Joshua Chapter 15
Showing all 63 verses for Joshua Chapter 15.
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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. "
"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."
Boundaries are not unkind - they are gifts that tell you where you belong and free you from grasping at everything in sight. Learn to be content within the good portion you have actually been given, rather than restlessly measuring your life against every neighbour's.
"And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward: "
"Their south border started from the shore of the Dead Sea, from the bay that faces south."
Even the driest, most technical details - here, a coastline running south from the Dead Sea - were worth recording because every inch of this promise mattered to God. Nothing given to you in love is too small or too ordinary to be treasured and remembered.
"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: "
"The line went south to the Scorpion Pass, continued to Zin, climbed south of Kadesh-barnea, passed Hezron, went up to Addar, and curved round to Karka."
The border winds through wilderness, Kadeshbarnea, and rugged terrain - a reminder that the path to what God has promised is rarely a straight line. Do not be discouraged when your own journey twists and turns; the destination is still secure.
"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. "
"From there it went to Azmon and out to the Brook of Egypt, ending at the Mediterranean Sea. That was the fixed southern border."
The coast ends 'at the sea' - a fixed, unmoving point. God's promises have real edges you can rely on; His word does not shift with your mood or your fear, and that stability is something to rest in, not resent.
"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: "
"The eastern border was the Dead Sea, all the way to where the Jordan River flows into it. The northern border started from that same bay at the mouth of the Jordan."
Judah's eastern edge was simply the Salt Sea - the lowest, harshest place on earth. Yet it belonged to them still. No part of your life, however barren it feels, is outside the reach of God's gracious ownership over you.
"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: "
"The border went up to Beth-hoglah, passed north of Beth-arabah, and continued up to the Stone of Bohan, named after a son of Reuben."
The border passes 'the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben' - a marker named after an ordinary man, not a king. God delights in weaving the names of humble, unremarkable people into the permanent record of His people's story.
"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: "
"The border went up towards Debir from the Valley of Achor, turned north towards Gilgal (opposite the Ascent of Adummim, south of the river), then on to the waters of En-shemesh, ending at En-rogel."
The line runs through the valley of Achor, the very place where Achan's sin once brought trouble on all Israel (Joshua 7). That valley of trouble is now simply a boundary marker on the way to inheritance - proof that God can lead you straight through your worst chapter into your promised future.
"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: "
"The border went up through the Valley of Hinnom, along the south side of the Jebusite city - that is, Jerusalem - up to the top of the mountain west of the Hinnom Valley, at the northern end of the Valley of the Giants."
The border passes right by Jerusalem, called here 'the Jebusite' city, not yet fully possessed. God can draw you right up to the edge of a promise and ask you to keep walking in faith even when full possession still lies ahead.
"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: "
"The border ran from the top of the hill to the spring of Nephtoah, out to the towns of Mount Ephron, then to Baalah, also known as Kirjath-jearim."
The border is drawn to Kirjathjearim, 'the city of forests' - later the resting place of the ark of the covenant for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1-2). God quietly plants markers in your life today whose full significance you will only see later.
"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: "
"From Baalah the border curved west to Mount Seir, passed along the north side of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and on to Timnah."
The line passes Bethshemesh, 'house of the sun', a town that would later welcome the returning ark with joy (1 Samuel 6:13). Even a bare boundary point can carry a future story of God's presence coming home - keep watching for what He is preparing along your own path.
"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. "
"The border went out to the north side of Ekron, was drawn to Shikkeron, passed Mount Baalah, went out to Jabneel, and ended at the sea."
The border brushes past Ekron, a Philistine stronghold never fully subdued in this generation. Some battles are not yours to finish today, and that is alright - your part is to walk faithfully to your own edge and trust the rest to God and to those who come after you.
"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. "
"The western border was the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, called the Great Sea. This was the complete boundary of Judah's territory, on every side, family by family."
The west border is simply 'the great sea' - the vast Mediterranean, too large to measure precisely. Some edges of your life will always run up against mystery and immensity; you do not need to map everything to trust the God who set the boundary.
"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. "
"Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a share of land among the people of Judah, exactly as instructed - the city of Arba, father of Anak, which is Hebron."
Caleb, now around eighty-five, receives Hebron by name because he wholly followed the LORD (Numbers 14:24). Faithfulness sustained over decades, even through disappointment and delay, is never forgotten by God and is always rewarded in His own time.
"And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. "
"Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descendants of the giant Anak."
At an advanced age Caleb personally drives out the giant-sized sons of Anak, the very people who once terrified Israel's spies. Fear you have carried for years can be overcome at last when you finally step forward in the strength God gives, however late it seems.
"And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher. "
"From there he went up against the people living in Debir, a town formerly called Kirjath-sepher."
