Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Joshua » Chapter 15

Joshua 15:1-63 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 This then was the lot H1486 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 by their families; H4940 even to the border H1366 of Edom H123 the wilderness H4057 of Zin H6790 southward H5045 was the uttermost part H7097 of the south coast. H8486

2 And their south H5045 border H1366 was from the shore H7097 of the salt H4417 sea, H3220 from the bay H3956 that looketh H6437 southward: H5045

3 And it went out H3318 to the south side H5045 to Maalehacrabbim, H4610 and passed H5674 along to Zin, H6790 and ascended up H5927 on the south side H5045 unto Kadeshbarnea, H6947 and passed H5674 along to Hezron, H2696 and went up H5927 to Adar, H146 and fetched a compass H5437 to Karkaa: H7173

4 From thence it passed H5674 toward Azmon, H6111 and went out H3318 unto the river H5158 of Egypt; H4714 and the goings out H8444 of that coast H1366 were at the sea: H3220 this shall be your south H5045 coast. H1366

5 And the east H6924 border H1366 was the salt H4417 sea, H3220 even unto the end H7097 of Jordan. H3383 And their border H1366 in the north H6828 quarter H6285 was from the bay H3956 of the sea H3220 at the uttermost part H7097 of Jordan: H3383

6 And the border H1366 went up H5927 to Bethhogla, H1031 and passed H5674 along by the north H6828 of Betharabah; H1026 and the border H1366 went up H5927 to the stone H68 of Bohan H932 the son H1121 of Reuben: H7205

7 And the border H1366 went up H5927 toward Debir H1688 from the valley H6010 of Achor, H5911 and so northward, H6828 looking H6437 toward Gilgal, H1537 that is before H5227 the going up H4608 to Adummim, H131 which is on the south side H5045 of the river: H5158 and the border H1366 passed H5674 toward the waters H4325 of Enshemesh, H5885 and the goings out H8444 thereof were at Enrogel: H5883

8 And the border H1366 went up H5927 by the valley H1516 of the son H1121 of Hinnom H2011 unto the south H5045 side H3802 of the Jebusite; H2983 the same is Jerusalem: H3389 and the border H1366 went up H5927 to the top H7218 of the mountain H2022 that lieth before H6440 the valley H1516 of Hinnom H2011 westward, H3220 which is at the end H7097 of the valley H6010 of the giants H7497 northward: H6828

9 And the border H1366 was drawn H8388 from the top H7218 of the hill H2022 unto the fountain H4599 of the water H4325 of Nephtoah, H5318 and went out H3318 to the cities H5892 of mount H2022 Ephron; H6085 and the border H1366 was drawn H8388 to Baalah, H1173 which is Kirjathjearim: H7157

10 And the border H1366 compassed H5437 from Baalah H1173 westward H3220 unto mount H2022 Seir, H8165 and passed H5674 along unto the side H3802 of mount H2022 Jearim, H3297 which is Chesalon, H3693 on the north side, H6828 and went down H3381 to Bethshemesh, H1053 and passed on H5674 to Timnah: H8553

11 And the border H1366 went out H3318 unto the side H3802 of Ekron H6138 northward: H6828 and the border H1366 was drawn H8388 to Shicron, H7942 and passed along H5674 to mount H2022 Baalah, H1173 and went out H3318 unto Jabneel; H2995 and the goings out H8444 of the border H1366 were at the sea. H3220

12 And the west H3220 border H1366 was to the great H1419 sea, H3220 and the coast H1366 thereof. This is the coast H1366 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 round about H5439 according to their families. H4940

13 And unto Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh H3312 he gave H5414 a part H2506 among H8432 the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 according H413 to the commandment H6310 of the LORD H3068 to Joshua, H3091 even the city H7151 of Arba H704 H7153 the father H1 of Anak, H6061 which city is Hebron. H2275

