Joshua 15 61

Joshua 15:61 kjv

In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,

Joshua 15:61 nkjv

In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Joshua 15:61 niv

In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Sekakah,

Joshua 15:61 esv

In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Joshua 15:61 nlt

In the wilderness there were the towns of Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 61 Meaning

Joshua 15:61 precisely lists three towns—Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah—as part of the specific wilderness district allotted to the tribe of Judah. This enumeration underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promise to Israel, providing them with their designated inheritance down to seemingly every precise locality, even in less fertile or hospitable regions.

Joshua 15 61 Context

Joshua 15:61 is embedded within the lengthy description of the tribal allotments of the land of Canaan, specifically focusing on the expansive territory granted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:1-63). Following the conquest phase, this section details the precise geographical boundaries and lists the cities within Judah's inheritance. Verses 61-62 describe "six cities with their villages" located "in the wilderness" (as designated in verse 60). This precise enumeration of towns, even in a desolate area, signifies the completion and detail of God's land distribution, affirming Judah's full legal claim to its extensive portion, which stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea, encompassing various terrains from fertile plains to harsh wilderness.

Joshua 15 61 Word analysis

• and Beth-arabah (וּבֵית הָעֲרָבָה - u-veit ha-`Aravah):

  • וּ (u-) - "and": A simple conjunction connecting this city to others in the list.
  • בֵית (Beit) - "house of," "place of," "habitation": A common element in Semitic place names, denoting a settlement or a specific location.
  • הָעֲרָבָה (ha-`Aravah) - "the Arabah": Refers to the arid rift valley region, particularly the section running along the Jordan River and Dead Sea. Its inclusion signifies the town's geographical placement in this dry, desolate but geologically significant area, illustrating the extent of Judah's inheritance into harsh terrains.

• and Middin (וּמִדִּין - u-Middin):

  • וּ (u-) - "and": Connective.
  • מִדִּין (Middin) - A specific place name whose etymology is debated but possibly related to "stretch out" or "measurement." Its primary significance here is as one of the six designated wilderness cities for Judah, suggesting its recognized, albeit remote, status within the tribal allotment. Archaeological research has placed it generally in the Judean Wilderness.

• and Secacah (וּסְכָכָה - u-Sekakhah):

  • וּ (u-) - "and": Connective.
  • סְכָכָה (Sekakhah) - A specific place name. The root can mean "to cover," "to hedge about," "to shelter," or "enclosure." This might suggest a place of refuge, or a site characterized by its enclosure or sheltered aspect in the wilderness. It is identified with Khirbet es-Samrah, confirming its location in the Judean wilderness.

• Words-group analysis: "Beth-arabah, and Middin, and Secacah,"

  • This consecutive listing of three seemingly obscure towns, followed by other equally remote ones in the next verse, emphasizes the comprehensive and detailed nature of the divine land allotment. It signals that every part of the Promised Land, even the desolate "wilderness" areas which might seem undesirable or uninhabitable, was precisely surveyed, named, and bestowed as part of God's perfect plan. The repetition of "and" creates a flowing list, solidifying each town's claim within the broader inheritance. These particular cities represent Judah's hold over the harsh, easternmost reaches of their territory bordering the Dead Sea, reinforcing the boundaries of their God-given heritage.

Joshua 15 61 Bonus section

The mention of these wilderness cities in Judah's lot, though seemingly insignificant due to their remote and arid nature, holds significant archaeological and historical weight. For instance, the Copper Scroll from Qumran, a non-canonical ancient text, makes mention of "Secacah," connecting it potentially to the Essene community who resided in the Qumran area, thereby lending extra-biblical credibility to these geographical designations and implying some historical or resource-related importance (e.g., water sources or defensible locations) to these sites that enabled habitation. The specific allocation of such regions confirms that God's gift was holistic, ensuring Israel's command over its full designated borders, from fertile plains to strategic, albeit challenging, wilderness outposts.

Joshua 15 61 Commentary

Joshua 15:61 forms part of a meticulous list documenting Judah's tribal inheritance within the Promised Land. The enumeration of cities like Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah within the "wilderness" district serves several critical functions. Foremost, it powerfully illustrates God's absolute faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:7; Gen 15:18), bestowing upon them a land "flowing with milk and honey" in all its diverse terrains. Even the desolate or less hospitable regions were part of God's precise gift, demonstrating His complete sovereignty over every inch of the land. This detailed cataloging validates Israel's divinely sanctioned ownership and future occupation, asserting an undeniable claim over their heritage against any rival claims or pagan associations with the land. It also reflects a comprehensive administrative record of the new nation's divinely appointed geography, providing foundational stability and order. The precision shown, even in identifying minor wilderness settlements, reflects the profound biblical emphasis on the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant word.