Joshua 15:23

And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

And Kedesh {H6943}, and Hazor {H2674}, and Ithnan {H3497},

Kedesh, Hatzor, Yitnan,

Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,

and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

Commentary

Joshua 15:23 is a concise verse from the King James Version, listing three towns—Kedesh, Hazor, and Ithnan—as part of the extensive inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah. This verse, though brief, contributes to the meticulous geographical details defining the boundaries and possessions of God's chosen people in the Promised Land.

Context

Chapter 15 of Joshua is dedicated to describing the vast territory given to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. Following the initial conquest of Canaan, Joshua oversaw the distribution of the land by lot, fulfilling God's command. Verses 21-32 specifically list the cities in the "uttermost part of the south toward the coast of Edom," indicating a region bordering the wilderness and neighboring nations. These lists served as legal documentation and a tangible record of the fulfillment of God's promises, establishing clear tribal boundaries and possessions in the newly settled land.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Promise: The detailed enumeration of towns like Kedesh, Hazor, and Ithnan underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan for his descendants.
  • Divine Order and Allotment: The meticulous division of the land, as seen throughout chapters 14-19 of Joshua, highlights God's orderly nature and His precise orchestration of Israel's settlement.
  • Inheritance and Possession: These lists confirm that the Israelites were indeed taking possession of the land, moving from a nomadic existence to settled inheritance, a key aspect of their identity as God's people.

Linguistic Insights

The names mentioned are Hebrew place names:

  • Kedesh (קֶדֶשׁ, Qedesh): Meaning "sanctuary" or "holy place." There were several towns named Kedesh in ancient Israel; this particular one is distinguished by its location in the southern territory of Judah.
  • Hazor (חָצוֹר, Hatsor): Meaning "enclosure" or "fortified settlement." This Hazor is distinct from the more famous and powerful northern city of Hazor conquered by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-11). This southern Hazor was likely a smaller, less significant settlement.
  • Ithnan (אִתְנָן, Ithnan): The meaning of this name is less certain, possibly related to "gift."

These names primarily serve as geographical markers, delineating the tribal boundaries and the extent of Judah's inheritance.

Significance and Application

While seemingly a mere list of names, Joshua 15:23 and similar passages carry profound significance:

  • God's Faithfulness in Detail: This verse reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, not just in broad strokes but in precise and tangible details. His word is reliable and will be fulfilled.
  • Our Spiritual Inheritance: Just as the Israelites received a physical inheritance, believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. This includes salvation, adoption into God's family, and the promise of eternal life, as detailed in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 1:11).
  • Importance of Documentation: The meticulous record-keeping in Joshua underscores the importance of God's covenant and His desire for His people to understand and appreciate what He has given them.

This verse, though part of a lengthy geographical record, speaks to God's meticulous care, His unwavering faithfulness, and the tangible fulfillment of His divine plan for His people.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 1:19 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.

  • Numbers 33:37 (2 votes)

    And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.

  • Joshua 12:22 (2 votes)

    The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;