14 And Caleb H3612 drove H3423 thence the three H7969 sons H1121 of Anak, H6061 Sheshai, H8344 and Ahiman, H289 and Talmai, H8526 the children H3211 of Anak. H6061

15 And he went up H5927 thence to the inhabitants H3427 of Debir: H1688 and the name H8034 of Debir H1688 before H6440 was Kirjathsepher. H7158

16 And Caleb H3612 said, H559 He that smiteth H5221 Kirjathsepher, H7158 and taketh H3920 it, to him will I give H5414 Achsah H5915 my daughter H1323 to wife. H802

17 And Othniel H6274 the son H1121 of Kenaz, H7073 the brother H251 of Caleb, H3612 took H3920 it: and he gave H5414 him Achsah H5915 his daughter H1323 to wife. H802

18 And it came to pass, as she came H935 unto him, that she moved H5496 him to ask H7592 of her father H1 a field: H7704 and she lighted off H6795 her ass; H2543 and Caleb H3612 said H559 unto her, What wouldest thou?

19 Who answered, H559 Give H5414 me a blessing; H1293 for thou hast given H5414 me a south H5045 land; H776 give H5414 me also springs H1543 of water. H4325 And he gave H5414 her the upper H5942 springs, H1543 and the nether H8482 springs. H1543

20 This is the inheritance H5159 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 according to their families. H4940

21 And the uttermost H7097 cities H5892 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 toward the coast H1366 of Edom H123 southward H5045 were Kabzeel, H6909 and Eder, H5740 and Jagur, H3017

22 And Kinah, H7016 and Dimonah, H1776 and Adadah, H5735

23 And Kedesh, H6943 and Hazor, H2674 and Ithnan, H3497

24 Ziph, H2128 and Telem, H2928 and Bealoth, H1175

25 And Hazor, H2674 Hadattah, H2675 and Kerioth, H7152 and Hezron, H2696 which is Hazor, H2674

26 Amam, H538 and Shema, H8090 and Moladah, H4137

27 And Hazargaddah, H2693 and Heshmon, H2829 and Bethpalet, H1046

28 And Hazarshual, H2705 and Beersheba, H884 and Bizjothjah, H964

29 Baalah, H1173 and Iim, H5864 and Azem, H6107

30 And Eltolad, H513 and Chesil, H3686 and Hormah, H2767

31 And Ziklag, H6860 and Madmannah, H4089 and Sansannah, H5578

32 And Lebaoth, H3822 and Shilhim, H7978 and Ain, H5871 and Rimmon: H7417 all the cities H5892 are twenty H6242 and nine, H8672 with their villages: H2691

33 And in the valley, H8219 Eshtaol, H847 and Zoreah, H6881 and Ashnah, H823

34 And Zanoah, H2182 and Engannim, H5873 Tappuah, H8599 and Enam, H5879

35 Jarmuth, H3412 and Adullam, H5725 Socoh, H7755 and Azekah, H5825

36 And Sharaim, H8189 and Adithaim, H5723 and Gederah, H1449 and Gederothaim; H1453 fourteen H702 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

37 Zenan, H6799 and Hadashah, H2322 and Migdalgad, H4028

38 And Dilean, H1810 and Mizpeh, H4708 and Joktheel, H3371

39 Lachish, H3923 and Bozkath, H1218 and Eglon, H5700

40 And Cabbon, H3522 and Lahmam, H3903 and Kithlish, H3798

41 And Gederoth, H1450 Bethdagon, H1016 and Naamah, H5279 and Makkedah; H4719 sixteen H8337 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

42 Libnah, H3841 and Ether, H6281 and Ashan, H6228

43 And Jiphtah, H3316 and Ashnah, H823 and Nezib, H5334

44 And Keilah, H7084 and Achzib, H392 and Mareshah; H4762 nine H8672 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

