Joshua 15 38

Joshua 15:38 kjv

And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,

Joshua 15:38 nkjv

Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,

Joshua 15:38 niv

Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,

Joshua 15:38 esv

Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,

Joshua 15:38 nlt

Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 38 Meaning

Joshua 15:38 is a continuation of the detailed list of towns assigned to the tribe of Judah within their allotted territory. Specifically, this verse names three towns in the lowlands (Shephelah) region: Lachish, Bozkath, and Eglon. It underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of God's provision of the promised land to His people.

Joshua 15 38 Context

Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the tribal boundaries and the assigned cities for Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. Following the general allocation of land by lot in chapters 13-14, this chapter provides a specific inventory, outlining the tribal borders and then listing hundreds of towns organized by region within Judah's territory (southern, lowlands/Shephelah, hill country, wilderness). Joshua 15:38 falls within the listing of towns located in the lowlands or Shephelah, a fertile region of foothills and valleys situated between the coastal plain and the central highlands. These comprehensive lists served not only as an administrative record of land tenure but also as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan. Historically, claiming and naming these specific locations was a crucial act of possessing the inheritance divinely bestowed upon Israel, asserting Yahweh's sovereignty over the land previously occupied by pagan peoples.

Joshua 15 38 Word analysis

• Lachish (לָכִישׁ - Lakish):

  • Significance: A prominent and strategically important fortified city in the Shephelah. Its history is well-documented in biblical accounts and archaeology.
  • Biblical Importance: Noteworthy as one of the last Judahite cities to fall to the Assyrians under Sennacherib (2 Kgs 18:13-17, 2 Chr 32:9) and later besieged by Babylonians (Jer 34:7). Archaeological excavations at Tel Lachish have confirmed its robust defenses and key role. Its inclusion here marks it as a significant part of Judah's initial inheritance.

• and (וְ - ve):

  • Meaning: Hebrew conjunction meaning "and," connecting items in a list.
  • Significance: This repeated conjunction throughout these lists emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of the tribal allotment, demonstrating precision in the divine provision.

• Bozkath (בָצְקַת - Botsqat):

  • Significance: Likely a smaller, less historically prominent town compared to Lachish. Its exact location is still debated, but it's part of the same region.
  • Biblical Importance: Notably mentioned as the hometown of Adaiah, the mother of King Josiah (2 Kgs 22:1), centuries after the allocation in Joshua. This later reference shows the enduring association of places with people and their tribal lineage.

• and (וְ - ve):

  • Meaning: Hebrew conjunction "and."
  • Significance: Continues the enumeration of towns, affirming the completeness of the list for Judah's lowland allocation.

• Eglon (עֶגְלֹון - Eg'lōn):

  • Significance: Another town in the Shephelah. Its exact location is also debated among scholars. It should not be confused with the Moabite king of the same name in Judges 3. Here it refers to a geographic location.
  • Biblical Importance: Identified in Joshua 10:3 as one of the five Amorite kings who allied against Gibeon, suggesting it was an important non-Israelite stronghold that Joshua conquered before it was allotted to Judah. Its inclusion signifies the conquest and claiming of a key city within the allotted territory.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,": This grouping of names represents specific geographical markers of Judah's inheritance. The sequential listing underscores the systematic process of territorial assignment, a testament to the divine organization and precision in fulfilling the promise of land. The Shephelah, where these cities were located, was often a contested region, highlighting the need for firm establishment.

Joshua 15 38 Bonus section

The exhaustive lists of cities in Joshua 15 (and other tribal allotments) had several vital functions beyond simply outlining boundaries. They served as administrative and logistical guides for tribal populations, taxation, and military organization. For future generations, these lists helped affirm tribal identity and the historical veracity of God's land grants. From an archaeological perspective, the detail in these chapters provides crucial anchors for identifying ancient sites and understanding the distribution of Israelite settlements in the early Iron Age. While many of these cities remained challenging to fully conquer or eventually fell into foreign hands (as seen with Lachish and Eglon later), their initial inclusion in this divinely sanctioned list forever marks them as part of God's intended inheritance for His people. This highlights the ongoing tension between divine promise and human obedience/faithfulness in the land's full possession.

Joshua 15 38 Commentary

Joshua 15:38, by naming Lachish, Bozkath, and Eglon, serves as a meticulous record of Judah's land inheritance in the Shephelah region. This precision reflects God's faithfulness in delivering on His promises made to Abraham regarding the land. Far from being a mere dry list, this verse embodies the concrete manifestation of divine covenant. The very act of naming each town confirms the theological reality that the land was not seized by human strength alone but divinely apportioned and bestowed.

The inclusion of cities like Lachish, renowned for its future historical and military significance, elevates this verse beyond simple geography. It foreshadows the challenges Judah would face in possessing and maintaining control of their inheritance, particularly in such strategically important areas. Each named town represents not just a piece of property but a segment of a divinely orchestrated tapestry, demonstrating God's sovereign control over territories and nations, implicitly challenging the territorial claims and false deities of the Canaanite inhabitants who previously occupied these places. This meticulous accounting established identity, territorial rights, and provided administrative foundations for the fledgling Israelite nation under God's rule.