Joshua 15 33

Joshua 15:33 kjv

And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

Joshua 15:33 nkjv

In the lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

Joshua 15:33 niv

In the western foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

Joshua 15:33 esv

And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

Joshua 15:33 nlt

The following towns situated in the western foothills were also given to Judah: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 33 Meaning

Joshua 15:33 details the specific towns allocated to the tribe of Judah within the region known as the Shephelah, or the low country. This verse lists Eshtaol, Zorah, and Ashnah, demonstrating the meticulous distribution of the promised land and the precise fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel regarding their inheritance. These geographical details underscore God's sovereignty and His faithfulness in providing for His people.

Joshua 15 33 Context

Joshua chapter 15 records the specific details of the land allocated to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe. Following the general conquest of Canaan, Joshua oversees the division of the land among the twelve tribes, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Judah's vast territory stretches from the Dead Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west, and from the Negeb in the south to the Jerusalem area in the north.

Verse 33 falls within a series of verses (15:21-62) that meticulously list the towns and villages assigned to Judah, organized by geographical region. This specific verse focuses on towns located in the "low country" or Shephelah, a fertile, rolling foothill region between the coastal plain and the Judean hill country. Historically, this area was a strategic buffer zone, frequently contested between the Israelites and the Philistines. The listing of these towns emphasizes the precision and intentionality behind the divine land grant, though not all areas were immediately and fully subdued, leading to future conflicts recounted in Judges and 1 Samuel.

Joshua 15 33 Word analysis

• In the low country: (Hebrew: bashaefela, בַּשְּׁפֵלָה).

  • This is the Hebrew term for the "Shephelah," a distinct geographical region in ancient Israel. It means "lowland" or "foothills," lying between the Philistine coastal plain (the Sharon Plain) and the central hill country of Judah.
  • Significance: It was a highly strategic area, characterized by rolling hills, fertile valleys, and important trade routes. Control of the Shephelah was vital for defense and communication between the coastal regions and the interior. It often served as a battleground between the Israelites and the Philistines due to its border location.
  • This specification highlights the detailed nature of the land allocation, not just assigning general areas but specific topographical regions with their distinct features.

• Eshtaol: (Hebrew: ʾEshtāʾōl, אֶשְׁתָּאֹול).

  • One of the key towns in the Shephelah. Its exact location is generally placed northwest of Bethlehem.
  • Significance: It is prominently associated with the tribe of Dan and the narratives of Samson in the book of Judges (e.g., Judg 13:25; 16:31; 18:2, 11). Though listed here under Judah, its close association with Zorah (often mentioned together) points to the complex tribal boundaries and overlapping influences, especially as the Danites struggled to secure their coastal inheritance and eventually migrated northward (Judges 18).
  • Historically, it suggests a continued presence of Israelite people, even if complete dominion over every city was a process.

• and Zorah: (Hebrew: Tzorʿah, צָרְעָה).

  • Another vital town in the Shephelah, typically located about 14 miles west of Jerusalem, overlooking the Valley of Sorek.
  • Significance: Like Eshtaol, Zorah is intrinsically linked to the Danite tribe and the Samson narrative (Judg 13:2). It was Samson's birthplace and where he was buried. It also served as a starting point for the Danite migration.
  • The mention of Zorah and Eshtaol together in both Joshua 15 and Judges demonstrates the historical continuity of these places as significant sites and illustrates the intricate inter-tribal land claims or shifts over time, especially relevant for the later narratives in Judges where the Danites faced difficulties holding their initial territory.
  • Its listing as part of Judah's territory might imply that even if a segment of Danites resided there, ultimate oversight and ownership lay with Judah. Later, Zorah was among the towns fortified by King Rehoboam (2 Chr 11:7), reinforcing its strategic importance and Israelite control.

• and Ashnah: (Hebrew: ʾAshnāh, אַשְׁנָה).

  • This town is less frequently mentioned in other biblical texts compared to Eshtaol and Zorah. Its exact archaeological identification is less certain but also placed within the Shephelah.
  • Significance: Its inclusion in this list underscores the exhaustive detail of the tribal allocation. Even smaller, less famous towns were precisely accounted for in God's divine distribution of the promised land. It represents the broader fabric of Israelite settlement within Judah's lot.

• Words-Group Analysis: "Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah"

  • The grouping of these three towns, linked by the conjunction "and," is characteristic of ancient cadastral lists found throughout the Bible, particularly in Joshua. These lists are not merely geographical notes but act as legal and theological affirmations of the tribes' inheritance from God.
  • They provide concrete evidence of the fulfillment of the divine covenant promises made to the patriarchs (e.g., Gen 12, 15, 26). The specificity reflects God's ordered and meticulous provision for His people.
  • The detailed naming of cities, rather than vague boundaries, indicates a serious and administrative act of land ownership and territorial claim. It served as a charter for future generations.
  • This also highlights the geopolitical reality that settling the land was not instantaneous or complete but an ongoing process, often requiring sustained effort to fully dispossess previous inhabitants, particularly in contested areas like the Shephelah.

Joshua 15 33 Bonus section

The Shephelah, where these towns are situated, acted as a significant "transition zone" or buffer region. Its valleys provided routes connecting the fertile coastal plains with the more rugged Judean mountains. This made it a prime area for conflicts, particularly with the Philistines who occupied the coastal strip. The biblical narratives in Judges and Samuel frequently highlight battles in and around the Shephelah (e.g., the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath, which is in the Shephelah). The detailed listing of these specific towns in Judah's inheritance (Josh 15) indicates not only a divine grant but also Judah's responsibility and often leadership in defending and holding these vital areas against external threats, reinforcing its pivotal role among the tribes of Israel. This territorial allocation, therefore, carries both a promise of possession and an implicit call to stewardship and vigilant defense.

Joshua 15 33 Commentary

Joshua 15:33, like other lists of towns in this chapter, serves as a meticulous record of the inheritance bestowed upon the tribe of Judah. It moves beyond abstract boundaries, grounding the divine promise in tangible geographical and communal reality. The precision of "Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah" situated "in the low country" speaks volumes about God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant. The Shephelah, where these towns are located, was a strategically crucial and often contested region, highlighting the divine gift amidst persistent geopolitical challenges.

This verse emphasizes that God’s promises are detailed and specific, not vague and general. Every plot, every town, no matter how small or prominent, was part of His ordained plan for Israel. While these lists might appear dry to a modern reader, for the Israelites, they were living documents of their identity, their God-given right, and the land's foundational role in their covenant relationship. The later stories, particularly those involving Samson, originating from Zorah and Eshtaol, subtly remind us that while the land was given, full possession often required faith, obedience, and struggle, acknowledging that initial lists sometimes represent legal claims rather than immediate, unchallenged control. This underscores the continuous need for Israel to faithfully occupy what God had given.