45 Ekron, H6138 with her towns H1323 and her villages: H2691

46 From Ekron H6138 even unto the sea, H3220 all that lay near H3027 Ashdod, H795 with their villages: H2691

47 Ashdod H795 with her towns H1323 and her villages, H2691 Gaza H5804 with her towns H1323 and her villages, H2691 unto the river H5158 of Egypt, H4714 and the great H1419 H1366 sea, H3220 and the border H1366 thereof:

48 And in the mountains, H2022 Shamir, H8069 and Jattir, H3492 and Socoh, H7755

49 And Dannah, H1837 and Kirjathsannah, H7158 which is Debir, H1688

50 And Anab, H6024 and Eshtemoh, H851 and Anim, H6044

51 And Goshen, H1657 and Holon, H2473 and Giloh; H1542 eleven H259 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

52 Arab, H694 and Dumah, H1746 and Eshean, H824

53 And Janum, H3241 and Bethtappuah, H1054 and Aphekah, H664

54 And Humtah, H2547 and Kirjatharba, H7153 which is Hebron, H2275 and Zior; H6730 nine H8672 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

55 Maon, H4584 Carmel, H3760 and Ziph, H2128 and Juttah, H3194

56 And Jezreel, H3157 and Jokdeam, H3347 and Zanoah, H2182

57 Cain, H7014 Gibeah, H1390 and Timnah; H8553 ten H6235 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

58 Halhul, H2478 Bethzur, H1049 and Gedor, H1446

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

60 Kirjathbaal, H7154 which is Kirjathjearim, H7157 and Rabbah; H7237 two H8147 cities H5892 with their villages: H2691

61 In the wilderness, H4057 Betharabah, H1026 Middin, H4081 and Secacah, H5527

62 And Nibshan, H5044 and the city of Salt, H5898 and Engedi; H5872 six H8337 cities H5892 with their villages. H2691

63 As for the Jebusites H2983 the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem, H3389 the children H1121 of Judah H3063 could H3201 H3201 not drive them out: H3423 but the Jebusites H2983 dwell H3427 with the children H1121 of Judah H3063 at Jerusalem H3389 unto this day. H3117

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Joshua 15

Commentary on Joshua 15 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 15

Though the land was not completely conquered, yet being (as was said in the close of the foregoing chapter) as rest from war for the present, and their armies all drawn out of the field to a general rendezvous at Gilgal, there they began to divide the land, though the work was afterwards perfected at Shiloh, ch. 18:1, etc. In this chapter we have the lot of the tribe of Judah, which in this, as in other things, had the precedency.

  • I. The borders or bounds of the inheritance of Judah (v. 1-12).
  • II. The particular assignment of Hebron and the country thereabout to Caleb and his family (v. 13-19).
  • III. The names of the several cities that fell within Judah's lot (v. 20-63).

Jos 15:1-12

Judah and Joseph were the two sons of Jacob on whom Reuben's forfeited birth-right devolved. Judah had the dominion entailed on him, and Joseph the double portion, and therefore these two tribes were first seated, Judah in the southern part of the land of Canaan and Joseph in the northern part, and on them the other seven did attend, and had their respective lots as appurtenances to these two; the lots of Benjamin, Simeon, and Dan, were appendant to Judah, and those of Issachar and Zebulun, Naphtali and Asher, to Joseph. These two were first set up to be provided for, it should seem, before there was such an exact survey of the land as we find afterwards, ch. 18:9. It is probable that the most considerable parts of the northern and southern countries, and those that lay nearest to Gilgal, and which the people were best acquainted with, were first put into two portions, and the lot was cast upon them between these two principal tribes, of the one of which Joshua was, and of the other Caleb, who was the first commissioner in this writ of partition; and, by the decision of that lot, the southern country, of which we have an account in this chapter, fell to Judah, and the northern, of which we have an account in the two following chapters, to Joseph. And when this was done there was a more equal dividend (either in quantity or quality) of the remainder among the seven tribes. And this, probably, was intended in that general rule which was given concerning this partition (Num. 33:54), to the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less, and every man's inheritance shall be where his lot falleth; that is, "You shall appoint two greater portions which shall be determined by lot to those more numerous tribes of Judah and Joseph, and then the rest shall be less portions to be allotted to the less numerous tribes.' The former was done in Gilgal, the latter in Shiloh.

