
Text -- Joshua 15:10-63 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Not that of Edom, but another so called from some resemblance it had to it.

Wesley: Jos 15:13 - -- Or, Kirjath - arba. Not the city, which was the Levites, but the territory of it, Jos 21:13.
Or, Kirjath - arba. Not the city, which was the Levites, but the territory of it, Jos 21:13.

Wesley: Jos 15:14 - -- That is, from the said territory, from their caves and forts in it. These giants having either recovered their cities, or defended themselves in the m...
That is, from the said territory, from their caves and forts in it. These giants having either recovered their cities, or defended themselves in the mountains.

Wesley: Jos 15:14 - -- Either the same who are mentioned, Num 13:33, and so they were long - lived men, such as mainly were in those times and places: or their sons, called ...
Either the same who are mentioned, Num 13:33, and so they were long - lived men, such as mainly were in those times and places: or their sons, called by their father's names, which is very usual.

Wesley: Jos 15:15 - -- sepher - This clause seems to be added to distinguish this from the other Debir subdued by Joshua, Jos 10:38-39.
sepher - This clause seems to be added to distinguish this from the other Debir subdued by Joshua, Jos 10:38-39.

Wesley: Jos 15:16 - -- Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God's law; and if she were willing; for though parents had a...
Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God's law; and if she were willing; for though parents had a great power over their children, they could not force them to marry any person against their own wills. He might otherwise be an unfit and unworthy person; but this was a divine impulse, that Othniel's valour might be more manifest, and so the way prepared for his future government of the people, Jdg 3:9.

Wesley: Jos 15:18 - -- Or, as she went, namely, from her father's house to her husband's, as the manner was.
Or, as she went, namely, from her father's house to her husband's, as the manner was.

Wesley: Jos 15:18 - -- She persuaded her husband, either, That he would ask: or rather, That he would suffer her to ask, as she did.
She persuaded her husband, either, That he would ask: or rather, That he would suffer her to ask, as she did.

Wesley: Jos 15:18 - -- That she might address herself to her father in an humble posture, and as a suppliant, which he understood by her gesture.
That she might address herself to her father in an humble posture, and as a suppliant, which he understood by her gesture.

Wesley: Jos 15:19 - -- That is, a dry land, much exposed to the south wind, which in those parts was very hot and drying, as coming from the deserts of Arabia.
That is, a dry land, much exposed to the south wind, which in those parts was very hot and drying, as coming from the deserts of Arabia.

Wesley: Jos 15:19 - -- That is, a field, wherein are springs of water, which in that country were of great price; she begs a well moistened field, which also might give some...
That is, a field, wherein are springs of water, which in that country were of great price; she begs a well moistened field, which also might give some relief to that which was dry and barren.

Wesley: Jos 15:19 - -- Or two fields, one above and the other below that south and dry ground which she complained of, that by this means it might be watered on both sides.
Or two fields, one above and the other below that south and dry ground which she complained of, that by this means it might be watered on both sides.

Wesley: Jos 15:32 - -- Here are thirty seven or thirty eight cities named before; how then are they only reckoned twenty nine? There were only twenty nine of them, which eit...
Here are thirty seven or thirty eight cities named before; how then are they only reckoned twenty nine? There were only twenty nine of them, which either, properly belonged to Judah; the rest fell to Simeon's lot; or Were cities properly so called, that is, walled cities, or such as had villages under them, as it here follows; the rest being great, but unwalled towns, or such as had no villages under them.

Wesley: Jos 15:48 - -- That is, in the higher grounds called mountains or hills, in comparison of the sea - coast.
That is, in the higher grounds called mountains or hills, in comparison of the sea - coast.

Wesley: Jos 15:62 - -- So called either from the salt sea, which was near it; or from the salt which was made in, or about it.
So called either from the salt sea, which was near it; or from the salt which was made in, or about it.

Wesley: Jos 15:63 - -- For though Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this; yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion, was still kept by the Jebusites, eve...
For though Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this; yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion, was still kept by the Jebusites, even until David's time; and it seems from thence they descended to the lower town called Jerusalem, and took it so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time; yea, and a third time also: for afterwards it was possessed by the Jebusites, Jdg 19:11; 2Sa 5:6-7.

Wesley: Jos 15:63 - -- Namely, because of their unbelief, as Christ could do no mighty work, because of the peoples unbelief, Mar 6:5-6; Mat 13:58, and because of their slot...

Wesley: Jos 15:63 - -- The same things which are here said of the children of Judah, are said of the Benjamites, Jdg 1:21. Hence ariseth a question, To which of the tribes J...
The same things which are here said of the children of Judah, are said of the Benjamites, Jdg 1:21. Hence ariseth a question, To which of the tribes Jerusalem belonged? It seems probable, that part of it, and indeed the greatest part, stood in the tribe of Benjamin; and hence this is mentioned in the list of their cities, and not in Judah's list; and part of it stood in Judah's share, even mount Moriah, on which the temple was built; and mount Sion, when it was taken from the Jebusites.

Wesley: Jos 15:63 - -- When this book was written, whether in Joshua's life, which continued many years after the taking of Jerusalem; or after his death, when this clause w...
When this book was written, whether in Joshua's life, which continued many years after the taking of Jerusalem; or after his death, when this clause was added by some other man of God. But this must be done before David's time, when the Jebusites were quite expelled, and their fort taken.

JFB: Jos 15:14 - -- Rather three chiefs of the Anakim race. This exploit is recorded to the honor of Caleb, as the success of it was the reward of his trust in God.
Rather three chiefs of the Anakim race. This exploit is recorded to the honor of Caleb, as the success of it was the reward of his trust in God.

JFB: Jos 15:15 - -- "oracle." Its former name, Kirjath-sepher, signifies "city of the book," being probably a place where public registers were kept.
"oracle." Its former name, Kirjath-sepher, signifies "city of the book," being probably a place where public registers were kept.

JFB: Jos 15:16-20 - -- This offer was made as an incentive to youthful bravery (see on 1Sa 17:25); and the prize was won by Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (Jdg 1:13; Jdg 3...

JFB: Jos 15:18-19 - -- That is, when about to remove from her father's to her husband's house. She suddenly alighted from her travelling equipage--a mark of respect to her f...
That is, when about to remove from her father's to her husband's house. She suddenly alighted from her travelling equipage--a mark of respect to her father, and a sign of making some request. She had urged Othniel to broach the matter, but he not wishing to do what appeared like evincing a grasping disposition, she resolved herself to speak out. Taking advantage of the parting scene when a parent's heart was likely to be tender, she begged (as her marriage portion consisted of a field which, having a southern exposure, was comparatively an arid and barren waste) he would add the adjoining one, which abounded in excellent springs. The request being reasonable, it was granted; and the story conveys this important lesson in religion, that if earthly parents are ready to bestow on their children that which is good, much more will our heavenly Father give every necessary blessing to them who ask Him.|| 06224||1||43||0||@@CITIES OF JUDAH.==== (Jos. 15:21-63)

JFB: Jos 15:18-19 - -- There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted...
There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the desert (Jos 15:61-62). One gets the best idea of the relative situation of these cities by looking at the map.
Clarke -> Jos 15:10; Jos 15:12; Jos 15:13; Jos 15:14; Jos 15:15; Jos 15:16; Jos 15:18; Jos 15:18; Jos 15:18; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:24; Jos 15:28; Jos 15:30; Jos 15:31; Jos 15:32; Jos 15:33; Jos 15:35; Jos 15:35; Jos 15:35; Jos 15:36; Jos 15:36; Jos 15:39; Jos 15:41; Jos 15:42; Jos 15:42; Jos 15:44; Jos 15:44; Jos 15:46; Jos 15:47; Jos 15:47; Jos 15:47; Jos 15:48; Jos 15:49; Jos 15:51; Jos 15:51; Jos 15:53; Jos 15:53; Jos 15:54; Jos 15:55; Jos 15:55; Jos 15:55; Jos 15:57; Jos 15:58; Jos 15:60; Jos 15:62; Jos 15:62; Jos 15:63
Clarke: Jos 15:10 - -- Beth-shemesh - The house or temple of the sun. It is evident that the sun was an object of adoration among the Canaanites; and hence fountains, hill...
Beth-shemesh - The house or temple of the sun. It is evident that the sun was an object of adoration among the Canaanites; and hence fountains, hills, etc., were dedicated to him. Beth-shemesh is remarkable for the slaughter of its inhabitants, in consequence of their prying curiously, if not impiously, into the ark of the Lord, when sent back by the Philistines. See 1Sa 6:19.

Clarke: Jos 15:15 - -- Kirjath-sepher - The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See Jos 15:49.
Kirjath-sepher - The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See Jos 15:49.

Clarke: Jos 15:16 - -- Will I give Achsah my daughter - In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage...
Will I give Achsah my daughter - In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, kill an enemy, etc. So Saul promised his daughter in marriage to him who should kill Goliath, 1Sa 17:25; and Caleb offers his on this occasion to him who should take Kirjath-sepher. Profane writers furnish many similar examples.

Clarke: Jos 15:18 - -- As she came - As she was now departing from the house of her father to go to that of her husband
As she came - As she was now departing from the house of her father to go to that of her husband

Clarke: Jos 15:18 - -- She moved him - Othniel, to ask of her father a field, one on which she had set her heart, as contiguous to the patrimony already granted
She moved him - Othniel, to ask of her father a field, one on which she had set her heart, as contiguous to the patrimony already granted

Clarke: Jos 15:18 - -- She lighted off her ass - ותצנח vattitsnach , she hastily, suddenly alighted, as if she had forgotten something, or was about to return to her...
She lighted off her ass -

Give me a blessing - Do me an act of kindness. Grant me a particular request

Clarke: Jos 15:19 - -- Thou hast given me a south land - Which was probably dry, or very ill, watered
Thou hast given me a south land - Which was probably dry, or very ill, watered

Clarke: Jos 15:19 - -- Give me also springs of water - Let me have some fields in which there are brooks or wells already digged
Give me also springs of water - Let me have some fields in which there are brooks or wells already digged

Clarke: Jos 15:19 - -- The upper springs, and the nether springs - He gave her even more than she requested; he gave her a district among the mountains and another in the ...
The upper springs, and the nether springs - He gave her even more than she requested; he gave her a district among the mountains and another in the plains well situated and well watered. There are several difficulties in this account, with which I shall not trouble the reader. What is mentioned above appears to be the sense.

Clarke: Jos 15:24 - -- Ziph - There were two cities of this name in the tribe of Judah, that mentioned here, and another Jos 15:55. One of these two is noted for the refug...
Ziph - There were two cities of this name in the tribe of Judah, that mentioned here, and another Jos 15:55. One of these two is noted for the refuge of David when persecuted by Saul; and the attempts made by its inhabitants to deliver him into the hands of his persecutor. See 1Sa 23:14-24.

Clarke: Jos 15:28 - -- Beer-sheba - A city, famous in the book of Genesis as the residence of the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, Gen 22:19; Gen 28:10; Gen 46:1. See the not...

Clarke: Jos 15:30 - -- Hormah - A place rendered famous by the defeat of the Hebrews by the Canaanites. See Num 14:45, Deu 1:44.

Clarke: Jos 15:31 - -- Ziklag - The Philistines seem to have kept possession of this city till the time of David, who received it from Achish, king of Gath, 1Sa 27:6; afte...
Ziklag - The Philistines seem to have kept possession of this city till the time of David, who received it from Achish, king of Gath, 1Sa 27:6; after which time it remained in the possession of the kings of Judah.

Clarke: Jos 15:32 - -- All the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages - But on a careful examination we shall find thirty-eight; but it is supposed that nine of t...
All the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages - But on a careful examination we shall find thirty-eight; but it is supposed that nine of these are excepted; viz., Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual, Baalah, Azem, Hormah, Ziklag, Ain, and Rimmon, which were afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon. This may appear satisfactory, but perhaps the truth will be found to be this: Several cities in the promised land are expressed by compound terms; not knowing the places, different translations combine what should be separated, and in many cases separate what should be combined. Through this we have cities formed out of epithets. On this ground we have thirty-eight cities as the sum here, instead of twenty-nine.

Clarke: Jos 15:33 - -- Eshtaol, and Zoreah - Here Samson was buried, it being the burial-place of his fathers; see Jdg 16:31. These places though first given to Judah, aft...

Clarke: Jos 15:35 - -- Socoh - It was near this place that David fought with and slew Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, 1Sa 17:1.
Socoh - It was near this place that David fought with and slew Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, 1Sa 17:1.

Clarke: Jos 15:36 - -- Fourteen cities - Well reckoned, we shall find fifteen cities here; but probably Gederah and Gederothaim (Jos 15:36) are the same. See the note on J...

Clarke: Jos 15:41 - -- Beth-dagon - The house or temple of Dagon. This is a well known idol of the Philistines, and probably the place mentioned here was in some part of t...
Beth-dagon - The house or temple of Dagon. This is a well known idol of the Philistines, and probably the place mentioned here was in some part of their territories; but the situation at present is unknown.

Clarke: Jos 15:42 - -- Ether - From Jos 19:7 we learn that this city was afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon.
Ether - From Jos 19:7 we learn that this city was afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon.

Clarke: Jos 15:44 - -- Keilah - This town was near Hebron, and is said to have been the burying-place of the prophet Habakkuk. David obliged the Philistines to raise the s...
Keilah - This town was near Hebron, and is said to have been the burying-place of the prophet Habakkuk. David obliged the Philistines to raise the siege of it; (see 1Sa 23:1-13); but finding that its inhabitants had purposed to deliver him into the hands of Saul, who was coming in pursuit of him, he made his escape. See this remarkable case explained in the note on Deu 32:15 (note)

Clarke: Jos 15:44 - -- Mareshah - Called also Maresheth and Marasthi; it was the birth-place of the prophet Micah. Near this place was the famous battle between Asa, king ...
Mareshah - Called also Maresheth and Marasthi; it was the birth-place of the prophet Micah. Near this place was the famous battle between Asa, king of Judah, and Zera, king of Cush or Ethiopia, who was at the head of one thousand thousand men, and three hundred chariots. Asa defeated this immense host and took much spoil, 2Ch 14:9-15.

