Joshua 15 25

Joshua 15:25 kjv

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

Joshua 15:25 nkjv

Hazor, Hadattah, Kerioth, Hezron (which is Hazor),

Joshua 15:25 niv

Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor),

Joshua 15:25 esv

Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),

Joshua 15:25 nlt

Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 25 Meaning

Joshua 15:25 lists three place names within the specific geographical allotment assigned to the tribe of Judah in the Negeb (southern district) of Canaan. These precise names—Kerioth-hezron (which is identified as Hazor) and Amam—serve as part of a detailed inventory of cities granted by God to the people of Israel as their covenant inheritance, signifying the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham's descendants.

Joshua 15 25 Context

Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the tribal allotment for Judah, the largest and most significant of the twelve tribes. This chapter marks the initial fulfillment of God's centuries-old promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan. Verses 21-62 provide an exhaustive list of the cities within Judah's vast territory, organized into geographical regions such as the Negeb (southern desert), the Shephelah (lowlands), the hill country, and the wilderness. Verse 25 falls within the list of cities in the Negeb, specifically verses 21-32, which identify twenty-nine towns along Judah's southern border. This precise enumeration served not only as a divine "deed" or legal record for Judah's inheritance but also testified to the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the meticulous division of the land according to divine direction.

Joshua 15 25 Word analysis

• And (וְ, wĕ): A simple conjunction connecting the preceding city names to these new ones. It denotes continuation within the list of cities belonging to Judah.
• Kerioth-hezron (קְרִיּוֹת חֶצְרוֹן, Qĕrīyyôṯ Ḥeṣrôn): This is a compound place name.
  • Kerioth (קְרִיּוֹת, Qĕrīyyôṯ): Plural of qiryah, meaning "cities" or "towns." This suggests either multiple small settlements associated with a specific locale or that it was a significant urban center encompassing smaller districts.
  • Hezron (חֶצְרוֹן, Ḥeṣrôn): Likely refers to a person or family name, or possibly a place. It appears as a border point (Josh 15:3) and a man in Judah's genealogy (1 Chron 2:5). Its combination with "Kerioth" indicates "the cities/towns of Hezron."
• (that is, Hazor): This parenthetical clarification (הִיא חָצוֹר, hîwʾ Ḥāṣôr - literally "she/it is Hazor") is crucial.
  • Hazor (חָצוֹר, Ḥāṣôr): Means "enclosure" or "settlement." The clarification implies Kerioth-hezron was either an alternative name for a town also known as Hazor, or a district of which Hazor was the prominent center. This Hazor is distinct from the great northern city of Hazor, which Joshua conquered (Josh 11:10), located much farther north. Its mention here specifies its location within Judah's southern allotment.
• and (וְ, wĕ): Another conjunction, linking the previous complex name to the final listed city.
• Amam (וַעֲמָם, waʿĂmām): This is another place name.
  • Amam (עֲמָם, ʿĂmām): Its exact meaning and location are uncertain, likely meaning "their people" or "gathering." It is mentioned only here in the Bible, indicating it was perhaps a lesser-known town or a place that did not play a significant role in later biblical history. Its inclusion, however, emphasizes the meticulous nature of the land division and the thoroughness of the biblical record.

Joshua 15 25 Bonus section

The exhaustive lists of towns and geographical features found throughout Joshua chapters 13-19, including this verse, are unique in ancient literature for their detail and precision. While modern archaeology continues to verify many sites, others remain debated or undiscovered, highlighting the challenge of correlating ancient place names with present-day locations, often due to millennia of landscape changes, destruction, and renaming. The distinct mention of this "Hazor" as located within Judah's southern territory is important because it prevents confusion with the far more prominent northern Hazor, a major Canaanite kingdom conquered by Joshua (Josh 11) and later oppressing Israel (Jdg 4). This distinction indicates the author's precise geographical knowledge. The purpose of these meticulous lists was also to assert Israel's legal claim, as granted by God, over the Canaanite inhabitants, thus functioning as a silent polemic against pagan land claims. It demonstrates that the land was not acquired by mere human conquest but was a divine gift, meticulously parceled out to each tribe.

Joshua 15 25 Commentary

Joshua 15:25, while seemingly a dry list of names, is deeply significant within the context of God's covenant with Israel. It forms part of the detailed documentation of Judah's inheritance, illustrating God's meticulous fulfillment of His promise to provide land for His people. The inclusion of seemingly obscure names alongside clarifications like "Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor)" underscores the historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness of the biblical narrative. This meticulous record served as both a divine "deed" for the Israelites' possession of the land and a testimony to God's unfailing faithfulness. Every name listed signifies a portion of the inheritance God secured for His people, demonstrating that His promises are not vague but concrete and precisely delivered. In a broader sense, it teaches us that God pays attention to even the smallest details in fulfilling His word, and His blessings are often manifested in specific, tangible ways.