Joshua 15 

Joshua 15:1 Now the allotment for the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their clans was in the southernmost region, south to the Wilderness of Zin and over to the border of Edom.

Joshua 15:2 Their southern border began at the tip of the Dead Sea on the south bay

Joshua 15:3 and went south of the Scorpions’ Ascent, proceeded to Zin, ascended to the south of Kadesh-Barnea, passed Hezron, ascended to Addar, and turned to Karka.

Joshua 15:4 It proceeded to Azmon and the Brook of Egypt and so the border ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This is your southern border.

Joshua 15:5 Now, the eastern border was along the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan. The border on the north side was from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.

Joshua 15:6 It ascended to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-Arabah, and ascended to the Stone of Bohan, son of Reuben.

Joshua 15:7 Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to the Gilgal opposite the Ascent of Adummim, which is south of the ravine. The border proceeded to the Waters of Shemesh and ended at Rogel.

Joshua 15:8 From there the border went up Ben Hinnom Valley to the southern Jebusite slope (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces Hinnom Valley on the west, at the northern end of Rephaim Valley.

Joshua 15:9 From the top of the hill, the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, went to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then curved to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).

Joshua 15:10 The border turned westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, went to the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and proceeded to Timnah.

Joshua 15:11 Then the border reached the slope north of Ekron, curved to Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went to Jabneel, and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 15:12 Now the western border was the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. This was the boundary of the descendants of Judah around their clans.

Joshua 15:13 He gave Caleb, son of Jephunneh the following portion among the descendants of Judah based on Yahveh’s instruction to Joshua: Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron; Arba was the father of Anak).

Joshua 15:14 Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.

Joshua 15:15 From there, he marched against the inhabitants of Debir, which used to be called Kiriath-Sepher,

Joshua 15:16 and Caleb said, “Whoever attacks and captures Kiriath-Sepher, I will give my daughter Achsah to him as a wife.”

Joshua 15:17 So Othniel, son of Caleb’s brother, Kenaz, captured it, and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him as a wife.

Joshua 15:18 When she arrived, she persuaded Othniel to ask her father for a field. As she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”

Joshua 15:19 She replied, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me the springs also.” So he gave her the upper and lower springs.

Joshua 15:20 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their clans.

Joshua 15:21 These were the outermost cities of the tribe of the descendants of Judah toward the border of Edom in the Negev: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,

Joshua 15:22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Joshua 15:23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,

Joshua 15:24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,

Joshua 15:25 Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),

Joshua 15:26 Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Joshua 15:27 Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,

Joshua 15:28 Hazar-shual, Beer-sheba, Biziothiah,

Joshua 15:29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Joshua 15:30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,

Joshua 15:31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,

Joshua 15:32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon– twenty-nine cities in all, with their settlements.

Joshua 15:33 In the Judean foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

Joshua 15:34 Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,

Joshua 15:35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

Joshua 15:36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim– fourteen cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,

Joshua 15:38 Dilan, Mizpeh, Jokthe-el,

Joshua 15:39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,

Joshua 15:40 Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish,

Joshua 15:41 Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah– sixteen cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan,

Joshua 15:43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Joshua 15:44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah– nine cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:45 Ekron, with its surrounding villages and settlements;

Joshua 15:46 From Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:47 Ashdod, with its surrounding towns and settlements; Gaza, with its surrounding villages and settlements, to the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 15:48 In the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,

Joshua 15:49 Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),

Joshua 15:50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,

Joshua 15:51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh – eleven cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan,

Joshua 15:53 Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,

Joshua 15:54 Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior– nine cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Joshua 15:56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Joshua 15:57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah– ten cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,

Joshua 15:59 Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon– six cities, with their settlements;

Joshua 15:60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim) and Rabbah– two cities with their settlements.

Joshua 15:61 In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Joshua 15:62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi – six cities, with their settlements.

Joshua 15:63 But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So, the Jebusites still live in Jerusalem among the descendants of Judah today.

Joshua 15 quotes:

“Allotment of the land of Judah includes a detailed description of its boundaries. The boundary list begins in the south and then moves to the east, north, and west. On the east the boundary is the Salt, or Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan, and on the west it is the coastline of the Great Sea, or Mediterranean. Descriptions of the southern and northern boundaries indicate a thorough knowledge of ancient geography. The area is small in comparison with ancient empires, but it is a precious heritage for people who have been landless to this point in their history.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 88.

“This chapter gives the limits of the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah (verses 1-12), reports Caleb’s conquest of the cities of Hebron and Debir in the territory of Judah (verses 13-19), and names the cities within Judah’s territory (verses 20-63). Judah’s territory lay in the southern part of the land; only Simeon was farther south, but its precise boundaries were never well defined.”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 201.

Joshua 15 links:

Achsah’s blessing
hell and the holy city
Judah could not
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Tuesday, June 27, 2023
mission and limits

The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library

Joshua 14 

Joshua 14:1 The Israelites took possession of these portions that the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads of the Israelite tribes gave them in the land of Canaan.