Clarke: Jos 15:47 - -- Unto the river of Egypt - The Pelusiac branch of the Nile, or Sihor. But see on Jos 15:4 (note)
Unto the river of Egypt - The Pelusiac branch of the Nile, or Sihor. But see on Jos 15:4 (note)

Clarke: Jos 15:53 - -- Beth-tappuah - The house of the apple or citron tree. Probably a place where these grew in great abundance and perfection
Beth-tappuah - The house of the apple or citron tree. Probably a place where these grew in great abundance and perfection

Clarke: Jos 15:55 - -- Maon - In a desert to which this town gave name, David took refuge for a considerable time from the persecution of Saul; and in this place Nabal the...

Clarke: Jos 15:55 - -- Carmel - Not the celebrated mount of that name, but a village, the residence of Nabal. See 1Sa 25:2. It was near Maon, mentioned above, and was abou...

Clarke: Jos 15:57 - -- Timnah - A frontier town of the Philistines; it was in this place that Samson got his wife, see Judges 14:1-15:20.
Timnah - A frontier town of the Philistines; it was in this place that Samson got his wife, see Judges 14:1-15:20.

Clarke: Jos 15:58 - -- Gedor - See the note on Jos 12:13. In this place the Alexandrian MS. of the Septuagint and the Codex Vaticanus add the eleven following towns: Theca...
Gedor - See the note on Jos 12:13. In this place the Alexandrian MS. of the Septuagint and the Codex Vaticanus add the eleven following towns: Theca, and Ephratha, (that is, Bethlehem), and Phagor, and Etan, and Kulon, and Tatam, and Thebes, and Karam, and Galam, and Thether, and Manocho; eleven cities and their villages. St. Jerome, on Mic 5:1, mentions them, so that we find they were in the copies he used. Dr. Kennicott contends that they should be restored to the text, and accounts thus for their omission: "The same word

Clarke: Jos 15:62 - -- The city of Salt - Or of Melach. This city was somewhere in the vicinity of the lake Asphaltites, the waters of which are the saltest perhaps in the...
The city of Salt - Or of Melach. This city was somewhere in the vicinity of the lake Asphaltites, the waters of which are the saltest perhaps in the world. The whole country abounds with salt: see the note on Gen 19:25. Some suppose that it is the same as Zoar, the place to which Lot escaped after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Clarke: Jos 15:62 - -- En-gedi - The well of the kid: it was situated between Jericho and the lake of Sodom or Dead Sea.
En-gedi - The well of the kid: it was situated between Jericho and the lake of Sodom or Dead Sea.

Clarke: Jos 15:63 - -- The Jebusites dwell - at Jerusalem unto this day - The whole history of Jerusalem, previously to the time of David, is encumbered with many difficul...
The Jebusites dwell - at Jerusalem unto this day - The whole history of Jerusalem, previously to the time of David, is encumbered with many difficulties. Sometimes it is attributed to Judah, sometimes to Benjamin, and it is probable that, being on the frontiers of both those tribes, each possessed a part of it. If the Jebusites were ever driven out before the time of David, it is certain they recovered it again, or at least a part of it - what is called the citadel or strong hold of Zion, (see 2Sa 5:7), which he took from them; after which the city fell wholly into the hands of the Israelites. This verse is an additional proof that the book of Joshua was not written after the times of the Jewish kings, as some have endeavored to prove; for when this verse was written, the Jebusites dwelt with the children of Judah, which they did not after the days of David; therefore the book was written before there were any kings in Judea
It is very likely, not only that many cities have by the lapse of time changed their names or been totally destroyed, (see the note on Jos 15:1), but that the names of those in the preceding catalogue have been changed also, several of them repeated that should have been mentioned but once, and not a few confounded with the terms by which they are described. But we must not suppose that every repetition of the name is through the carelessness of copyists; for there are often two places which bear the same name, which is frequently the case in England. But besides this, villages are mentioned as being apparently in the tribe of Judah, which afterwards appear to have been in an other tribe. The reason appears to be this: many towns are mentioned which were frontier towns, and when the limits of a tribe are pointed out, such places must necessarily be mentioned, though allotted to a different tribe. This consideration will serve to remove several difficulties which occur in the reading of this and the following chapters.
Calvin: Jos 15:13 - -- 13.And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, etc Were we to judge from the actual state of matters, it would seem ridiculous repeatedly to celebrate an im...
13.And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, etc Were we to judge from the actual state of matters, it would seem ridiculous repeatedly to celebrate an imaginary grant from which Caleb received no benefit while Joshua was alive. But herein due praise is given both to the truth of God, and to the faith of his saint in resting on his promise. Therefore, although sneering men, and the inhabitants of the place itself, if the rumor had reached them, might have derided the vain solicitude of Caleb, and the empty liberality of Joshua, the contempt thus expressed would only have proved them to be presumptuous scoffers. God at length evinced the firmness of his decree by the result, and Caleb, though he saw himself unable to obtain access to the mountain, testified that he was contented with the mere promise of God, the true exercise of faith, consisting in a willingness to remain without the fruition of things which have been promised till the period actually arrive. Moreover, this passage, and others similar to it, teach us that the giants who are usually called Enakim, were so named after their original progenitor, Enac, and that the word is hence of Gentile origin. The time when Caleb routed the sons of Enac we shall see in a short time. This passage also shows us that Caleb, when he brought forward the name of Moses, did not make a mere pretence, or utter anything that was not strictly true; for it is now plainly declared, that Moses had so appointed, in conformity with the command of God.

Calvin: Jos 15:14 - -- Here we have a narrative of what plainly appears from the book of Joshua to have taken place subsequent to the death of Joshua; but lest a question m...
Here we have a narrative of what plainly appears from the book of Joshua to have taken place subsequent to the death of Joshua; but lest a question might have been raised by the novelty of the procedure, in giving a fertile and well watered field as the patrimony of a woman, the writer of the book thought proper to insert a history of that which afterwards happened, in order that no ambiguity might remain in regard to the lot of the tribe of Judah. First, Caleb is said, after he had taken the city of Hebron, to have attacked Debir or Ciriath-sepher, and to have declared, that the person who should be the first to enter it, would be his son-in-law. And it appears, that when he held out this rare prize to his fellow-soldiers for taking the city, no small achievement was required. This confirms what formerly seemed to be the case, that it was a dangerous and difficult task which had been assigned him, when he obtained his conditional grant. Accordingly, with the view of urging the bravest to exert themselves, he promises his daughter in marriage as a reward to the valor of the man who should first scale the wall.
It is afterwards added that Othniel who was his nephew by a brother, gained the prize by his valor. I know not how it has crept into the common translation that he was a younger brother of Caleb; for nothing in the least degree plausible can be said in defense of the blunder. Hence some expositors perplex themselves very unnecessarily in endeavoring to explain how Othniel could have married his niece, since such marriage was forbidden by the law. It is easy to see that he was not the uncle, but the cousin of his wife.
But here another question arises, How did Caleb presume to bargain concerning his daughter until he was made acquainted with her inclinations? 146 Although it is the office of parents to settle their daughters in life, they are not permitted to exercise tyrannical power and assign them to whatever husbands they think fit without consulting them. For while all contracts ought to be voluntary, freedom ought to prevail especially in marriage that no one may pledge his faith against his will. But Caleb was probably influenced by the belief that his daughter would willingly give her consent, as she could not modestly reject such honorable terms; 147 for the husband to be given her was no common man, but one who should excel all others in warlike prowess. It is quite possible, however, that Caleb in the heat of battle inconsiderately promised what it was not in his power to perform. It seems to me, however, that according to common law, the agreement implied the daughter’s consent, and was only to take effect if it was obtained. 148 God certainly heard the prayer of Caleb, when he gave him a son-in-law exactly to his mind. For had the free choice been given him, there was none whom he would have preferred.

Calvin: Jos 15:18 - -- 18.And it came to pass as she came unto him, etc Although we may conjecture that the damsel Acsa was of excellent morals and well brought up, as marr...
18.And it came to pass as she came unto him, etc Although we may conjecture that the damsel Acsa was of excellent morals and well brought up, as marriage with her had been held forth as the special reward 149 of victory, yet perverse cupidity on her part is here disclosed. She knew that by the divine law women were specially excluded from hereditary lands, but she nevertheless covets the possession of them, and stimulates her husband by unjust expostulation. In this way ambitious and covetous wives cease not to molest their husbands until they force them to forget shame, modesty, and equity. For although the avarice of men also is insatiable, yet women are apt to be much more precipitate. The more carefully ought husbands to be on their guard against being set as it were on flame by the blast of such importunate counsels. 150
But a greater degree of intemperance is displayed when she acquires additional boldness from the facility of her husband and the indulgence of her father. Not contented with the field given to her, she demands for herself a well-watered district. And thus it is when a person has once overleaped the bounds of rectitude and honesty, the fault is forthwith followed up by impudence. Moreover, her father in refusing her nothing gives proof of his singular affection for her. But it does not therefore follow that the wicked thirst of gain which blinds the mind and perverts right judgment is the less hateful. In regard to Acsa’s dismounting from the ass, some interpreters ascribe it to dissimulation and craft, as if she were pretending inability to retain her seat from grief. In this way her dismounting or falling off is made an indication of criminality and defective character. It is more simple, however, to suppose that she placed herself at her father’s feet with the view of accosting him as a suppliant. Be this as it may, by her craft and flattery she gained his consent, and in so far diminished the portion of her brothers. 151

Calvin: Jos 15:20 - -- 20.This is the inheritance, etc He had formerly, indeed, traced out the boundaries of the children of Judah; but it is now shown for a different reas...
20.This is the inheritance, etc He had formerly, indeed, traced out the boundaries of the children of Judah; but it is now shown for a different reason how large and fertile the territory was which the Lord in his great liberality had bestowed upon them. One hundred and thirteen cities with their towns and villages are enumerated. The number attests not only the populousness, but also the fertility of the country. And there cannot be a doubt that by the divine blessing a new degree of fertility was imparted to it. The goodness of God was, however, manifested in the very nature of the land selected for his people, a land abounding in all kinds of advantages. If we attend to the number of souls in the tribe, we shall find that one half of the country would have been amply sufficient for their habitation. For when eight hundred were allocated in each of the cities, the remainder had the towns and the villages. It is no doubt true that a portion was afterwards withdrawn and given to the tribe of Simeon. For in this was accomplished the dispersion of which Jacob had prophesied,
“I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.”
(Gen 49:7)
They were accordingly admitted by the children of Judah as a kind of guests.

Calvin: Jos 15:63 - -- 63.As for the Jebusites, etc This furnishes no excuse for the people, nor is it set down with that view; for had they exerted themselves to the full ...
63.As for the Jebusites, etc This furnishes no excuse for the people, nor is it set down with that view; for had they exerted themselves to the full measure of their strength, and failed of success, the dishonor would have fallen on God himself, who had promised that he would continue with them as their leader until he should give them full and free possession of the land, and that he would send hornets to drive out the inhabitants. Therefore, it was owing entirely to their own sluggishness that they did not make themselves masters of the city of Jerusalem. This they were not able to do; but their own torpor, their neglect of the divine command from a love of ease, were the real obstacles.
This passage is deserving of notice: we ought to learn from it to make vigorous trial of our strength in attempting to accomplish the commands of God, and not to omit any opportunity, lest while we are idly resting the door may be shut. A moderate delay might have been free from blame; but a long period of effeminate ease in a manner rejected the blessing which God was ready to bestow. 152
Defender: Jos 15:32 - -- There are evidently listed in Jos 15:21-32 a total of thirty-six "cities ... with their villages." Apparently Joshua included the names of seven "vill...
There are evidently listed in Jos 15:21-32 a total of thirty-six "cities ... with their villages." Apparently Joshua included the names of seven "villages" as well as the twenty-nine "cities" (note "Hazor" is also mentioned three times)."

Defender: Jos 15:63 - -- Joshua had defeated "the king of Jerusalem" (Jos 12:7, Jos 12:10), but apparently did not destroy the Jebusites. The Jebusites later returned to reocc...

Defender: Jos 15:63 - -- Jerusalem was actually in the territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin (Judah was the southernmost tribe, with Benjamin just north of Judah); howev...
Jerusalem was actually in the territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin (Judah was the southernmost tribe, with Benjamin just north of Judah); however, it was close to Judah's border. Eventually David, of the tribe of Judah, was able to drive out the Jebusites (2Sa 5:6-9), and then make it his capital."
TSK -> Jos 15:10; Jos 15:11; Jos 15:12; Jos 15:13; Jos 15:14; Jos 15:15; Jos 15:16; Jos 15:17; Jos 15:18; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:20; Jos 15:21; Jos 15:23; Jos 15:24; Jos 15:25; Jos 15:26; Jos 15:27; Jos 15:28; Jos 15:29; Jos 15:30; Jos 15:31; Jos 15:32; Jos 15:33; Jos 15:34; Jos 15:35; Jos 15:36; Jos 15:38; Jos 15:39; Jos 15:41; Jos 15:42; Jos 15:44; Jos 15:45; Jos 15:46; Jos 15:47; Jos 15:48; Jos 15:49; Jos 15:51; Jos 15:52; Jos 15:53; Jos 15:54; Jos 15:55; Jos 15:57; Jos 15:58; Jos 15:60; Jos 15:61; Jos 15:62; Jos 15:63
TSK: Jos 15:10 - -- Bethshemesh : Placed by Eusebius ten miles east from Eleutheropolis, towards Nicopolis. 1Sa 6:12-21
Timnah : Jos 15:57; Gen 38:13; Jdg 14:1, Jdg 14:5
Bethshemesh : Placed by Eusebius ten miles east from Eleutheropolis, towards Nicopolis. 1Sa 6:12-21

TSK: Jos 15:11 - -- Ekron : Jos 15:45, Jos 19:43; 1Sa 5:10, 1Sa 7:14; 2Ki 1:2, 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 1:6, 2Ki 1:16
mount Baalah : Jos 19:44


TSK: Jos 15:13 - -- Caleb : Jos 14:6-15; Num 13:30, Num 14:23, Num 14:24; Deu 1:34-36
the city of Arba : or, Kirjath-arba, Jos 14:15
Caleb : Jos 14:6-15; Num 13:30, Num 14:23, Num 14:24; Deu 1:34-36
the city of Arba : or, Kirjath-arba, Jos 14:15


TSK: Jos 15:17 - -- Othniel : Jdg 1:13, Jdg 3:9, Jdg 3:11
Kenaz : Jos 14:6; Num 32:12
Achsah : 1Ch 2:49

TSK: Jos 15:19 - -- Give me : Jdg 1:14, Jdg 1:15
a blessing : Gen 33:11; Deu 33:7; 1Sa 25:27; 2Co 9:5 *marg.

