full and complete inheritance, we can trust that He is equally meticulous in fulfilling His promises to us, whether they pertain to our spiritual inheritance, His provision in our daily lives, or His ultimate plan for redemption. This verse challenges us to consider the tangible ways God has provided for us, often in specific and detailed ways we might overlook or take for granted. It encourages us to cultivate an appreciation for the "mundane" details of God's work, recognizing that even in lists and boundaries, His character is revealed. We are called to live with confidence in His faithfulness, knowing that our spiritual inheritance in Christ is just as real and secure as Judah's physical inheritance, providing a foundation for our hope and security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the land distribution challenge my perception of His involvement in the "small" details of my own life?**
* **In what ways do I tend to overlook or undervalue the specific provisions and fulfillments of God's promises in my own experience, perhaps seeing them as mere coincidence rather than divine design?**
* **How does the concept of a secure, divinely appointed "inheritance" in Joshua 15:57 inform my understanding of my spiritual inheritance in Christ today, and how does that understanding impact my daily living?**

### FAQ
**Why is so much of the book of Joshua dedicated to lists of cities and boundaries?**

Answer: The extensive listing of cities and boundaries in Joshua, including verses like [Joshua 15:57](/joshua/15-57 "Cities of Judah"), serves several crucial purposes. First, it provides a comprehensive record of the literal fulfillment of God's ancient promises to Abraham and his descendants regarding the land of Canaan, as first articulated in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). This meticulous detail powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness and the precise realization of His covenant. Second, these lists functioned as vital legal and administrative documents for the tribes of Israel, establishing clear ownership, tribal identity, and boundaries, which were essential for maintaining order and preventing disputes within the newly settled land. Third, they underscore the historical reality and authenticity of the conquest and settlement, providing concrete geographical anchors for the biblical narrative. Far from being mere filler, these lists are vital theological and historical affirmations of God's sovereign plan and His unwavering commitment to His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:57 describes a physical inheritance for the tribe of Judah, its ultimate theological trajectory points towards the spiritual inheritance found in Christ. The meticulous division of land foreshadows the precise and complete provision God makes for His people in the new covenant. Just as Judah received a tangible portion of the Promised Land, believers in Christ receive an imperishable spiritual inheritance, "kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "An Imperishable Inheritance")), secured by God's power. The secure dwelling place granted to Israel finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our true "rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest")) and the very foundation of our eternal home. The detailed mapping of earthly cities points to the "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "The City with Foundations")), the New Jerusalem, where believers will dwell eternally with God. Thus, the physical boundaries of Judah's land in Joshua 15:57 serve as a type and shadow of the secure, eternal, and Christ-centered inheritance that is ours through faith in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and who perfectly fulfills all of God's promises.

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 15:10

And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which [is] Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

Jeremiah 14:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

Genesis 38:12

¶ And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.