The territory of Judah is defined by detailed boundary descriptions. Caleb conquers Hebron and Debir, Othniel captures Kiriath-sepher and wins Caleb's daughter Achsah, and the chapter lists Judah's cities by district. The Jebusites in Jerusalem remain unconquered.
What Makes This Chapter Remarkable
Judah's allotment is the longest and most detailed — reflecting Judah's theological and political significance as the tribe of the future monarchy. Achsah's request for water springs (v. 19) is one of the few moments a woman speaks in the allotment narratives — she negotiates for resources, not merely accepting what is given. The note that Judah 'could not drive out the Jebusites of Jerusalem' (v. 63) creates a tension that persists until David's conquest (2 Samuel 5:6-7).
Translation Friction
The boundary descriptions use geographical markers whose locations are often uncertain. We rendered every place name as the Hebrew gives it. The phrase ad hayyom hazzeh (v. 63, 'to this day') marks the narrator's time and acknowledges that the allotment ideal did not match the settlement reality — the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem alongside Judah.
Connections
Othniel's victory at Kiriath-sepher previews his role as the first judge (Judges 3:9-11). Achsah's story is repeated in Judges 1:12-15. The Jebusite presence in Jerusalem persists until 2 Samuel 5:6-9. Judah's territorial prominence anticipates the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) and the prophetic focus on Judah.
The territory allotted to the tribe of Judah, clan by clan, extended to the border of Edom — the wilderness of Zin at the far south.
KJV 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 part of the south coast.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Vayyehi ha-goral l'matteh b'nei Yehudah ('the lot fell to the tribe of Judah') — Judah is the first tribe to receive its Cisjordan allocation, reflecting its preeminence among the tribes. El g'vul Edom midbar Tsin negbah ('to the border of Edom, the wilderness of Zin, to the south') — Judah's southern boundary touches Edom and the wilderness of Zin, where Israel spent most of the wilderness years. The tribal territory begins at the edge of the desert.
Their southern boundary started from the end of the Dead Sea, from the bay that faces south.
KJV And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Min ha-lashon ha-poneh negbah ('from the tongue/bay facing southward') — the lashon ('tongue') describes a bay or peninsula at the southern tip of the Dead Sea. The boundary description follows a precise geographic course from east to west, typical of ancient Near Eastern border treaties and land grants.
It ran south to the Ascent of Akrabbim, crossed to Zin, went up south of Kadesh-barnea, passed Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka.
KJV And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ma'aleh Aqrabbim ('Ascent of Scorpions') — a steep pass in the southern Negev, marking the boundary between the Arabah and the highlands. The boundary runs through the very landscape Israel traversed during the wilderness years: Kadesh-barnea, where the spies were sent (Numbers 13), sits along Judah's southern border. The tribe's territory is defined by the sites of Israel's earlier history.
It continued to Azmon, went out to the Wadi of Egypt, and ended at the sea. This is your southern boundary.
KJV From 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Nachal Mitsrayim ('the Wadi of Egypt') — not the Nile but the Wadi el-Arish, the traditional boundary between Canaan and Egypt. V'hayu tots'ot ha-g'vul yammah ('the outlets of the boundary were at the sea') — the Mediterranean is the western terminus. Judah's southern border runs from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean, encompassing the entire Negev.
The eastern boundary was the Dead Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan. The northern boundary began from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.
KJV And 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:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Yam ha-Melach ('the Salt Sea' — Dead Sea) forms Judah's entire eastern border. The northern boundary begins where the Jordan empties into the Dead Sea and runs westward — this border separates Judah from Benjamin.
The boundary went up to Beth-hoglah, passed north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
KJV And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Even Bohan ben R'uven ('the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben') — a named boundary marker, apparently a standing stone associated with a member of the tribe of Reuben. Named stones as boundary markers were common in the ancient Near East and provided permanent, publicly recognized reference points for territorial borders.
The boundary went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, then turned north toward Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the valley. The boundary crossed to the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.
