Joshua 15

Joshua 15

The big picture

Joshua 15 opens in verse 1 with “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 32 with “And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with…”, and closes in verse 63 with “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive…” Repeated or prominent terms include border, villages, cities, Beth, children. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Joshua · King James Version · 63

Joshua 15:1-8

1–8: This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their…

Joshua 15:1–8 opens with “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the…” and reaches “And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by border, south, passed.

Context that brings the passage to life

“This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the…” Naming Edom and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it went out to the south side to Maaleh-acrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto…” Naming Adar and Hezron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the…” Naming Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before…” Naming Achor and Adummim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Joshua 15:1-8

King James Version

1This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

2And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

3And it went out to the south side to Maaleh-acrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadesh-barnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

4From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

5And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

6And the border went up to Beth-hogla, and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

7And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of En-shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En-rogel:

8And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

Joshua 15:9-16

9–16: The border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the…

Joshua 15:9–16 opens with “And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah…” and reaches “And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by border, mount, Anak.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the…” Naming Baalah and Ephron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to…” Naming Baalah and Ekron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the…” Naming Anak and Arba keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Joshua 15:9-16

King James Version

9And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjath-jearim:

10And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

11And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

12And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

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

15And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher.

16And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

Joshua 15:17-24

17–24: Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him…

Joshua 15:17–24 opens with “And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter…” and reaches “Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by springs, Caleb, children.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.” Naming Achsah and Caleb keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Joshua 15:17-24

King James Version

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

18And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

19Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

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

21And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

22And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

23And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

24Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

Joshua 15:25-32

25–32: Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

Joshua 15:25–32 opens with “And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,” and reaches “And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by Hazar, Hazor, Amam.

Joshua 15:25-32

King James Version

25And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

26Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

27And Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-palet,

28And Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah,

29Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

30And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,

31And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

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

Joshua 15:33-40

33–40: In the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

Joshua 15:33–40 opens with “And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,” and reaches “And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by Adithaim, Adullam, Ashnah.

Joshua 15:33-40

King James Version

33And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

34And Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam,

35Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

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

37Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad,

38And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,

39Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

40And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,

Joshua 15:41-48

41–48: Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with…

Joshua 15:41–48 opens with “And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:” and reaches “And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by villages, towns, Ashdod.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:” Naming Beth and Gederoth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Joshua 15:41-48

King James Version

41And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:

42Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,

43And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

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

45Ekron, with her towns and her villages:

46From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:

47Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:

48And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,

Joshua 15:49-56

49–56: Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which is Debir,

Joshua 15:49–56 opens with “And Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which is Debir,” and reaches “And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by cities, Kirjath, villages.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which is Debir,” Naming Dannah and Debir keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Joshua 15:49-56

King James Version

49And Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which is Debir,

50And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,

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

52Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,

53And Janum, and Beth-tappuah, and Aphekah,

54And Humtah, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:

55Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

56And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,

Joshua 15:57-63

57–63: Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

Joshua 15:57–63 opens with “Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:” and reaches “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 15 develops its own movement around border, villages, cities, Beth, children, with particular weight carried by cities, villages, Beth.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

Joshua 15:57-63

King James Version

57Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

58Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor,

59And Maarath, and Beth-anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:

60Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:

61In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

62And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages.

63As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Details worth noticing

63verses in this reading
8major movements
3verses with speech
1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Joshua 15:1 begins with “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost…”

Where the chapter turns

Joshua 15:18 forms a natural hinge: “And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What…”

The final note

Joshua 15:63 leaves the reader with “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at…”

A word trail through the chapter

The words border, villages, cities, Beth, children, passed help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

What is Abram invited to trust?

God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.

Why does the delay matter?

The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.

KJV words made clear

unto
to
thou
you

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.