TSK: Jos 15:23 - -- Kedesh : Jos 12:22; Num 33:37; Deu 1:19
Hazor : The LXX read Ασοριωναιν , for Hazar-Ithnan, regarding these two as one city.

TSK: Jos 15:24 - -- Ziph : Eusebius and Jerome say, that Ziph was a village in their time eight miles east from Hebron. 1Sa 23:14, 1Sa 23:19, 1Sa 23:24; Psa 54:1 *title
T...

TSK: Jos 15:25 - -- Hazor : Or, rather, Hazar-hadattah, or, as the LXX, Alexandrian, and Vulgate render Ασωρ η καινη , Asor nova , ""New Hazor,""to distin...
Hazor : Or, rather, Hazar-hadattah, or, as the LXX, Alexandrian, and Vulgate render
Kerioth : Or, rather, Kerioth-Hezron: LXX

TSK: Jos 15:26 - -- Moladah : Probably the same as Malatha, a city frequently mentioned by Eusebius; from whom it appears to have been situated in the southern border of ...
Moladah : Probably the same as Malatha, a city frequently mentioned by Eusebius; from whom it appears to have been situated in the southern border of Judah, about twenty miles from Hebron. 1Ch 4:28

TSK: Jos 15:27 - -- Hazargaddah : This is apparently the city which Eusebius calls Ασερ ; which he says, was, in his time, a town situated between Askalon and Ashdo...
Hazargaddah : This is apparently the city which Eusebius calls
Bethpalet : Neh 11:26

TSK: Jos 15:28 - -- Hazarshual : Jos 19:3; 1Ch 4:28
Beersheba : Jos 19:2; Gen 21:14, Gen 21:31-33, Gen 26:33
Bizjothjah : Instead of Bizjothjah, the LXX read, ""and their...



TSK: Jos 15:32 - -- Ain : Probably the βηθανιν of Eusebius, four miles from Hebron. Num 34:11
Rimmon : Neh 11:29

TSK: Jos 15:33 - -- Eshtaol : This town is placed by Eusebius ten mile from Eleutheropolis, towards Nicopolis, and it is supposed to be a wretched village, called Esdad, ...
Eshtaol : This town is placed by Eusebius ten mile from Eleutheropolis, towards Nicopolis, and it is supposed to be a wretched village, called Esdad, about 15 miles south of Yebna. Jos 19:41; Num 13:23; Jdg 13:25, Jdg 16:31
Zoreah : A town near to Eshtaol, placed at ten miles’ distance n of Eleutheropolis by Eusebius.

TSK: Jos 15:35 - -- Jarmuth : Jos 10:3, Jos 10:23, Jos 12:11; Neh 11:29
Adullam : Jos 12:15; 1Sa 22:1; Mic 1:15
Socoh : Eusebius says, there were two cities of Socoh, an ...
Jarmuth : Jos 10:3, Jos 10:23, Jos 12:11; Neh 11:29
Adullam : Jos 12:15; 1Sa 22:1; Mic 1:15
Socoh : Eusebius says, there were two cities of Socoh, an upper and lower, nine miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Jerusalem. Jos 15:48; 1Sa 17:1; 1Ch 4:18
Azekah : Eusebius and Jerome say there was a town of this name in their time, between Jerusalem and Eleutheropolis. Jos 10:10; 1Sa 17:1

TSK: Jos 15:36 - -- Sharaim : 1Sa 17:52
Adithaim : Eusebius mentions two cities, called Adatha, one towards Gaza, and the other east of Lydda.
and Gederothaim : or, or, f...
Sharaim : 1Sa 17:52
Adithaim : Eusebius mentions two cities, called Adatha, one towards Gaza, and the other east of Lydda.
and Gederothaim : or, or, fourteen cities, There are fifteen in all; but the two last seem to be only two names of the same city.

TSK: Jos 15:38 - -- Mizpeh : Gen 31:48, Gen 31:49; Jdg 20:1, Jdg 21:5; 1Sa 7:5, 1Sa 7:6, 1Sa 7:16, 1Sa 10:17
Joktheel : 2Ki 14:7

TSK: Jos 15:39 - -- Lachish : Jos 10:3, Jos 10:31, Jos 10:32, Jos 12:11; 2Ki 18:14, 2Ki 18:17, 2Ki 19:8
Bozkath : 2Ki 22:1
Eglon : Jos 10:3, Jos 12:12





TSK: Jos 15:46 - -- near : Heb. by the place of, 1Sa 5:1, 1Sa 5:6; 2Ch 26:6; Neh 13:23, Neh 13:24; Isa 20:1; Amo 1:8

TSK: Jos 15:47 - -- Gaza : Judg. 16:1-21; Jer 47:1, Jer 47:5; Amo 1:6, Amo 1:7; Zep 2:4; Act 8:26
the river : Jos 15:4, Jos 13:3; Exo 23:31; Num 34:5, Num 34:6



TSK: Jos 15:55 - -- Maon : 1Sa 23:25, 1Sa 25:2, 1Sa 25:7; 2Ch 26:10; Isa 35:2
Carmel : 1Ki 18:42
Ziph : Jos 15:24; 1Sa 23:14, 1Sa 23:15, 1Sa 26:1, 1Sa 26:2

TSK: Jos 15:62 - -- the city of : This city was situated somewhere in the vicinity, west of the lake Asphaltites; and supposed by some to be the same as Zoar.
Engedi : En...
the city of : This city was situated somewhere in the vicinity, west of the lake Asphaltites; and supposed by some to be the same as Zoar.
Engedi : En-gedi, or Hazazon-Tamar, was situated, according to Eusebius, in the desert west of the Dead Sea. Josephus says it was 300 stadia from Jerusalem, and not far from the lake Asphaltites; and consequently it could not have been far from Jericho and the mouth of the Jordan. It was celebrated for the abundance of its palm-trees. 1Sa 23:29; 2Ch 20:2


collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Jos 15:10 - -- Mount Seir is not the well-known range of Edom. The name ( "shaggy mountain") is applicable to any rugged or well-wooded hill. Here it probably deno...
Mount Seir is not the well-known range of Edom. The name ( "shaggy mountain") is applicable to any rugged or well-wooded hill. Here it probably denotes the range which runs southwestward from Kirjath-jearim to the Wady Surar. Mount Jearim, i. e. "woody mountain,"is through its other name, Chesalon, identified with the modern "Kesla".
Beth-shemesh - i. e. "house of the sun,"called "Ir-shemesh"or "city of the sun"(Jos 19:41; Compare 1Ki 4:9), a place assigned to Dan, and one of the cities which fell by lot to the Levites Jos 21:16. Beth-shemesh was the first place at which the ark rested after its return from the hands of the Philistines 1Sa 6:12. It was the residence of one of Solomon’ s purveyors 1Ki 4:9, and was the spot where at a later date Amaziah was defeated and slain by Jehoash (2Ki 14:11 ff). It is no doubt the modern "Ain Shems".
Timnah, called also Timnath, and Timnathah, belonged likewise to Dan, and is to be distinguished from other places of like name Gen 38:12; Jos 24:30. Timnah ( "portion") was evidently, like Gilgal, Ramah, Kirjath, and several other towns, of frequent use in Canaanite topography.

Barnes: Jos 15:11 - -- Jabneel - The modern "Yebna", about three miles from the coast and twelve miles south of Joppa. It is called Jabneh in 2Ch 26:6, where Uzziah i...
Jabneel - The modern "Yebna", about three miles from the coast and twelve miles south of Joppa. It is called Jabneh in 2Ch 26:6, where Uzziah is recorded to have taken it from the Philistines and destroyed its fortifications. The town is repeatedly mentioned with its haven in the wars of the Maccabees (1 Macc. 4:15; 2 Macc. 12:8), and by Josephus under the name of Jamnia. It is described by Philo as a very populous town; and after the destruction of Jerusalem was, for a long time, the seat of the Sanhedrin, and was a famous school of Jewish learning. Its ruins, which are still considerable, stand on the brink of the "Wady Rubin".

Barnes: Jos 15:15 - -- The name Debir belonged to two other places; namely,, that named in Jos 15:7, between Jerusalem and Jericho, and the Gadite town mentioned in Jos 13...
The name Debir belonged to two other places; namely,, that named in Jos 15:7, between Jerusalem and Jericho, and the Gadite town mentioned in Jos 13:26. The Debir here meant appears (and its site has been conjecturally placed at Dhaheriyeh (Conder)) to have been situated in the mountain district south of Hebron. It was one of the towns afterward assigned to the Levites. Its other name Jos 15:49, "Kirjath-sannah", i. e. perhaps, "city of palm branches,"or "city of law, or sacred learning,"no less than the two given in the text, would indicate that Debir was an ancient seat of Canaanite learning, for Debir probably is equivalent to "oracle,"and Kirjath-sepher means "city of books."This plurality of names marks the importance of the town, as the inducement held out in Jos 15:16, by Caleb, to secure its capture (compare 1Sa 17:25; 1Sa 18:17), points to its strength.

Barnes: Jos 15:17 - -- Othniel was probably Caleb’ s younger brother; the expression "son of Kenaz"being only an equivalent for the "Kenezite"Jos 14:6.
Othniel was probably Caleb’ s younger brother; the expression "son of Kenaz"being only an equivalent for the "Kenezite"Jos 14:6.

Barnes: Jos 15:18 - -- Afield - In Jdg 1:14, "the field,"i. e. the well-known field asked by Achsah and given by Caleb as a "blessing,"i. e. as a token of goodwill, w...
Afield - In Jdg 1:14, "the field,"i. e. the well-known field asked by Achsah and given by Caleb as a "blessing,"i. e. as a token of goodwill, which when the Book of Judges was written had become historical. The "field"in question was doubtless in the neighborhood of Debir, and was especially valuable because of its copious springs. Achsah’ s dismounting was a sign of reverence.

Barnes: Jos 15:19 - -- A south land - This term ("negeb") which is often equivalent to a proper name Jos 15:21, importing the well-defined district which formed the s...
A south land - This term ("negeb") which is often equivalent to a proper name Jos 15:21, importing the well-defined district which formed the south of the promised land (Num 13:17 note), seems here used in its more general sense Psa 126:4, for a dry or barren land. The rendering of this passage adopted by Septuagint, several versions, and Commentators, etc., "thou hast given me into a south land,"i. e. "hast given me in marriage into a south land"is forced; the construction of the verb "to give,"with two accusatives, is natural and common to many languages.
Springs of water - The Hebrew words

