Joshua Chapter 15

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October 7, 2025

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🗺️ Drawing the Map Lines

When Joshua and the Israelites finally settled in their new land, it was time to divide it up among all the different families – kind of like when your parents divide up chores or bedrooms in your house! The tribe of Judah was one of the biggest families, so they got a really big piece of land. Imagine drawing a giant rectangle on a map. Judah’s land went all the way from the salty Dead Seaᵃ in the east to the big Mediterranean Seaᵇ in the west. It stretched from way down south near the desert all the way up toward Jerusalem. That’s a lot of space for families to build their homes and plant their crops!

🦁 Caleb the Brave Hero

Do you remember Caleb? He was one of the 12 spies who went to check out the Promised Land 45 years earlier! While most of the other spies were scared of the big, tall people living there, Caleb trusted that God would help them win. Now, as an old man of 85, he was still strong and brave! Yahweh had made a special promise to give Caleb the city of Hebronᶜ as his very own. But there was just one problem – some really big, scary people called the Anakitesᵈ were still living there! These weren’t just tall people – they were like giants! But Caleb wasn’t afraid. Even though he was old enough to be your great-great-grandfather, he marched right up to those giants and said, “You need to move out! God promised this land to me!” And you know what? He won! Caleb kicked out all three of the giant brothers: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

💝 A Father’s Gift

After Caleb conquered Hebron, he decided to attack another city called Debir. He made an announcement to all the young warriors: “Whoever can capture this city gets to marry my daughter Achsah!” Well, Caleb’s nephew Othniel was brave and smart. He figured out how to capture the city, so he got to marry Achsah. But here’s the sweet part of the story – when Achsah saw that her new land was in a dry, desert area, she asked her dad for something special. “Dad,” she said, “this land you gave me is pretty dry. Could I also have some springs of water?” And because Caleb loved his daughter so much, he gave her not just one spring, but two – an upper spring and a lower spring! Now she had plenty of fresh, clean water for her family and animals.

🏘️ All the Cities and Towns

The land that Judah received had tons of cities and towns – way too many to count on your fingers and toes! There were 29 towns in the desert area down south, 44 towns in the valleys and hills, and even more towns near the seacoast. Each town had smaller villages around it where families lived and farmed. Some of these towns had really interesting names! There was a place called “City of Salt”ᵉ (probably because it was near the salty Dead Sea), and another called “Spring of the Kid” (En Gedi), which was like an oasis in the desert where baby goats would come to drink water.

😔 One Problem Left

Even though Judah got this amazing, huge piece of land, there was still one city they couldn’t capture – Jerusalem. The Jebusitesᶠ who lived there were really strong and had built their city on top of a high hill with thick walls all around it. So for now, the people of Judah had to share Jerusalem with the Jebusites. It was kind of like having neighbors you don’t really get along with, but you have to live next to them anyway. But don’t worry – later in the Bible, King David will figure out how to capture Jerusalem and make it the capital city of all Israel!

🙏 What This Teaches Us

This story shows us that God always keeps His promises! He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would live in this special land, and hundreds of years later, it finally happened. Just like Caleb trusted God even when things looked impossible, we can trust that God will keep His promises to us too. It also shows us that sometimes we have to be patient. The Israelites had to wait a really long time to get their land, and even then, they didn’t get everything all at once. Sometimes God asks us to wait for good things too, but He always has perfect timing!

