Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Joshua 15
Joshua 15:13-14According to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.
This passage highlights Caleb, who, unlike others, fully followed the Lord. His faith is rewarded with a personal inheritance, and he successfully drives out the formidable descendants of Anak, demonstrating what is possible through trust in God.Joshua 15:19She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Caleb's daughter, Achsah, shows bold faith like her father. She asks for the springs of water necessary for the land to flourish, rather than settling for just the land she's given. This teaches us to ask God for what we need to thrive.Joshua 15:63But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
This final verse serves as a crucial warning. Despite their power and large territory, Judah's failure to drive the Jebusites from Jerusalem created a persistent problem that would plague Israel for centuries.
Historical & Cultural Context
From Conquest to Inheritance
After the major military campaigns under Joshua have subdued the land of Canaan, the nation of Israel shifts from conquest to settlement. The time has come to divide the land among the twelve tribes, as God had commanded Moses. This chapter begins that process, starting with Judah, the tribe from which Israel's kings, and ultimately the Messiah, would come. The detailed boundaries are not merely lines on a map. They are the tangible fulfillment of a promise God made to Abraham centuries earlier.
A Map, a Man, and a Warning
The chapter's structure is significant, moving from the general to the specific and back again. It opens with the large-scale boundaries of Judah's entire territory. It then zooms in on the personal story of Caleb, a hero of faith, who claims his specific portion. After this narrative interlude, the text pans back out to list the many cities within Judah's allotment, but it concludes with a single, ominous note of failure in Jerusalem, reminding the reader that possessing the promise requires complete obedience.
Mapping Out the Promise to Judah
Joshua 15 lays out the inheritance for the tribe of Judah, a process that is both a legal record and a theological statement. The scene is one of organization and settlement after years of wandering and war. The chapter meticulously defines the borders, recounts a story of personal faith, lists the towns, and ends with a critical note about an unconquered city.
The Boundaries of the Inheritance (Joshua 15:1-12)
1 The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans reached southward to the boundary of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin at the farthest south.
2 And their south boundary ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward.
3 Then it goes down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea.
4 From there it passes along to Azmon, and goes out by the Brook of Egypt, and the border ends at the sea.
5 And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.
6 Then the boundary goes up to Beth-hoglah, and passes along north of Beth-arabah. And the boundary goes up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
7 And the boundary goes up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. Then the boundary passes along to the waters of En-shemesh and ends at En-rogel.
8 Then the boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
9 Then the boundary extends from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and continues to the cities of Mount Ephron. And the boundary bends to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
10 And the boundary circles west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passes along to the northern shoulder of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), and goes down to Beth-shemesh and passes along by Timnah.
11 From the Negeb, it extended eastward to the entrance of Debir, and then continued to the waters of En-shemesh, and on to En-rogel.
12 The west boundary was the Great Sea with its coastline. This is the boundary around the people of Judah according to their clans.
Commentary:
God's promise to Judah is made real through the detailed mapping of their specific territory.
Caleb's Portion: A Story of Faith (Joshua 15:13-19)
13 According to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).
14 And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.
15 And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. The name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.
16 And Caleb said, "Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife."
17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
18 And when she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
19 She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Commentary:
Caleb and his daughter model the bold faith required to claim God's promises and thrive.
A Catalogue of Cities (Joshua 15:20-62)
20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans.
21 Now the cities at the extremity of the tribe of the people of Judah toward the border of Edom in the Negeb were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
22 And the cities belonging to the tribe of the people of Judah in the extreme south, toward the boundary of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
23 But Kiriath-arba (Arba was the father of Anak) the same is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with its pasturelands around it.
24 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline.
25 Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),
26 Amam, Shema, Moladah,
27 Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,
28 Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
31 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon: in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.
33 In the lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
34 Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah;
35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.
32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon: in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.
38 Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
12 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan - four cities and their villages.
40 And Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.
41 Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah - sixteen cities with their villages.
42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
43 And Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.
44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah: nine cities with their villages.
45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages;
46 from Ekron to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.
47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline.
48 And in the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
59 Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon, six cities with their villages;
60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.
51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.
52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
53 Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,
54 Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior: nine cities with their villages.
55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah
57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.
58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,
59 Maarath, Bethanoth, and Eltekon, six cities with their villages;
60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.
61 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.
Commentary:
An extensive list of cities shows the immense scope and reality of God's provision for Judah.