Barnes: Jos 15:21-63 - -- List of the towns of the tribe of Judah. These are arranged in four divisions, according to the natural features of the district; namely,, those of ...
List of the towns of the tribe of Judah. These are arranged in four divisions, according to the natural features of the district; namely,, those of the Negeb or south country Jos 15:21-32; of "the valley,"or "the plain"("Shephelah", Jos 15:33-47); of "the mountains"Jos 15:48-60; and of "the wilderness"Jos 15:61-62. Many of the identifications are still conjectural only.
Jos 15:21-32. The Negeb was for the most part rocky and arid, and cannot have been at any time very thickly populated.
Kabzeel was the native place of Benaiah 2Sa 23:20, who was famous as a slayer of lions. The Negeb was a principal haunt of these beasts.
Telem may be the Telaim of 1Sa 15:4, where Saul mustered his army for the expedition against the Amalekites. It is possibly to be looked for at "El-Kuseir", a spot where the various routes toward different parts of the Negeb converge, and which is occupied by the Arab tribe the "Dhullam", a word identical with Telem in its consonants. Bealoth is probably the "Baalath-beer - Ramath of the south"Jos 19:8, and was one of the towns afterward assigned to the Simeonites. It is identified with the modern Kurnub.
And Hezron which is Hazor - In this verse are the names of two towns only, not of four. Two places bearing the common topographical appellation, Hazor ("enclosure") are here mentioned and distinguished as "Hazor Hadattah"and "Kerioth-Hezron,"otherwise termed Hazor, simply: the former has been identified by some with "El-Hudhera"; the latter is probably the modern "El-Kuryetein". Kerioth, prefixed to a name, bespeaks military occupation, as Hazor points to pastoral pursuits. The place would therefore seem to be an ancient pastoral settlement which had been fortified by the Anakims, and called accordingly Kerioth; to which name the men of Judah, after they had captured it, added that of Hezron, in honor of one of their leading ancestors (compare Gen 46:12; Rth 4:18). Kerioth was the home of Judas the traitor, if the ordinary derivation of Iscariot (=
Moladah is probably the modern "El-Milh", and like Hazar-shual ("Berrishail"near Gaza) ( "enclosure of foxes") occurs Jos 19:2-3; 1Ch 4:28, as a town belonging to Simeon, and Neh 11:26-27 as a place occupied by Jews after the captivity.
Baalah Jos 19:3 is found in the modern "Deir-el-Belah", near Gaza. Iim, i. e. "ruinous heaps"or "conical hills"(Num 21:11 note) is by some connected with Azem; and the compound name, "Ije Azem", is traced in El-Aujeh, in the country of the Azazimeh Arabs, in whose name the ancient Azem may perhaps be traced. Eltolad is connected with "Wady-el-Thoula", in the extreme south of the Negeb. Chesil appears to be the town called Bethul Jos 19:4, and probably the Bethel 1Sa 30:27 situated not far from Ziklag. The name Chesil ( "fool") was most likely bestowed by way of opprobrium (compare the change of Bethel, house of God, into Bethaven, house of vanity, Hos 4:15). As Chesil signifies the group of stars known as Orion (compare Job 38:31; Amo 5:8), probably it was the worship of the heavenly bodies in particular that was carried on here. Bethel may have been the ancient name, and the spot was perhaps the very one near Beer-sheba where Abraham planted a tamarisk tree Gen 21:33.
The place is probably "El Khulasah", the Elusa of ecclesiastical writers, situated some fifteen miles southwest of Beer-sheba. Jerome testifies to the fact, that the worship of Venus as the morning star was practiced there, and Sozomen appears to be speaking of this place, when he mentions a Bethel
Twenty and nine - The King James Version gives 34 names. The difference is due either to the confusion by an early copyist of letters similar in form which were used as numerals; or to the separation in the King James Version of names which in the original were one (e. g. Jos 15:25).
"The valley"or the Shephelah, is bounded on the south by the Negeb, on the west by the Mediterranean, on the north by the plain of Sharon, on the east by "the mountains"Jos 15:48. It is a well-defined district, of an undulating surface and highly fertile character, thickly dotted, even at the present time, with villages, which are for the most part situated on the different hills. The towns in this district, like those in the Negeb, are classed in four groups.
First group of fourteen towns: these belong to the northeastern portion of the Shephelah. Eshtaol and Zoreah were afterward assigned to the tribe of Dan, and inhabited by Danites Jdg 13:25; Jdg 18:2, Jdg 18:8,Jdg 18:11. The latter place was the home of Samson Jdg 13:2. It was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam 2Ch 11:10, and was re-occupied by the Jews after the captivity Neh 11:29. It is probably the modern Surah. (Eshtaol has been identified with Eshua (Conder)). Both places were in later times partly populated by Judahites from Kirjath-jearim; perhaps after the departure of the colony of Danites for Dan-Laish. Zanoah is the present "Zanna", not far from Surah. Socoh is the modern "Shuweikah". Sharaim is perhaps to be sought in the modern "Zakariya". Gederah ("wall"or "fortress") was a name borne with various terminations by several places.
Second group of towns, containing those in the middle portion of the Shephelah, and of which some only Jos 10:3, Jos 10:10 can be identified.
Third group; towns in the south of the Shephelah. For Libnah see Jos 10:29. Mareshah is believed to be near Beit-jibrin, the ancient "Eleutheropolis."
Fourth group: the towns of the Philistine seacoast: see Jos 13:3.
This highland district extends from the Negeb on the south to Jerusalem, and is bounded by the Shephelah on the west, and the "wilderness"Jos 15:61-62 on the east. The mountains, which are of limestone, rise to a height of near 3,000 feet. At present, the highlands of Judah present a somewhat dreary and monotonous aspect. The peaks are for the most part barren, though crowned almost everywhere with the ruins of ancient towns, and bearing on their sides marks of former cultivation. Many of the valleys, especially toward the south, are, however, still very productive. The towns here enumerated are given in six groups.
First group: towns on the southwest. Dannah (is identified with "Idnah"(Conder)). Jattir ("Attir"), and Eshtemoh ("Semua") were priestly cities Jos 21:14; 1Ch 6:57, and the place to which David, after routing the Amalekites, sent presents 1Sa 30:27-28. Socoh is "Suweikeh."
Second group of nine towns, situated somewhat to the north of the last mentioned. Of these Dumah is perhaps the ruined village "Ed Daumeh,"in the neighborhood of Hebron; and Beth-tappuah, i. e. "house of apples,""Teffuh,"a place which has still a good number of inhabitants, is conspicuous for its olive groves and vineyards, and bears on every side the traces of industry and thrift.
Third group; lying eastward of the towns named in the last two, and next to "the wilderness."
The four towns retain their ancient names with but little change. Maon 1Sa 23:24; 1Sa 25:2, the home of Nabal, is to be looked for in the conical hill, "Main,"the top of which is covered with ruins. It lies eight or nine miles southeast of Hebron Carmel 1Sa 25:2, the modern "Kurmul,"is a little to the north of "Main."The name belongs to more than one place Jos 12:22. Ziph gave its name to "the wilderness"into which David fled from Saul 1Sa 23:14.
Fourth group. Towns north of the last mentioned, of which Beth-zur and Gedor are represented by "Beit-sur"and "Jedur."
After Jos 15:59 follows in the Greek version a fifth group of eleven towns, which appears to have dropped in very ancient times out of the Hebrew text, probably because some transcriber passed unawares from the word "villages"at the end of Jos 15:59, to the same word at the end of the missing passage. The omitted group contains the towns of an important, well-known, and populous district lying immediately south of Jerusalem, and containing such towns as Tekoah 2Sa 14:2; Neh 3:5, Neh 3:27; Amo 1:1; Bethlehem, the native town of David and of Christ Gen 35:19; and Aetan, a Grecised form of Etam 2Ch 11:6.
This district, including the towns in "the wilderness,"the scene of David’ s wanderings (1Sa 23:24; Psa 63:1-11 title), and of the preaching of the Baptist Mat 3:1, and perhaps of our Lord’ s temptation Matt. 4, extended from the northern limit of Judah along the Dead Sea to the Negeb; it was bounded on the west by that part of "the mountains"or highlands of Judah, which adjoined Bethlehem and Maon. It abounds in limestone rocks, perforated by numerous caverns, and often of fantastic shapes. It is badly supplied with water, and hence, is for the most part barren, though affording in many parts, now quite desolate, clear tokens of former cultivation. It contained only a thin population in the days of Joshua.
"The city of Salt"is not mentioned elsewhere, but was no doubt connected with "the valley of salt"2Sa 8:13. The name itself, and the mention of En-gedi (Gen 14:7 note) suggest that its site must be looked for near the Dead Sea.
Poole: Jos 15:10 - -- Mount Seir not that of Edom, but another so called from some resemblance it had with that in quality.
Bethshemesh: there were divers cities of this...
Mount Seir not that of Edom, but another so called from some resemblance it had with that in quality.
Bethshemesh: there were divers cities of this name; this in Judah here, and Jos 21:16 2Ki 14:11 , another in Issachar, and a third in Naphtali, Jos 19:22,38 .

Poole: Jos 15:13 - -- He gave i.e. Joshua, as appears by comparing this with Jos 14:6,12,13 .
Arba or Kirjath-arba ; not the city, which was the Levites’ , but the...
He gave i.e. Joshua, as appears by comparing this with Jos 14:6,12,13 .
Arba or Kirjath-arba ; not the city, which was the Levites’ , but the territory of it, Jos 21:13 .

Poole: Jos 15:14 - -- Thence i.e. from the said territory, from their caves and and forts in it: compare Jos 14:12 . This and the following work was done either in Joshua&...
Thence i.e. from the said territory, from their caves and and forts in it: compare Jos 14:12 . This and the following work was done either in Joshua’ s life-time, as may seem from Jos 11:21 , or after his death, as is related Jud 1:10 ; these giants having either recovered their cities or defended themselves in the mountains.
Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai either the same who are mentioned Num 13:33 , and so they were long-lived men, such as many were in those times and places; or their sons, called by their fathers’ names, which is very usual.

Poole: Jos 15:15 - -- Debir the same mentioned above, Jos 15:7 . The name of Debir before was
Kirjath-sepher: this clause seems to be added to distinguish this from th...
Debir the same mentioned above, Jos 15:7 . The name of Debir before was
Kirjath-sepher: this clause seems to be added to distinguish this from the other Debir subdued by Joshua, Jos 10:38,39 .

Poole: Jos 15:16 - -- Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God’ s law; for every promise contrary to that is voi...
Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God’ s law; for every promise contrary to that is void; and if she were willing; for though parents had a great power over their children, they could not force them to marry any person against their own wills. He might otherwise be an unfit and unworthy person: but this was no ordinary motion propounded to the imitation of others, but a Divine impulse, that Othniel’ s valour might be more manifest, and so the way prepared for his future government of the people, Jud 3:9 .

Poole: Jos 15:17 - -- Object This marriage was unlawful.
Answ No; for it was not Othniel, but Kenaz, who was Caleb’ s brother; and besides, the word brother is co...
Object This marriage was unlawful.
Answ No; for it was not Othniel, but Kenaz, who was Caleb’ s brother; and besides, the word brother is commonly used for any kinsman; and that Caleb was not properly Othniel’ s brother sufficiently appears, because Caleb is constantly called the son of Jephunneh; and Othniel, the son of Kenaz here, and 1Ch 4:13 .

Poole: Jos 15:18 - -- As she came unto him or, as she went, to wit, from her father’ s house to her husband’ s, as the manner was: See Poole "Mat 1:18" .
She m...
As she came unto him or, as she went, to wit, from her father’ s house to her husband’ s, as the manner was: See Poole "Mat 1:18" .
She moved him to ask she persuaded her husband; either,
1. That he would ask; or rather,
2. That he would suffer her to ask, as she did.
She lighted off her ass that she might address herself to her father in a humble posture, and as a suppliant, which he understood by her gesture.

Poole: Jos 15:19 - -- Give me a blessing i.e. a gift, as that word signifies, Gen 33:11 .
A south land i.e. a dry land, which was much exposed to the south wind, which i...
Give me a blessing i.e. a gift, as that word signifies, Gen 33:11 .
A south land i.e. a dry land, which was much exposed to the south wind, which in those parts was very hot and drying, as coming from the deserts of Arabia.
Springs of water i.e. a.field, as she desired, Jos 15:18 , wherein are springs of water , which in that country were of great price; for it is not probable that he would give her the springs, and give to another the grounds in which the springs were, who could thereby at their pleasure deprive her of the use and benefit of her springs: so she begs a well-moistened field, which also might give some relief to that which was dry and barren.
The upper springs, and the nether springs i.e. springs both in the higher and in the lower grounds; or two fields, one in high, another in low grounds; or rather, one above, and the other below, that south and dry ground which she complained of, that by this means it might be watered on both sides.

Poole: Jos 15:21 - -- The uttermost cities those which were on the borders of the land, not the midland cities. It is apparent that all the cities belonging to this tribe ...
The uttermost cities those which were on the borders of the land, not the midland cities. It is apparent that all the cities belonging to this tribe are not mentioned in this catalogue.
Kabzeel called Jekabzeel , Neh 11:25 .

Poole: Jos 15:25 - -- Hazor, Hadattah possibly it should be read as one word, Hazor-hadattah , as there is Hazar-gaddah , Jos 15:27 , and Hazar-shual , Jos 15:28 , such...
Hazor, Hadattah possibly it should be read as one word, Hazor-hadattah , as there is Hazar-gaddah , Jos 15:27 , and Hazar-shual , Jos 15:28 , such compounded proper names being usual; and this may seem the more probable, because if Hazor and Hadattah were two different cities, the conjunction and would have been put between them, as it is generally in the rest.
Which is Hazor or, which also is called Hazor ; but to distinguish it from the other Hazor , Jos 15:23 , this was called also Hezron .

Poole: Jos 15:32 - -- Object Here are thirty-seven or thirty-eight cities named before; how then are they only reckoned twenty-nine?
Answ There were only twenty-nine of ...
Object Here are thirty-seven or thirty-eight cities named before; how then are they only reckoned twenty-nine?
Answ There were only twenty-nine of them, which either,
1. Properly belonged to Judah; the rest fell to Simeon’ s lot; or,
2. Were cities properly so called, i.e. walled cities, or such as had villages under them, as it here follows, the rest being great but unwalled towns, or such as had no villages under them.

Poole: Jos 15:36 - -- Object There are fifteen numbered.
Answ Either one of them was no city strictly called; or
Gederah and
Gederothaim is put for Gederah or Ged...
Object There are fifteen numbered.
Answ Either one of them was no city strictly called; or
Gederah and
Gederothaim is put for Gederah or Gederothaim , so called, possibly, because the city was double, as there want not instances of one city divided into two parts, called the old and the new city. So the conjunction and is put for the disjunctive or, whereof examples have been given before.

Poole: Jos 15:45 - -- Here and in the following verses are contained all the cities of the Philistines, among which are Gath and Askelon, which peradventure are here omit...
Here and in the following verses are contained all the cities of the Philistines, among which are Gath and Askelon, which peradventure are here omitted, because they were not at this time places of such power and eminency as afterwards they were, but were the daughters of some of these following cities, though afterwards the daughter might overtop the mother, as is usual.
Her towns , Heb. her daughters , i.e. lesser cities, or great towns, subject to Ekton’ s jurisdiction.
Her villages , i.e. lesser towns or hamlets.

i.e. The sea-coast, and all other cities, towns, and villages upon it.

Poole: Jos 15:48 - -- i.e. In the higher grounds, called mountains or hills, in comparison of the sea-coast.
i.e. In the higher grounds, called mountains or hills, in comparison of the sea-coast.

Poole: Jos 15:49 - -- Debir is also called Kirjath-sepher , above, Jos 15:15 . So this city had three names.
Debir is also called Kirjath-sepher , above, Jos 15:15 . So this city had three names.

Poole: Jos 15:55 - -- Maon of which see 1Sa 23:25 25:2 .
Carmel Nabal’ s country, 1Sa 25 .
Ziph which gave its name to the neighbouring mountain, 1Sa 26:1 .
Maon of which see 1Sa 23:25 25:2 .
Carmel Nabal’ s country, 1Sa 25 .
Ziph which gave its name to the neighbouring mountain, 1Sa 26:1 .

Poole: Jos 15:61 - -- The wilderness; so the Hebrews call places either uninhabited by men, or having but few inhabitants.
The wilderness; so the Hebrews call places either uninhabited by men, or having but few inhabitants.

Poole: Jos 15:62 - -- The city of Salt so called either from the Salt Sea, which was near it; or from the salt which was made in it, or about it.
The city of Salt so called either from the Salt Sea, which was near it; or from the salt which was made in it, or about it.

