Joshua 15:36

And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:

And Sharaim {H8189}, and Adithaim {H5723}, and Gederah {H1449}, and Gederothaim {H1453}; fourteen {H702}{H6240} cities {H5892} with their villages {H2691}:

Sh'arim, 'Aditayim, G'derah and G'derotayim - fourteen cities, together with their villages.

Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages.

and Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages.

Commentary

Joshua 15:36 continues a meticulous list of cities allocated to the tribe of Judah as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land. Specifically, this verse names "Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim," concluding with the summary "fourteen cities with their villages." This detailed enumeration underscores the precise and thorough nature of the land distribution overseen by Joshua.

Context

This verse is found within Joshua chapter 15, which meticulously outlines the extensive territorial inheritance given to the tribe of Judah. After defining the boundaries of Judah's land (Joshua 15:1-12), the chapter proceeds to list various cities within different regions of their vast territory. Verses 21-37 focus on cities located in the Shephelah, the lowlands between the central highlands and the coastal plain. The inclusion of "villages" alongside the cities indicates that the surrounding agricultural and residential areas were also part of the inheritance, providing a complete picture of the allocated territory after the Israelite conquest of Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Divine Promise: The exhaustive listing of cities like Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim serves as tangible proof of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promise to Abraham's descendants—that they would inherit the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). This detailed record confirms the divine covenant was being realized.
  • Divine Order and Precision: The meticulous detail in these geographical records highlights the divine order and precision in God's plan for the nation of Israel. The allocation was not arbitrary but carefully managed, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion as part of a larger divine strategy.
  • Inheritance and Possession: The repeated emphasis on cities and their villages underscores the concept of inheritance and the physical possession of the Promised Land. This was a crucial aspect of Israel's identity and their covenant relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The names listed in this verse are ancient Hebrew place names, most of which are not definitively identified with modern locations today, though some theories exist. "Gederah" likely means "sheepfold" or "enclosure," suggesting a pastoral or fortified settlement. The suffix "-aim" often indicates a dual form, possibly referring to two related places or a double settlement, as seen in "Gederothaim." These names primarily serve as geographical markers, emphasizing the specificity and thoroughness of the tribal allotments rather than carrying deep theological meaning themselves.

Practical Application

While a list of ancient cities might seem mundane at first glance, Joshua 15:36, within its broader context, offers valuable insights for us today:

  • God's Faithfulness in Detail: Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promises regarding the land to Israel, He is faithful to every detail of His promises to us. We can trust in His precision and care concerning our lives and our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11).
  • Value in the "Mundane": Even seemingly ordinary details in God's Word—like lists of cities—carry profound significance. They remind us that God is involved in the specifics of our lives, not just the grand narratives, and that His plans are thoroughly laid out.
  • The Reality of Inheritance: The physical inheritance of the land foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ—a secure and eternal possession that cannot be taken away (1 Peter 1:4). This inheritance is guaranteed by God's faithfulness, just as Judah's land was.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:52 (2 votes)

    And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.