The Failure at Jerusalem (Joshua 15:63)
63 But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
Commentary:
Judah's inability to conquer Jerusalem stands as a warning about the lasting danger of incomplete obedience.
Unpacking the Spiritual Truths in Judah's Land
God's Faithfulness in Detail
The long lists of borders and cities are a testament to a God who is interested in the details. His promise to Israel was not a general idea but a specific, tangible reality. This shows us that God's care for His people is meticulous and His promises are trustworthy down to the last landmark.
Inheritance Requires Action
Caleb is the prime example of how faith works. He was given Hebron, but he still had to go and conquer it. God gives us promises and blessings, but He calls us to step out in faith, courage, and action to take hold of them.
The Danger of Compromise
The failure to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:63) illustrates a critical spiritual principle. Leaving a small pocket of enemy influence or disobedience can grow into a major, long-term problem. Complete obedience is necessary to fully experience the peace and security of God's promises.
Bringing the Map to Life
This chapter shows that God's promises to you are not vague or abstract. They are real and specific. Just as He mapped out a physical home for Judah, He has a detailed plan and purpose for your life. It encourages you to look for the concrete ways God is fulfilling His promises, rather than seeing them as spiritual ideas.
Caleb teaches you to act boldly on God's promises, no matter your age or the size of the obstacles (Joshua 15:14). Achsah shows that you shouldn't be afraid to ask for what you need to thrive, not merely to survive (Joshua 15:19). They model a faith that is both courageous in action and bold in request.
The failure at Jerusalem (Joshua 15:63) is a powerful warning against tolerating 'Jebusites' - areas of sin or compromise - in your own life. It shows that what seems like a small, manageable issue can become a persistent stronghold that hinders your spiritual growth and peace for years to come.
God's Promise, Our Participation
Joshua 15 declares that God's promises are real, detailed, and generously given. He doesn't offer vague encouragement. He provides a specific inheritance for His people to possess. Yet, the stories of Caleb and the Jebusites reveal that this inheritance is not passive. It must be claimed with active faith and complete obedience, reminding us that God invites us to be participants in the fulfillment of His plan.
What This Means for Us Today
This chapter is an invitation to survey the promises God has given you in His Word. Like Caleb, we are called to step out in faith to claim what God has already provided. It challenges us to ask honestly if there are any 'Jebusites' we have allowed to remain, and to trust God for the strength to achieve complete victory.
- What specific promise from God do you need to claim by faith today?
- Are there any areas of compromise in your life that you need to address with God's help?
- How can you, like Achsah, boldly ask God for what you need to truly flourish, not merely for what you need to survive?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter sets the stage for Joshua 15, as Caleb steps forward to request his specific inheritance of Hebron based on God's promise from 45 years earlier.
The process of land distribution continues immediately after, detailing the allotments for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph.
Connections Across Scripture
This verse provides the original promise from God that Caleb would enter and possess the land because he had a different spirit and followed God wholeheartedly.
This chapter recounts the settlement period after Joshua's death, repeating both Caleb's success and Judah's failure to capture Jerusalem, showing the lasting impact of the events in Joshua 15.
Centuries later, King David finally conquers the Jebusites in Jerusalem, fulfilling what the tribe of Judah failed to do and making it his capital city.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the Bible includes such detailed lists of boundaries and cities? What does this level of detail tell us about God's character and His promises?
- Compare the story of Caleb's success (vv. 13-19) with the tribe of Judah's failure (v. 63). What factors do you think contributed to these different outcomes, and what can we learn from them?
- The Jebusites remained in Jerusalem as a 'thorn in the side' for Judah. What might be a modern-day 'Jebusite' in a person's life, and how does this chapter encourage us to deal with it?
Glossary
places
Hebron
An ancient city in the hill country of Judah, promised to Caleb and a place of great historical significance.
Jerusalem
Also called Jebus at the time, a strong, fortified city that the tribe of Judah failed to conquer.
Negeb
A dry, arid region in the south of Judah's territory.
Salt Sea
The body of water known today as the Dead Sea, which formed Judah's eastern border.
figures
Caleb
One of the two spies who trusted God, he was a faithful leader who claimed his inheritance in his old age.
Othniel
Caleb's younger kinsman who captured a city, won Caleb's daughter's hand, and later became Israel's first judge.
Anakim
A race of giant, formidable people who inhabited the land and were driven out by Caleb.