Poole: Jos 15:63 - -- For though Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this, yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion , was still kept by the Jebusites,...
For though Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this, yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion , was still kept by the Jebusites, even until David’ s time; and it seems from thence they descended to the lower town called Jerusalem, and took it; so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time; yea, and a third time also, for afterwards it was possessed by the Jebusites, Jud 19:11 2Sa 5:6,7 .
Could not drive them out namely, because of their unbelief, as Christ could do no mighty work— because of the people’ s unbelief, Mar 6:5,6 Mt 13:58 , and because of their sloth, and cowardice, and wickedness, whereby they forfeited God’ s help, and then they must needs be impotent; but this inability was wilful, and brought upon them by themselves.
Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem: the same things which are here said of the children of Judah, are said of the Benjamites, Jud 1:21 . Hence ariseth a question, To which of the tribes Jerusalem belonged? whether to Benjamin, as is gathered from Gen 49:27 Deu 33:12 Jer 6:1 , or to Judah, as is implied here, and Psa 78:68,69 . Some think, that being in the borders of both, it was common to both, and promiscuously inhabited by both; and it is certain that after the captivity it was possessed by both, Neh 11:4 . But for the present, though it did belong to Benjamin, yet the children of Judah being possibly very active in the first taking of it by Joshua, as they certainly were after his death, Jud 1:8 , they might thereby get some right share with the Benjamites in the possession of it. It seems most probable that part of it, and indeed the greatest part and main body of it, stood in the tribe of Benjamin; and hence this is mentioned in the list of their cities, and not in Judah’ s list: and part of it stood in Judah’ s share, even Mount Moriah, on which the temple was built; and Mount Sion, when it was taken from the Jebusites.
Unto this day ; when this book was written, whether in Joshua’ s life and old age, which continued many years after the taking of Jerusalem; or after his death, when this clause was added here and elsewhere in this book by some other man of God, which must needs be done before David’ s time, when the Jebusites were quite expelled, and their fort taken.
Haydock: Jos 15:10 - -- Bethsames, "the house of the sun," was at the same distance, westward. Here the sight of the ark proved so fatal to 50,070 of the inhabitants, 1 Kin...
Bethsames, "the house of the sun," was at the same distance, westward. Here the sight of the ark proved so fatal to 50,070 of the inhabitants, 1 Kings vi. 19. (Calmet)

Haydock: Jos 15:13 - -- Arbe, who was the father, and the greatest man of the race of Enac, chap. xiv. 15. (Haydock)
Arbe, who was the father, and the greatest man of the race of Enac, chap. xiv. 15. (Haydock)

Haydock: Jos 15:14 - -- Enac. These three giants were at Hebron when the spies came thither, Numbers xiii.
Enac. These three giants were at Hebron when the spies came thither, Numbers xiii.

Haydock: Jos 15:16 - -- Wife. Parents had full authority to do this. Saul promised his daughter to the person who should overcome Goliah[Goliath]. Something was required ...
Wife. Parents had full authority to do this. Saul promised his daughter to the person who should overcome Goliah[Goliath]. Something was required by way of dowry for the lady. (Grotius) (1 Kings xvii. 25.)

Haydock: Jos 15:17 - -- Brother. It is not clear in the original whether this relates to Cenez or to Othoniel, (Haydock) as younger is not found in [the] Hebrew but it is...
Brother. It is not clear in the original whether this relates to Cenez or to Othoniel, (Haydock) as younger is not found in [the] Hebrew but it is in the Syriac, Septuagint, and Judges i. 13. Many think that Cenez was the brother of Caleb. If Othoniel had been brother of the latter, they say he could not have legally married his niece. (Calmet) ---
But though Moses forbids a nephew to marry his aunt, it does not follow that uncles could not take their nieces to wife, as they would be still the head; (Worthington) whereas there would be a sort of indecency for a nephew to command his aunt. The Jews allow these marriages, while the Samaritans condemn them, Leviticus xviii. 14. In confirmation of the Vulgate, we may remark, that Cenez is never (Calmet) clearly (Haydock) represented as the brother of Caleb; and there is no inconvenience in asserting that Othoniel was the brother of the latter, whether we take this word to denote a near relation, or strictly. In the former supposition, Othoniel might marry his cousin, Axa, the daughter of Caleb, while he himself was descended from Cenez, the brother of Jephone. (Calmet) ---
But if we take the word strictly, as the remark of his being younger brother, both here and Judges i. 13., may seem to imply, we must then allow that Othoniel followed the custom of his nation, (Haydock) in marrying his niece. (Menochius) ---
Septuagint here make him "the younger son of Cenez, who was brother of Caleb;" and in the Book of Judges, they say, "Gothoniel, the son of Cenez, (and) the younger brother of Caleb, first made himself master of it, under him;" as if Othoniel and Caleb had been born of the same mother, but of a different father, unless we suppose that they were only nearly related, and the former much less advanced in years; so that he might will marry the daughter of Caleb and afterwards become a judge and deliverer of Israel, Judges iii. 9. See Masius; Bonfrere. (Haydock)

Haydock: Jos 15:18 - -- Was moved; as the Syriac, Arabic, Junius, &c., represent the matter. Others render the Hebrew in a different sense: "she moved him to ask of her fat...
Was moved; as the Syriac, Arabic, Junius, &c., represent the matter. Others render the Hebrew in a different sense: "she moved him to ask of her father a field, and she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her," &c., which seems very abrupt, as she herself is represented as soliciting for the favour in the next verse, instead of her husband. The Chaldean supposes that she was restrained by natural modesty, from preferring the petition; but when Othoniel refused to do it, or was denied what he requested, she took courage and asked herself. The sense of the Vulgate seems more natural, (Calmet) as the husband might easily suppose that she would have greater influence with her father. (Haydock) ---
Sighed. The original term is found only in this history, and in that of the death of Sisara, Judges iv. 21. Septuagint, "she cried out." Others translate, "she remained fixed," (Menochius) or "she waited sitting on the ass," till she had obtained her request.

Haydock: Jos 15:19 - -- Blessing, or "favour, present," &c., 1 Kings xxv. 27. (Calmet) ---
And dry. This is a farther explanation of southern; as the lands in that sit...
Blessing, or "favour, present," &c., 1 Kings xxv. 27. (Calmet) ---
And dry. This is a farther explanation of southern; as the lands in that situation being exposed to the sun-beams, in Palestine, are often destitute of sufficient moisture, which is the cause of the sterility of Mount Hebal, &c. ---
Watery ground. Hebrew, "springs of water, and he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs." Aquila leaves springs untranslated. (Haydock) ---
Golgot. Septuagint, "Golathmaim, and the upper Golath," &c. Symmachus translates "possession on the high places," Judges i. (Calmet) ---
Caleb had probably given his daughter a part of the mountain. He now grants her also some field that lay lower down, and was better supplied with water on all sides (Haydock) by springs above, and cisterns below.

Haydock: Jos 15:25 - -- New Asor, to distinguish it from the capital of Jabin, in the north. This was dependent on Ascalon. (Eusebius) ---
Hebrew, "and Hazor, Hadatta, an...
New Asor, to distinguish it from the capital of Jabin, in the north. This was dependent on Ascalon. (Eusebius) ---
Hebrew, "and Hazor, Hadatta, and (or) Kerioth ("the towns") of Hezron, which is Hazor." The Septuagint only specify the same town of Asor by different names. There was one towards Arabia, Numbers xi. 35.

Haydock: Jos 15:28 - -- Bersabee, noted for the residence of Abraham, &c. It is attributed to Simeon, (chap. xix. 2,) with some other of these towns, as the two tribes live...
Bersabee, noted for the residence of Abraham, &c. It is attributed to Simeon, (chap. xix. 2,) with some other of these towns, as the two tribes lived intermixed, and some changes might be made in the first regulation, to bring things to a greater equality, and as circumstances might require.

Haydock: Jos 15:31 - -- Siceleg. The Philistines kept possession of it till king Achis gave it to David; and it continued afterwards the property of the kings of Juda.
Siceleg. The Philistines kept possession of it till king Achis gave it to David; and it continued afterwards the property of the kings of Juda.

Haydock: Jos 15:32 - -- Villages. Twenty-nine of the former cities were of greater note; the six, or taking in the three belonging to Caleb, the nine others which are menti...
Villages. Twenty-nine of the former cities were of greater note; the six, or taking in the three belonging to Caleb, the nine others which are mentioned, (Calmet) were only villages. (Menochius) ---
Others think that these nine towns are not numbered here, because they were allotted to the tribe of Simeon, chap. xix. 2, &c.

Haydock: Jos 15:33 - -- Plains. Hebrew Schephela, near Eleutheropolis, chap. x. 40. ---
Estaol was afterwards given to Dan. Samson was buried near it and Sarea, Judg...
Plains. Hebrew Schephela, near Eleutheropolis, chap. x. 40. ---
Estaol was afterwards given to Dan. Samson was buried near it and Sarea, Judges xvi.

Haydock: Jos 15:36 - -- Fourteen. One of those mentioned above, may have been a village. (Menochius) ---
Others think that Enaim may be the name of a fountain, near w...
Fourteen. One of those mentioned above, may have been a village. (Menochius) ---
Others think that Enaim may be the name of a fountain, near which perhaps Juda met Thamar, Genesis xxxviii. 14.

Haydock: Jos 15:44 - -- Ceila, which David took from the Philistines, and were he was nearly betrayed into the hands of Saul, 1 Kings xxiii. Habacuc was buried here, on the...
Ceila, which David took from the Philistines, and were he was nearly betrayed into the hands of Saul, 1 Kings xxiii. Habacuc was buried here, on the road between Eleutheropolis and Hebron.

Haydock: Jos 15:55 - -- Carmel. Not where Elias dwelt, but a city and mountain 10 miles east of Eleutheropolis. Nabal rendered it famous by his imprudence, (1 Kings xxv.) ...
Carmel. Not where Elias dwelt, but a city and mountain 10 miles east of Eleutheropolis. Nabal rendered it famous by his imprudence, (1 Kings xxv.) and Saul by a triumphal arch, 1 Kings xv. 12.

Haydock: Jos 15:58 - -- Bessur. About 20 miles from Jerusalem, fortified by Simon, 1 Machabees xiv. 33. It is there said to be only five stadia distant from that city. Bu...
Bessur. About 20 miles from Jerusalem, fortified by Simon, 1 Machabees xiv. 33. It is there said to be only five stadia distant from that city. But the Alexandrian copy reads five schœnus, or cords, each of which consisted of at least 30 stadia. (Cellarius)

Haydock: Jos 15:59 - -- Eltecon: given afterwards to the tribe of Dan, (chap. xix. 44,) and then to the Levites, chap. xxi. 13. The Alexandrian Septuagint here add many cit...
Eltecon: given afterwards to the tribe of Dan, (chap. xix. 44,) and then to the Levites, chap. xxi. 13. The Alexandrian Septuagint here add many cities, which are omitted in Hebrew. (Calmet) ---
"Theco and Ephrata, (this is Bethlehem) and Phagor, and Artam, and Koulon, and Tatami, and Sores, and Karem, and Gallim, and Baither, and Manocho, eleven cities and their villages." (Haydock) See St. Jerome in Micheas v. 1. (Calmet) (Deuteronomy xxvii. 4.) ---
Dr. Wall says, "these cities were doubtless in the Hebrew copy of the Septuagint" and "they are of such a nature, that it is scarcely possible to think them an interpolation." The former critic thinks "the omission in the Hebrew was occasioned by the word villages occurring immediately before, and at the end of the words thus omitted; and indeed the same word occurring in different places, has been the cause of many and great omission in the Hebrew manuscripts. He thinks it less likely that the Jews should have designedly omitted Bethlehem here, because that place is mentioned as belonging to Juda, in several other parts of Scripture." But is Ephrata ever joined with it, except in this passage, and in the text of Micheas? "And, therefore, though this remarkable omission was probably owing, at first, to some transcriber's mistake, its not being reinserted might be owing to the reason specified by St. Jerome, out of malice to Christianity." (Kennicott, 2 Diss. 56.) ---
Reland is astonished to find a place which was to be rendered so famous by the birth of the Messias, not enumerated in this place among the cities of Juda. But he observes that it is found in the Alexandrian version, p. 643. (Palest.) ---
St. Jerome will not decide absolutely whether the Jews have erased these cities, or the Septuagint have inserted them. As he undertook to translate the Hebrew as he found it, he has not admitted these cities into his translation, though there seems to be abundant reason for supposing that they are genuine. (Haydock)

Haydock: Jos 15:62 - -- Salt. Bonfrere supposes it is Segor, which was preserved for Lot's sake. ---
Engaddi, which was famous for its balm and palm-trees, in the desert ...
Salt. Bonfrere supposes it is Segor, which was preserved for Lot's sake. ---
Engaddi, which was famous for its balm and palm-trees, in the desert of Jericho. (Solin. xxxv.) ---
We may here remark that in the preceding catalogues, many towns are repeated like Zanoe, (ver. 34., and 56,) and others are left out. Some are also afterwards attributed to other tribes. Hence some have inferred that alterations have been made in the original copies. But we may rather believe that the reason of these variations is, because the cities were parceled out among the 10 families of Juda, (1 Paralipomenon ii. 3,) as was the case in the distribution of land to Manasses; (chap. xvii. 2,) and hence the same cities were sometimes given to two different families. They are also attributed to different tribes, because many families of the respective tribes dwelt in them. The priests, for example, lived along with their brethren of other tribes. (Calmet)

Haydock: Jos 15:63 - -- Jerusalem. The Benjamites claimed the northern part of this city; (Haydock) and they did not drive out the Jebusites, but lived with them, Judges i....
Jerusalem. The Benjamites claimed the northern part of this city; (Haydock) and they did not drive out the Jebusites, but lived with them, Judges i. 21. The tribe of Juda had burnt a part of the city, Judges i. 8. But it seems the Jebusites kept their hold, (Calmet) at least in the citadel, (Haydock) and frequently in the lower town, till they were entirely banished by David, 2 Kings v. 7. See Judges xix. 11. In latter times, the Jews considered this place as the common city of all the nation, to which none of the tribes had an exclusive right; and hence, in the last siege, there was no head, and all the Jews were admitted without examination. (Josephus, Jewish Wars iv. 5, &c.) (Calmet) ---
Day, and even till the reign of David. The author of this observation must have lived before that period. Josue might have made this and may other similar remarks, when he finished this work, towards the end of his life. (Haydock)
Gill -> Jos 15:10; Jos 15:11; Jos 15:12; Jos 15:13; Jos 15:14; Jos 15:15; Jos 15:16; Jos 15:17; Jos 15:18; Jos 15:19; Jos 15:20; Jos 15:21; Jos 15:22; Jos 15:23; Jos 15:24; Jos 15:25; Jos 15:26; Jos 15:27; Jos 15:28; Jos 15:29; Jos 15:30; Jos 15:31; Jos 15:32; Jos 15:33; Jos 15:34; Jos 15:35; Jos 15:36; Jos 15:37; Jos 15:38; Jos 15:39; Jos 15:40; Jos 15:41; Jos 15:42; Jos 15:43; Jos 15:44; Jos 15:45; Jos 15:46; Jos 15:47; Jos 15:48; Jos 15:49; Jos 15:50; Jos 15:51; Jos 15:52; Jos 15:53; Jos 15:54; Jos 15:55; Jos 15:56; Jos 15:57; Jos 15:58; Jos 15:59; Jos 15:60; Jos 15:61; Jos 15:62; Jos 15:63
Gill: Jos 15:10 - -- And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto Mount Seir,.... Not that in Idumea, so famous for its being the seat of Esau, which lay remote from...
And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto Mount Seir,.... Not that in Idumea, so famous for its being the seat of Esau, which lay remote from hence, but a third of that name near Kirjathjearim; and which Adrichomius t places on the borders of Azotus and Ashkelon: this compass is fetched from the north to the west:
and passed along unto the side of the mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side; that is, on the north side of the mount, which went by both those names; and which Jerom u places on the borders of Aelia or Jerusalem; but it seems to be at a distance from thence, and near to Kirjathjearim, and had its name, as that, from the multitude of trees that grow on it:
and went down to Bethshemesh; there were several cities of this name; but this, according to Jerom w, was a Levite's city in the tribe of Benjamin, and in his day was shown as you go from Eleutherepolis to Nicopolis or Emmaus, ten miles to the east; according to Burchard x, it was five miles from Kirjathjearim to the south; and Bunting y places it four miles from Jerusalem westward, taking it for a city in the tribe of Judah, Jos 21:16,
and passed on to Timnah; which, in Jerom's time, was a large village on the borders of Lydda, as you go to Jerusalem, in the tribe of Judah, or Dan z; his placed in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:57; though thought to be afterwards given to Dan; here Judah sheared his sheep; see Gill on Gen 38:12.