In these verses, we have the borders of the lot of Judah, which, as the rest, is said to be by their families, that is, with an eye to the number of their families. And it intimates that Joshua and Eleazar, and the rest of the commissioners, when they had by lot given each tribe its portion, did afterwards (it is probable by lot likewise) subdivide those larger portions, and assign to each family its inheritance, and then to each household, which would be better done by this supreme authority, and be apt to give less disgust than if it had been left to the inferior magistrates of each tribe to make that distribution. The borders of this tribe are here largely fixed, yet not unalterably, for a good deal of that which lies within these bounds was afterwards assigned to the lots of Simeon and Dan.

  • 1. The eastern border was all, and only, the Salt Sea, v. 5. Every sea is salt, but this was of an extraordinary and more than natural saltness, the effects of that fire and brimstone with which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in Abraham's time, whose ruins lie buried in the bottom of this dead water, which never either was moved itself or had any living thing in it.
  • 2. The southern border was that of the land of Canaan in general, as will appear by comparing v. 1-4 with Num. 34:3-5. So that this powerful and warlike tribe of Judah guarded the frontiers of the whole land, on that side which lay towards their old sworn enemies (though their two fathers were twin-brethren), the Edomites. Our Lord therefore, who sprang out of Judah, and whose the kingdom is, shall judge the mount of Esau, Obad. 21.
  • 3. The northern border divided it from the lot of Benjamin. In this, mention is made of the stone of Bohan a Reubenite (v. 6), who probably was a great commander of those forces of Reuben that came over Jordan, and died in the camp at Gilgal, and was buried not far off under this stone. The valley of Achor likewise lies upon this border (v. 7), to remind the men of Judah of the trouble which Achan, one of their tribe, gave to the congregation of Israel, that they might not be too much lifted up with their services. This northern line touched closely upon Jerusalem (v. 8), so closely as to include in the lot of this tribe Mount Zion and Mount Moriah, though the greater part of the city lay in the lot of Benjamin.
  • 4. The west border went near to the great sea at first (v. 12), but afterwards the lot of the tribe of Dan took off a good part of Judah's lot on that side; for the lot was only to determine between Judah and Joseph, which should have the north and which the south, and not immovably to fix the border of either. Judah's inheritance had its boundaries determined. Though it was a powerful warlike tribe, and had a great interest in the other tribes, yet they must not therefore be left to their own choice, to enlarge their possessions at pleasure, but must live so as that their neighbours might live by them. Those that are placed high yet must not think to be placed alone in the midst of the earth.

Jos 15:13-19

The historian seems pleased with every occasion to make mention of Caleb and to do him honour, because he had honoured God in following him fully. Observe,

