15 1 The lot of the children of Judah, and the names of the cities and villages of the same. 13 Caleb’s portion. 18 The request of Achsah.

This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families: even (A)to the border of Edom and the wilderness of (B)Zin, Southward on the South coast.

And their South border was the salt Sea coast, from the [a]point that looketh Southward.

And it went out on the South side toward Maaleh Akrabbim, and went along to Zin, and ascended up on the South side unto Kadesh Barnea, and went along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and set a compass to Karkaa.

From thence went it along to Azmon, and reached unto the river of Egypt, and the end of that coast was on the West side: this shall be your South coast.

Also the East border shall be the salt Sea, unto the [b]end of Jordan: and the border on the North quarter from the point of the Sea, and from the end of Jordan.

And this border goeth up to Beth Hoglah, and goeth along by the North side of Beth Arabah: so the border from thence goeth up to the [c]stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.

Again this border goeth up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and Northward, turning toward Gilgal, that lieth before the going unto Adummim, which is on the South side of the river: also this border goeth up to the waters of [d]En Shemesh, and endeth at (C)En Rogel.

Then this border goeth up to the valley of the son of Hinnom; on the South side of the Jebusites: the same is Jerusalem. Also this border goeth up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom Westward, which is by the end of the valley of [e]giants Northward.

So this border compasseth from the top of the mountain unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and goeth out to the cities of mount Ephron: and this border draweth to Baalah which is [f]Kirjath Jearim.

10 Then this border compasseth from Baalah Westward unto mount Seir, and goeth along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon on the North side: it cometh down to Beth Shemesh, and goeth to Timnah.

11 Also this border goeth out unto the side of Ekron Northward: and this border draweth to Shicron, and goeth along to mount Baalah, and stretcheth unto Jabneel: and the ends of this coast are unto the [g]Sea.

12 And the West border is to the great sea: so this border shall be the bounds of the children of Judah round about, according to their families.

13 ¶ And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh did Joshua give a part among the children of Judah, as the Lord commanded him, even (D)Kirjath Arba of the father of Anak which is in Hebron.

14 And Caleb [h]drove thence three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the sons of Anak.

15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir beforetime was Kirjath Sepher.

16 Then Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath Sepher, and taketh it, even to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the [i]brother of Caleb took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

18 And as she went in to him, she moved him, to ask of her father a field: [j]and she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?

19 Then she answered, [k]Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me the South country: [l]give me also springs of water. And he gave her the springs above, and the springs beneath.

20 This shall be the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

21 And the utmost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah, toward the coasts of Edom Southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, Hezron (which is Hazor.)

26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

27 And Hazar, Gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth Pelet,

28 And Hazar Shual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

29 Baalah, and Ijim, and Ezem,

30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and [m]Hormah,

31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all these cities are twenty-nine with their villages.

33 ¶ In the low country were Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah.

34 And Zanoah, and En Gannim, Tappuah, and Enam,

35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.

37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal Gad,

38 And Dilean, and Mizpah, and Joktheel,

39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

40 And Cabbon, and Lahmas, and Kithlish,

41 And Gederoth, Beth Dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah: sixteen cities with their villages.

42 Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,

43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah: nine cities with their villages.

45 Ekron with her [n]towns and her villages,

46 From Ekron, even unto the Sea, all that lieth about Ashdod with their villages.

47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages: Gaza with her towns and her villages unto the [o]river of Egypt, and the great Sea was their coast.

48 ¶ And in the mountains were Shamir, and Jattir, and Sochoh,

49 And Dannah, and [p]Kirjath Sannah (which is Debir.)

50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,

51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.

52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,

53 And Janum, and Beth Tappuah, and Aphekah,

54 And Humtah, and (E)Kirjath Arba, (which is Hebron) and Zior: nine cities with their villages,

55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,

57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth Zur, and Gedor,

59 And Maarath, and Beth Anoth, and Eltekon: six cities with their villages.

60 ¶ Kirjath Baal, which is Kirjath Jearim, and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.

61 In the wilderness were Beth Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

62 And Nibshan, and the [q]city of salt, and En Gedi: five cities with their villages.

63 Nevertheless, the Jebusites that were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, could not the children of Judah cast [r]out, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 15:2 The Hebrew word signifieth tongue, whereby is meant either the arm of the Sea that cometh into the land, or a rock, or cape that goeth into the Sea.
  2. Joshua 15:5 Meaning the mouth of the river where it runneth into the salt Sea.
  3. Joshua 15:6 Which was a mark to part their countries.
  4. Joshua 15:7 Or, the fountain of the sun.
  5. Joshua 15:8 Hebrew, Rephaim.
  6. Joshua 15:9 Or, the city of wood.
  7. Joshua 15:11 Meaning, toward Syria.
  8. Joshua 15:14 This was done after the death of Joshua, Judg. 1:10, 20.
  9. Joshua 15:17 Or, cousins.
  10. Joshua 15:18 Because her husband tarried too long.
  11. Joshua 15:19 Or, grant me this petition.
  12. Joshua 15:19 Because her country was barren, she desired of her father a field that had springs, Judg. 1:14, 15.
  13. Joshua 15:30 Which before was called Zephath, Judg. 1:17.
  14. Joshua 15:45 Hebrew, daughters.
  15. Joshua 15:47 Meaning, Nilus, as Josh. 13:3.
  16. Joshua 15:49 Which is also called Kirjath Sepher, verse 15.
  17. Joshua 15:62 Of this city the salt sea hath his name.
  18. Joshua 15:63 That is, utterly, though they slew the most part, and burnt their city, Judg. 1:8.

