Joshua 15 56

Joshua 15:56 kjv

And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,

Joshua 15:56 nkjv

Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Joshua 15:56 niv

Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Joshua 15:56 esv

Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Joshua 15:56 nlt

Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 56 Meaning

Joshua 15:56 meticulously lists three specific towns—Jezreel, Jokdeam, and Zanoah—as part of the southern hill country region allotted to the tribe of Judah after the conquest of Canaan. This verse serves as a precise record of the divinely ordained territorial inheritance for Judah, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises and the structured organization of the Israelite tribes within the promised land.

Joshua 15 56 Context

Joshua chapter 15 details the tribal allotment given to Judah, fulfilling the promise made by God to Abraham. After the successful campaigns against the Canaanites, Joshua and Eleazar, with tribal leaders, distributed the land by lot. This chapter begins by describing the extensive boundaries of Judah's territory, stretching from the Great Sea to the Dead Sea and reaching the borders of Edom. Verses 21-62 then meticulously list the numerous towns, villages, and associated settlements that fell within Judah's assigned portion, grouped geographically (e.g., in the Negeb, in the Shephelah, in the hill country). Verse 56 falls within the section listing towns in the "hill country" or "mountain region" of Judah, underscoring the granular detail of the divinely orchestrated land distribution and the literal fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. Historically, this precise geographical documentation validated Israel's claim to the land and provided a framework for tribal governance and identity.

Joshua 15 56 Word analysis

• Jezreel (יִזְרְעֶאל - Yizre'el):
  • Meaning: Often interpreted as "God sows" or "God scatters."
  • Significance: This is a key city name. While its primary reference is often to the large valley (Valley of Jezreel or Plain of Esdraelon) in the north, there was also a city called Jezreel within Judah (Josh 15:56) in the hill country. This specific Judahite Jezreel is distinct from the northern one (1 Sam 29:1, 1 Ki 21:1), although less prominent in later history. The meaning "God sows" carries an agricultural connotation, linking the land to divine provision. Its duality (sowing/scattering) hints at both blessing and judgment (cf. Hos 1:4-5).
• and:
  • Function: A conjunction (וְ - ve) connecting items in a list.
  • Significance: Indicates the sequential enumeration of distinct, but related, entities within the larger geographical group, underscoring the completeness of the listing.
• Jokdeam (יָקְדְעָם - Yoqdĕʻam):
  • Meaning: Unclear, possibly related to "burning of the people" or "devout people," though purely speculative from root.
  • Significance: A less historically prominent town mentioned only here in the Bible. Its inclusion emphasizes the detailed, thorough, and exhaustive nature of the land allocation record. It was an established Canaanite locality that was now designated as part of Judah's territory. Its obscure nature ensures no human embellishment but divine exactness in listing.
• and:
  • Function: Another conjunction (וְ - ve).
  • Significance: Continues the list, confirming the final entry in this particular grouping or line within the larger enumeration.
• Zanoah (זָנוֹחַ - Zanoaḥ):
  • Meaning: "Stinking" or "swampy," perhaps reflecting a local geographical feature.
  • Significance: There were likely two towns of this name, one in the Shephelah (Josh 15:34) and this one in the hill country of Judah. Also, mentioned later in Nehemiah as resettled by exiles (Neh 11:30). Its inclusion further attests to the meticulous documentation of Judah's inheritance. The place-names, even if humble or descriptively unappealing, are part of the divine record.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,: This sequence represents a tripartite listing of specific towns. The repetitive use of "and" (ve) after each name lends a rhythmic, exhaustive quality to the enumeration, similar to an official legal document or a census record. This listing method authenticates the precision of the tribal allotment. It communicates God's meticulous care in dividing the land as promised. The fact that these are specific names, not generic descriptions, highlights the concrete reality of the land given to Judah.

Joshua 15 56 Bonus section

The precise naming of towns like those in Joshua 15:56 serves not merely as historical geography but also has theological implications. It reflects God's meticulous fulfillment of promises and His active involvement in the material world. For the original Israelite audience, these lists validated their territorial claims and provided legal basis for their dwelling, contrasting sharply with the arbitrary land divisions or migratory wanderings common among surrounding peoples. The emphasis on detailed inheritance lists is a unique feature of Israelite law, underscoring the importance of tribal identity, family land, and the foundational blessing of living securely "each under his vine and under his fig tree," a symbol of peace and prosperity linked to divine provision and proper inheritance. The preservation of these seemingly dry lists across centuries within the biblical canon speaks to their enduring theological weight concerning God's faithfulness and the ordered nature of His creation and covenant.

Joshua 15 56 Commentary

Joshua 15:56 is not a dramatic verse, yet its significance lies in its meticulous precision. As part of a larger list of 115 cities assigned to Judah, it underscores the literal fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. Each name, including the obscure Jokdeam and Zanoah alongside the more famous Jezreel, serves as a testament to the comprehensive and accurate record-keeping of God's plan. This verse reflects the orderliness of divine actions, where even geographical specificities are integral to the divine narrative. It confirms the physical reality of the promised land's division and serves as a foundational historical record for Judah's identity and boundaries for generations to come. This attention to detail speaks to the reliability and trustworthiness of God's word in securing and delineating the heritage of His people.