Joshua 15 46

Joshua 15:46 kjv

From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:

Joshua 15:46 nkjv

from Ekron to the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages;

Joshua 15:46 niv

west of Ekron, all that were in the vicinity of Ashdod, together with their villages;

Joshua 15:46 esv

from Ekron to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.

Joshua 15:46 nlt

From Ekron the boundary extended west and included the towns near Ashdod with their surrounding villages.

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 46 Meaning

Joshua 15:46 describes a specific segment of the tribal inheritance of Judah, outlining a western portion of its territory. It states that Judah's claim extended from the Philistine city of Ekron all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing all the land adjacent to Ashdod, along with its dependent villages. This demarcates an ideal territorial claim for Judah over significant Philistine-controlled areas, connecting Ekron (inland Philistine city) to the coast, emphasizing control over a vital corridor.

Joshua 15 46 Context

Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the tribal allotment given to Judah. This was the largest portion, reflecting Judah's leading role among the tribes, particularly due to Caleb's faithfulness and their inheritance by lot. The chapter delineates specific boundaries, extending from the Dead Sea in the east, southwards towards the wilderness of Zin, northwards through the Valley of Hinnom, and westwards to the Mediterranean Sea. Within these defined borders, various cities are enumerated. Verses 45-47 specifically mention Philistine cities (Ekron, Ashdod, Gaza) and their surrounding areas, which indicates that these significant Philistine strongholds and their dependencies were formally designated as part of Judah's inheritance by divine decree and lot. This ideal possession stood in tension with the practical reality that these areas, especially the coastal plains and strong Philistine cities, were largely unconquered at the time of Joshua's initial conquest, leading to protracted conflicts in the era of the Judges and Monarchy.

Joshua 15 46 Word analysis

• from Ekron (מֵעֶקְרוֹן - mé'eqrôn): Ekron was one of the five principal cities of the Philistine pentapolis (alongside Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Gath). Located strategically inland in the northern Shephelah, it controlled a fertile agricultural region and important trade routes. Its inclusion indicates Judah's western boundary extending significantly into Philistine territory. It served as a center for Philistine power and later housed the Ark of the Covenant for a period.

• even unto the sea (וְעַד־הַיָּם - wə‘aḏ-hayyām): This phrase signifies the ultimate western border: the Mediterranean Sea (referred to as the "Great Sea" elsewhere). This demonstrates that the intended inheritance of Judah extended completely to the coast, embracing all land between Ekron and the sea, emphasizing an unbroken territorial claim.

• all that lay near Ashdod (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר עַל־יַד אַשְׁדּוֹד - kōl 'ăšer 'al-yaḏ 'ašdôd):

  • all (כֹּל - kol): Denotes comprehensiveness; every part of the land in this specified vicinity.
  • that lay near (אֲשֶׁר עַל־יַד - 'ăšer 'al-yaḏ): Literally "that which is on the hand of," or "by the side of." It refers to the immediate environs and hinterland associated with the city, suggesting administrative or agricultural dependence.
  • Ashdod (אַשְׁדּוֹד - 'ašdôd): Another major Philistine city, a prominent port city on the coast. Its significant strategic location is highlighted by this reference, implying that Judah was to control its surrounding influence and agricultural resources. This further reinforces the idea of extensive claims over Philistine heartland.

• with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן - wəḥaṣrêhen):

  • villages (חַצְרֵיהֶן - ḥaṣrêhen): Derived from ḥāṣēr (חָצֵר), typically refers to unwalled settlements, hamlets, or farming communities dependent on a larger city for defense and services. Their inclusion shows that the allotted territory was not merely the central city but also its supporting agricultural lands and populace, essential for economic sustainability and control.

• from Ekron even unto the sea: This phrase outlines a specific geographic corridor, highlighting that the boundary extended from an important inland Philistine center all the way to the coastline. It indicates a clear path of intended conquest and possession by Judah that cuts through traditionally Philistine territory.

• all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages: This expands the definition of territory to include not just major urban centers but also their crucial surrounding agricultural areas and dependent communities. This demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes control over a region—not just a city, but its life-sustaining network.

Joshua 15 46 Bonus section

The description of Judah's inheritance including these powerful Philistine cities implicitly sets a divine standard for the conquest. The fact that Judah often failed to fully dispossess these inhabitants (e.g., Jdg 1:19) reveals a significant gap between God's gracious gift and Israel's partial obedience and faith. This passage defines Judah's ultimate divinely ordained dominion, rather than merely reflecting their contemporary de facto control. It served as a constant reminder of their unrealized inheritance and the scope of God's covenant faithfulness.

Joshua 15 46 Commentary

Joshua 15:46, like the surrounding verses, serves as a divine declaration of Judah's ideal territory. It encapsulates God's generous provision and the breadth of the promised land to Israel, extending deep into the rich Philistine coastal plain, right up to the Mediterranean Sea. The mention of Ekron and Ashdod, two formidable Philistine strongholds, indicates the sheer scope of this promised inheritance. This was a challenging domain, frequently contested. The inclusion of "villages" alongside the main cities underscores that the claim was comprehensive, encompassing not only urban centers but also the economically vital surrounding rural areas and their populations. While these cities were not immediately or fully possessed by Judah in the time of Joshua, their inclusion in the allotment provided a divinely ordained legal and aspirational claim that would drive future efforts to dispossess the Philistines. This verse highlights the tension between God's promise and the ongoing challenge of actualizing that promise through faithful obedience. It also foreshadows the long, bitter struggles between Israel and the Philistines described in Judges and 1 Samuel.