Joshua 15 43

Joshua 15:43 kjv

And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

Joshua 15:43 nkjv

Jiphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Joshua 15:43 niv

Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Joshua 15:43 esv

Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Joshua 15:43 nlt

Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 43 Meaning

Joshua 15:43 details a portion of the inheritance given to the tribe of Judah within the geographical region known as the Shephelah, or the lowlands. The verse specifies three named cities—Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—and then provides a summary total, stating that this particular grouping comprised "nine cities with their villages." This comprehensive enumeration emphasizes the precise and thorough nature of the divinely orchestrated land distribution among the Israelite tribes, fulfilling God's ancient promises.

Joshua 15 43 Context

Joshua 15 is entirely dedicated to detailing the territorial inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the tribes. Following the successful conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the land was systematically divided among the twelve tribes by lot, as divinely commanded. Chapter 15 provides an exhaustive list of cities, towns, and their villages, categorized by geographical regions such as the Negeb (south), the Shephelah (lowlands), the hill country, and the wilderness.

Verse 43 falls within the description of Judah's inheritance in the Shephelah (Joshua 15:33-47), a strategically important fertile region nestled between the coastal plain and the central hill country. This section meticulously names cities that belong to Judah, highlighting the vastness and completeness of their assigned territory. The summing up, such as "nine cities with their villages," reinforces the accuracy and administrative order of the land distribution, proving the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises down to the smallest detail of territory and settlement.

Joshua 15 43 Word analysis

• and Keilah (וְקְעִילָה - veq'eilah):

  • וְ (ve-): "And," a conjunction linking this city to previous listings. It shows a continuous, comprehensive cataloging of Judah's allotted area.
  • קְעִילָה (Qei'lah): The name of a specific city in the Shephelah. Its meaning is thought to be "fortress" or "enclosure," reflecting its likely fortified nature. Keilah held later historical significance as the city David rescued from the Philistines, showcasing its real-world importance within the promised land (1 Sam 23:1-13). Its inclusion underscores the actual, physical settlements allocated.

• and Achzib (וְאַכְזִיב - ve'achzib):

  • וְ (ve-): "And," another linking conjunction, maintaining the list's flow.
  • אַכְזִיב ('Achzib): Another city name in the Shephelah. Its Hebrew root suggests "deception" or "falsehood." This might reflect a characteristic of the land or people, or possibly a symbolic prophetic usage as seen in Micah 1:14 where "the houses of Achzib" are metaphorically a "deception." Its inclusion further defines the extent of Judah's precise inheritance.

• and Mareshah (וּמָרֵשָׁה - umaresha):

  • וּ (u-): "And," similar to ve-, joining the items in the list.
  • מָרֵשָׁה (Maresha): A prominent city in the Shephelah. The name likely means "head" or "summit." Mareshah was an important fortified town, strategically significant, as evidenced by Asa's battle against the Cushites there (2 Chr 14:9-13). It was also associated with prophets (Micah, Eliezer - Mic 1:1, 2 Chr 20:37). Its listing highlights a key settlement within Judah's domain.

• nine cities (תִּשַׁע עָרִים - tisha arim):

  • תִּשַׁע (tisha): "Nine," the numeral, specifying the precise count of cities listed in the immediately preceding grouping. This meticulous counting demonstrates divine precision and administrative order in the land division, emphasizing the concrete nature of the inheritance.
  • עָרִים (arim): Plural of 'ir, "city" or "fortified town." It refers to the central, more significant settlements in contrast to smaller, dependent villages.

• with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן - vehatzreihen):

  • וְ (ve-): "And/with," indicating inclusion.
  • חַצְרֵיהֶן (hatzreihen): "Their villages" or "their courtyards." This term refers to the dependent, smaller settlements, hamlets, or agricultural communities that administratively belonged to the main city. It implies that the full sphere of influence, including surrounding lands and minor settlements, was part of the inheritance. This detail underscores the comprehensive and holistic nature of the allotted territory, extending beyond just the walled cities to their full surrounding environs and population.

Joshua 15 43 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of naming cities and then providing a numerical summary for distinct geographical groupings, as seen in Joshua 15:43, is a characteristic literary device throughout Joshua 15 and similar land allotment chapters. This method serves several purposes:

1. Verifies Fulfillment: It offers irrefutable proof to the initial Israelite audience and future generations that the promised land was indeed divided exactly as God had ordained.
2. Legal Document: The entire chapter functions as a sacred legal and administrative document, meticulously outlining tribal boundaries and properties. This specificity would have prevented future disputes over land claims.
3. Divine Authority: The level of detail implies divine authorship and guidance in the allocation process, far beyond human logistical capability alone. It underscores the precision of God's planning.
4. Territorial Integrity: The listing, especially the inclusion of "their villages," defines full territorial integrity for each assigned portion, essential for establishing a functioning society and defense.
5. Shephelah Importance: The cities listed, including those summed up to "nine," are located in the Shephelah. This region was strategically significant as a border zone and agricultural hub, often contested, highlighting God's provision of key, valuable areas to His people.

Joshua 15 43 Commentary

Joshua 15:43 is more than a mere geographical list; it is a profound declaration of God's faithfulness and meticulous order. The detailed enumeration of cities like Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah within Judah's territory, along with the precise summary "nine cities with their villages," emphasizes that God's promises were not abstract but concrete and fulfilled in tangible land ownership. Each name on this list represents a physical location where future events in Israel's history would unfold, many tied to the sovereignty and protective hand of God over His people (e.g., David at Keilah, Asa at Mareshah).

The phrase "with their villages" highlights the comprehensive nature of the inheritance. It wasn't just isolated cities, but entire administrative units, encompassing surrounding agricultural lands and smaller settlements. This ensures the viability and completeness of the tribal holdings. For the original Israelite audience, this meticulous record was an undeniable testament to God's integrity and a basis for their security and identity in the promised land. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's precise fulfillment of His covenants, setting a pattern for understanding the precision of His plan, whether in physical blessings or the spiritual inheritance granted through Christ. This precision affirms that God delivers on His promises, not only in broad strokes but in the smallest, vital details.