Joshua 14:2 Their inheritance was by lot as Yahveh commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes,

Joshua 14:3 because Moses had given the inheritance to the two and a half tribes beyond the Jordan. But he gave no inheritance among them to the Levites.

Joshua 14:4 The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in and pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.

Joshua 14:5 So the Israelites did as Yahveh commanded Moses, and they divided the land.

Joshua 14:6 The descendants of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, said to him, “You know what Yahveh promised Moses the man of God at Kadesh-Barnea about you and me.

Joshua 14:7 I was forty years old when Moses Yahveh’s slave sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report.

Joshua 14:8 My brothers who went with me caused the people to lose heart, but I followed Yahveh, my God, wholly.

Joshua 14:9 On that day, Moses swore to me: ‘The land where you have set foot will be a permanent inheritance for you and your descendants because you have followed Yahveh my God completely.’

Joshua 14:10 “As you see, Yahveh has kept me alive these forty-five years as he promised, since Yahveh spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, eighty-five years old.

Joshua 14:11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and daily tasks is now as it was then.

Joshua 14:12 Now give me this hill country Yahveh promised me on that day because you heard then that the Anakim are there, as well as large fortified cities. Maybe Yahveh will be with me, and I will drive them out as Yahveh promised.”

Joshua 14:13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb, son of Jephunneh, and gave him Hebron as an inheritance.

Joshua 14:14 Therefore, Hebron still belongs to Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, as an inheritance today because he followed Yahveh, the God of Israel, completely.

Joshua 14:15 Hebron’s name had been Kiriath-arba; Arba was the most extraordinary man among the Anakim. After this, the land had rest from war.

Joshua 14 quotes:

“Joshua 14 introduces the dividing of land west of the Jordan with a summary statement on areas inherited in the land of Canaan (14:1). The phrase “land of Canaan” refers to land west of the Jordan, where the Canaanites live. The narrator repeats the instructions in a concluding summary (19:51). Eleazar, the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and clan heads (lit. heads of father’s houses) will determine the allotments by casting lots. As the Lord commanded through Moses (14:2, 5), they distribute a tribe’s inheritance by lot, taking into account the names of the ancestors and size of tribe (Num. 26:52-56). The narrator’s introduction stresses that the priest, military leader, and local heads follow instructions from the Lord that came through Moses. The role of heads of clans indicates that tribal inheritances reflect a democratic, representative process. Clans represent the basic social organization of the tribes, the strong and the weak together. Later, a closing summary of the west-bank division of land adds that the ceremony took place in Shiloh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (19:51).”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 82.

“These introductory verses inform the reader how the twelve tribes, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob, are accounted for: Levi was not given any territory (verses 3b,4b; see also 13.14,33), which would reduce the number of tribes with land to eleven. But the descendants of Joseph were divided into two tribes, named for his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, which made the total number of landed tribes twelve.”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 191.

Joshua 14 links:

honoring his promise
Maranatha Daily Devotional – October 15, 2015
missions and possibilities

The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library

Joshua 13 

Joshua 13:1 Joshua had become old and advanced in age, and Yahveh said to him, “You have become old and advanced in age, but a lot of land remains to be possessed.

Joshua 13:2 This is the land that remains: All the districts of the Philistines and the Geshurites:

Joshua 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the border of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory) –  the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as the Avvites

Joshua 13:4 in the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and as far as the border of the Amorites;

Joshua 13:5 the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon east from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath –

Joshua 13:6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians. I will drive them out in front of the Israelites, only distribute the land as an inheritance for Israel, as I have commanded you.

Joshua 13:7 Therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

Joshua 13:8 With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh, the Reubenites, and Gadites had received the inheritance Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just like Moses Yahveh’s slave had given them:

Joshua 13:9 From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, all the Medeba plateau as far as Dibon,

Joshua 13:10 and all the cities of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the Ammonites;

Joshua 13:11 also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah –

Joshua 13:12 the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei; he was one of the remaining Rephaim. Moses struck them down and pushed them out,

Joshua 13:13 but the Israelites did not push out the Geshurites and Maacathites. So, Geshur and Maacath still live in Israel today.

Joshua 13:14 He did not, however, give any inheritance to the tribe of Levi. This was their inheritance, just like he had promised: the offerings made by fire to Yahveh, the God of Israel.

Joshua 13:15 To the tribe of Reuben’s descendants by their clans, Moses gave

Joshua 13:16 this as their territory: From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau as far as Medeba,

Joshua 13:17 with Heshbon and all its cities on the plateau– Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon,

Joshua 13:18 Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,

Joshua 13:19 Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth-shahar on the hill in the valley,

Joshua 13:20 Beth-peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth –

Joshua 13:21 all the cities of the plateau, and all the kingdom of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. Moses had killed him and the chiefs of Midian –  Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba – the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.

Joshua 13:22 Along with those the Israelites put to death, they also killed the diviner, Balaam, son of Beor, with the sword.

Joshua 13:23 The border of the Reubenites was the Jordan and its plain. These were the inheritances of the Reubenites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.