  • I. The grant Joshua made him of the mountain of Hebron for his inheritance is here repeated (v. 13), and it is said to be given him.
    • 1. According to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua. Though Caleb, in his petition, had made out a very good title to it by promise, yet, because God had ordered Joshua to divide the land by lot, he would not in this one single instance, no, not to gratify his old friend Caleb, do otherwise, without orders from God, whose oracle, it is probable, he consulted upon this occasion. In every doubtful case it is very desirable to know the mind of God, and to see the way of our duty plain.
    • 2. It is said to be a part among the children of Judah; though it was assigned him before the lot of that tribe came up, yet it proved, God so directing the lot, to be in the heart of that tribe, which was graciously ordered in kindness to him, that he might not be as one separated from his brethren and surrounded by those of other tribes.
  • II. Caleb having obtained this grant, we are told,
    • 1. How he signalized his own valour in the conquest of Hebron (v. 14): He drove thence the three sons of Anak, he and those that he engaged to assist him in this service. This is mentioned here to show that the confidence he had expressed of success in this affair, through the presence of God with him (ch. 14:12), did not deceive him, but the event answered his expectation. It is not said that he slew these giants, but he drove them thence, which intimates that they retired upon his approach and fled before him; the strength and stature of their bodies could not keep up the courage of their minds, but with the countenances of lions they had the hearts of trembling hares. Thus does God often cut off the spirit of princes (Ps. 76:12), take away the heart of the chief of the people (Job 12:24), and so shame the confidence of the proud; and thus if we resist the devil, that roaring lion, though he fall not, yet he will flee.
    • 2. How he encouraged the valour of those about him in the conquest of Debir, v. 15, etc. It seems, though Joshua had once made himself master of Debir (ch. 10:39), yet the Canaanites had regained the possession in the absence of the army, so that the work had to be done a second time; and when Caleb had completed the reduction of Hebron, which was for himself and his own family, to show his zeal for the public good, as much as for his own private interest, he pushes on his conquest to Debir, and will not lay down his arms till he sees that city also effectually reduced, which lay but ten miles southward from Hebron, though he had not any particular concern in it, but the reducing of it would be to the general advantage of his tribe. Let us learn hence not to seek and mind our own things only, but to concern and engage ourselves for the welfare of the community we are members of; we are not born for ourselves, nor must we live to ourselves.
      • (1.) Notice is taken of the name of this city. It had been called Kirjath-sepher, the city of a book, and Kirjath-sannah (v. 49), which some translate the city of learning (so the Septuagint Polis grammatoµn), whence some conjecture that it had been a university among the Canaanites, like Athens in Greece, in which their youth were educated; or perhaps the books of their chronicles or records, or the antiquities of the nation, were laid up there; and, it may be, this was it that made Caleb so desirous to see Israel master of this city, that they might get acquainted with the ancient learning of the Canaanites.
      • (2.) The proffer that Caleb made of his daughter, and a good portion with her, to any one that would undertake to reduce that city, and to command the forces that should be employed in that service, v. 16. Thus Saul promised a daughter to him that would kill Goliath (1 Sa. 17:25), neither of them intending to force his daughter to marry such as she could not love, but both of them presuming upon their daughters' obedience, and submission to their fathers' will, though it might be contrary to their own humour or inclination. Caleb's family was not long honourable and wealthy, but religious; he that himself followed the Lord fully no doubt taught his children to do so, and therefore it could not but be a desirable match to any young gentleman. Caleb, in making the proposal, aims,
        • [1.] To do service to his country by the reducing of that important place; and,
        • [2.] To marry a daughter well, to a man of learning, that would have a particular affection for the city of books, and a man of war, that would be likely to serve his country, and do worthily in his generation. Could he but marry his child to a man of such a character, he would think her well bestowed, whether the share in the lot of his tribe were more or less.
      • (3.) The place was bravely taken by Othniel, a nephew of Caleb, whom probably Caleb had thoughts of when he made the proffer, v. 17. This Othniel, who thus signalized himself when he was young, had long after, in his advanced years, the honour to be both a deliverer and a judge in Israel, the first single person that presided in their affairs after Joshua's death. It is good for those who are setting out in the world to begin betimes with that which is great and good, that, excelling in service when they are young, they may excel in honour when they grow old.
      • (4.) Hereupon (all parties being agreed) Othniel married his cousin-german Achsah, Caleb's daughter. It is probable that he had a kindness for her before, which put him upon this bold undertaking to obtain her. Love to his country, an ambition of honour, and a desire to find favour with the princes of his people, might not have engaged him in this great action, but his affection for Achsah did. This made it intolerable to him to think that any one should do more to win her favour than he would, and so inspired him with this generous fire. Thus is love strong as death, and jealousy cruel as the grave.
      • (5.) Because the historian is now upon the dividing of the land, he gives us an account of Achsah's portion, which was in land, as more valuable because enjoyed by virtue of the divine promise, though we may suppose the conquerors of Canaan, who had had the spoil of so many rich cities, were full of money too.
        • [1.] Some land she obtained by Caleb's free grant, which was allowed while she married within her own tribe and family, as Zelophehad's daughters did. He gave her a south land, v. 19. Land indeed, but a south land, dry, and apt to be parched.
        • [2.] She obtained more upon her request; she would have had her husband to ask for a field, probably some particular field, or champaign ground, which belonged to Caleb's lot, and joined to that south land which he had settled upon his daughter at marriage. She thought her husband had the best interest in her father, who, no doubt, was extremely pleased with his late glorious achievement, but he thought it was more proper for her to ask, and she would be more likely to prevail; accordingly she did, submitting to her husband's judgment, though contrary to her own; and she managed the undertaking with great address.
          • First, She took the opportunity when her father brought her home to the house of her husband, when the satisfaction of having disposed of his daughter so well would make him think nothing too much to do for her.
          • Secondly, She lighted off her ass, in token of respect and reverence to her father, whom she would honour still, as much as before her marriage. She cried or sighed from off her ass, so the Septuagint and the vulgar Latin read it; she expressed some grief and concern, that she might give her father occasion to ask her what she wanted.
          • Thirdly, She calls it a blessing, because it would add much to the comfort of her settlement; and she was sure that, since she married not only with her father's consent, but in obedience to his command, he would not deny her his blessing.
          • Fourthly, She asks only for the water, without which the ground she had would be of little use either for tillage or pasture, but she means the field in which the springs of water were. The modesty and reasonableness of her quest gave it a great advantage. Earth without water would be like a tree without sap, or the body of an animal without blood; therefore, when God gathered the waters into one place, he wisely and graciously left some in every place, that the earth might be enriched for the service of man. See Ps. 104:10, etc. Well, Achsah gained her point; her father gave her what she asked, and perhaps more, for he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs, two fields so called from the springs that were in them, as we commonly distinguish between the higher field and the lower field. Those who understand it but of one field, watered both with the rain of heaven and the springs that issued out of the bowels of the earth, give countenance to the allusion we commonly make to this, when we pray for spiritual and heavenly blessings which relate to our souls as blessings of the upper springs, and those which relate to the body and the life that now is as blessings of the nether springs.

