Joshua 15 26

Joshua 15:26 kjv

Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

Joshua 15:26 nkjv

Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Joshua 15:26 niv

Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Joshua 15:26 esv

Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Joshua 15:26 nlt

Amam, Shema, Moladah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 26 Meaning

Joshua 15:26 lists three specific towns—Amam, Shema, and Moladah—as part of the southern (Negeb) inheritance allocated to the tribe of Judah. This verse, therefore, pinpoints geographical details that confirm the precise and divinely ordained division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes.

Joshua 15 26 Context

Joshua chapter 15 specifically delineates the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the largest and most significant of the twelve tribes. Following the successful conquest of Canaan, the detailed allocation of territory underscored God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land. Verse 26 belongs to the section (vv. 21-32) that lists the towns in the Negeb, the arid southern region of Judah's territory. This meticulous list served to precisely define the boundaries and specific possessions, preventing future disputes and establishing a clear record of divine provision. Historically, this allocation marked the transition from nomadic wandering and military campaigns to settled agrarian life, deeply tying Israel's identity to their divinely given land.

Joshua 15 26 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): This simple conjunction acts as a connective, linking these three towns to the previous list of cities in Judah's Negeb territory (v. 21 onwards). It highlights the continuous and exhaustive nature of the list.
• Amam (אֲמָם - 'Amam):
  • Meaning: Possibly derived from a root meaning "mother" or "their mother."
  • Significance: An obscure town, mentioned only here in the Bible. Its inclusion underscores the extreme detail and meticulousness of the tribal inheritance records, affirming that every parcel of land, even less prominent settlements, was divinely apportioned. This suggests the comprehensive nature of God's provision. No clear modern archaeological identification.
• and (וְ - ve): Another simple conjunction, linking "Shema" to "Amam" and the continuing list of cities. It reinforces the enumerative pattern.
• Shema (שֶׁמַע - Shemaʿ):
  • Meaning: "Hearing" or "report" or "fame."
  • Significance: A town in the Negeb of Judah. It might be related to Sheba (Josh 19:2, a town of Simeon within Judah's territory) and is mentioned in 1 Chr 2:43 as an ancestral site related to Caleb. Its name, "hearing," is a general term but highlights that these specific places were named and known to the original audience, making the inheritance concrete and verifiable.
• and (וְ - ve): Serves to connect "Moladah" to the preceding names.
• Moladah (מוֹלָדָה - Moladah):
  • Meaning: "Birth," "origin," "place of birth," or "native place."
  • Significance: A more prominent town in the Negeb compared to Amam. It is also mentioned in Josh 19:2 as part of Simeon's inheritance, in 1 Chr 4:28 among Simeon's dwelling places, and in Neh 11:26 as a resettled city after the Babylonian exile. Its name "place of birth" might be suggestive, though not necessarily symbolic in this context, of it being an established site or even a foundational point. Its repeated mention throughout different biblical periods demonstrates its historical continuity and reinforces the factual accuracy of the tribal allocations, demonstrating the enduring reality of God's land promises.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,": This tripartite phrase enumerates three distinct but contiguous towns in Judah's Negeb inheritance. The repetition of "and" ("ve") creates a sense of exhaustive and precise documentation, emphasizing the ordered nature of the divine land distribution. It serves to establish the firm and irrevocable nature of God's grant, confirming specific geographical realities that were integral to Israel's identity and livelihood. Such detail reflects divine order over chaos and divine provision down to the very specific boundaries of human habitation, directly challenging notions of arbitrary land claims prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Joshua 15 26 Bonus section

• Administrative and Identity Function: These precise geographical lists were crucial for establishing Israel's tribal identity, legal land tenure, and administrative organization, providing a framework for census, taxation, and military service for centuries to come.
• Polemic against Paganism: By attributing the precise division of land to Yahweh, these lists inherently oppose the ANE belief systems where land was considered the domain of local deities, demonstrating that the one true God governs all territories.
• Type of Spiritual Inheritance: The physical inheritance of land, meticulously detailed in Joshua, serves as a powerful type and shadow of the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, an inheritance equally real, divinely given, and specifically allocated (Eph 1:11, Col 1:12).
• Evidence of God's Omniscience and Omnipotence: The ability to specifically name towns, many of which would fade into obscurity or change names, speaks to God's all-encompassing knowledge and power over history and geography.

Joshua 15 26 Commentary

Joshua 15:26, by meticulously listing three specific towns—Amam, Shema, and Moladah—within the Negeb region of Judah's inheritance, profoundly underscores the faithfulness and precision of God in fulfilling His covenant promises. Far from being a mere dry list, these verses affirm the tangibility and reality of God's provision of the promised land. Each named city, whether prominent like Moladah (mentioned later in the Bible) or obscure like Amam (only appearing here), signifies a precise and allocated portion of a vast divine inheritance. This detail highlights God's sovereignty over every parcel of land, dispelling any notion that the Israelites acquired their territory through sheer human strength or chaotic conquest. Instead, it demonstrates an orderly, divine arrangement where specific geographical points defined the boundaries and extent of God's gracious gift to His chosen people. The inclusion of these intricate details authenticates the historical accuracy of the land distribution and God's unwavering commitment to His Word.