Joshua 15:62 kjv
And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
Joshua 15:62 nkjv
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi: six cities with their villages.
Joshua 15:62 niv
Nibshan, the City of Salt and En Gedi?six towns and their villages.
Joshua 15:62 esv
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.
Joshua 15:62 nlt
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi ? six towns with their surrounding villages.
Joshua 15 62 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | To your offspring I will give this land. | God's promise of land to Abraham. |
| Gen 15:18 | "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt..." | Specific boundaries of the promised land. |
| Deut 1:8 | "See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession..." | God commanding Israel to inherit the land. |
| Num 26:52-56 | "...the land shall be divided by lot...to the larger give more, to the fewer give less." | Principle of land division by tribe and size. |
| Num 34:1-12 | Instructions for Israel's boundaries. | Outlines the full extent of the promised land. |
| Josh 1:6 | "for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." | Joshua's commission to divide the land. |
| Josh 11:23 | So Joshua took the whole land... and Joshua gave it for an inheritance... | God's fulfillment in conquest and distribution. |
| Josh 15:1 | The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah... | Introduction to Judah's extensive inheritance. |
| Josh 15:20 | This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans. | The comprehensive nature of Judah's allotment. |
| Josh 15:61 | In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, | Immediately preceding verse listing other wilderness cities. |
| Josh 18:1 | ...and the tabernacle of meeting was set up there. | Central act of distributing land in Shiloh. |
| Josh 21:43-45 | Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore... | God's faithful fulfillment of His promises. |
| Judg 18:1 | "In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites..." | Highlights the historical context of tribal settlements. |
| 1 Sam 23:29 | David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi. | En Gedi as a significant place of refuge for David. |
| 1 Sam 24:1 | When Saul returned from following the Philistines... | Continuation of David's presence in En Gedi. |
| Song 1:14 | My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi. | Literary reference to En Gedi's fertility and beauty. |
| Eze 47:10 | Fishermen will stand beside it. From En Gedi to En Eglaim... | Prophetic vision of healing waters from the temple to the Dead Sea, making En Gedi significant. |
| Neh 9:8 | "...You have kept your promise, for you are righteous." | Acknowledgment of God's covenant faithfulness. |
| Acts 7:45 | "...which our fathers in turn brought in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations..." | New Testament affirmation of the historical conquest. |
| Heb 4:8 | For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. | Theological implication of Joshua's fulfillment (though not final spiritual rest). |
Joshua 15 verses
Joshua 15 62 Meaning
Joshua 15:62 records the final three specific cities listed within the vast wilderness region allocated to the tribe of Judah as part of their tribal inheritance in the Promised Land. These cities, Nivshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi, along with their surrounding villages, were six settlements identified within this more desolate, eastern part of Judah's territory, bordering the Salt Sea (Dead Sea). It serves as a meticulous record of the complete fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding their inheritance.
Joshua 15 62 Context
Joshua chapter 15 meticulously details the vast inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the tribes. This chapter systematically lists the boundaries, major geographical features, and the multitude of cities allocated to Judah, categorizing them by region: the Negeb (South), the Shephelah (Lowlands), the Hill Country, and finally, the Wilderness. Verse 62 falls within the section describing cities situated in the "wilderness" (midbar) region (Josh 15:61-62), which refers to the semi-arid area east of the Judean mountains, stretching towards the Dead Sea. This part of the territory, while challenging, was still recognized as valuable and inhabited, reinforcing the idea of a complete, divinely appointed land. The exhaustive cataloging of cities underscores the systematic fulfillment of God's covenant promises to provide land for His people. Historically, this allocation marked the formal establishment of Israelite dominion over Canaanite territories, signifying God's justice in displacing a corrupt people and providing for His chosen nation.
Joshua 15 62 Word analysis
- Nivshan (נִבְשָׁן - nivshan): An obscure city, mentioned only here in the Bible. Its precise location is uncertain, but it falls within the wilderness district of Judah. The meaning of the name is debated, possibly related to "sandy soil" or "soft ground," which would be appropriate for a desert wadi area. Its inclusion underscores the thoroughness of the territorial record.
- the City of Salt (עִיר הַמֶּלַח - ‘Ir hammelah): Literally "City of the Salt" or "City of Salt." This city was undoubtedly situated near the Salt Sea (Dead Sea), a region known for its extensive salt deposits. Its existence reflects human settlement in resource-rich but otherwise desolate areas. In a broader biblical context, salt can symbolize purity, preservation, and covenant, but here it primarily functions as a geographical identifier.
- En Gedi (וְעֵין גֶּדִי - vĕ‘Êyn gedî): From Hebrew "עֵין" ('ayin meaning "spring" or "fountain") and "גֶּדִי" (gedi meaning "kid" or "goat"). So, "Spring of the Kid/Goat." This is a well-known oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. It is significant for its freshwater springs amidst an arid landscape, making it a natural hub of life and activity. Later, it gained fame as a refuge for David when fleeing from King Saul (1 Sam 23:29, 24:1). Its lushness made it distinctive even within the wilderness.
- six cities (עָרִים שֵׁשׁ - ‘ārîm shēsh): Refers specifically to the grouping of Nivshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi, together with the three cities listed just prior in Josh 15:61 (Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah). This precise numerical accounting highlights the meticulous nature of the land division process. It signifies a complete, known cluster of settlements.
- with their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן - wĕḥaṣrêhen): The Hebrew word "חצרות" (chatzerot) typically refers to unfortified, open settlements, hamlets, or even nomadic encampments dependent on a larger city. This phrase clarifies that the inheritance included not just the primary fortified urban centers but also their smaller, surrounding communities and agricultural lands. It represents the full extent of human habitation and control in a given area.
Joshua 15 62 Bonus section
The seemingly tedious lists of cities in Joshua serve several crucial purposes beyond mere geography:
- Proof of Fulfillment: They are tangible evidence that God did exactly what He promised, delivering the entire land to Israel, down to every city and village (Josh 21:43-45).
- Legal Documentation: These lists functioned as legal deeds for tribal boundaries and ownership, preventing future disputes among the tribes regarding their inheritance.
- Historical Accuracy: They provide invaluable historical and archaeological data, though many specific sites remain unidentified today, reflecting ancient settlement patterns.
- Divine Providence: The inheritance extended even into difficult wilderness areas, reminding Israel that God provided for them comprehensively, regardless of the land's immediate perceived value. Even barren areas held significance and resources, provided by God.
Joshua 15 62 Commentary
Joshua 15:62 is not merely a dry geographical listing but a testament to God's precise and faithful fulfillment of His ancient promises. It closes the section on Judah's "wilderness" cities, ensuring every detail of their vast inheritance, from fertile plains to challenging arid regions, is accounted for. The inclusion of places like the "City of Salt" and the life-sustaining "En Gedi" underscores the varied nature of the inheritance, yet all part of the divine provision. This careful enumeration testifies to the thoroughness of the division process under Joshua and validates Israel's God-given right to the land, confirming His absolute sovereignty and their status as His chosen people. The complete accounting reflects God's meticulous care in distributing the inheritance, ensuring no detail was overlooked in the fulfillment of His covenant word.