Joshua 15 35

Joshua 15:35 kjv

Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

Joshua 15:35 nkjv

Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

Joshua 15:35 niv

Jarmuth, Adullam, Sokoh, Azekah,

Joshua 15:35 esv

Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

Joshua 15:35 nlt

Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 35 Meaning

Joshua 15:35 is part of a meticulously detailed listing of towns allotted to the tribe of Judah as their territorial inheritance within the Promised Land. This verse specifically names four cities: Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam, which were located within the Shephelah, the lowlands situated between the Judean mountains and the Mediterranean coast. These specific names represent tangible markers of the land precisely bestowed upon Judah, reflecting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises.

Joshua 15 35 Context

Joshua chapter 15 records the extensive tribal inheritance of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes, underscoring its historical and future significance. After detailing Judah's boundaries, the chapter provides an exhaustive list of its cities, organized by geographical region: the Negeb, the Shephelah, the hill country, and the wilderness.

Joshua 15:35 falls specifically within the list of twenty cities located in the Shephelah (Jsh 15:33-47), a region characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys. This region was strategically important as it served as a buffer zone and often a contested area between the Israelite hill country and the Philistine plain. The meticulous listing of these towns served both a theological purpose, demonstrating God's exact fulfillment of His promises, and a practical administrative one, defining precise boundaries and legal claims for tribal occupation and governance. The act of precisely demarcating territories also established the distinct identity of God's chosen people separate from surrounding nations.

Joshua 15 35 Word analysis

• Zanoah (זָנוֹחַ, Zānoaḥ): This city name likely derives from the Hebrew root zanakh (זָנַח), meaning "to reject," "cast off," or "abandon." While the precise etymology's connection to the city's characteristics is unclear, it signifies a specific, identifiable place within Judah's allotted territory. Zanoah reappears in later biblical texts, notably during the return from Babylonian exile (Neh 3:13, 11:29), indicating its continued existence and relevance over centuries. Its inclusion highlights the continuity of the divine plan for the land.
• En-gannim (עֵין גַּנִּים, ‘Ên Gannim): This is a compound Hebrew name.
  • En (עֵין, ‘Ayin): Translates as "eye," but more commonly refers to a "spring" or "fountain" in geographical contexts, denoting a water source. Water sources were vital for sustaining life and agriculture in ancient Israel, making their presence a key factor for settlement.
  • Gannim (גַּנִּים, Gannîm): The plural form of gan (גַּן), meaning "garden." Thus, En-gannim means "Spring of Gardens." This name suggests a lush, fertile area well-supplied with water, ideal for cultivation and permanent dwelling, symbolizing the richness of God's provision. It also appears as a Levitical city in the tribe of Issachar (Jsh 21:29; 1 Chr 6:73), distinct from this location in Judah's territory.
• Tappuah (תַּפּוּחַ, Tappûaḥ): This Hebrew word means "apple" or "apple tree." As a place name, it indicates a region known for apple trees or possibly an area resembling an apple, potentially a rounded hill or specific orchard. This name highlights a distinct topographical or agricultural feature. It is important to note this is not the Tappuah on the border of Ephraim and Manasseh (Jsh 16:8).
• Enam (עֵינָם, ‘Ênām): Another name deriving from ‘Ayin (עַיִן, "spring"). The ending -am or dual ending suggests "two springs" or "double spring." Similar to En-gannim, it signifies the presence of vital water resources. The repetition of names related to springs (En-gannim, Enam) within this short verse emphasizes the abundance of water sources in this particular region of Judah, crucial for agricultural sustenance and population density.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam": This simple listing serves as a precise administrative record of specific locations within Judah's territory. Each name functions as a legal marker, defining the bounds of tribal possession. The variety of names, from potentially obscure etymologies (Zanoah) to descriptive natural features (En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam), indicates that the Israelites were laying claim to and recording existing or established places in Canaan. The inclusion of four specific places in one short verse, without additional descriptive commentary, reflects the efficient, formal, and authoritative nature of these allotment records. The precise detail ensures the reality of God's fulfilled promise, down to individual towns.

Joshua 15 35 Bonus section

The Shephelah, where these cities were located, was a historically vibrant and often contested region. Its fertility due to numerous springs and its strategic position between the Judean mountains and the Philistine plain meant that possessing and holding these cities was critical for both defense and agriculture. The detailed enumeration of cities in Joshua 15:35, and indeed the entire chapter, formed the bedrock of Israelite civic and religious life, serving not only as boundaries for territory but also as centers of administration, trade, and worship for the tribe of Judah. These records provide valuable insights into ancient Israelite demography, settlement patterns, and the socio-political structures established by divine mandate under Joshua's leadership.

Joshua 15 35 Commentary

Joshua 15:35, as a part of the comprehensive city list of Judah, might seem like mere geographical data, yet it carries profound theological and practical significance. It serves as irrefutable evidence of God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises made centuries earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan. The meticulous detail in listing these specific cities in the Shephelah for Judah, alongside hundreds of others throughout the chapter, highlights the thoroughness of God's provision and the exact fulfillment of His word. This precision underscores that the inheritance was not a vague promise but a tangible reality, down to every town. It provided a legal basis for Judah's claim, fostering tribal identity, enabling proper governance, and solidifying their 'rest' in the land given by God (Josh 21:43-45). This detailed record was vital for tribal distinctiveness and for demonstrating Yahweh's orderly, sovereign control over creation and history, a contrast to the often chaotic nature of ancient Near Eastern conquest narratives.