Joshua 15 51

Joshua 15:51 kjv

And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:

Joshua 15:51 nkjv

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages;

Joshua 15:51 niv

Goshen, Holon and Giloh?eleven towns and their villages.

Joshua 15:51 esv

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.

Joshua 15:51 nlt

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh ? eleven towns with their surrounding villages.

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 51 Meaning

Joshua 15:51 details three specific cities, Goshen, Holon, and Giloh, as part of a grouped allocation to the tribe of Judah within the hill country of their inheritance. The verse then concludes by stating that this particular grouping comprises "eleven cities with their villages." This precise enumeration underscores the meticulous fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding the land and the detailed nature of its division among the tribes. It serves as a record of divine faithfulness and the legal extent of Judah's dominion over their God-given territory, encompassing not just the main cities but also their dependent surrounding settlements.

Joshua 15 51 Context

Joshua 15:51 is part of a comprehensive register detailing the land allocated to the tribe of Judah after the initial conquest of Canaan. Specifically, it falls within the extensive listing of cities found in Joshua 15:20-63, which systematically itemizes the various geographical districts and their respective towns that comprised Judah's enormous inheritance. The preceding verses (Joshua 15:48-59) describe the cities in Judah's hill country (also called the Shephelah in some contexts, but primarily focusing on the central high lands of Judah). This particular verse, Joshua 15:51, contributes to a specific group of cities in the "mountains" or hill country district, likely reflecting an administrative or geographical cluster. This exhaustive listing was crucial for legal ownership, tribal identity, and future administration within the newly possessed Promised Land, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's ancient covenant with Abraham regarding the land of Canaan.

Joshua 15 51 Word analysis

• And (וְ - we): A simple conjunctive, joining this list of cities to the preceding ones, indicating continuation within the same geographical or administrative section of Judah's hill country.
• Goshen (גּשׁן - Gōshen): A specific place name. While "Goshen" is famously associated with Egypt (Gen 45:10, 46:28, 47:6), this Judahite Goshen is distinct. It denotes a specific city within Judah's territory, not related geographically to the Egyptian Goshen, although the name might suggest a fertile or prime area, or simply a common name in ancient Near Eastern toponymy. Its inclusion here marks it as part of Judah's inherited land.
• Holon (חֹלֹן - Hōlon): A specific place name, denoting a distinct city in Judah's hill country. Later in Israel's history, Holon would become designated as a Levitical city (Josh 21:15; 1 Chr 6:58), highlighting its ongoing significance and structured role within the Israelite societal and religious framework.
• Giloh (גִּלֹה - Gilōh): A specific place name. Giloh holds historical significance, particularly as the hometown of Ahithophel, King David's trusted but later treacherous counselor (2 Sam 15:12, 23:34). Its mention here cements its existence and allocation to Judah long before David's time.
• eleven (עֶשְׂרֵה - 'eśrēh): This number precisely enumerates the cities within this particular grouping. The detailed count highlights the administrative accuracy and legal nature of the land distribution process. It serves as a meticulous inventory of assets.
• cities (עָרִים - 'ārīm): Refers to walled towns or major settlements. These were the primary residential, economic, and defensive centers within the allocated territory. The mention of 'cities' implies centers of habitation and control.
• with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן - wehāṭṣrēyhem): This phrase consistently appears in the land allotments (e.g., Josh 15:32, 36). "Villages" (חַצְרֵיהֶן - hāṭṣrēyhem, from חָצֵר - hātsēr, "court, village, enclosure") refers to the surrounding hamlets, unfortified settlements, agricultural lands, and pastures that were dependent upon or controlled by the main city. This indicates complete territorial sovereignty, not just over the urban center but over its entire surrounding sphere of influence and livelihood, crucial for a primarily agrarian society. This phrase signifies full possession and resource control within the allocated boundaries.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh;": This triple enumeration specifies individual towns, emphasizing their particular identity and inclusion in Judah's inheritance. It breaks down the larger regional allocation into concrete, identifiable places. This level of detail validates the thoroughness of the conquest and the subsequent distribution.
• "eleven cities with their villages.": This concluding phrase provides a quantitative summary for this particular district. The numerical count (eleven) adds a layer of precision, validating the list as an exact administrative record. The phrase "with their villages" broadens the scope from just the named urban centers to their full dependent territories, indicating comprehensive dominion. It legally defines the extent of control over both central settlements and their surrounding agricultural and residential outposts. This meticulous detailing stands as a testament against any rival claims to the land, underscoring that the Israelite possession was comprehensive, legally sanctioned, and divinely ordained. This also implicitly addresses a polemical point: the land was not merely claimed by right of conquest, but also carefully delineated as a fulfillment of specific divine promises, establishing clear, divinely mandated boundaries, challenging the prior vague or localized claims of Canaanite city-states.

Joshua 15 51 Bonus section

The seemingly tedious city lists in Joshua, including Joshua 15:51, serve multiple critical literary and theological functions often overlooked. Beyond their role as a "deed" for the tribes, they acted as a powerful act of cartographic theology. In a pre-map era, these lists literally 'drew' God's providence and faithfulness onto the landscape, defining and affirming Israel's unique relationship with their God, who systematically allotted their dwelling. This detailed inventory also had a polemical edge; by naming every city and village and their total, it systematically nullified any lingering claims of the Canaanite inhabitants, solidifying Israelite sovereignty established by divine command. The specific mention of places like Giloh, which would feature in future biblical narratives, imbues these early records with later historical significance, linking the original promise and conquest to the ongoing story of God's people within that specific land. For readers then and now, these lists underscore that the divine promise of inheritance was not abstract but concretely, precisely, and faithfully executed, right down to individual cities and their dependent villages.

Joshua 15 51 Commentary

Joshua 15:51, though a simple line within a lengthy topographical list, carries profound theological and historical weight. It showcases God's faithfulness in delivering every detail of His promise concerning the land (Josh 21:45), fulfilling covenants made centuries earlier with Abraham (Gen 15:18-21). The specific naming of Goshen, Holon, and Giloh, followed by the precise enumeration of "eleven cities with their villages," emphasizes the tangible and administrative reality of the land allocation. These details transform an abstract divine promise into a concrete historical record, functioning as a 'deed' or legal document for the tribe of Judah. It demonstrates that the Israelites were not merely wandering occupiers but legitimate heirs by divine grant. The inclusion of "their villages" further highlights the comprehensive nature of the inheritance, encompassing both urban centers and their vital agricultural support systems. For ancient Israelites, this precision secured tribal identity, economic stability, and reaffirmed God's meticulous care and sovereignty over His people's lives and inheritance. It reminds believers today of the exactness and reliability of God's Word, both in historical fulfillment and in the greater spiritual inheritance awaiting His people (Eph 1:11).