Joshua 15: Judah's land and towns
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
The lot gives the tribe of Judah its land, and the chapter traces its borders on the south, east, north and west. Caleb is given Hebron and drives out the three sons of Anak, and promises his daughter Achsah as wife to the man who takes Debir. Othniel takes it and marries her, and she asks her father for springs of water. Then the chapter lists Judah's towns, region by region, and ends by saying that Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the chapter. Caleb speaks in verses 16 and 18, and his daughter Achsah answers him in verse 19. No verse is in gold. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1The lot for the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families was to the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the uttermost part of the south.
In plain English: The lot for the tribe of Judah, by their families (or: clans), reached to the border of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin toward the south, at the far end of the south.
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2Their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward;
In plain English: Their south border ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces south.
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3and it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh Barnea, and passed along by Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka;
In plain English: It went out south of the ascent of Akrabbim, passed along to Zin, went up south of Kadesh Barnea, passed along by Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka.
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4and it passed along to Azmon, went out at the brook of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your south border.
In plain English: It passed along to Azmon and went out at the brook of Egypt, and the border ended at the sea. This will be your south border.
Good to know: Judah's south border follows the south border of the whole land that Yahweh gave Moses in to : the Salt Sea, the ascent of Akrabbim, Zin, Kadesh Barnea, Azmon and the brook of Egypt. Verse 4 keeps the words "your south border" from there.
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5The east border was the Salt Sea, even to the end of the Jordan. The border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan.
In plain English: The east border was the Salt Sea, as far as the end (the mouth) of the Jordan. The north border ran from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan.
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6The border went up to Beth Hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth Arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
In plain English: The border went up to Beth Hoglah and passed along north of Beth Arabah. Then the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
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7The border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that faces the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river. The border passed along to the waters of En Shemesh, and ended at En Rogel.
In plain English: The border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and turned north toward Gilgal, which faces the ascent of Adummim, on the south side of the river (or: stream valley). The border passed along to the waters of En Shemesh and ended at En Rogel.
Good to know: The valley of Achor is the place named in , after Achan's death.
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8The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem) southward; and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the farthest part of the valley of Rephaim northward.
In plain English: The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the slope of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem) on the south. Then the border went up to the top of the mountain that faces the valley of Hinnom on the west, at the far end of the valley of Rephaim to the north.
The Hebrew words: "The valley of the son of Hinnom" is gei ben hinnom. The dictionary gives Hinnom as "apparently a Jebusite".
Good to know: This valley comes up again in later books. says people built "the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire". The New Testament word Gehenna (as in ) is given in the dictionary as "valley of (the son of) Hinnom", "used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment".
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9The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (also called Kiriath Jearim);
In plain English: From the top of the mountain the border extended to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the border extended to Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim).
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10and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim (also called Chesalon) on the north, and went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed along by Timnah;
In plain English: From Baalah the border turned west to Mount Seir, passed along to the side of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon) on the north, went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed along by Timnah.
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11and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward; and the border extended to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
In plain English: The border went out to the side of Ekron to the north, extended to Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel. The border ended at the sea.
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12The west border was to the shore of the great sea. This is the border of the children of Judah according to their families.
In plain English: The west border was the Great Sea and its coast. This is the border all around the people of Judah, by their families.
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13He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron).
In plain English: To Caleb the son of Jephunneh a share was given (this Bible: he gave) among the people of Judah, as Yahweh had commanded Joshua (literally: at the mouth of Yahweh to Joshua): Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the father of Anak.)
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14Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
In plain English: Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.
Good to know: These are the same three names the spies saw at Hebron in . The book of Joshua also tells that Joshua and all Israel took Hebron and Debir ( to ) and that Joshua cut off the Anakim from Hebron and Debir (). says Judah struck the three, and says Caleb drove them out. The text does not say how these accounts fit together, and readers explain it in different ways.
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15He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher.
In plain English: From there he went up against the people of Debir. Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher.
Good to know: Verses 15 to 19 are told again, in nearly the same words, in to .
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16Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.”
In plain English: Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I will give him Achsah my daughter as his wife."
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17Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
In plain English: Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it, and he gave him Achsah his daughter as his wife.
The Hebrew words: "Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb": in the Hebrew, "the brother of Caleb" can describe Othniel or Kenaz.
