Joshua 15:59

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 15:59 (KJV)

Joshua 15:59 is a specific verse detailing three cities—Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon—along with their surrounding villages, which were part of the tribal inheritance allotted to Judah. This verse concludes a lengthy and meticulous list of towns and geographical markers within Judah's vast territory in the southern part of Canaan. The preceding verses (Joshua 15:21-62) provide an extensive gazetteer, highlighting the thoroughness of the land distribution.

Context

This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the Book of Joshua, specifically chapters 13-19, which describe the division of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the conquest of the land under Joshua's leadership, the task of apportionment began. The tribe of Judah, being the largest and most prominent, received the first and largest portion of the inheritance, as documented from Joshua 15:1 onwards. The detailed listing of cities, often grouped geographically, served as a crucial legal and historical record of each tribe's boundaries and possessions, fulfilling God's ancient promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment: The meticulous cataloging of towns like Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The land, promised centuries earlier to Abraham (see Genesis 15:18 for the covenant promise), was now being precisely distributed among His people.
  • Order and Specificity: The exhaustive nature of these lists reflects a divine order and precision in the allocation of territory. This was not a haphazard distribution but a carefully managed process, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion, thereby preventing future disputes over land.
  • Historical and Geographical Accuracy: The inclusion of such specific place names, even those less prominent today, speaks to the Bible's commitment to historical detail and geographical reality. These lists would have been vital for ancient Israelite administration and identity.

Linguistic Insights

The names "Maarath," "Bethanoth," and "Eltekon" are Hebrew place names, typical of ancient Canaanite and Israelite settlements. While their exact modern locations are often debated or unknown, their inclusion reinforces the tangible reality of the land division. "Bethanoth," for example, likely means "house of answers" or "house of signs," common in place naming conventions that reflect local features or religious significance.

Practical Application and Reflection

While a list of ancient cities might seem mundane, Joshua 15:59, like the entire chapter, serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His Word. For us today, it encourages confidence in God's promises, knowing that if He meticulously fulfilled His word concerning physical land, He will certainly fulfill His spiritual promises. It also emphasizes the importance of boundaries and order in God's plan, whether for nations, communities, or even personal lives. The detailed record reminds us that God cares about the specifics of our lives and works with precision to bring about His purposes.

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

No cross-references found.