Kid-Friendly Footnotes:

  • Dead Sea: A super salty lake where you can float like a cork because it’s so salty!
  • Mediterranean Sea: The big blue sea on the west side of Israel where people could fish and sail boats
  • Hebron: One of the oldest cities in the world – it’s still there today!
  • Anakites: A group of really tall, strong people who lived in the land before Israel – like friendly giants, but not so friendly
  • City of Salt: Probably got its name because it was near the Dead Sea, which is full of salt
  • Jebusites: The people who lived in Jerusalem before King David captured it for Israel
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Footnotes:

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Footnotes:

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    [This] then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; [even] to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward [was] the uttermost part of the south coast.
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    And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:
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    And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
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    [From thence] it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.
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    And the east border [was] the salt sea, [even] unto the end of Jordan. And [their] border in the north quarter [was] from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:
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    And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
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    And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that [is] before the going up to Adummim, which [is] on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
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    And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same [is] Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that [lieth] before the valley of Hinnom westward, which [is] at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
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    And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which [is] Kirjathjearim:
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    And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which [is] Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
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    And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
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    And the west border [was] to the great sea, and the coast [thereof]. This [is] the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.
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    And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, [even] the city of Arba the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron.
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    And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
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    And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before [was] Kirjathsepher.
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    And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
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    And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
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    And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
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    Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
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    This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
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    And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
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    And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
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    And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
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    Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
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    And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, [and] Hezron, which [is] Hazor,
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    Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
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    And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
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    And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
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    Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
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    And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
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    And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
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    And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities [are] twenty and nine, with their villages:
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    [And] in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
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    And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
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    Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
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    And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
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    Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
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    And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
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    Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
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    And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
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    And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
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    Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
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    And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
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    And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
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    Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
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    From Ekron even unto the sea, all that [lay] near Ashdod, with their villages:
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    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]:
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    And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
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    And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which [is] Debir,
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    And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
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    And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:
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    Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
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    And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
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    And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
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    Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
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    And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
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    Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
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    Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
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    And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
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    Kirjathbaal, which [is] Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
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    In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
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    And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
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    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.
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    Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary:
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    Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea,
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    proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka.
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    It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border.
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    The eastern border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan. The northern border started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan,
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    went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
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    Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.
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    From there the border went up the Valley of Hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
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    From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
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    The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah.
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    Then it went out to the northern slope of Ekron, curved toward Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went on to Jabneel, and ended at the Sea.
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    And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.
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    According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)
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    And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
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    From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
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    And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
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    So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
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    One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
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    “Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
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    This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah.
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    These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
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    Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
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    Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
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    Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
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    Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),
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    Amam, Shema, Moladah,
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    Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,
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    Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
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    Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
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    Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
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    Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
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    Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—twenty-nine cities in all, along with their villages.
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    These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
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    Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
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    Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
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    Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages.
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    Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,
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    Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
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    Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
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    Cabbon, Lahmas, Chitlish,
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    Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen cities, along with their villages.
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    Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
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    Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
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    Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.
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    Ekron, with its towns and villages;
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    from Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages;
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    Ashdod, with its towns and villages; Gaza, with its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.
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    These were in the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
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    Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
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    Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
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    Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven cities, along with their villages.
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    Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
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    Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,
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    Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—nine cities, along with their villages.
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    Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
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    Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
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    Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten cities, along with their villages.
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    Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,
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    Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six cities, along with their villages.
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    Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah—two cities, along with their villages.
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    These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
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    Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages.
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    But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.

Joshua Chapter 15 Commentary

Drawing Lines in the Promised Land

What’s Joshua 15 about?

This chapter reads like an ancient surveyor’s report as it meticulously details the boundaries and cities given to the tribe of Judah. But beneath all those geographical coordinates lies a profound story about God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises and the practical reality of claiming what’s already been given.

The Full Context

Joshua 15 comes at a pivotal moment in Israel’s history – they’ve crossed the Jordan, conquered key cities, and now it’s time to divvy up the Promised Land. This isn’t just administrative paperwork; it’s the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham centuries earlier. The chapter focuses specifically on Judah’s inheritance, the largest and most prominent tribe, whose territory would later become the heartland of the southern kingdom and the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

The detailed boundary descriptions and city lists might seem tedious to modern readers, but they represented something revolutionary in the ancient world – permanent land ownership for formerly enslaved people. These weren’t just geographical markers; they were declarations of identity, security, and divine faithfulness. The chapter also includes the intriguing story of Caleb claiming his mountain inheritance and his daughter Aksah’s bold request for springs of water, showing us that taking possession of God’s promises often requires both faith and action.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Hebrew word for “inheritance” (nahalah) appears throughout this chapter, and it’s loaded with meaning. This isn’t just about real estate – it’s about a permanent family legacy that passes from generation to generation. Unlike other ancient cultures where land could be easily bought and sold, Israel’s tribal inheritance was meant to stay within the family forever.