What changes: Read one way, Othniel is Caleb's brother, and Achsah is his niece. Read the other way, Kenaz is Caleb's brother, so Othniel is Caleb's nephew and Achsah is his cousin. This Bible's English in and says "Caleb's younger brother".
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18When she came, she had him ask her father for a field. She got off her donkey, and Caleb said, “What do you want?”
In plain English: When she came, she urged him (this Bible: she had him) to ask her father for a field. She got down from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
The Hebrew word: "She had him ask" is sut, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate": she pressed him or urged him to ask.
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19She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
In plain English: She said, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the South (the Negev), give me springs of water too." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
The Hebrew word: "Blessing" is berakah, which the dictionary gives as "benediction; by implication prosperity". Here what she asks to be given is springs of water.
The Hebrew word: "Springs" is gullot, which the dictionary gives as "a fountain, bowl or globe (all as round)".
What changes: Read as "springs", Caleb gives her sources of water. Read as "bowls", he gives her basins or pools that hold water.
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20This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
In plain English: This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, by their families.
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21The farthest cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
In plain English: The towns at the far edge of the tribe of Judah, toward the border of Edom in the South, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
Good to know: Verses 21 to 62 list Judah's towns, and the text marks the regions: the South (verse 21), the lowland (), the hill country () and the wilderness (). After most groups the text gives a number of towns.
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22Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
In plain English: Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
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23Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
In plain English: Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
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24Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
In plain English: Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
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25Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor),
In plain English: Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor),
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26Amam, Shema, Moladah,
In plain English: Amam, Shema, Moladah,
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27Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet,
In plain English: Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet,
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28Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
In plain English: Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
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29Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
In plain English: Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
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30Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
In plain English: Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
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31Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
In plain English: Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
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32Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.
In plain English: Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain and Rimmon. In all, twenty-nine towns with their villages.
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33In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
In plain English: In the lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
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34Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
In plain English: Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
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35Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
In plain English: Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
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36Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages.
In plain English: Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim): fourteen towns with their villages.
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37Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad,
In plain English: Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad,
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38Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,
In plain English: Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,
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39Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
In plain English: Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
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40Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish,
In plain English: Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish,
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41Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.
In plain English: Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah and Makkedah: sixteen towns with their villages.
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42Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
In plain English: Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
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43Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
In plain English: Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
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44Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.
In plain English: Keilah, Achzib and Mareshah: nine towns with their villages.
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45Ekron, with its towns and its villages;
In plain English: Ekron, with its towns (literally: its daughters) and its villages;
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46from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.
In plain English: from Ekron to the sea, all the places near Ashdod, with their villages.
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47Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the brook of Egypt, and the great sea with its coastline.
In plain English: Ashdod, with its towns and its villages; Gaza, with its towns and its villages; as far as the brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea and its coast.
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48In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
In plain English: In the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
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49Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (which is Debir),
In plain English: Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir),
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50Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
In plain English: Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
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51Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.
In plain English: Goshen, Holon and Giloh: eleven towns with their villages.
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52Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
In plain English: Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
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53Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah,
In plain English: Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah,
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54Humtah, Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.
In plain English: Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) and Zior: nine towns with their villages.
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55Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah,
In plain English: Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah,
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56Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
In plain English: Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
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57Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.
In plain English: Kain, Gibeah and Timnah: ten towns with their villages.
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58Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor,
In plain English: Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor,
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59Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.
In plain English: Maarath, Beth Anoth and Eltekon: six towns with their villages.
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60Kiriath Baal (also called Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.
In plain English: Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim) and Rabbah: two towns with their villages.
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61In the wilderness, Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,
In plain English: In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,
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62Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages.
In plain English: Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi: six towns with their villages.
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63As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out; but the Jebusites live with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
In plain English: As for the Jebusites, who lived in Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive them out. The Jebusites live with the people of Judah in Jerusalem to this day.
The Hebrew word: "Jebusites" is yebusi, which the dictionary gives as "a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus". calls the city "Jebus (also called Jerusalem)".
Good to know: to tell of the king of Jerusalem being put to death, and lists him among the kings defeated, but this verse says Judah could not drive out the people of Jerusalem. says Judah took Jerusalem and set it on fire, and says Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites there, "to this day". says David later "took the stronghold of Zion". The text does not say how these fit together, and readers explain it in different ways.
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