KJV And 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 Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Me-Emeq Akhor ('from the Valley of Achor') — the same valley where Achan was executed (7:24-26). The site of Israel's darkest moment during the conquest now serves as a boundary marker for Judah's territory. Geography bears the scars of history. Ein Shemesh ('spring of the sun') and Ein Rogel ('spring of the fuller') — the boundary follows natural water sources, as was typical in the ancient Near East.
The boundary went up through the Valley of Ben-hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite city — that is, Jerusalem — then up to the top of the hill west of the Hinnom Valley, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
KJV And 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:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Gei ven Hinnom ('Valley of the son of Hinnom') — this valley south and west of Jerusalem will become infamous as the site of child sacrifice under later Judean kings (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-32; 32:35). Its name, Ge-Hinnom, eventually became Gehenna — the New Testament term for the place of final judgment. Its mention here as a boundary marker carries no hint of its dark future.
El ketef ha-Y'vusi min-negev hi Yerushalayim ('to the shoulder of the Jebusite on the south — that is, Jerusalem') — the narrator identifies the Jebusite city as Jerusalem, though it will not be captured until David's time (2 Samuel 5:6-9). The boundary runs along its southern edge, making Jerusalem technically within Judah's allotment but practically unconquered (v. 63).
From the hilltop the boundary curved to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, extended to the cities of Mount Ephron, and curved to Baalah — that is, Kiriath-jearim.
KJV And 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 Kirjathjearim:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ba'alah hi Qiryat Y'arim ('Baalah, that is Kiriath-jearim') — one of the Gibeonite cities (9:17), now on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Kiriath-jearim will later be the resting place of the ark of the covenant for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1-2), connecting this boundary description to the larger narrative of God's presence among His people.
From Baalah the boundary turned westward to Mount Seir, passed along the northern slope of Mount Jearim — that is, Chesalon — descended to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah.
KJV And 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 Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Beit Shemesh ('house of the sun') — a border city between Judah and Dan in the Sorek Valley. It will become the site where the ark returns from Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 6:12-19). Timnah — the town where Samson will find his Philistine wife (Judges 14:1). The boundary passes through sites that will feature prominently in the Judges narratives.
The boundary extended to the northern slope of Ekron, curved to Shikkeron, crossed Mount Baalah, went out to Jabneel, and ended at the sea.
KJV 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 Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The northern boundary reaches Ekron, one of the five Philistine cities (13:3). Judah's border touches Philistine territory without encompassing it — the Philistine pentapolis remains unconquered. Tots'ot ha-g'vul yammah ('the outlets of the boundary were at the sea') — the Mediterranean coast is the western terminus, completing the circuit of Judah's borders.
The western boundary was the Great Sea and its coastline. These were the boundaries of the tribe of Judah on all sides, clan by clan.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ha-Yam ha-Gadol ('the Great Sea') — the Mediterranean. Judah's territory is now fully defined: Dead Sea to the east, Negev desert to the south, Mediterranean to the west, and the Benjamin/Dan border to the north. It is the largest tribal allotment, befitting Judah's preeminent role (Genesis 49:8-12).
To Caleb son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the people of Judah, as the LORD had directed Joshua — Kiriath-arba (Arba being the father of Anak), that is, Hebron.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
El pi YHWH liYhoshua ('according to the mouth/command of the LORD to Joshua') — Caleb's allocation is explicitly attributed to divine command, not to Joshua's personal decision. Qiryat Arba avi ha-Anaq ('Kiriath-arba, father of Anak') — Arba is identified as the ancestor of the Anakim giants. The city named after the father of the giants goes to the man who was never afraid of them.
Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai — descendants of Anak.
KJV And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Vayyoresh misham Kalev et sh'loshah b'nei ha-Anaq ('Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak') — the eighty-five-year-old warrior fulfills his promise. The same three Anakim clans the spies saw at Hebron forty-five years earlier (Numbers 13:22) are now expelled by the one spy who was not afraid of them. The verb yarash ('to dispossess') closes the circle: Caleb takes possession by driving out the giants whose presence once terrified a nation.
