TRV
Translation
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 6,264 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Joshua 15:61 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Joshua 15:61 provides a precise geographical entry within the detailed account of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, specifically enumerating three towns—Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah—situated in the arid "wilderness" region of Judah's vast inheritance. This verse, though seemingly a mere list of names, profoundly underscores the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land and the comprehensive nature of Israel's divinely ordained possession, even extending to its less hospitable frontiers.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 15 forms the core of the land distribution narrative in the book of Joshua, meticulously detailing the vast inheritance of the tribe of Judah. Following the conquest of Canaan and the initial division of the land by lot at Shiloh, as described in Joshua 18:1, chapter 15 dedicates itself entirely to Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe. The chapter begins by outlining Judah's extensive borders (verses 1-12), then proceeds to list cities and towns within its various geographical sub-regions: the Negeb (verses 21-32), the Shephelah or western foothills (verses 33-47), the hill country (verses 48-60), and finally, the wilderness (verses 61-62). Joshua 15:61 falls precisely within this final subsection, detailing settlements in the eastern, more desolate parts of Judah's territory, demonstrating the exhaustive nature of the land allocation and God's faithfulness to His promises.
Historical & Cultural Context: The "wilderness" mentioned in Joshua 15:61 (Hebrew: midbar) refers specifically to the Judean Wilderness, a rugged, arid, and sparsely populated region stretching eastward from the central Judean hill country down to the Dead Sea. This area, while challenging for agriculture, was traditionally used for grazing and served as a natural barrier. The listing of towns like Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah, even in such a desolate region, highlights the comprehensive nature of the tribal inheritance. From a cultural perspective, precise boundary definitions and land allotments were crucial for establishing tribal identity, preventing future disputes, and ensuring the fulfillment of the divine promise that the entire land, "from the wilderness unto the river," as outlined in Joshua 1:4, would belong to Israel. These detailed records served as legal documents for future generations.
Key Themes: The meticulous geographical listings throughout Joshua 15, including verse 61, contribute significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, they powerfully affirm Divine Faithfulness, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land, as first seen in Genesis 15:18. Every detail, even obscure towns in the wilderness, testifies to God's precision. Secondly, these lists emphasize Order and Inheritance, showcasing the divinely ordained structure in the distribution of the land, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion through a process of casting lots, as instructed in Numbers 26:55-56. This detailed record served as a legal and historical document for the tribal inheritances. Finally, the inclusion of the wilderness towns underscores the Completeness of Possession, signifying that even the less habitable or seemingly desolate areas were part of the comprehensive inheritance God had given to Judah, leaving no part of the promised territory unfulfilled.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 15:61, along with the broader chapter, primarily employs Enumeration and Geographical Listing. The text systematically lists towns and regions, providing a detailed inventory of Judah's inheritance. This serves not only as a historical record but also as a legal document, establishing the boundaries and possessions of the tribe. The sheer volume of place names contributes to the literary device of Verisimilitude, lending an air of authenticity and meticulous accuracy to the narrative, reinforcing the idea that this was a real, tangible division of land. The repetition of geographical categories (Negeb, Shephelah, Hill Country, Wilderness) provides a structured framework for this detailed listing, making the immense amount of information digestible and emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine promise fulfilled. This exhaustive cataloging also functions as a form of Legal Documentation, solidifying the tribal claims for future generations.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:61, though a simple geographical listing, profoundly underscores the unwavering faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. The meticulous detail in enumerating even obscure towns in the wilderness testifies to a God who fulfills His word with precision and completeness. It reminds us that God's plans are not vague generalities but are worked out in specific, tangible ways, down to the last detail of the promised inheritance. This reflects His character as a God of order, who establishes clear boundaries and provides for His people comprehensively, even in challenging environments. The inclusion of the "wilderness" areas signifies that God's blessings extend to every part of our lives, even the seemingly barren or difficult seasons, transforming them into areas of possession and provision, demonstrating His omnipresent care.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 15:61, while initially appearing as a dry list of ancient place names, offers a profound spiritual lesson: God's faithfulness is meticulously detailed and utterly comprehensive. Just as He precisely fulfilled His promise to Israel by allocating every inch of the land, even the challenging wilderness regions, so too does He meticulously work out the details of His plan for our lives. This verse encourages us to trust in God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when our circumstances feel like a "wilderness" or a desolate season. It reminds us that our spiritual inheritance in Christ is not a vague hope but a tangible reality, secured by God's faithfulness and worked out in the specifics of our daily existence. We are called to recognize and steward the "territory" God has given us, whether it be our spiritual gifts, our relationships, our vocations, or our spheres of influence, knowing that every part is part of His divine design and purpose for our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of listing these specific, seemingly obscure towns in the wilderness?
Answer: The significance lies primarily in demonstrating the completeness and precision of God's fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel regarding the land. By listing even the less prominent or habitable towns in the Judean Wilderness, the text underscores that Judah's inheritance was not merely a general region but a meticulously defined territory, down to its most remote settlements. This served as a legal and historical record, validating the tribal boundaries and ensuring that every part of the promised land, from fertile plains to arid wilderness, was accounted for and possessed by God's people, as promised in Joshua 1:4. It emphasizes God's attention to detail and His unwavering commitment to His word, leaving no doubt about the extent of His provision.
Why was the "wilderness" included in Judah's inheritance, given its challenging nature?
Answer: The inclusion of the "wilderness" (Hebrew: midbar) in Judah's inheritance highlights several key points. Firstly, it signifies the full extent of the promised land, which God had sworn to give to Abraham's descendants, as recorded in Genesis 15:18. The promise encompassed the entire territory, not just the fertile parts. Secondly, while challenging for agriculture, the midbar was not entirely barren; it served as pastureland for flocks and provided natural defenses, making it a valuable, albeit different, part of the territory. Its inclusion meant Judah's territory was comprehensive, encompassing diverse ecological zones. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of God's provision even in difficult circumstances. Just as Israel was sustained in the wilderness during the Exodus, so too were these wilderness areas part of their promised blessing, reminding them that God's presence and provision extend even to the seemingly desolate places of life, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:15-16.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 15:61 describes an earthly, geographical inheritance, it powerfully foreshadows the spiritual inheritance secured for believers in Christ. The meticulous detail with which God fulfilled His promise of land to Judah points to the even greater precision and certainty of God's plan of salvation and the spiritual blessings bestowed upon those who are "in Christ." Just as Judah received a definite, bounded territory, believers receive an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). The "wilderness" towns, though seemingly insignificant, were part of a larger, divinely ordained possession, mirroring how every aspect of our lives, even our trials and "wilderness" experiences, are integrated into God's sovereign plan for our ultimate good and spiritual growth, as affirmed in Romans 8:28. Ultimately, the earthly inheritance of Canaan, meticulously divided and possessed, serves as a tangible type of the spiritual reality of being "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4) and receiving "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Our ultimate inheritance is not a piece of land, but Christ Himself, in whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20), ensuring our complete and eternal possession.