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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 15:57 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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 15:57, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 15, 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.
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
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, 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. 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), 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) 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), 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), and who perfectly fulfills all of God's promises.