Joshua 15 55

Joshua 15:55 kjv

Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

Joshua 15:55 nkjv

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Joshua 15:55 niv

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Joshua 15:55 esv

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Joshua 15:55 nlt

Besides these, there were Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 55 Meaning

This verse enumerates four specific towns—Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah—situated within the southern hill country of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. It represents a precise detail of the tribal inheritance, showcasing God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel by providing them with specific land for settlement.

Joshua 15 55 Context

Joshua chapter 15 comprehensively details the extensive land allocation to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe of Israel. Following the successful conquest of Canaan, the division of the land among the tribes was crucial for fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Verses 21-62 meticulously list cities within Judah's different geographical districts: the Negev, the Shephelah (lowlands), the hill country (mountain district), and the wilderness. Joshua 15:55 falls within the list of towns assigned to the "mountain district" (verse 48), which encompasses the central highlands of Judah, including significant cities like Hebron. This precise cataloging of cities underscores the fulfillment of God's word and the ordered settlement of the land by the twelve tribes. Historically, these locations would become important sites for tribal identity, administration, and later events in Israel's history, as exemplified by their future associations with figures like David.

Joshua 15 55 Word analysis

• Maon (מָעוֹן - Ma'on): Meaning "dwelling" or "habitation." This suggests a permanent, settled place, emphasizing Israel's transition from nomadic wanderers to possessors of settled land. Maon is notably associated with Nabal and Abigail (1 Sam 25), highlighting a future place of significant interaction in biblical narrative.
• Carmel (כַּרְמֶל - Karmel): Meaning "garden-land" or "fruitful field." This suggests agricultural fertility and natural richness. It is distinct from the more famous Mount Carmel to the north, which was associated with Elijah. This Carmel in Judah, near Maon, was the home of Nabal and where King Saul set up a monument after defeating the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:12), signifying its established presence and later historical importance.
• Ziph (זִיף - Ziyph): The exact etymology is debated, possibly related to "to flow" or "refinement," or linked to a name of a Ziph tree. It marks a specific, recognized town within Judah's territory. Ziph became a significant hiding place for David when fleeing King Saul, and the "Ziphites" twice betrayed David's location to Saul (1 Sam 23:14-25; 1 Sam 26:1). This underscores its reality and its role in a period of intense divine testing and deliverance for David.
• Juttah (יוּטָּה - Yuṭtah): Meaning "stretched out" or "extended." This implies a locality whose boundaries or extent were clearly defined, highlighting the thoroughness of the land distribution. Juttah is also explicitly listed as one of the cities given to the priestly lineage of Aaron (Josh 21:16, 1 Chron 6:59), signifying its importance not just as a tribal land, but also potentially as a Levitical city dedicated to sacred service and instruction, linking tribal inheritance with spiritual purposes.
• "Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah": This precise listing of specific geographical place names within the hill country of Judah serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it undeniably confirms the concrete fulfillment of God's age-old land promises. Secondly, it establishes a meticulously defined administrative foundation for the nascent Israelite tribal system, providing clear and divinely sanctioned boundaries and responsibilities. Thirdly, the inclusion of these names, which subsequently feature prominently in narratives involving David and Saul, subtly implies God's pervasive sovereignty. This sovereign hand is seen not only in the grand allocation of the land but also in the detailed mapping of the territories, hinting at the future pivotal events destined to unfold in these very locations. Their inclusion reflects God's meticulous record-keeping and underlines the historical and verifiable reality of the biblical narrative.

Joshua 15 55 Bonus section

The extensive and precise lists of cities found in Joshua chapter 15, of which verse 55 is an example, serve as ancient administrative documents and territorial deeds, establishing Israel's claim to the land not by mere human conquest, but by divine decree. These lists reflect a theological assertion that God himself partitioned the land as a fulfillment of His oath to the patriarchs. The specificity refutes any notion of the land being ambiguously granted; rather, every portion and town was distinctly allocated. For the original Israelites, such detail was critical for tribal identity, administration, and avoiding land disputes, grounding their very existence and identity in God's fulfilled promises.

Joshua 15 55 Commentary

Joshua 15:55 serves as a testament to the divine faithfulness and meticulousness in fulfilling God's covenant promises to Israel. As a component of Judah's expansive land allocation, the precise naming of Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah reinforces the literal, tangible reality of God's grant. It assures the audience that the inheritance promised generations prior was now precisely possessed, laying a detailed administrative groundwork for Israelite settlement and identity. Beyond being mere geographic markers, these towns later gained historical prominence as settings for significant events in David's life, demonstrating God's sovereign oversight over every detail—from the initial promise to its specific geographic and historical actualization. The very specificity underscores the Bible's historical rootedness and God's unwavering commitment.