Joshua 15 22

Joshua 15:22 kjv

And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

Joshua 15:22 nkjv

Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Joshua 15:22 niv

Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Joshua 15:22 esv

Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Joshua 15:22 nlt

Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 22 Meaning

Joshua 15:22 is a specific detail within the lengthy record of the land allotment to the tribe of Judah, part of their inherited territory after the conquest of Canaan. It simply lists three towns – Kinah, Dimonah, and Adadah – located in the Negeb, the southern region of Judah. These cities, though not prominent in other biblical narratives, represent tangible portions of the Promised Land that God faithfully delivered to His people, specifically to Judah, demonstrating the fulfillment of His covenant.

Joshua 15 22 Context

Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the tribal allotment of the land to Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe. This chapter follows the general overview of the land division in chapters 13-14 and Caleb's personal inheritance request. Joshua 15:21-32 lists twenty-nine cities located in the Negeb (southern desert region) of Judah, which is bordered by Edom. These extensive lists serve as legal documentation, solidifying Judah's divinely appointed boundaries and territorial claims, assuring their future habitation and identity within the Promised Land. Verse 22 specifically contributes three names to this catalogue of the southern cities. The precision in mapping out the tribal lands underscores the faithful and orderly fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to give the land to Abraham's descendants.

Joshua 15 22 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunctive particle. Its repeated use ("and Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah") signals a continuous list of items, characteristic of an inventory or catalogue, emphasizing that each name is an individual entry within the broader territorial allocation. It connects this specific verse to the ongoing enumeration of cities in Judah's Negeb district.
• Kinah (קִינָה - Qinah): The Hebrew root for Kinah is "qīnah" meaning "lamentation," "dirge," or "elegy." While the name might metaphorically imply a place known for mourning or associated with some historical lament, in this context, it primarily functions as a proper geographical noun, identifying a specific town assigned to Judah. Its literal meaning adds a subtle layer to an otherwise dry list of places, though its historical context is now lost to us beyond this single reference as a border town.
• Dimonah (דִּימוֹנָה - Dimonah): The meaning of Dimonah is uncertain, though some scholars suggest connections to roots related to "silence" or "desolation." It is distinct from Dimon/Dibon of Moab mentioned in Isa 15:9 and Jer 48:22 (a Moabite city). Here, Dimonah unequivocally refers to a settlement within Judah’s inherited southern territory. Its inclusion reinforces the comprehensive nature of the land division, encompassing both significant and less well-known settlements.
• Adadah (עֲדָעָדָה - ʻAdadah): The precise meaning of Adadah is also obscure, possibly derived from a root meaning "ornament" or "advance," though its etymology is debated among scholars. Like Kinah and Dimonah, its primary function here is geographical identification. The triple alliteration in Hebrew with the 'd' sound (adādāh) provides a rhythm to the name within the list, perhaps hinting at ancient linguistic patterns for place names, further rooting these allocations in a tangible, historical reality.
• And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah: This specific phrase functions as part of a detailed inventory of named towns, providing administrative specificity to the land allocation. Such lists are critical for understanding the reality of God's promise fulfilled; they transform an abstract concept of "land" into concrete, named places. The naming serves to delineate precise boundaries and secure possession for future generations, validating the meticulous execution of the divine command to inherit the land. It testifies to the detailed work done by Joshua and the tribes to apportion the territory by lot under divine guidance.

Joshua 15 22 Bonus section

The comprehensive nature of the city lists in Joshua 15-19, including relatively minor places like Kinah, Dimonah, and Adadah, underscores the precise and divinely ordained transfer of the land. These geographical records often function as ancient Near Eastern land grants or cadastral surveys, legitimizing the new ownership by the Israelites. This meticulous detail also refutes any later claim that the inheritance was symbolic or incomplete. For the original audience, these names were known localities, verifying the exact boundaries and tribal lots. For us, their very obscurity highlights that even the smallest, unremembered places were part of God’s vast, precise plan of inheritance, pointing to God’s comprehensive care in fulfilling His promises down to the smallest detail.

Joshua 15 22 Commentary

Joshua 15:22, nestled within a long catalog of towns allotted to Judah, may appear as merely a list of obscure names. However, its profound significance lies in being part of the historical and legal documentation of God's covenant faithfulness. This verse, like the rest of the chapter, stands as a testament to the meticulous and complete fulfillment of Yahweh’s promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham (Gen 12:7; Josh 21:43-45). The very act of naming these lesser-known towns demonstrates that the inheritance was comprehensive, tangible, and real. It validates the careful and equitable division of the land among the tribes by lot, under divine instruction (Num 34). This administrative precision was crucial for Israel's identity and future stability, establishing clear boundaries and legal claims, underscoring that God's promises are not vague but detailed and faithfully brought to pass. The inclusion of every city, great or small, affirms that not one word of God’s good promise failed.