Gill: Jos 15:11 - -- And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward,.... Which was one of the principalities of the Philistines; and which, though it fell to the...
And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward,.... Which was one of the principalities of the Philistines; and which, though it fell to the lot of Judah, Jos 15:45, was not possessed by them:
and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to Mount Baalah; of which places we have no account elsewhere:
and went unto Jabneel; which Masius makes no doubt was one of the Jamnias, and particularly that which was a seaport; which Strabo says a was distant from Azotus and Ashkelon about two hundred furlongs, or twenty five miles:
and the goings out of the border were at the sea; the Mediterranean sea; here the northern border ended.

Gill: Jos 15:12 - -- And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof,.... The western border of the tribe of Judah went along by the Mediterranean sea, w...
And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof,.... The western border of the tribe of Judah went along by the Mediterranean sea, which lay west to the land of Canaan; and this border reached from Jabneel to the river of Egypt, where the southern border ended, Jos 15:4,
this is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families; but being too large, some part of it was afterwards given to Simeon, and some particular cities of it were given to Dan and Benjamin: it was bounded on the west by the tribes of Simeon and Dan towards the Mediterranean sea, and by the tribe of Benjamin on the north, and by the wilderness of Paran on the south, and by the dead sea and Jordan on the east.

Gill: Jos 15:13 - -- And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah,.... That is, Joshua gave it to him. This account is inserted before th...
And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah,.... That is, Joshua gave it to him. This account is inserted before the cities in the lot of the tribe of Judah were enumerated, to show what was to be excepted from them, and which had been given to Caleb previous to the lot:
according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua; for as he had declared this to Moses, Deu 1:36; so it seems he also gave the same order to Joshua, who, it is not improbable, might consult the Lord about it when Caleb made his request, Jos 14:12,
even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron; See Gill on Jos 14:15.

Gill: Jos 15:14 - -- And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak,.... Some think this was after the death of Joshua, and is here inserted by some other person divinely i...
And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak,.... Some think this was after the death of Joshua, and is here inserted by some other person divinely inspired, and thoroughly acquainted with this fact, that the gift and the possession of this place might appear in one view; but it rather seems to be done before:
Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak; the very same giants Caleb saw at Hebron, when he was sent a spy into the land, Num 13:22; for these may as well be supposed to have lived to this time as himself, unless it can be thought that they were the sons of those men, called by their fathers' names; and though they were driven out when Joshua took Hebron, yet while he was engaged in making other conquests, or however before he died, they regained the possession of that city, and of the parts adjacent to it, from whence Caleb, with the help of his tribe, expelled them, conquered, and slew them, Jdg 1:10.

Gill: Jos 15:15 - -- And he went up from thence to the inhabitants of Debir,.... Having conquered Hebron, and got possession of that, Caleb marched to Debir, a city not ma...
And he went up from thence to the inhabitants of Debir,.... Having conquered Hebron, and got possession of that, Caleb marched to Debir, a city not many miles from Hebron, and seems to have been in the country, and part of the land, which was given him; of which See Gill on Jos 10:38,
and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher; or "the city of books"; either a place of literature, a sort of an academy, or where was a public library; the Targum calls it Kirjatharche, or the city of the archives, in which were laid up the public records of the Canaanites; the same is called Kirjathsannah for the like reason; see Gill on Jos 15:49.

Gill: Jos 15:16 - -- And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it,.... Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and w...
And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it,.... Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since it was taken by Joshua; nor through inactivity, diffidence, and timorousness in himself; but that others, who were officers, and men of valour under him, might gather some laurels as well as himself; and chiefly being under a divine impulse, he ordered this declaration to be made, whereby his brother Othniel, who was to be a judge in Israel, might appear a great man, and fit for such an office; and as an encouragement, he promises as follows:
to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife; and to be married into the family of the chief prince of the tribe of Judah was a very great honour, as well as no doubt a very large dowry might be expected, and was given with her, and very probably the city of Debir was promised that should be taken. This Achsah seems to be a daughter of Caleb by a concubine, 1Ch 2:48.

Gill: Jos 15:17 - -- And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it,.... The relation of Othniel to Caleb is a little intricate, and, as it is understood, occ...
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it,.... The relation of Othniel to Caleb is a little intricate, and, as it is understood, occasions objections to the marriage of Caleb's daughter to him; it seems, at first sight, that he was Caleb's own brother, a younger brother, and so uncle to his daughter, and such marriages were forbidden, Lev 18:14. Jarchi thinks he was the brother of Caleb by his mother's side; Kimchi, both by father and mother's side; but not to observe, that besides the word "brother" sometimes signifies only a kinsman, or near relation, and not precisely a brother; it is not Othniel that is called the brother of Caleb, but Kenaz, who was the father of Othniel; so that Caleb was Othniel's uncle, and Achsah and Othniel were brothers' children, or first cousins, between whom marriage was allowed of:
and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife; according to the tenor of his proclamation, and the promise he made.

Gill: Jos 15:18 - -- And it came to pass, as she came unto him,.... To her husband, being conducted from her father's house to his, in order to consummate the marriage, j...
And it came to pass, as she came unto him,.... To her husband, being conducted from her father's house to his, in order to consummate the marriage, just as we may suppose when she was got to her husband's house, before she lighted off the beast on which she rode:
that she moved him to ask of her father a field; or persuaded him to make such a request to him, or that he would give her leave to make it; that is, Achsah put Othniel her espoused husband upon it, to entreat her father Caleb, or suffer her to use her interest with him to obtain a field of him, over and above, and something better, than what he had already given:
and she lighted off her ass; she leaped or threw herself from it; or bowing herself, she fell off on her feet, as Jarchi interprets it, and in an humble manner made her obeisance to her father; though De Dieu, from the use of the word in the Ethiopic language, gives a different sense, as if she continued on her ass, and did not alight, waiting the success of her husband's request; or that her father, taking notice of this, might ask the reason of it, which would give her an opportunity of asking the favour of him, which she judged was a proper time of doing it; and there are some versions which seem to countenance this sense the Septuagint version is,"she cried from off the ass;''and the Vulgate Latin version,"she sighed as she sat upon the ass:"
and Caleb said unto her, what wouldest thou? what wouldest thou have? what is thy request for he perceived, by the posture she put herself in, that she had something to say to him.

Gill: Jos 15:19 - -- Who answered, give me a blessing,.... By which she meant not a paternal benediction, or that he would wish and pray for a blessing on her; nor food, o...
Who answered, give me a blessing,.... By which she meant not a paternal benediction, or that he would wish and pray for a blessing on her; nor food, or a maintenance, as Jarchi, that her husband would provide for her; but rather an inheritance or possession, as the Targum; or a gift, as Abendana, a present, or something over and above what he had already given her; or an addition to her portion, as Kimchi: the word is sometimes used for a fish pool, as well as a blessing, and so glances at what she had in view, pools of water, or a well watered land:
for thou hast given me a south land; a dry land, as the Jewish writers a generally interpret this word, otherwise all the land belonging to the tribe of Judah was south land, and Caleb could give her no other; but Debir, as Hebron was, was in the hill country, was mountainous and so dry, and wanted watering:
give me also springs of water; she means land in which there were springs of water; for unless she was possessed of the land in which they were, she would have no command of the springs, and so have little or no use of them:
and he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs; such as were in the higher grounds, and such as were in the lower ones, that she might have a sufficiency to water all her lands and fields; or as she moved her husband to ask a field, and he put her on doing the same, Caleb gave her a field, in the upper part of which were springs, and also in the lower part; though he seems to have given more than she requested.

Gill: Jos 15:20 - -- This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah, according to their families. The general description of which is given in the precedin...
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah, according to their families. The general description of which is given in the preceding part of the chapter, as the particular cities belonging to it are enumerated in the following part; the account of the gift of Hebron to Caleb, and the taking of Debir by Othniel, with the request of Achsah, and the grant of it, are inserted between them, and stand as it were in a parenthesis.

Gill: Jos 15:21 - -- And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah,.... That is, those cities which were the outward part of the tribe of Judah, the south...
And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah,.... That is, those cities which were the outward part of the tribe of Judah, the southern border of it; for the midland cities are not in this part, of the description reckoned, which reaches from hence to the end of Jos 15:32,
toward the coast of Edom southward: it begins about the dead sea, and goes on in that part of the land of Canaan which bordered on Idumea, and so proceeds on westward towards Gaza, and the Mediterranean sea: the cities in this part of the tribe
were Kabzeel, called Jekabzeel, Neh 11:25; and was the native place of Benaiah, one of David's mighty men, 2Sa 23:20,
and Eder and Jagur; of which we have no mention elsewhere.

Gill: Jos 15:22 - -- And Kinah,.... Of this city we read of nowhere else:
and Dimonah; the second city is thought to be the same with Dibon, Neh 11:25; and Jerom b obse...

Gill: Jos 15:23 - -- And Kedesh,.... The first of these cities seems to be Kadeshbarnea, which was to the south of the land, and on the borders of Edom, from whence the sp...
And Kedesh,.... The first of these cities seems to be Kadeshbarnea, which was to the south of the land, and on the borders of Edom, from whence the spies were sent, Num 32:8,
and Hazor is another city from that which is mentioned, Jos 11:1; and was in the tribe of Naphtali:
and Ithnan, which Jerom c calls Jedna, was, according to him, six miles from Eleutheropolis, as you go to Hebron; the Greek version joins this and the former city together, and makes them one.

Gill: Jos 15:24 - -- Ziph,.... Ziph was of the tribe of Judah in the south, on the borders of Eleutheropolis, as Jerom says d and was eight miles from Hebron to the east; ...
Ziph,.... Ziph was of the tribe of Judah in the south, on the borders of Eleutheropolis, as Jerom says d and was eight miles from Hebron to the east; and in his time a village was shown, where David was hid; but that Ziph seems to be in another part of this tribe near Carmel, and from whence a wilderness had its name; see Jos 15:55,
and Telem is supposed to be the same with Telaim, 1Sa 15:4,
and Bealoth; of this city we read nowhere else.

Gill: Jos 15:25 - -- And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor. According to the Targum, two cities only are here meant, which reads, "and Hazorhadatt...
And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor. According to the Targum, two cities only are here meant, which reads, "and Hazorhadattah, and Keriothhezron, which is Hazor"; and this reading seems to be right; there were three Hazors in this tribe, one in Jos 15:23, and two more here, which are distinguished; the first is called Hazorhadattah, or new Hazor; of which Jerom says e, there is a village at this day called Asor, in the borders of Ashkelon, to the east of it, which fell to the lot of the tribe of Judah; the Scripture makes mention of it, calling: it new Asor, to distinguish it from the old; and Keriothhezron is the same with Hezron, Jos 15:3; and had also the name of Hezron. From this place Judas Iscariot is thought to have his name, being Ishceriot, a man of Keriot.

Gill: Jos 15:26 - -- Amam,.... Of Amam we read nowhere else:
and Shema is thought by some to be the same with Sheba, though wrongly, given afterwards to the tribe of Si...
Amam,.... Of Amam we read nowhere else:
and Shema is thought by some to be the same with Sheba, though wrongly, given afterwards to the tribe of Simeon, as was also Moladah, mentioned with it, Jos 19:2,
and Moladah; it is also spoken of in 1Ch 4:28, and seems to be the same with Malathi or Malatis, about twenty miles from Hebron f.

Gill: Jos 15:27 - -- And Hazargaddah,.... The first of these, it is probable, is the same, Jerom g calls Gadda, in the tribe of Judah, which was in his day a village in th...
And Hazargaddah,.... The first of these, it is probable, is the same, Jerom g calls Gadda, in the tribe of Judah, which was in his day a village in the extreme borders of Daroma to the east, hanging over the dead sea:
and Heshmon is met with nowhere else:
and Bethpalet is in Neh 11:26, where it is called Bethphelet.

Gill: Jos 15:28 - -- And Hazarshual,.... The first of these seems to have its name from an haunt of foxes here, and was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:3; and is ment...
And Hazarshual,.... The first of these seems to have its name from an haunt of foxes here, and was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:3; and is mentioned as here with Beersheba, 1Ch 4:28 Neh 11:27,
and Beersheba was a city well known in the extreme border of the land of Canaan southward; hence the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba", Jdg 20:1, of which Jerom says h, Bersabee, in the tribe of Judah or Simeon, is at this day a large village, twenty miles from Hebron to the south, in which there is a Roman garrison; and from hence the borders of the land of Judea begin, and go on to Dan, which is by Paneas:
and Bizjothjah, of which mention is made elsewhere.

