Start reading at Joshua 15:20 (Joshua 15:20 to Joshua 15:63).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
15:20This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
15:21And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
15:22And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
15:23And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
15:24Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
15:25And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,
15:26Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
15:27And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
15:28And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
15:29Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
15:30And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
15:31And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
15:32And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
15:33And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
15:34And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
15:35Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
15:36And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
15:37Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
15:38And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
15:39Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
15:40And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
15:41And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
15:42Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
15:43And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
15:44And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
15:45Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
15:46From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:
15:47Ashdod 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:
15:48And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
15:49And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
15:50And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
15:51And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:
15:52Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
15:53And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
15:54And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
15:55Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
15:56And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
15:57Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
15:58Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
15:59And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
15:60Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
15:61In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
15:62And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
15:63As 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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Who
Who wrote the book? Joshua is the traditional principal author, and Joshua 24:26 credits him with writing covenant words. The closing record of his death and later events means the completed account includes a later contribution. Biblical references: Joshua 24:26; Joshua 24:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joshua 13:1–21:45): Joshua, Eleazar, tribal representatives, and the clans of Israel are involved in the distribution of land and cities. The territorial descriptions concern the named tribes and families. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel living in the land and later generations learning how the land was allotted and why covenant faithfulness mattered. No individual first recipient is known. Biblical references: Joshua 4:6; Joshua 4:21; Joshua 24:24. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Cities of Judah. Read Joshua 15:20 through Joshua 15:63 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account follows Moses' death and proceeds through the entry, campaigns, allotments, and Joshua's final covenant addresses. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The people cross from east of Jordan into Canaan. Campaign locations, tribal boundaries, and cities are distinct settings within that broader movement. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Cities of Judah (Joshua 15:20 to Joshua 15:63).
Start reading at Joshua 15:20. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews 4 distinguishes the rest associated with Joshua from the rest still discussed in its exhortation. In the KJV of Hebrews 4:8, the name Jesus refers in context to Joshua. See Joshua 1:1, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Take the repeated calls to faithfulness and obedience seriously. Historical warfare commands to Israel should not be converted into permission for a reader's private violence. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joshua 15
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joshua
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book.
Connection to the wholeThe campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.