Allotment for Judah(A)

15 The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom,(B) to the Desert of Zin(C) in the extreme south.(D)

Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Dead Sea,(E) crossed south of Scorpion Pass,(F) continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea.(G) Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka. It then passed along to Azmon(H) and joined the Wadi of Egypt,(I) ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This is their[a] southern boundary.

The eastern boundary(J) is the Dead Sea(K) as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

The northern boundary(L) started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, went up to Beth Hoglah(M) and continued north of Beth Arabah(N) to the Stone of Bohan(O) son of Reuben. The boundary then went up to Debir(P) from the Valley of Achor(Q) and turned north to Gilgal,(R) which faces the Pass of Adummim south of the gorge. It continued along to the waters of En Shemesh(S) and came out at En Rogel.(T) Then it ran up the Valley of Ben Hinnom(U) along the southern slope of the Jebusite(V) city (that is, Jerusalem(W)). From there it climbed to the top of the hill west of the Hinnom Valley(X) at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.(Y) From the hilltop the boundary headed toward the spring of the waters of Nephtoah,(Z) came out at the towns of Mount Ephron and went down toward Baalah(AA) (that is, Kiriath Jearim).(AB) 10 Then it curved westward from Baalah(AC) to Mount Seir,(AD) ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Kesalon), continued down to Beth Shemesh(AE) and crossed to Timnah.(AF) 11 It went to the northern slope of Ekron,(AG) turned toward Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah(AH) and reached Jabneel.(AI) The boundary ended at the sea.

12 The western boundary is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.(AJ)

These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans.

13 In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb(AK) son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba(AL), that is, Hebron.(AM) (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)(AN) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites(AO)—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai,(AP) the sons of Anak.(AQ) 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah(AR) in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” 17 Othniel(AS) son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

18 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him[b] to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”

19 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev,(AT) give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.(AU)

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

21 The southernmost towns of the tribe of Judah in the Negev(AV) toward the boundary of Edom were:

Kabzeel,(AW) Eder,(AX) Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh,(AY) Hazor,(AZ) Ithnan, 24 Ziph,(BA) Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor),(BB) 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah,(BC) 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual,(BD) Beersheba,(BE) Biziothiah, 29 Baalah,(BF) Iyim, Ezem,(BG) 30 Eltolad,(BH) Kesil, Hormah,(BI) 31 Ziklag,(BJ) Madmannah,(BK) Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain(BL) and Rimmon(BM)—a total of twenty-nine towns and their villages.

33 In the western foothills:

Eshtaol,(BN) Zorah,(BO) Ashnah,(BP) 34 Zanoah,(BQ) En Gannim,(BR) Tappuah,(BS) Enam, 35 Jarmuth,(BT) Adullam,(BU) Sokoh,(BV) Azekah,(BW) 36 Shaaraim,(BX) Adithaim and Gederah(BY) (or Gederothaim)[c]—fourteen towns and their villages.

37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpah,(BZ) Joktheel,(CA) 39 Lachish,(CB) Bozkath,(CC) Eglon,(CD) 40 Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, 41 Gederoth,(CE) Beth Dagon,(CF) Naamah and Makkedah(CG)—sixteen towns and their villages.

42 Libnah,(CH) Ether, Ashan,(CI) 43 Iphtah, Ashnah,(CJ) Nezib, 44 Keilah,(CK) Akzib(CL) and Mareshah(CM)—nine towns and their villages.

45 Ekron,(CN) with its surrounding settlements and villages; 46 west of Ekron, all that were in the vicinity of Ashdod,(CO) together with their villages; 47 Ashdod,(CP) its surrounding settlements and villages; and Gaza, its settlements and villages, as far as the Wadi of Egypt(CQ) and the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.(CR)

48 In the hill country:

Shamir,(CS) Jattir,(CT) Sokoh,(CU) 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir(CV)), 50 Anab,(CW) Eshtemoh,(CX) Anim, 51 Goshen,(CY) Holon(CZ) and Giloh(DA)—eleven towns and their villages.

52 Arab, Dumah,(DB) Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba(DC) (that is, Hebron) and Zior—nine towns and their villages.

55 Maon,(DD) Carmel,(DE) Ziph,(DF) Juttah,(DG) 56 Jezreel,(DH) Jokdeam, Zanoah,(DI) 57 Kain, Gibeah(DJ) and Timnah(DK)—ten towns and their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth Zur,(DL) Gedor,(DM) 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth and Eltekon—six towns and their villages.[d]

60 Kiriath Baal(DN) (that is, Kiriath Jearim(DO)) and Rabbah(DP)—two towns and their villages.

61 In the wilderness:(DQ)

Beth Arabah,(DR) Middin, Sekakah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt and En Gedi(DS)—six towns and their villages.

63 Judah could not(DT) dislodge the Jebusites(DU), who were living in Jerusalem;(DV) to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.(DW)

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 15:4 Septuagint; Hebrew your
  2. Joshua 15:18 Hebrew and some Septuagint manuscripts; other Septuagint manuscripts (see also note at Judges 1:14) Othniel, he urged her
  3. Joshua 15:36 Or Gederah and Gederothaim
  4. Joshua 15:59 The Septuagint adds another district of eleven towns, including Tekoa and Ephrathah (Bethlehem).

¶ And the Lord said unto Joshua, [a]Fear them not: for I have given them into thine hand: none of them shall stand against thee.

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Footnotes

  1. Joshua 10:8 Lest Joshua should have thought that God had sent this great power against him for his unlawful league with the Gibeonites, the Lord here strengtheneth him.

The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid(A) of them; I have given them into your hand.(B) Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”(C)

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25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be faint hearted, but be strong and of a good courage: for thus will the Lord do to all your enemies, against whom ye fight.

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25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.(A) This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

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