Caleb does not stop at Hebron but presses on to Debir, formerly Kirjathsepher. One victory should not become a resting place when there is still more ground God is calling you to take with the strength He has already proven He gives.
"And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. "
"Caleb announced, 'Whoever attacks and captures Kirjath-sepher, I will give him my daughter Achsah as his wife.'"
Caleb offers his daughter's hand to whoever takes Kirjathsepher, turning a military campaign into a family blessing. God delights in weaving ordinary family joys and honour into the middle of life's biggest battles - do not let the fight crowd out the people you love.
"And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. "
"Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's nephew, captured the city, and Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah as his wife."
Othniel, Caleb's own nephew, answers the challenge and wins both the city and Achsah. Courage runs in families of faith - what you model for the younger ones watching you may become the very boldness that shapes their future.
"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? "
"When she arrived to be married, Achsah urged Othniel to ask her father for a field. As she got down from her donkey, Caleb asked her, 'What do you want?'"
Achsah does not stay silent about what she needs; she moves her husband to ask her father boldly for more. There is no shame in asking clearly and confidently for what would genuinely bless you - a loving father, whether earthly or heavenly, welcomes the request.
"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. "
"She answered, 'Do me a special favour. Since you've given me land in the dry south, give me springs of water too.' So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs."
Achsah asks not just for land but for springs of water in a dry southern country, and Caleb gives her both the upper and the lower springs - generously, above what was strictly needed. God, like Caleb, delights to give good gifts generously and abundantly to those who ask Him in faith.
"This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families. "
"This was the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, family by family."
This short summary line closes the border description and opens a longer list of cities - a reminder that a whole inheritance is made of both grand boundaries and countless small, named places. Every part of your life, however minor it seems, belongs within God's larger inheritance for you.
"And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur, "
"The southernmost towns of Judah's territory, towards the border of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder and Jagur."
The list of far southern towns towards Edom begins with unfamiliar names like Kabzeel and Jagur. God knows and records the names of remote, obscure places just as carefully as famous ones - no corner of your life is too small or forgotten to matter to Him.
"And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, "
"Also Kinah, Dimonah and Adadah."
Kinah, Dimonah and Adadah are named though little else is recorded of them. Being unremarkable in the world's eyes does not mean being unseen by God; He keeps a full and careful account of every place and person given to His people.
"And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, "
"Also Kedesh, Hazor and Ithnan."
Kedesh shares its name with a city of refuge elsewhere in Israel, a reminder that God's provision of safety and mercy runs throughout the land, not just in famous locations. Wherever you are, refuge in God is never far away.
"Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, "
"Also Ziph, Telem and Bealoth."
Ziph, Telem and Bealoth are simply named and moved past - no drama, no explanation. Much of faithful living is like this: quiet, steady, unglamorous obedience that God still notices and records even when no one else does.
"And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor, "
"Also Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor)."
Hazor appears again here alongside Kerioth and Hezron, showing how place names repeat and overlap across the land. Life's story is not always neat or unique to you alone - you often walk paths and bear names shared with others who went before.
"Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, "
"Also Amam, Shema and Moladah."
Amam, Shema and Moladah round out another trio of southern towns. God's inheritance is not one dramatic prize but many small, steady portions added up together - be faithful with each piece entrusted to you rather than waiting only for the big moment.
"And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet, "
"Also Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon and Beth-palet."
Hazargaddah, Heshmon and Bethpalet are further additions to Judah's far south. The sheer number of towns shows how generously God provided for this one tribe - His giving is never sparse or grudging but full and abundant.
"And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah, "
"Also Hazar-shual, Beersheba and Bizjothjah."
Beersheba appears here, the well where Abraham once made a covenant of peace (Genesis 21:31) and where Isaac later met the LORD. Places that hold deep memories of God's past faithfulness become inheritance again for a new generation - your history with God is never wasted.
"Baalah, and Iim, and Azem, "
"Also Baalah, Iim and Azem."
Baalah, Iim and Azem continue the list towards the coast. Even towns bearing echoes of foreign gods, like Baalah, are absorbed into the inheritance of the LORD's people - a picture of how God can reclaim and redeem what once served other purposes.
"And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, "
"Also Eltolad, Chesil and Hormah."
Eltolad, Chesil and Hormah close this section - Hormah meaning 'destruction', a name recalling an old defeat later turned to victory (Numbers 21:3). Places of past failure can become, in God's hands, sites of eventual triumph and secure possession.
"And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah, "
"Also Ziklag, Madmannah and Sansannah."
Ziklag appears in this list, the town later given to David by the Philistines and the site of his darkest personal loss and greatest recovery (1 Samuel 30). God plants significance into places long before you ever set foot in them or understand why they matter.
"And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages: "
"Also Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain and Rimmon - twenty-nine towns in all, together with their surrounding villages."