Joshua 13:24 To the tribe of the Gadites by their clans, Moses gave

Joshua 13:25 this as their territory: Jazer and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites to Aroer, near Rabbah;

Joshua 13:26 from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;

Joshua 13:27 in the valley: Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon– the rest of the kingdom of King Sihon of Heshbon. Their land also included the Jordan and its territory as far as the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan.

Joshua 13:28 This was the inheritance of the Gadites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.

Joshua 13:29 And to half the tribe of Manasseh (that is, to half the tribe of Manasseh’s descendants by their clans) Moses gave

Joshua 13:30 this as their territory: From Mahanaim through all Bashan – all the kingdom of King Og of Bashan, including all of Jair’s Villages that are in Bashan – sixty cities.

Joshua 13:31 But half of Gilead and Og’s royal cities in Bashan – Ashtaroth and Edrei – are for the descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh (that is, half the descendants of Machir by their clans).

Joshua 13:32 These were the portions Moses gave them on the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.

Joshua 13:33 But Moses did not give a portion to the tribe of Levi. Yahveh, the God of Israel, was their inheritance, just like he had promised them.

Joshua 13 quotes:

“This introduction tells readers that the tribes can no longer expect Joshua to lead them into warfare. Instead, completion of the struggle now depends on the tribes. The followers must become courageous leaders. This is God’s bad news that goes with the good news of giving an inheritance. An inheritance brings with it a set of challenges. As it was in the time of Joshua, today some people inherit resources but are overwhelmed by challenges accompanying them. Others alertly confront the challenges and enjoy the blessings of God’s inheritance by overcoming temptations that come with the inheritance. This is the challenge that comes with the blessings of God’s promises.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 77.

“The section heading, The Land Still to Be Taken, may be translated “The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land.” Or, on the basis of verse 7, ‘The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land and divide it among the other tribes of Israel.”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 178.

Joshua 13 links:

Maranatha Daily Devotional – Monday, June 24, 2019
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Monday, June 26, 2023
missions and possibilities
sweet benefits
time’s up for Balaam
unfinished victory

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The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library

Joshua 12 

Joshua 12:1 The Israelites struck down these kings of the land and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan to the east and from the Arnon River to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward:

Joshua 12:2 King Sihon of the Amorites lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon River, along the middle of the valley, and half of Gilead up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites),

Joshua 12:3 the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.

Joshua 12:4 King Og of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.

Joshua 12:5 He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all Bashan up to the Geshurite and Maacathite border, and half of Gilead to the border of King Sihon of Heshbon.

Joshua 12:6 Moses Yahveh’s slave and the Israelites struck them down. And Moses Yahveh’s slave gave their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 12:7 Joshua and the Israelites struck down these kings of the land beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends toward Seir (Joshua gave their land as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their allotments:

Joshua 12:8 the hill country, the Judean foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev – the lands of the Hethites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites):

Joshua 12:9 the king of Jericho one the king of Ai, which is next to Bethel, one

Joshua 12:10 the king of Jerusalem one the king of Hebron one

Joshua 12:11 the king of Jarmuth one the king of Lachish one

Joshua 12:12 the king of Eglon one the king of Gezer one

Joshua 12:13 the king of Debir one the king of Geder one

Joshua 12:14 the king of Hormah one the king of Arad one

Joshua 12:15 the king of Libnah, one the king of Adullam one

Joshua 12:16 the king of Makkedah one the king of Bethel one

Joshua 12:17 the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one

Joshua 12:18 the king of Aphek one the king of Lasharon one

Joshua 12:19 the king of Madon one the king of Hazor one

Joshua 12:20 the king of Shimron-meron one the king of Achshaph one

Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach one the king of Megiddo one

Joshua 12:22 the king of Kedesh one the king of Jokneam in Carmel one

Joshua 12:23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor one the king of Goiim in Gilgal one

Joshua 12:24 the king of Tirzah one. The total number of all kings: thirty-one.

Joshua 12 quotes:

“An introduction describes the conquered area west of the Jordan before listing defeated kings (12:7-8). Thirtyone kings (12:24) conquered west of the Jordan are listed by the name of their city, not by a personal name. A list of six (not seven) ethnic groups on the western side of the Jordan appears in verse 8 (see the list also in 9:1). The narrative here does not divide the area into ethnic enclaves. The passage contrasts the work of Joshua as conqueror of the western area and thirty-one kings with that of Moses, the conqueror of two. The impressive list elevates Joshua’s role in defeating enemy rulers. Both passages state that Moses (12:6) and Joshua (12:7) gave Israel the land as a possession or inheritance. Surprisingly, the introduction to each section stresses that the tribes conquered the enemy kings and omits any reference to the Lord’s part in the victories (12:1, 7). The entire passage points out the importance of leadership and praises the fighting of the people as keys to defeating enemy leaders.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 74.

“This section recalls the victories won by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses in the land east of the Jordan. The two kings, Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan, were defeated and their land was given to the two and one-half tribes that settled in the east.”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 169.

Joshua 12 links:

31 kings
missions and conflict #2
taking the land
what land belongs

The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library