From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir — Debir was formerly called Kiriath-sepher.
KJV And he went up thence against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Qiryat Sefer ('city of the book/scribe') — Debir's earlier name suggests it may have been a scribal center or archive city. The name is fitting for a place that will feature in a narrative about learning and legacy (vv. 16-19). The parallel account appears in Judges 1:11-15.
Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it — I will give him my daughter Achsah as a wife."
KJV And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
V'natatti lo et Akhsah vitti l'ishah ('I will give him Achsah my daughter as a wife') — Caleb offers his daughter as the reward for military valor. This practice was common in the ancient Near East (cf. 1 Samuel 17:25; 18:17-19, where Saul promises his daughter to whoever kills Goliath). The scene introduces Achsah, who will prove to be as bold and resourceful as her father.
Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, captured it, and Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage.
KJV And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Otniel ben Q'naz achi Khalev ('Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother/relative') — Othniel is either Caleb's younger brother or his nephew (the Hebrew achi can mean 'brother' or 'kinsman'). He will later become the first judge of Israel (Judges 3:9-11), the model deliverer against whom all subsequent judges are measured. His introduction here as a young warrior earning his bride foreshadows his later role as Israel's first post-Joshua leader.
When she arrived, she urged him to ask her father for a field. She dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb asked her, "What do you want?"
KJV 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 wouldest thou?
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Vatt'siteihu lish'ol me-et avihah sadeh ('she urged him to ask her father for a field') — Achsah takes initiative, persuading her husband to request productive land. Vattitsnach me-al ha-chamor ('she dismounted from the donkey') — the act of dismounting may signal a formal petition or simply practical movement toward her father. Caleb's question mah lakh ('what is it to you? / what do you want?') shows his openness to her request.
She said, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
KJV Who 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
T'nah li v'rakhah ('give me a blessing/gift') — Achsah asks boldly, as her father asked boldly of Joshua (14:12). Ki erets ha-Negev n'tattani ('since you have given me Negev land') — the Negev is arid; land without water is barely usable. V'natattah li gullot mayim ('give me also springs of water') — Achsah recognizes that the land gift is incomplete without water. She asks for the essential resource that transforms dry land into productive territory.
Vayyitten lah et gullot illiyyot v'et gullot tachtiyyot ('he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs') — Caleb gives generously, exceeding her request. The double gift (upper and lower springs) ensures abundant water supply. Achsah's boldness mirrors her father's: Caleb asked for the hardest territory (14:12), and Achsah asks for the resources to make it thrive. Both father and daughter know that receiving an inheritance is not enough — you must also possess the means to develop it.
This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan.
KJV This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The summary formula introduces the city list that follows (vv. 21-62). The cities are organized by geographic region: Negev cities (vv. 21-32), Shephelah cities (vv. 33-47), hill country cities (vv. 48-60), and wilderness cities (vv. 61-62).
The southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah toward the border of Edom in the Negev were: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
KJV And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Negev city list begins. Kabzeel is the hometown of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, one of David's mighty warriors (2 Samuel 23:20). These are frontier settlements on the edge of the Edomite border.
Joshua 15:22
וְקִינָ֥ה וְדִימוֹנָ֖ה וְעַדְעָדָֽה׃
Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
KJV And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Negev city list continues. These small settlements mark the southern extent of permanent Judahite habitation.
Joshua 15:23
וְקֶ֥דֶשׁ וְחָצ֖וֹר וְיִתְנָֽן׃
Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
KJV And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
This Hazor is not the great northern city (11:1, 10) but a smaller Negev settlement sharing the same name.
Joshua 15:24
זִ֥יף וָטֶ֖לֶם וּבְעָלֽוֹת׃
Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
KJV Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
This Ziph is a Negev settlement distinct from the more famous Ziph in the hill country (v. 55), where David will hide from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14-15; 26:1-3).
KJV And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Chatsor Chadattah ('New Hazor') — distinguished from the other Hazor by the adjective chadattah ('new'). Qeriyyot Chetsron ('Kerioth-hezron') — possibly the hometown of Judas Iscariot, if 'Iscariot' derives from ish Qeriyyot ('man of Kerioth').
