Joshua 15:59

KJV

And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Maarath {H4638}, and Bethanoth {H1042}, and Eltekon {H515}; six {H8337} cities {H5892} with their villages {H2691}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Ma'arat, Beit-'Anot, Elt'kon - six cities, together with their villages.

Berean Standard Bible

Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six cities, along with their villages.

American Standard Version

and Maarath, and Beth-anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:59 meticulously lists three specific towns—Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon—along with their associated villages, as part of the intricate territorial inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah. This verse, though seemingly a mere catalog entry, underscores the divine precision and faithfulness in fulfilling God's ancient promises of land to His people Israel, demonstrating the thoroughness with which the vast territory of Judah was surveyed and apportioned.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15:59 is embedded within the extensive and highly detailed account of Judah's tribal inheritance, which spans from [Joshua 15:21](/joshua/15-21 "Joshua 15:21 - Cities of Judah") to [Joshua 15:62](/joshua/15-62 "Joshua 15:62 - End of Judah's Cities List"). This lengthy gazetteer meticulously lists cities and their associated villages, often grouped geographically (e.g., cities in the Negeb, the Shephelah, the hill country). The verse itself concludes a sub-section of cities within the hill country, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the land distribution. The broader literary context is [Joshua chapters 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land"), which systematically records the division of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel following the successful conquest. These lists served as vital legal and administrative documents, establishing clear boundaries and ownership for each tribal entity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of the land occurred after the initial military campaigns under Joshua's leadership, marking the transition from conquest to settlement. Land was the primary source of wealth, identity, and security in ancient Israelite society, directly tied to the covenant promises made to Abraham. The meticulous nature of these lists reflects the importance of land tenure and inheritance in the ancient Near East, where boundaries were often marked and legally recorded to prevent disputes. While many of the cities listed, including Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon, are obscure and their exact modern locations debated or unknown, their inclusion validates the historical and geographical reality of the biblical narrative. The mention of "villages" (Hebrew: _ḥaṣērîm_) indicates a common settlement pattern where a central, fortified city served as the hub for smaller, dependent agricultural communities.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous cataloging of towns, even minor ones like Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon, powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment**. God's ancient promises to Abraham, particularly concerning the land (e.g., [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")), were now being precisely and tangibly fulfilled. This detailed record highlights God's **Order and Specificity** in His dealings with His people, demonstrating that the inheritance was not haphazard but a divinely ordained and carefully managed process, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion. Furthermore, the sheer volume of geographical detail contributes to the theme of **Historical and Geographical Accuracy**, grounding the biblical narrative in a verifiable reality and providing a foundational identity for the nascent Israelite nation, establishing their place within the land God had given them. This detailed accounting points to the truth that God is attentive to the specifics of His promises and His people's lives, as seen throughout the book of [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bethanoth (Hebrew, _bêṯ-ʿănôṯ_):** This place name literally means "house of answers" or "house of signs." Such names often reflected a site's particular characteristic, perhaps a place where oracles were given, or where significant events (signs) had occurred. Its inclusion, alongside other specific names, reinforces the tangible, localized nature of the land distribution, even for settlements that might have held specific religious or historical significance to the local inhabitants.
* **Eltekon (Hebrew, _ʾeltəqōn_):** This name is derived from roots meaning "God is firm" or "God is steadfast." Like many ancient Hebrew place names, it carries a theological meaning, potentially reflecting the faith of its founders or a significant event that occurred there. Its presence in the list, though a minor town, subtly echoes the overarching theme of God's unwavering faithfulness in granting the land, a theme central to the book of Joshua.
* **Villages (Hebrew, _ḥaṣērêhā_):** The term _ḥaṣērîm_ refers to unfortified settlements, hamlets, or encampments that were dependent on a larger, fortified city. Their inclusion signifies that the inheritance was not just a collection of major cities but encompassed the entire agricultural and residential hinterland. This detail highlights the comprehensive nature of the land allocation, ensuring that the tribes received not just urban centers but also the agricultural lands necessary for sustenance and growth, reflecting a complete and functional territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon;":** This clause presents a list of three specific towns located within the hill country of Judah. The conjunctive "And" (וְ, _wə_) links these names as a continuation of the preceding extensive catalog of cities. The inclusion of these relatively obscure place names underscores the meticulous and exhaustive nature of the land survey and distribution, indicating that every settlement, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, was accounted for in the tribal inheritance.
* **"six cities with their villages:":** This concluding phrase presents a textual challenge. The King James Version (KJV) and the Masoretic Text (MT) list only three cities (Maarath, Bethanoth, Eltekon) in the preceding part of the verse, yet the summary states "six cities." This discrepancy is a well-known textual issue. Scholars often point to the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, which in this section (Joshua 15:59-60) includes additional cities (e.g., Tekoa, Karem, Bether, Manahath, etc.) that, if present in the original Hebrew, would bring the total to six. This suggests that the Masoretic Text may have omitted some names in this particular section, or that the "six cities" refers to a grouping that includes cities mentioned immediately prior to this verse in the original, more complete list. Regardless of the precise textual solution, the phrase emphasizes that these listed cities were not isolated but were part of a larger administrative unit, each with its surrounding dependent settlements, signifying a complete and functional territory.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 15:59, like the rest of the chapter, primarily employs **Cataloging** or **Listing**, a common literary device in ancient Near Eastern administrative and historical texts. This systematic enumeration of place names serves to emphasize the thoroughness and legal precision of the land distribution. The **Repetition** of the conjunction "and" (וְ) before each city name creates a cumulative effect, reinforcing the exhaustive nature of the inventory. Furthermore, the inclusion of such detailed **Topography** and geographical specifics grounds the narrative in a tangible reality, lending credibility and historical weight to the account of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land. This meticulous detail, even for minor towns, highlights the divine **Precision** and **Order** in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly dry list of cities in Joshua 15:59 carries profound theological weight. It is not merely a geographical record but a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The precise allocation of land, down to the smallest villages, demonstrates that God is meticulous in fulfilling His word, a truth that echoes throughout salvation history. This physical inheritance in Canaan foreshadows the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in Christ. Just as Israel received a tangible land, believers receive an eternal inheritance, not of earthly territory, but of spiritual blessings and an eternal dwelling in God's presence. This divine precision in land distribution also highlights God's orderly nature, establishing boundaries and order for His people, which is a principle applicable to all aspects of life.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abraham") - God's initial promise of land to Abraham and his descendants.
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalm/105-8 "Psalm 105:8-11 - God's Enduring Covenant") - Recounts God's faithfulness to His covenant and oath concerning the land.
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's Faith and Heavenly City") - Speaks of Abraham looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God, connecting the earthly promise to a heavenly reality.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of ancient cities might seem far removed from contemporary life, Joshua 15:59, like the entire chapter, serves as a powerful reminder of God's character. His meticulous attention to detail in fulfilling His promises, down to the specific names of obscure villages, assures us that He is equally attentive to the specifics of our lives. We can trust that if God so precisely and faithfully managed the physical inheritance of Israel, He will certainly fulfill His spiritual promises to us, working out every detail of our salvation and sanctification. This verse encourages us to find peace in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He has a precise and orderly purpose for our lives, establishing boundaries and providing for our needs. It calls us to reflect on the inheritance we have in Christ and to live with confidence in the God who keeps every single one of His words.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulousness in fulfilling His land promises to Israel encourage your trust in His promises for your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust in God's precise and orderly plan?**
* **How does the concept of a physical inheritance in Canaan foreshadow the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why are these specific cities (Maarath, Bethanoth, Eltekon) mentioned, and what is their significance?**