From this story we learn,

  • 1. That it is no breach of the tenth commandment moderately to desire those comforts and conveniences of this life which we see attainable in a fair and regular way.
  • 2. That husbands and wives should mutually advise, and jointly agree, about that which is for the common good of their family; and much more should they concur in asking of their heavenly Father the best blessings, those of the upper springs.
  • 3. That parents must never think that lost which is bestowed upon their children for their real advantage, but must be free in giving them portions as well as maintenance, especially when they are dutiful. Caleb had sons (1 Chr. 4:15), and yet gave thus liberally to his daughter. Those parents forget themselves and their relation who grudge their children what is convenient for them when they can conveniently part with it.

Jos 15:20-63

We have here a list of the several cities that fell within the lot of the tribe of Judah, which are mentioned by name, that they might know their own, and both keep it and keep to it, and might neither through cowardice nor sloth lose the possession of what was their own.

  • I. The cities are here named, and numbered in several classes, which they then could account for the reason of better than we can now. Here are,
    • 1. Some that are said to be the uttermost cities towards the coast of Edom, v. 21-32. Here are thirty-eight named, and yet said to be twenty-nine (v. 32), because nine of these were afterwards transferred to the lot of Simeon, and are reckoned as belonging to that, as appears by comparing ch. 19:2, etc.; therefore those only are counted (though the rest are named) which remained to Judah.
    • 2. Others that are said to be in the valley (v. 33) are counted to be fourteen, yet fifteen are named; but it is probable that Gederah and Gederathaim were either two names or two parts of one and the same city.
    • 3. Then sixteen are named without any head of distinction, v. 37-41, and nine more, v. 42-44.
    • 4. Then the three Philistine-cities, Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza, v. 45-47.