Gill: Jos 15:29 - -- Baalah,.... Baalah was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:3; for Baalah is the same with Balah there, as it is with Bilba, 1Ch 4:29; though accordin...
Baalah,.... Baalah was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:3; for Baalah is the same with Balah there, as it is with Bilba, 1Ch 4:29; though according to the Jerusalem Talmud i it is the same with Baalah, given to the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:44; and was one of those places whose houses were in Judah and their fields in Dan:
and Azem was also given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:3; it is the same with Ezem, 1Ch 4:29,
and Iim, of which we read nowhere else.

Gill: Jos 15:30 - -- And Eltolad,.... The first of these cities is called Tolad, 1Ch 4:29,
and Chesil seems to be the same with Bethul and Bethuel, Jos 19:4 1Ch 4:30; a...
And Eltolad,.... The first of these cities is called Tolad, 1Ch 4:29,
and Chesil seems to be the same with Bethul and Bethuel, Jos 19:4 1Ch 4:30; and here the Greek version calls it Baithel:
and Hormah is the same with Zephath, Jdg 1:17. All these three cities were given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:4.

Gill: Jos 15:31 - -- And Ziklag,.... Ziklag was also given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:5, it was in the bands of the king of Gath, in the times of David, who gave it to...
And Ziklag,.... Ziklag was also given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:5, it was in the bands of the king of Gath, in the times of David, who gave it to him; it bordered on the Amalekites, and is placed by Jerom c in Daroma, on the south of the lot of Judah or Simeon.
and Madmannah, according to the same writer d, was in his time called Menois, a town near the city Gaza:
and Sansannah, of which no mention is made elsewhere.

Gill: Jos 15:32 - -- And Lebaoth,.... Whether Lebaoth is the same with Bethlebaoth, given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:6; is not certain:
and Shilhim is nowhere else ...
And Lebaoth,.... Whether Lebaoth is the same with Bethlebaoth, given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:6; is not certain:
and Shilhim is nowhere else spoken of:
and Ain seems to be the same with that in Num 34:11; also See Gill on Num 34:11.
and Rimmon, the place Jerom e calls Eremmon, which he says was a large village of the Jews, sixteen miles from Eleutheropolis to the south, in Daroma; this and the preceding are joined together as one, and called Enrimmon, Neh 11:29. It is probable they were near to each other, and in process of time the buildings of each might increase, so as to meet and join each other:
all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages; but according to our version, and as we point them, they are thirty eight; some make them thirty six, others thirty seven; the Jews generally make thirty eight of them, as we do, and account for the difference of number thus; that nine of these cities were given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:1; and these being taken out of the thirty eight, there remain twenty nine; so Jarchi and Kimchi account for it; but as the number of the cities is uncertain, and this account is given before the separation of the nine, and they are all reckoned together, this does not seem to be satisfactory; rather, as Abarbinel observes, the twenty nine of the places enumerated were cities, and the other were villages, unwalled towns, or not of so much note as the twenty nine.

Gill: Jos 15:33 - -- And in the valley,.... In Jos 15:33 are enumerated the several cities belonging to the tribe of Judah which lay in the valley. Jerom f says, that now...
And in the valley,.... In Jos 15:33 are enumerated the several cities belonging to the tribe of Judah which lay in the valley. Jerom f says, that now all the plain and champaign country near Eleutheropolis, which verges to the north and west, is called "Sephela", or the valley:
Eshtaol; the two first of these seem to be given afterwards to the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:41; between these two places Samson was born and buried, Jdg 13:2; they were both at the same distance from Eleutheropolis, according to Jerom; of Eshtaol he says g, it is showed to this day ten miles from Eleutheropolis, to the north, as you go to Nicopolis or Emmaus:
and Zoreah, of which he calls Saara, he says h it is a village on the borders of Eleutheropolis, as you go to Nicopolis, about ten miles of it in the tribe of Dan or Judah:
and Ashnah, of which no mention is made elsewhere; there was another place of the same name, but different from this, Jos 15:43.

Gill: Jos 15:34 - -- And Zanoah,.... The first of these, Jerom says i, is in the borders of Eleutheropolis, as you go to Aelia (or Jerusalem); there is at this day a villa...
And Zanoah,.... The first of these, Jerom says i, is in the borders of Eleutheropolis, as you go to Aelia (or Jerusalem); there is at this day a village called Zanua:
and Engannim, which signifies a fountain of gardens, is now (according to the same writer k) a village near Bethel:
and Tappuah was a royal city, of which see Jos 12:17. Enaim, in the tribe of Judah, Jerom says l in his day was the village Bethenim, about the turpentine tree, or oak of Mamre; but that seems to be the same with Ain, Jos 15:32; of which he says the same under that word, and makes it to be two miles from the oak, and four from Hebron. Masius thinks it is the same with Enam, near to Timnath, of which See Gill on Gen 38:14; it following Tappuah one would be tempted to think with Jarchi it was the same with Entappuah, but that that was on the borders of Manasseh, Jos 17:7,
and Enam; it has an

Gill: Jos 15:35 - -- Jarmuth, and Adullam,.... The two first of these were royal cities, of which see Jos 10:3,
Socoh; Jerom says m there were two little villages in hi...
Jarmuth, and Adullam,.... The two first of these were royal cities, of which see Jos 10:3,
Socoh; Jerom says m there were two little villages in his day of the name of Socho, as you go to Aelia (or Jerusalem), from Eleutheropolis, in the ninth mile on the public way, one in the mountain, and the other in the plain, (the same with this,) both of which were called Socoth: of this place was Antigonus, president of the sanhedrim, and successor of Simeon the just, called in the Misnah n a man of Socho:
and Azekah; See Gill on Jos 10:10; it appears to be near to Socoh from 1Sa 17:1, where the Philistines are said to pitch their camp between them.

Gill: Jos 15:36 - -- And Sharaim,.... Sharaim seems to be the Saara of Jerom, which he describes as a village on the borders of Eleutheropolis, to the north as you go to N...
And Sharaim,.... Sharaim seems to be the Saara of Jerom, which he describes as a village on the borders of Eleutheropolis, to the north as you go to Nicopolis (or Emmaus), about ten miles from it in the tribe of Dan or Judah o; there was a place called Bethshaaraim, where the sanhedrim sometimes sat p, and where R. Judah was buried q. This seems to be the same with Shaaraim in 1Sa 17:52,
and Adithaim; Jerom observes r, under the word "Adithaim", that there is a village called Adia, near Gaza, and another Aditha, near Diospolis (or Lydda), to the east:
and Gederah, which seems to be the same Jerom calls Gaddera, in the tribe of Judah s, now, he says, called a village belonging to the country of Aelia (or Jerusalem), by the name of Gadera, about the turpentine tree.
and Gederothaim, of which we nowhere else read; Kimchi thinks Gederah and Gederothaim were one city:
fourteen cities with their villages; but, upon counting them, it will appear there are fifteen, which may be reduced to fourteen, if with Kimchi we take the two last to be but one, who in this way reconciles it; or with Jarchi make Tappuah and Enam to be one also, called Entappuah, which is the way he takes to solve the difficulty; but perhaps the case is this, that one of the places in the account was not a city, but a village.

Gill: Jos 15:37 - -- Zenan,.... Here begins another list or catalogue of the cities in the valley or plain. Zenan perhaps is the same with Zaanan, Mic 1:11,
and Hadasha...
Zenan,.... Here begins another list or catalogue of the cities in the valley or plain. Zenan perhaps is the same with Zaanan, Mic 1:11,
and Hadashah was so small a city in Judea in the times of the Misnic doctors, that they say t it had but fifty dwellings in it; and Jerom speaks u of a place called Adasa, in the tribe of Judah, in his times a village near Guphua; it should be Taphna:
and Migdalgad, of which we nowhere else read; some think it had its name from some famous exploit done here by one of the tribe of Gad, who came over with Joshua to assist in the war, as the stone of Bohan the Reubenite, Jos 15:6.

Gill: Jos 15:38 - -- And Dilean,.... Of the first of these nothing is to be said:
and Mizpeh, of which name there were cities in other tribes; this in the tribe of Juda...
And Dilean,.... Of the first of these nothing is to be said:
and Mizpeh, of which name there were cities in other tribes; this in the tribe of Judah was in the times of Jerom w called Mapha, on the borders of Eleutheropolis to the south, as you go to Aelia, or Jerusalem:
and Joktheel, of which nothing is to be said.

Gill: Jos 15:39 - -- Lachish,.... Lachish and Eglon were royal cities, of which see Jos 10:3,
and Bozkath, is called Boscath, of which place was the mother of King Josi...
Lachish,.... Lachish and Eglon were royal cities, of which see Jos 10:3,
and Bozkath, is called Boscath, of which place was the mother of King Josiah, 2Ki 21:1; some take it to be the same with Bascana, as in the Apocrypha:"And when he came near to Bascama he slew Jonathan, who was buried there.'' (1 Maccabees 13:23)
and Eglon also was a royal city, of which see Jos 10:3.

Gill: Jos 15:40 - -- And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish. Cities of which we can give no account, not being mentioned elsewhere.
And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish. Cities of which we can give no account, not being mentioned elsewhere.

Gill: Jos 15:41 - -- And Gederoth,.... Gederoth is reckoned among the cities of the low country, and south of Judah, 2Ch 28:18,
and Bethdagon; in it very probably was a...
And Gederoth,.... Gederoth is reckoned among the cities of the low country, and south of Judah, 2Ch 28:18,
and Bethdagon; in it very probably was a temple of Dagon, which was a principal deity of the Philistines, 1Sa 5:2; Jerom says x in his time was shown a large village called Capherdagon, between Diospolis and Jamnia; of Naamah, the same writer says nothing, only that it was a city of the tribe of Judah:
and Makkedah; see Jos 10:10; it was a royal city, Jos 12:16;
sixteen cities with their villages; and is the exact number of them, as before enumerated.

Gill: Jos 15:42 - -- Libnah,.... Here begins another division or list of the cities of Judah, in the valley or plain. Libnah is the same with Libnah, a royal city; see Jos...
Libnah,.... Here begins another division or list of the cities of Judah, in the valley or plain. Libnah is the same with Libnah, a royal city; see Jos 10:29,
and Ether was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:7; and under Ether of the lot of Simeon, Jerom writes y, there is now a very large village called Jethira, in interior Daroma, near Malatha, twenty miles from Eleutheropolis:
and Ashan also was given to the tribe of Simeon, Jos 19:7; and the above writer relates z, that there was in his times a village called Bethasan, belonging to Aelia, or Jerusalem, fifteen miles from it.

Gill: Jos 15:43 - -- And Jiphtah,.... Jiphtah is nowhere else mentioned:
and Ashnah; there was another Ashnah of this tribe, and which was in the vale also, met with al...

Gill: Jos 15:44 - -- And Keilah,.... The first of these is a well known city, which David saved from the hands of the Philistines, 1Sa 23:1, &c. In Jerom's time it was a l...
And Keilah,.... The first of these is a well known city, which David saved from the hands of the Philistines, 1Sa 23:1, &c. In Jerom's time it was a little village to the east of Eleutheropolis, about eight miles from it, as you go to Hebron; in which was shown the sepulchre of the Prophet Habakkuk b.
And Achzib is said to be on the borders of Asher, Jos 19:29, and is supposed the same with Chezib, Gen 38:5; and the Ecdippa of Josephus and others, and now called Zib; See Gill on Mic 1:14,
and Mareshah; Jerom says c, only the ruins of it were to be seen two miles from Eleutheropolis:
nine cities with their villages; which is just their number.

Gill: Jos 15:45 - -- Ekron, with her towns and her villages. One of the five principalities of the Philistines, which with two more next mentioned, though they fell to the...
Ekron, with her towns and her villages. One of the five principalities of the Philistines, which with two more next mentioned, though they fell to the lot of the tribe of Judah, were never possessed by them; for which reason perhaps Gath and Ascalon are not mentioned, and these are put for the rest; see Jos 13:3.

Gill: Jos 15:46 - -- From Ekron even unto the sea,.... The Mediterranean sea, or the west, as the Targum:
all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages; this is the Az...

Gill: Jos 15:47 - -- Ashdod with her towns and, her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages,.... Gaza was another of the principalities of the Philistines, of which...
Ashdod with her towns and, her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages,.... Gaza was another of the principalities of the Philistines, of which See Gill on Amo 1:7; See Gill on Zep 2:4; See Gill on Act 8:26; these, with the two other principalities not mentioned, Gath and Ashkelon, were in the western border of the tribe of Judah, which reached from Ekron, the first that is mentioned:
unto the river of Egypt; of which see Jos 15:4,
and the great sea, and the border thereof; the Mediterranean sea, called so in comparison of the lesser seas in Judea, the salt sea, and the sea of Tiberias; whose border was its shore, and the cities upon it, and not the isles in the sea, as Jarchi.

Gill: Jos 15:48 - -- And in the mountains,.... The hill country of Judea, as it is called Luk 1:39, in which were the following cities:
Shamir: the Alexandrian copy of ...
And in the mountains,.... The hill country of Judea, as it is called Luk 1:39, in which were the following cities:
Shamir: the Alexandrian copy of the Greek version reads Sophir as the name, of the first of these cities; and Jerom says d there was a village of this name in the mountainous parts, situated between Eleutheropolis, and Ashkelon in the tribe of Judah; see Mic 1:11,
and Jattir the same writer calls Jether, in the tribe of Judah; and says e there was in his time a very large village called Jethira, twenty miles from Eleutheropolis, the inhabitants of which were then all Christians: it was situated in interior Daroma, near Malatha:
and Socoh is different from Socoh in Jos 15:35; that was in the plain, this in the mountain; See Gill on Jos 15:35.

Gill: Jos 15:49 - -- And Dannah,.... Dannah is not mentioned elsewhere:
and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir; Kirjathsannah had three names, this and Debir, and Kirjathse...
And Dannah,.... Dannah is not mentioned elsewhere:
and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir; Kirjathsannah had three names, this and Debir, and Kirjathsepher; See Gill on Jos 15:15; all which are of much the same signification; for "Sanna" with the Arabs f, and so with the Phoenicians, signifies law, doctrine, and manner of life; and with the Mahometans the secondary law to the Koran, and answers to the Jewish Misnah; and the Greek version interprets this name "the city of letters". Jerom g calls it Daenna, and seems to confound it with Dannah.