Answer: These cities are mentioned as part of the exhaustive and legally binding record of Judah's tribal inheritance. While they might seem obscure to us today, their inclusion underscores the meticulous detail with which the land was surveyed and apportioned. Their significance lies not in their individual prominence (as they were likely minor settlements) but in their collective contribution to the complete and precise fulfillment of God's promise to Israel. The very act of naming every village, no matter how small, validates the historical reality of the land division and highlights God's faithfulness in granting the full extent of the promised territory to His people.

**What is the meaning of "six cities" when only three are explicitly named in Joshua 15:59 (KJV)?**

Answer: This is a known textual issue in the Masoretic Text (MT) of Joshua 15:59. The King James Version, based on the MT, lists "Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon," followed by "six cities with their villages." This discrepancy has led to various scholarly explanations. One prominent view is that the Septuagint (LXX), an ancient Greek translation, includes additional cities in this section (e.g., Tekoa, Karem, Bether, Manahath, and others) which, if present in the original Hebrew, would indeed bring the total to six. This suggests that the MT may have experienced some textual loss or truncation in this specific passage. Alternatively, some interpret "six cities" as a summary referring to a preceding group of cities that, when combined with the three named here, would total six. Regardless, the intent is to convey that these cities were part of a larger administrative grouping, each with its dependent settlements, signifying a complete and functional territory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:59 details a physical land inheritance, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest promised through Jesus Christ. The meticulous division of Canaan among the tribes foreshadows the precise and comprehensive nature of the New Covenant, where believers, through faith in Christ, receive an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for them ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, An Imperishable Inheritance")). The earthly rest that Israel found in the Promised Land, though imperfect and temporary, points to the ultimate and eternal rest found in Christ, who is our true Sabbath ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). Jesus, the true Son of God, is the ultimate heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God's Son, Heir of All Things")), and through Him, we become co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The specific boundaries and detailed lists in Joshua reflect God's precision in fulfilling His promises, culminating in the New Jerusalem, a city with foundations whose architect and builder is God ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham's Faith and the Heavenly City")), where all who are in Christ will dwell in perfect communion with Him, receiving an inheritance far grander than any earthly territory.

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.