Grammar Geeks

The Hebrew phrase “according to their families” (lemishpechotam) appears repeatedly in these territorial descriptions. The word mishpachah comes from the root meaning “to pour out” – suggesting that families flow like water into their designated spaces, filling every corner of their inheritance.

The boundary descriptions use a fascinating mix of natural landmarks and human settlements. Mountains, valleys, springs, and seas provide permanent markers that won’t disappear, while cities and towns reflect the living, breathing community that would inhabit this space. The ancient surveyors knew exactly what they were doing – creating boundaries that would last for generations.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

For the Israelites hearing this for the first time, these weren’t just random place names – they were hearing their future being spelled out in concrete detail. Imagine being a refugee family who had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and suddenly someone is telling you, “This valley is yours. That hill belongs to your children. These springs will water your crops.”

The original audience would have caught the significance of Judah receiving the prime real estate. This territory included Jerusalem (though not yet conquered), Hebron where the patriarchs were buried, and fertile valleys perfect for agriculture. They would have understood that this wasn’t random – God was positioning Judah for future leadership.

Did You Know?

The southern boundary of Judah extended all the way to the “Brook of Egypt” (Wadi el-Arish), making Judah’s territory roughly the size of Connecticut. For a nomadic people, this represented unimaginable wealth and security.

But Wait… Why Did They Leave Some Cities Unconquered?

Here’s where things get puzzling. Joshua 15:63 casually mentions that “the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live with the people of Judah in Jerusalem to this day.” Wait – what happened to all that divine power that brought down Jericho’s walls?

This isn’t a failure of God’s power, but rather a failure of human follow-through. The text suggests that while God had given them the victory, the people didn’t complete the task. Sometimes the gap between God’s promises and our experience isn’t about His faithfulness – it’s about our willingness to do the hard work of actually possessing what He’s already given us.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Jerusalem, the future capital of Israel and site of the Temple, remained in enemy hands for generations after this chapter. David wouldn’t capture it until 2 Samuel 5:6-9. Sometimes God’s greatest gifts require patient, persistent effort to fully claim.

Wrestling with the Text

The story of Caleb and his daughter Aksah (Joshua 15:16-19) offers a beautiful counterpoint to the incomplete conquest of Jerusalem. Here we see people actively claiming their inheritance. Caleb, at 85 years old, takes his mountain. His daughter boldly asks for additional springs of water to make her land more valuable.

This little family drama teaches us something profound about how God’s promises work. They’re given freely, but they must be actively claimed. Aksah didn’t just accept the land her father gave her – she asked for what would make it truly flourish. That’s the kind of bold faith that transforms promises into reality.

How This Changes Everything

Looking at this chapter through New Testament eyes, we see it as more than ancient history – it’s a preview of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. Just as each tribe received specific territories, believers receive specific spiritual gifts and callings. Just as the Israelites had to actively possess their land, we must actively walk in the good works God has prepared for us.

“Sometimes the gap between God’s promises and our experience isn’t about His faithfulness – it’s about our willingness to do the hard work of actually possessing what He’s already given us.”

The detailed boundaries remind us that God’s gifts aren’t vague or general – they’re specific and personal. He knows exactly what each of us needs to fulfill our calling, and He’s already provided it. The question is whether we’ll have the faith to claim it and the persistence to fully possess it.

Key Takeaway

God’s promises aren’t just positional statements – they’re territorial realities waiting to be claimed. Your inheritance in Christ isn’t just about eternity; it’s about the specific ways God wants to use you right here, right now.

Further Reading

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