Joshua 15 57

Joshua 15:57 kjv

Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

Joshua 15:57 nkjv

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages;

Joshua 15:57 niv

Kain, Gibeah and Timnah?ten towns and their villages.

Joshua 15:57 esv

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.

Joshua 15:57 nlt

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah ? ten towns with their surrounding villages.

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 57 Meaning

Joshua 15:57 records a segment of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah following the conquest of Canaan. Specifically, it lists three cities: Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah. These three cities are then summarized as being part of a larger administrative or geographical unit comprising "ten cities with their villages." This meticulous detail highlights the comprehensive and orderly distribution of the promised land to Israel, ensuring each tribe received its designated inheritance and its associated satellite settlements for livelihood and defense.

Joshua 15 57 Context

Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the vast inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the tribes. After outlining its extensive northern, southern, eastern, and western boundaries (vv. 1-12), the chapter moves to list specific cities within this territory. These cities are categorized geographically: the Negeb (southern desert, vv. 21-32), the Shephelah (lowland, vv. 33-47), the hill country (vv. 48-60), and the wilderness (vv. 61-62). Joshua 15:57 falls within the section enumerating cities of the "hill country" (vv. 48-60). This part of the chapter groups cities into smaller administrative units, each typically concluding with a numerical summary of "X cities with their villages" (e.g., v.51 lists eleven cities, v.54 mentions Hebron, v.60 two cities, etc.). The enumeration in verse 57 of only three cities (Kain, Gibeah, Timnah) followed by the summary "ten cities" presents a numerical discrepancy that has been discussed by scholars. This implies either that these three are part of a broader, unspecified list of seven others from a preceding cluster or that some cities were omitted, or it reflects a historical administrative grouping. The verse is part of God's faithful execution of His promise to Abraham, providing concrete settlement to His chosen people in the promised land, organized precisely and comprehensively for their habitation and development.

Joshua 15 57 Word analysis

• Kain (קָיִן - Qayin): A proper noun, name of a city in the territory of Judah. It means "smith" or "spear." While sharing the same Hebrew root as Cain, Adam's son, this is a distinct geographical location. It is believed to be located in the hill country of Judah, likely to the south or southeast, near other listed towns. Its mention here signifies a minor settlement integrated into the tribal inheritance.
• Gibeah (גִּבְעָה - Gibʿāh): A proper noun, meaning "hill." This is one of several places called Gibeah in the Bible. This specific Gibeah is in Judah's territory, distinguishing it from the more famous Gibeah of Benjamin (associated with King Saul and the Levite's concubine incident). Its name suggests it was situated on an elevated position, likely offering a strategic advantage. Its inclusion indicates a recognizable settled place within Judah's hill country allocation.
• Timnah (תִּמְנָה - Timnāh): A proper noun, meaning "portion" or "figure/image." Timnah was a significant border town, located in the Shephelah (lowland) bordering Philistine territory, although grouped with cities of the hill country here, possibly indicating its general administrative association. It is famously associated with Samson's story (Judges 14) and appears in other historical narratives (Gen 38; 2 Chr 28:18) due to its strategic position and frequent interaction between Israelites and Philistines.
• ten cities (עָרִים עֶשֶׂר - ʿārîm ʿeśer): The Hebrew word ʿārîm (cities) and ʿeśer (ten). This numerical count is crucial and has generated significant scholarly discussion. Only three cities are named immediately before this phrase (Kain, Gibeah, Timnah). This discrepancy suggests that these lists are not always exhaustive or that they group unnamed or implicitly included settlements together under a common count. It could represent an administrative grouping where other smaller, less notable settlements belonged to this unit to reach the sum of ten, or reflect a later textual omission or scribal note about a known regional total.
• with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן - vəḥaṣrêhen): The Hebrew ḥaṣer (plural ḥaṣrîm), typically refers to an "unwalled settlement," "hamlet," or "village." It signifies the broader dwelling areas, farmsteads, and associated agricultural lands extending from the main walled cities. The inclusion of "their villages" emphasizes that the allocation of the cities was not merely of the fortified urban center itself but of the entire surrounding rural domain essential for sustaining the city's inhabitants through agriculture and pasturage. It indicates a complete and functional territorial grant.

Joshua 15 57 Bonus section

The seemingly dry lists of cities in Joshua, including Joshua 15:57, are often referred to as a "conquest memorandum" or "boundary documents." They are not merely ancient geographical tables but have legal and theological significance, serving as official records of the fulfillment of God's promises and the precise distribution of tribal inheritances. The variations in counts and named cities across different manuscripts or implied groupings, such as the "ten cities" mentioned after only three named, reflect the complexities of ancient scribal practices and the potential for selective listing based on regional prominence or administrative convenience. This does not undermine their authority but speaks to their authenticity as historical administrative records. Furthermore, the act of assigning land was an act of God's grace and a tangible manifestation of His covenant faithfulness, providing not just land but "rest" from their enemies, a concept crucial throughout Israelite theology.

Joshua 15 57 Commentary

Joshua 15:57, like much of the long city lists in Joshua, serves a foundational purpose beyond simple geography: it attests to the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenantal promises regarding the land. Even seemingly minor or less historically prominent cities like Kain, Gibeah (of Judah), and Timnah were carefully allocated by divine lot and meticulously recorded, demonstrating the exhaustive nature of Israel's inheritance. The numerical summary "ten cities with their villages," despite listing only three, highlights that these lists were functional records for the original audience, encompassing known regional units rather than strictly comprehensive enumerations of every single named place. This specific detail reinforces the orderly administration under Joshua, ensuring that Judah's immense portion included both its key urban centers and their vital agricultural satellites. The mention of "villages" underscores the complete endowment—not just defensible strongholds but the productive hinterlands necessary for sustenance and prosperity within the land. It speaks to God's precise provision for His people, ensuring every detail of their new dwelling place was accounted for in His grand redemptive plan.