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Joshua 15

63 verses

TL;DR

Joshua 15 outlines the territorial boundaries and inherited cities of the tribe of Judah, highlighting Caleb’s inheritance and the Jebusites’ persistence in Jerusalem.

Summary

The chapter begins with a detailed description of Judah’s southern, eastern, northern, and western borders, including natural landmarks and adjacent regions such as Edom, the salt sea, and the river of Egypt. It then narrates Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron and his capture of Kirjathsepher, offering his daughter Achsah to Othniel who had taken the city. The text lists an extensive inventory of Judah’s cities, villages, and notable places, organized by region and often noting the number of associated villages. The final passage notes that the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem, coexisting with Judah’s people. Throughout, the passage emphasizes inheritance, allotment, and the established boundaries of the tribe.

Outline
  1. Description of Judah’s boundaries and neighboring regions
  2. Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron and capture of Kirjathsepher
  3. Comprehensive list of Judah’s cities and villages, noting coexistence with Jebusites
Themes
inheritance and allotmentterritorial boundariesconquest and coexistence
Keywords
inheritanceborderfamilytribecitylandCalebAnakJebusitesHebronKirjathsepher
People
JoshuaCalebOthnielAchahAnakSheshaiAhimanTalmaiKenazBohanArba
Places
JudahEdomZinKadeshbarneaHezronAdarKarkaaAzmonRiver of EgyptSalt SeaJordanBethhoglaBetharabahDebir (Kirjathsepher)AchorGilgalAdummimEnshemeshEnrogelHinnomJerusalemNebhtoahMount EphronBaalah (Kirjathjearim)Mount SeirMount Jearim (Chesalon)BethshemeshTimnahEkronShicronJabneelSeaHebron (Arba)KabzeelEderJagurKinahDimonahAdadahKedeshHazorIthnanZiphTelemBealothBeershebaGazaAshdodGazaSorekGathRamahBethlehemBethanyBethanyZion
Things
inheritancefamily allotmentbordercity listsprings of waterlandspringsfamilyconquest
Key Verses
  • Joshua 15:13: Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron and the defeat of the Anakim
  • Joshua 15:15: Capture of Kirjathsepher and its significance to Judah
  • Joshua 15:63: The Jebusites’ continued presence in Jerusalem, highlighting coexistence
Questions
  • What does the detailed listing of Judah’s cities reveal about the tribe’s organization and priorities?
  • How does Caleb’s inheritance and his marriage to Achsah illustrate the values of covenant and reward in the narrative?
  • In what ways does the coexistence of Jebusites in Jerusalem reflect the complexities of conquest and settlement in ancient Israel?
  • Why might the author have chosen to include such extensive geographic details in this chapter?
  • What can we learn from the emphasis on borders about Israel’s identity and security concerns?
Sentiment

neutral
Descriptive, factual tone without explicit moral judgment