Joshua 15:26
אֲמָ֥ם וּשְׁמַ֖ע וּמוֹלָדָֽה׃
Amam, Shema, Moladah,
KJV Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Moladah — later assigned to Simeon (19:2), reflecting the overlap between Judah's and Simeon's territories in the Negev.
Joshua 15:27
וַחֲצַ֣ר גַּדָּ֔ה וְחֶשְׁמ֖וֹן וּבֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט׃
Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,
KJV And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Negev settlements continue. These small towns dot the arid landscape between Beersheba and the Edomite border.
KJV And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
B'er Sheva ('Beersheba,' meaning 'well of the oath' or 'well of seven') — the most important city in the Negev, associated with Abraham (Genesis 21:31-33), Isaac (Genesis 26:23-25, 33), and Jacob (Genesis 46:1-4). 'From Dan to Beersheba' will become the standard idiom for the full extent of Israel (Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 3:20). The patriarchal well-city is now formally within Judah's inheritance.
Joshua 15:29
בַּעֲלָ֥ה וְעִיִּ֖ים וָעָֽצֶם׃
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
KJV Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Negev city list continues toward the western Negev.
Joshua 15:30
וְאֶלְתּוֹלַ֥ד וּכְסִ֖יל וְחׇרְמָֽה׃
Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
KJV And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Chormah ('Hormah,' meaning 'destruction/ban') — the city whose name commemorates an early Israelite victory and the cherem applied there (Numbers 21:3). The name itself is a permanent memorial of divine judgment.
Joshua 15:31
וְצִקְלַ֥ג וּמַדְמַנָּ֖ה וְסַנְסַנָּֽה׃
Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
KJV And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Tsiqlag ('Ziklag') — this city will be given to David by Achish king of Gath during David's fugitive years (1 Samuel 27:6) and will serve as his base of operations. The narrator notes that 'Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day' (1 Samuel 27:6).
Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon — twenty-nine cities in all, with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Kol arim esrim va-tesha v'chatsreihen ('all cities twenty-nine with their villages') — the total for the Negev district. The actual names listed number more than twenty-nine, suggesting either that some pairs are compound names (e.g., 'Ain and Rimmon' may be a single city, En-rimmon) or that the number reflects a different counting method.
KJV And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Shephelah (western foothills) city list begins. Esh'ta'ol and Tsor'ah — these two cities in the Sorek Valley will feature prominently in the Samson narrative (Judges 13:2, 25; 16:31). They are later assigned to Dan (19:41), reflecting the territorial adjustments between Judah and Dan.
Ein Gannim ('spring of gardens') — the name evokes agricultural fertility. Tappuach ('apple') — likely the same Tappuah of 12:17.
Joshua 15:35
יַרְמ֥וּת וַעֲדֻלָּ֖ם שׂוֹכֹ֥ה וַעֲזֵקָֽה׃
Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
KJV Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Jarmuth was one of the five coalition kings' cities (10:3). Adullam will become David's cave refuge (1 Samuel 22:1). Socoh and Azekah flank the Valley of Elah, where David will defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1). The Shephelah landscape is saturated with future narrative significance.
Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim — fourteen cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Sha'arayim ('two gates') — mentioned in the pursuit after David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:52). The first Shephelah sub-district totals fourteen cities.
Joshua 15:37
צְנָ֥ן וַחֲדָשָׁ֖ה וּמִגְדַּל גָּֽד׃
Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,
KJV Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The second Shephelah sub-district begins. These cities are in the central and southern Shephelah.
Joshua 15:38
וְדִלְעָ֥ן וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וְיׇקְתְאֵֽל׃
Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
KJV And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ha-Mitspeh ('the lookout/watchtower') — a strategic observation point in the Shephelah, one of several sites bearing this name throughout the land.