The list closes with a total: twenty-nine cities with their villages. God is a God of completeness and account - He does not lose track of what He has given, and neither should you take for granted the fullness of what you already possess.
"And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, "
"In the lowland foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah and Ashnah."
A new section begins, listing towns 'in the valley' - lowland country distinct from the southern wilderness. God's provision has many different landscapes within it; do not expect every season of blessing to look the same as the last.
"And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, "
"Also Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah and Enam."
Zanoah, Engannim, Tappuah and Enam are named among the valley towns. Fertile, lower ground often brings its own temptations towards comfort and self-sufficiency - stay as dependent on God in ease as you were in the wilderness.
"Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, "
"Also Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh and Azekah."
Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh and Azekah - Adullam being the very cave where David later gathered his band of distressed and discontented men (1 Samuel 22:1-2). God can turn a listed inheritance town into a refuge for the broken and overlooked.
"And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages: "
"Also Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah and Gederothaim - fourteen towns in all, with their villages."
Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah and Gederothaim close with a tally of fourteen cities. Every count and list in Scripture reminds us that God's blessings are specific and real, not vague sentiment - He gives actual, countable good into actual lives.
"Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, "
"Also Zenan, Hadashah and Migdal-gad."
Zenan, Hadashah and Migdalgad begin another cluster of towns. The steady rhythm of these lists reflects the steady, patient nature of God's faithfulness - He is not flashy in every gift, but He is thorough and complete.
"And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, "
"Also Dilean, Mizpeh and Joktheel."
Dilean, Mizpeh and Joktheel are added to the roll. Mizpeh means 'watchtower', a reminder that even amid long lists of ordinary towns, God is always watching over His people's boundaries and their safety.
"Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, "
"Also Lachish, Bozkath and Eglon."
Lachish, Bozkath and Eglon appear here - Lachish being a major fortified city that would later resist and eventually fall to Assyrian siege (2 Kings 18:14). What is given as inheritance still requires ongoing faithfulness to keep; blessing is not the end of the story but the beginning of stewardship.
"And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, "
"Also Cabbon, Lahmam and Kithlish."
Cabbon, Lahmam and Kithlish continue the roll of lowland towns. These names, obscure to us, were once someone's home, someone's daily life, someone's whole world - God's care extends to ordinary, everyday places just as much as to famous ones.
"And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages: "
"Also Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah and Makkedah - sixteen towns in all, with their villages."
Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah and Makkedah close with a total of sixteen cities. Bethdagon's name recalls the Philistine god Dagon, yet the town itself is claimed for Judah - a sign that God's people can walk confidently even among the remnants and reminders of other loyalties.
"Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan, "
"Also Libnah, Ether and Ashan."
Libnah, Ether and Ashan begin a further short list. Libnah would later be among the cities that resisted a rebellious king (2 Kings 8:22), a reminder that even small, listed towns carry their own future stories of courage.
"And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, "
"Also Jiphtah, Ashnah and Nezib."
Jiphtah, Ashnah and Nezib are recorded among the smaller towns of the lowlands. Their brevity in the text does not mean insignificance - every place, like every person, has its full story known completely to God even when Scripture only gives it a single word.
"And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages: "
"Also Keilah, Achzib and Mareshah - nine towns in all, with their villages."
Keilah, Achzib and Mareshah close this section with a total of nine cities - Keilah being the town David later delivered from Philistine raiders even at personal risk (1 Samuel 23:1-5). God plants future rescues and acts of courage into places long before you arrive to live them out.
"Ekron, with her towns and her villages: "
"Ekron, with the smaller towns and villages around it."
Ekron, with her towns and villages, is listed as belonging to Judah, though history shows it was not fully or immediately possessed (Judges 1:18-19). God's promises can be legally, truly yours even while their full enjoyment is still being worked out in practice - keep pressing towards what is already rightfully given.
"From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages: "
"From Ekron to the sea, everything near Ashdod, along with its villages."
The border stretches from Ekron to the sea, taking in all near Ashdod. God's promises reach right up to the edges of hostile, unfamiliar territory - He does not shrink your inheritance back to only the safe and comfortable parts.
"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: "
"Ashdod with its towns and villages, and Gaza with its towns and villages, all the way to the Brook of Egypt and the Mediterranean coastline."
Ashdod and Gaza, both major Philistine cities, are named as part of Judah's allotted portion, though not yet actually possessed. What God has promised you may still lie ahead of your present experience - do not confuse a delay in possession with a failure of the promise.
"And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh, "
"In the hill country: Shamir, Jattir and Socoh."
A new list begins with towns 'in the mountains' - Shamir, Jattir and Socoh. Different terrain within one inheritance reminds us that a whole life with God includes both the highlands and the lowlands, and He is present and provident in every kind of ground.