Gill: Jos 15:50 - -- And Anab,.... Of Anab; see Gill on Jos 11:21,
and Eshtemoh Jerom calls h Astemech, a village in the tribe of Judah, and belongs to the Jews in Daro...
And Anab,.... Of Anab; see Gill on Jos 11:21,
and Eshtemoh Jerom calls h Astemech, a village in the tribe of Judah, and belongs to the Jews in Daroma, and is to the north of a place called Anem, perhaps the same with Anim here;
and Anim Jerom says is the village Anea, near another of the same name; which he places to the south of Hebron, as he does this to the east, the inhabitants of which in his time were all Christians.

Gill: Jos 15:51 - -- And Goshen,.... Of Goshen in the land of Canaan; see Gill on Jos 10:41,
and Holon, of which there is no other mention:
and Giloh was the city of...

Gill: Jos 15:52 - -- Arab,.... Arab is the same Jerom i calls Ereb, and was in his time a village in the south, and was called Heromith:
and Dumah; Duma, Jerom says k, ...

Gill: Jos 15:53 - -- And Janum,.... Under the word "Janum", Jerom writes l, there is a village called Janua, three miles from Legion to the south, but seems not to be what...
And Janum,.... Under the word "Janum", Jerom writes l, there is a village called Janua, three miles from Legion to the south, but seems not to be what is written:
and Bethtappuah is by Jerom called Bethaphu m, and said to be a village in the tribe of Judah, fourteen miles beyond Raphia, as you go to Egypt, which is the border of Palestine:
and Aphekah; Jerom speaks n of a large castle in his time called Apheca, near the town of Palestine; there were several places of the name of Aphek; See Gill on Jos 12:18. As for Bethtappuah, it seems to be a place which was dedicated to a deity to which apples were sacred, in memory of the apple by which mankind was seduced; there was in later times a goddess called Pomona from hence.

Gill: Jos 15:54 - -- And Humtah,.... Of Humtah we nowhere else read:
and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron; of Kirjatharba we read frequently; See Gill on Jos 14:15,
and...
And Humtah,.... Of Humtah we nowhere else read:
and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron; of Kirjatharba we read frequently; See Gill on Jos 14:15,
and Zior; Jerom says o, that in his time there was a village shown by the name of Sihor, between Aelia (or Jerusalem) and Eleutheropolis, in the tribe of Judah:
nine cities with their villages; which is exactly their number, as expressed; here ends the second division, or of the cities in the hill country of Judea; a third follows.

Gill: Jos 15:55 - -- Maon, Carmel,.... Maon was the dwelling place of Nabal the Carmelite, whose possessions were in Carmel, and were not far from one another, 1Sa 25:2. I...
Maon, Carmel,.... Maon was the dwelling place of Nabal the Carmelite, whose possessions were in Carmel, and were not far from one another, 1Sa 25:2. It gave name to a wilderness near where David hid himself from Saul, 1Sa 23:25; Jerom p places it to the east of Daroma, who also informs q us, that there was in his time a village that went by the name of Carmelia, ten miles from Hebron towards the east, and where was a Roman garrison.
and Ziph, according to the same writer r, was eight miles from Hebron to the east; and there was a village shown in his time where David was hid; this gave name to a wilderness also, 1Sa 23:14,
and Juttah, which Jerom calls s Jeshan, was in his time a large village of the Jews, eighteen miles from Eleutheropolis, to the southern part in Daroma. Reland t conjectures that this was the native place of John the Baptist; and that, instead of "a city of Judah", it should be read "the city Juta", Luk 1:39.

Gill: Jos 15:56 - -- And Jezreel,.... This Jezreel in the tribe of Judah is different from that which was once a royal seat of some of the kings of Israel, and from whence...
And Jezreel,.... This Jezreel in the tribe of Judah is different from that which was once a royal seat of some of the kings of Israel, and from whence the famous valley of Jezreel or Esdraelon had its name: of this we have no other account elsewhere:
and Jokdeam; of which we have no other mention:
and Zanoah is a distinct place from the city of the same name in the valley, Jos 15:34.

Gill: Jos 15:57 - -- Cain,.... Cain, or Hakain, "that Cain", we nowhere else read of; whether the name was given it by the old Canaanites, in memory of Cain, the son of Ad...
Cain,.... Cain, or Hakain, "that Cain", we nowhere else read of; whether the name was given it by the old Canaanites, in memory of Cain, the son of Adam, is not certain:
Gibeah; there were other places that went by the name of Gibeah; there was a Gibeah in Benjamin, Jdg 20:4, and another in the same tribe called Gibeah of Saul, 1Sa 11:4, to distinguish it from that; but this was in the tribe of Judah. Masius conjectures it is the same with that in 1Sa 23:19 which was near Ziph; and not amiss. Jerom u makes mention of Gabaha and Gabatha, little villages to the east of Daroma; and of another Gabatha, near Bethlehem, in the tribe of Judah; but whether either of these are meant it is doubtful:
Timnah, of this city; see Gill on Jos 15:10,
ten cities with their villages; the number agrees with the names of them.

Gill: Jos 15:58 - -- Halhul,.... Here begins a fourth division, or list, of the cities in the mountains. Halhul Jerom calls Ehul, and says w there was in his time in the c...
Halhul,.... Here begins a fourth division, or list, of the cities in the mountains. Halhul Jerom calls Ehul, and says w there was in his time in the country belonging to Aelia (or Jerusalem) a village by the name of Ahula, near Hebron; and
Bethzur, Jerom says x, was then called Bethseron, a village as you go from Aelia to Hebron, in the twentieth mile, near which was a fountain at the bottom of a mount, where it is said the eunuch was baptized by Philip: he makes mention of another village called Bethsur in the tribe of Judah, a mile from Eleutheropolis. In the Apocrypha:"So he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.'' (2 Maccabees 11:5)it is said to be but five furlongs from Jerusalem, but it must have been at a greater distance:
Gedor, of this city; see Gill on Jos 12:13.

Gill: Jos 15:59 - -- And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon,.... Of these cities we have no account elsewhere; only mention is made of Eltekeh, in the tribe of Dan, Jos 1...
And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon,.... Of these cities we have no account elsewhere; only mention is made of Eltekeh, in the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:44,
six cities with their villages; these were all in the mountainous part of Judea, as were the two following.

Gill: Jos 15:60 - -- Kirjathbaal, (which is Kirjathjearim,),.... Of Kirjathbaal, and its several names; see Gill on Jos 15:9,
and Rabbah, of which we nowhere else read...
Kirjathbaal, (which is Kirjathjearim,),.... Of Kirjathbaal, and its several names; see Gill on Jos 15:9,
and Rabbah, of which we nowhere else read; for this is a very different city from the Rabbah of the children of Ammon, 2Sa 12:26,
two cities with their villages; why these are reckoned by themselves is not certain.

Gill: Jos 15:61 - -- In the wilderness,.... The wilderness of Judea, which was not a desert and uninhabited but had many cities and villages in it, those that follow:
B...
In the wilderness,.... The wilderness of Judea, which was not a desert and uninhabited but had many cities and villages in it, those that follow:
Betharabah; the first of these seems to be in the borders of Judah and Benjamin, and so is ascribed to both; see Jos 15:6,
Middin, and Secacah; of the two last we read nowhere else, only in Jdg 5:10; what we translate "ye that sit in judgment", Kimchi interprets, "ye that dwell by Middin", and says it is the name of a place in Joshua, and mentions this passage.

Gill: Jos 15:62 - -- And Nibshan,.... Of Nibshan no mention is made elsewhere:
and the city of Salt some take to be Zoar, so called because near the salt sea, or where ...
And Nibshan,.... Of Nibshan no mention is made elsewhere:
and the city of Salt some take to be Zoar, so called because near the salt sea, or where Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt, Gen 19:22; but rather this city might be so called, because salt was made here.
and Engedi, or Engaddi, is a well known place, near the salt sea; See Gill on Eze 47:10. Jerom says y, there was a very large village of Jews in his time called Engaddi, near the dead sea, from whence comes the opobalsam; the same place is called Hazazontamar, from the palm trees which grew there, 2Ch 20:2. It was famous for vineyards also, Son 1:14; it lay, according to Josephus z, three hundred furlongs or about forty miles from Jerusalem:
six cities with their villages; the sum total agrees with the particulars.

Gill: Jos 15:63 - -- As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem,.... From whom the city was called Jebus, Jdg 19:10. The Jews say, that these Jebusites were not th...
As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem,.... From whom the city was called Jebus, Jdg 19:10. The Jews say, that these Jebusites were not those of the seven nations; but there was a man whose name was Jebus, and he was of the Philistines, of the seed of Abimelech, and the place was called by his name Jebus; and the men of that family that dwelt at Jerusalem, their names were called Jebusites, having their descent from him; so Araunah, the Jebusite, was king of that place: and the fort of that place was Zion, which was at Jerusalem: so Kimchi relates from their Rabbins, and with whom Jarchi agrees, but without any foundation; there is no doubt to be made of it, that these Jebusites were Canaanites:
the children of Judah could not drive them out; according to the above Jewish writers they could have done it, but it was not fit and proper they should, because of the oath of Abraham to Abimelech, from whom they suppose these Jebusites sprung; but the case was this; though Joshua slew the king of this place, and took his land with the rest, Jos 10:1; and though the men of Judah retook it after his death, it having been got into the hands of the Jebusites again, Jdg 1:8; yet either the fort of Zion was never taken by either of them, or if taken, the Jebusites got possession of it again, and held it until the times of David; see 2Sa 5:6,
but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day; the one in the fort of Zion, and the other in the city of Jerusalem, properly so called, and thus they continued unto the writing of this book; by which it should seem, that the Jebusites were not dispossessed of their fort, or a part of the city, by Joshua; or this might be added and inserted by some inspired man afterwards; or however it must be done before the times of David: and from the whole it appears, that the city of Jerusalem, at least a part of it, belonged to the tribe of Judah, as another part did to that of Benjamin, to which it is ascribed, Jos 18:28; see Jdg 1:21.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jos 15:13 Heb “To Caleb son of Jephunneh he gave a portion in the midst of the sons of Judah according to the mouth [i.e., command] of the Lord to Joshua,...



NET Notes: Jos 15:17 Heb “he”; the referent (Caleb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

NET Notes: Jos 15:18 Heb “him.” The referent of the pronoun could be Othniel, in which case the translation would be, “she incited him [Othniel] to ask h...

NET Notes: Jos 15:19 Elsewhere this Hebrew word (בְּרָכָה, bÿrakhah) is often translated “blessing,” but h...

NET Notes: Jos 15:20 Heb “This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah by their clans.”

NET Notes: Jos 15:21 Heb “and the cities were at the end of the tribe of the sons of Judah, at the border of Edom, to the south.”


NET Notes: Jos 15:32 The total number of names in the list is thirty-six, not twenty-nine. Perhaps (1) some of the names are alternatives (though the text appears to delin...




NET Notes: Jos 15:48 The words “These cities were” have been supplied in the translation for English stylistic reasons.


NET Notes: Jos 15:61 The words “These cities were” have been supplied for English stylistic reasons.

NET Notes: Jos 15:63 The statement to this very day reflects the perspective of the author, who must have written prior to David’s conquest of the Jebusites (see 2 S...
Geneva Bible: Jos 15:11 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 Jab...

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:14 And Caleb ( e ) drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
( e ) This was done after the death of Jo...

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:18 And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: ( f ) and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto...

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; ( g ) give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the...

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and ( h ) Hormah,
( h ) Which before was called Zephath, (Jdg 1:17).

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the ( i ) river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border [thereo...

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:49 And Dannah, and ( k ) Kirjathsannah, which [is] Debir,
( k ) Which is also called Kirjath-sepher, (Jos 15:15).

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:62 And Nibshan, and the ( l ) city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
( l ) Of this city the salt sea has it's name.

Geneva Bible: Jos 15:63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them ( m ) out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Jos 15:1-63
TSK Synopsis: Jos 15:1-63 - --1 The borders of the lot Judah.13 Caleb's portion and conquest.16 Othniel, for his valour, hath Achsah, Caleb's daughter, to wife.18 She obtains a ble...
MHCC: Jos 15:1-12 - --Joshua allotted to Judah, Ephraim, and the half of Manasseh, their inheritances before they left Gilgal. Afterwards removing to Shiloh, another survey...

MHCC: Jos 15:13-19 - --Achsah obtained some land by Caleb's free grant. He gave her a south land. Land indeed, but a south land, dry and apt to be parched. She obtained more...

MHCC: Jos 15:20-63 - --Here is a list of the cities of Judah. But we do not here find Bethlehem, afterwards the city of David, and ennobled by the birth of our Lord Jesus in...
Matthew Henry: 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 ...

Matthew Henry: 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. O...

Matthew Henry: 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 ow...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jos 15:1-12 - --
Boundaries of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah . - Jos 15:1. Its situation in the land. " And there was (i.e., fell, or came out; cf. Jos 16:1...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jos 15:13-19 - --
The account of the conquest of the inheritance, which Caleb asked for and received before the lots were cast for the land (Jos 14:6-15), by the exte...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jos 15:20 - --
Jos 15:20 contains the closing formula to vv. 1-19, i.e., to the description of the territory of Judah by its boundaries (vid., Jos 18:20).

Keil-Delitzsch: Jos 15:21-63 - --
In vv. 21-63 there follows a list of the towns of the tribe of Judah, arranged in the four districts into which the land was divided, according to ...
Constable: Jos 13:1--21:45 - --II. THE DIVISION OF THE LAND chs. 13--21
Chapters 13-24 describe how Joshua divided the land and the results of ...

Constable: Jos 15:1-63 - --3. Judah's inheritance ch. 15
The tribe of Judah probably received first consideration in the te...

Constable: Jos 15:1-20 - --Judah's boundaries and Caleb and Othniel's inheritances 15:1-20
15:1-12 The writer recorded the boundaries of the whole tribal territory first. The de...