Joshua 15:39
לָכִ֥ישׁ וּבׇצְקַ֖ת וְעֶגְלֽוֹן׃
Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
KJV Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Lachish and Eglon — two of the five coalition cities defeated in chapter 10, now listed as Judahite cities. Lachish was one of the most heavily fortified cities in Judah, second in importance only to Jerusalem. Its destruction by Sennacherib in 701 BC is depicted in famous Assyrian reliefs.
Joshua 15:40
וְכַבּ֥וֹן וְלַחְמָ֖ס וְכִתְלִֽישׁ׃
Cabbon, Lahmas, Kithlish,
KJV And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Smaller Shephelah settlements in the Lachish district.
Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah — sixteen cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Beit Dagon ('house of Dagon') — named after the Philistine grain deity, indicating pre-Israelite Philistine or Canaanite influence. Makkedah — the site of the cave where the five kings hid (10:16-27). The second Shephelah sub-district totals sixteen cities.
Joshua 15:42
לִבְנָ֥ה וָעֶ֖תֶר וְעָשָֽׁן׃
Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
KJV Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Libnah — conquered during the southern campaign (10:29-30), later a Levitical city (21:13).
Joshua 15:43
וְיִפְתָּ֥ח וְאַשְׁנָ֖ה וּנְצִֽיב׃
Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
KJV And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
A second Ashnah appears here (distinct from v. 33), illustrating how common names recur across different districts.
Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah — nine cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Q'ilah ('Keilah') — the city David will later defend against Philistine raiders (1 Samuel 23:1-13). Mareshah — a significant Shephelah city that will become important in the Chronicler's narrative (2 Chronicles 11:8; 14:9-10; 20:37). The third Shephelah sub-district totals nine cities.
Joshua 15:45
עֶקְר֥וֹן וּבְנֹתֶ֖יהָ וְחַצְרֶֽיהָ׃
Ekron, with its dependent towns and settlements;
KJV Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ekron — one of the five Philistine cities. Its inclusion in Judah's allotment indicates the ideal boundary, not the actual extent of occupation. The Philistine cities are assigned to Judah by divine grant but remain unconquered in practice.
from Ekron to the sea, everything alongside Ashdod, with its settlements;
KJV From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The territory between Ekron and the coast, alongside the Philistine city of Ashdod, is claimed for Judah. This coastal strip was never effectively controlled by Judah — it remained Philistine territory throughout the pre-monarchic and much of the monarchic period.
Ashdod with its towns and settlements; Gaza with its towns and settlements — as far as the Wadi of Egypt, with the Great Sea as the boundary.
KJV Ashdod 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ashdod and Gaza — two of the five Philistine cities — are listed as part of Judah's allotment. The gap between divine grant and actual possession is at its widest here: these major Philistine strongholds will resist Israelite control for centuries. The allocation represents God's declared intention for Judah's territory, not a description of current occupation.
Joshua 15:48
וּבָהָ֑ר שָׁמִ֥יר וְיַתִּ֖יר וְשׂוֹכֹֽה׃
In the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
KJV And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The hill country city list begins — the heartland of Judah. Jattir — later assigned as a Levitical city (21:14) and one of the cities to which David sent spoil from his Amalekite raid (1 Samuel 30:27).
Joshua 15:49
וְדַנָּ֥ה וּקִרְיַת סַנָּ֖ה הִ֥יא דְבִֽר׃
Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
KJV And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Qiryat Sannah — a third name for the city also called Kiriath-sepher (v. 15) and Debir. The city that Othniel captured for Caleb.
Joshua 15:50
וַעֲנָ֥ב וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖ה וְעָנִֽים׃
Anab, Eshtemoa, Anim,
KJV And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Anab — one of the cities from which Joshua expelled the Anakim (11:21). Eshtemoa — a Levitical city (21:14) and a recipient of David's gifts (1 Samuel 30:28).
Goshen, Holon, and Giloh — eleven cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Giloh — the hometown of Ahithophel, David's counselor who defected to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12). The first hill country sub-district totals eleven cities.
Joshua 15:52
אֲרַ֥ב וְדוּמָ֖ה וְאֶשְׁעָֽן׃
Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
KJV Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The second hill country sub-district begins, centered on the southern hill country.