"And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir, "
"Also Dannah and Kirjath-sannah, that is, Debir."
Dannah and Kirjathsannah, also called Debir, appear again in this hill-country list - the very town Othniel won earlier in the chapter (15:15-17). Names recur throughout Scripture because God's story is woven together, not a set of disconnected events.
"And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, "
"Also Anab, Eshtemoh and Anim."
Anab, Eshtemoh and Anim continue the hill country roll - Anab being one of the towns from which Joshua earlier cut off the Anakim, the giants (Joshua 11:21). Fears that once seemed impossible to overcome can, in God's timing, become simply another settled name on a list of blessing.
"And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages: "
"Also Goshen, Holon and Giloh - eleven towns in all, with their villages."
Goshen, Holon and Giloh close this cluster with a total of eleven cities - Giloh being the hometown of Ahithophel, David's counsellor who later betrayed him (2 Samuel 15:12). Even towns with troubled future histories are still, in this moment, simply part of God's good gift to His people.
"Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, "
"Also Arab, Dumah and Eshean."
Arab, Dumah and Eshean begin another short mountain list. The repetition of listing after listing might feel tedious to read, but each one represents a real family's real home - patience with the details of Scripture mirrors patience with the details of real life.
"And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, "
"Also Janum, Beth-tappuah and Aphekah."
Janum, Bethtappuah and Aphekah continue the roll of hill towns. God's inheritance is thorough rather than showy - He does not skip the smaller towns to only record the impressive ones, and He does not skip the smaller parts of your life either.
"And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: "
"Also Humtah, Kirjath-arba - that is, Hebron - and Zior: nine towns in all, with their villages."
Humtah, Kirjatharba (that is, Hebron) and Zior close with nine cities - Hebron named again here even after being singled out earlier for Caleb (15:13). Some blessings are worth mentioning more than once; God does not mind repeating what matters most.
"Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, "
"Also Maon, Carmel, Ziph and Juttah."
Maon, Carmel, Ziph and Juttah appear together - this Ziph and Maon being the very wilderness where David later hid from Saul's pursuit (1 Samuel 23:24-25). God had already prepared the very ground where a future king would learn to trust Him under pressure.
"And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah, "
"Also Jezreel, Jokdeam and Zanoah."
Jezreel, Jokdeam and Zanoah continue the list - this southern Jezreel distinct from the famous northern valley of the same name. Do not assume every familiar name means a familiar story; God's world, like His word, holds more variety and nuance than first appears.
"Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages: "
"Also Cain, Gibeah and Timnah - ten towns in all, with their villages."
Cain, Gibeah and Timnah close this section with ten cities. However unfamiliar or forgettable these names feel to us now, they were once full of real people whom God knew, loved and provided a home for - just as He knows, loves and provides for you.
"Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor, "
"Also Halhul, Beth-zur and Gedor."
Halhul, Bethzur and Gedor are named - Bethzur later becoming a fortified town that helped defend Jerusalem's approaches in later history. What starts as a simple inheritance can grow, over generations, into something that protects and serves far more people than first imagined.
"And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages: "
"Also Maarath, Beth-anoth and Eltekon - six towns in all, with their villages."
Maarath, Bethanoth and Eltekon close with six cities. The steady accumulation of these lists across the whole chapter is itself a lesson: faithfulness is often built not from one grand act but from many small, recorded, unglamorous steps taken over time.
"Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages: "
"Kirjath-baal - that is, Kirjath-jearim - and Rabbah: two towns in all, with their villages."
Kirjathbaal, also called Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah close with two cities - this same Kirjathjearim mentioned earlier as a border point (15:9) and later home to the ark for twenty years. A name can appear briefly in a list and still be quietly carrying enormous significance for the future.
"In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah, "
"In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah."
The list turns to towns 'in the wilderness' - Betharabah, Middin and Secacah, the harshest terrain of all. God's inheritance reaches even into the wilderness; no barren season of your life is excluded from His provision and His plan for you.
"And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages. "
"Also Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi - six towns in all, with their villages."
Nibshan, the city of Salt, and Engedi close the chapter's city lists with six towns - Engedi being the lush oasis where David later hid in caves from Saul and where he spared his enemy's life (1 Samuel 24). Even the harshest wilderness holds hidden springs of mercy and unexpected grace, if you know where to look.
"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. "
"As for the Jebusites living in Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive them out. So the Jebusites still live there alongside the people of Judah to this day."
Judah could not drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem, so they lived alongside them - an honest, unflattering admission of incomplete conquest left right in the sacred text. Scripture does not hide our unfinished business or half-obedience; God's honesty about failure is itself an invitation to keep trusting Him for what is still undone in your own life.