Joshua 15:53
וְיָנ֥וּם וּבֵ֥ית תַּפּ֖וּחַ וַאֲפֵֽקָה׃
Janum, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,
KJV And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Beit Tappuach ('house of the apple') — a hill country settlement distinguished from the Tappuah of the Shephelah (v. 34).
Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior — nine cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Qiryat Arba hi Chevron ('Kiriath-arba, that is Hebron') — the patriarchal city appears in the city list as part of Caleb's inheritance within Judah. The second hill country sub-district totals nine cities.
Joshua 15:55
מָע֥וֹן כַּרְמֶ֖ל וָזִ֥יף וְיוּטָֽה׃
Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
KJV Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ma'on and Karmel — the region where David will encounter Nabal and Abigail (1 Samuel 25:2-3). Ziph — where the Ziphites will betray David's hiding place to Saul twice (1 Samuel 23:19; 26:1). The hill country of Judah is the stage for much of the David narrative.
Joshua 15:56
וְיִזְרְעֶ֥אל וְיׇקְדְעָ֖ם וְזָנֽוֹחַ׃
Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
KJV And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
This Jezreel is a Judahite hill country town, distinct from the more famous Jezreel in the northern valley (the Valley of Jezreel).
Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah — ten cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The third hill country sub-district totals ten cities.
Joshua 15:58
חַלְח֥וּל בֵּ֥ית צ֖וּר וּגְדֽוֹר׃
Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,
KJV Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Beit Tsur ('Beth-zur') — a strategic fortress in the hill country between Hebron and Jerusalem. It will feature prominently in the Maccabean wars (1 Maccabees 4:29, 61; 6:26, 31, 49-50).
Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon — six cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The fourth hill country sub-district totals six cities. The Septuagint adds an additional sub-district here (including Tekoa, Bethlehem, and other cities between Jerusalem and Hebron) that is missing from the Masoretic Hebrew text. The omission is likely due to an ancient copying error (homoioteleuton).
Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim) and Rabbah — two cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Qiryat Ba'al hi Qiryat Y'arim ('Kiriath-baal, that is Kiriath-jearim') — the Canaanite name preserves the ba'al element; the Israelite renaming to 'City of Forests' replaces the pagan association. This city will host the ark of the covenant for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1-2). The fifth and final hill country sub-district contains just two cities.
KJV In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ba-midbar ('in the wilderness') — the final geographic district: the Judean wilderness, the barren terrain descending from the hill country to the Dead Sea. This is the wilderness where David will hide from Saul and where the Qumran community will later produce the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi — six cities with their surrounding settlements.
KJV And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ir ha-Melach ('City of Salt') — possibly associated with the salt deposits near the Dead Sea. Ein Gedi ('spring of the young goat') — the famous oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, where David will spare Saul's life in a cave (1 Samuel 24:1-22). The wilderness district totals six cities. Ein Gedi's lush springs in the midst of barren wilderness make it one of the most dramatic landscapes in Israel — a place where life emerges from desolation.
As for the Jebusites living in Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive them out. So the Jebusites live alongside the people of Judah in Jerusalem to this day.
KJV 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 Jerusalem unto this day.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
V'et ha-Y'vusi yosh'vei Yerushalayim lo yakhlu v'nei Yehudah l'horisham ('the Jebusites inhabiting Jerusalem — the people of Judah could not dispossess them') — the chapter's final verse delivers a jarring admission: Judah, the preeminent tribe, could not take Jerusalem. The verb yakhal ('to be able') indicates inability, not unwillingness. The Jebusite fortress was too strong for Judah to conquer. Jerusalem will remain in Jebusite hands until David captures it by sending his men through the water shaft (2 Samuel 5:6-9).
Ad ha-yom ha-zeh ('to this day') — the narrator writes before David's conquest, placing the composition (or at least this note) in the pre-Davidic period. The verse is a confession of incomplete conquest that foreshadows the pattern of Judges 1: tribe after tribe failing to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants.