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15 The land allotted to the tribe of Judah by its clans reached to the border of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin in the Negev far to the south.[a] Their southern border started at the southern tip of the Salt Sea,[b] extended[c] south of the Scorpion Ascent,[d] crossed to Zin, went up from the south to Kadesh Barnea, crossed to Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka. It then crossed to Azmon, extended to the Stream of Egypt,[e] and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This was their[f] southern border.

The eastern border was the Salt Sea to the mouth[g] of the Jordan River.[h]

The northern border started north of the Salt Sea at the mouth of the Jordan,[i] went up to Beth Hoglah, crossed north of Beth Arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. It then went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning northward to Gilgal (which is opposite the Pass[j] of Adummim south of the valley), crossed to the waters of En Shemesh and extended to En Rogel. It then went up the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the slope of the Jebusites on the south (that is, Jerusalem), going up to the top of the hill opposite the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the west, which is at the end of the Valley of the Rephaites to the north. It then went from the top of the hill to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, extended to the cities of Mount Ephron, and went to Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim). 10 It then turned from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, crossed to the slope of Mount Jearim on the north (that is Kesalon), descended to Beth Shemesh, and crossed to Timnah. 11 It then extended to the slope of Ekron to the north, went toward Shikkeron, crossed to Mount Baalah, extended to Jabneel, and ended at the sea.

12 The western border was the Mediterranean Sea.[k] These were the borders of the tribe of Judah and its clans.[l]

13 Caleb son of Jephunneh was assigned Kiriath Arba (that is Hebron) within the tribe of Judah, according to the Lord’s instructions to Joshua. (Arba was the father of Anak.)[m] 14 Caleb drove out[n] from there three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak. 15 From there he attacked the people of Debir.[o] (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher.) 16 Caleb said, “To the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher I will give my daughter Achsah as a wife.” 17 When Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother,[p] captured it, Caleb[q] gave Achsah his daughter to him as a wife.

18 One time Achsah[r] came and charmed her father[s] so that she could ask him for some land. When she got down from her donkey, Caleb said to her, “What would you like?” 19 She answered, “Please give me a special present.[t] Since you have given me land in the Negev, now give me springs of water.” So he gave her both the upper and lower springs.

20 This is the land assigned to the tribe of Judah by its clans:[u] 21 These cities were located at the southern extremity of Judah’s tribal land near the border of Edom:[v] Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshbon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual, Beer Sheba, Biziothiah, 29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—a total of twenty-nine cities and their towns.[w]

33 These cities were[x] in the foothills:[y] Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—a total of fourteen cities and their towns.

37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, 40 Cabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—a total of sixteen cities and their towns.

42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—a total of nine cities and their towns.

45 Ekron and its surrounding towns[z] and settlements; 46 from Ekron westward, all those in the vicinity of Ashdod and their towns; 47 Ashdod with its surrounding towns and settlements, and Gaza with its surrounding towns and settlements, as far as the Stream of Egypt[aa] and the border at the Mediterranean Sea.[ab]

48 These cities were[ac] in the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—a total of eleven cities and their towns.

52 Arab, Dumah,[ad] Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—a total of nine cities and their towns.

55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—a total of ten cities and their towns.

58 Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon—a total of six cities and their towns.

60 Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim) and Rabbah—a total of two cities and their towns.

61 These cities were[ae] in the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi—a total of six cities and their towns.

63 The men of Judah were unable to conquer the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites live with the people of Judah in Jerusalem to this very day.[af]

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 15:1 tn Heb “The lot was to the tribe of the sons of Judah by their clans to the border of Edom, the wilderness of Zin toward the south, southward.”
  2. Joshua 15:2 tn Heb “Their southern border was from the end of the Salt Sea, from the tongue that faces to the south.”sn The Salt Sea is another name for the Dead Sea (also in v. 5).
  3. Joshua 15:3 tn Heb “went out.”
  4. Joshua 15:3 tn Or “the Ascent of Akrabbim” (עַקְרַבִּים [ʿaqrabbim] means “scorpions” in Hebrew).
  5. Joshua 15:4 tn Traditionally “the Brook of Egypt,” although a number of recent translations have “the Wadi of Egypt” (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV).
  6. Joshua 15:4 tn The translation follows the LXX at this point. The MT reads, “This will be your southern border.”
  7. Joshua 15:5 tn Heb “end.”
  8. Joshua 15:5 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied for clarity.
  9. Joshua 15:5 tn Heb “the border on the northern side was from the tongue of the sea, from the end of the Jordan.”
  10. Joshua 15:7 tn Or “ascent.”
  11. Joshua 15:12 tn Heb “the Great Sea,” the typical designation for the Mediterranean Sea.
  12. Joshua 15:12 tn Heb “this was the border of the sons of Judah round about, by their clans.”
  13. Joshua 15:13 tn Heb “To Caleb son of Jephunneh he gave a portion in the midst of the sons of Judah according to the mouth [i.e., command] of the Lord to Joshua, Kiriath Arba (the father of Anak), it is Hebron.”
  14. Joshua 15:14 tn Or “dispossessed.”
  15. Joshua 15:15 tn Heb “he went up against the inhabitants of Debir.”
  16. Joshua 15:17 tn “Caleb’s brother” may refer either to Othniel or to Kenaz. If Kenaz was the brother of Caleb, Othniel is Caleb’s nephew.
  17. Joshua 15:17 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Caleb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  18. Joshua 15:18 tn Heb “she”; the referent (Achsah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  19. Joshua 15:18 tn Heb “him.” The referent of the pronoun could be Othniel, in which case the translation would be “she incited him [Othniel] to ask her father for a field.” This is problematic, however, for Achsah, not Othniel, makes the request in v. 19. The LXX has “he [Othniel] urged her to ask her father for a field.” This appears to be an attempt to reconcile the apparent inconsistency and probably does not reflect the original text. If Caleb is understood as the referent of the pronoun, the problem disappears. For a fuller discussion of the issue, see P. G. Mosca, “Who Seduced Whom? A Note on Joshua 15:18//Judges 1:14, ” CBQ 46 (1984): 18-22. This incident is also recorded in Judg 1:14.
  20. Joshua 15:19 tn Elsewhere this Hebrew word (בְּרָכָה, berakhah) is often translated “blessing,” but here it refers to a gift (as in Gen 33:11; 1 Sam 25:27; 30:26; 2 Kgs 5:15).
  21. Joshua 15:20 tn Heb “This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah by their clans.”
  22. Joshua 15:21 tn Heb “and the cities were at the end of the tribe of the sons of Judah, at the border of Edom, to the south.”
  23. Joshua 15:32 tn The total number of names in the list is thirty-six, not twenty-nine. Perhaps (1) some of the names are alternatives (though the text appears to delineate clearly such alternative names here and elsewhere, see vv. 8, 9, 10, 13, 25b) or (2), more likely, later scribes added to a list originally numbering twenty-nine and failed to harmonize the concluding summary statement with the expanded list.
  24. Joshua 15:33 tn The words “these cities were” have been supplied for English stylistic reasons.
  25. Joshua 15:33 tn The foothills (שְׁפֵלָה, shephelah) are the region between the Judean hill country and the Mediterranean coastal plain.
  26. Joshua 15:45 tn Heb “daughters.”
  27. Joshua 15:47 tn See the note on this place name in 15:4.
  28. Joshua 15:47 tn Heb “the Great Sea,” the typical designation for the Mediterranean Sea.
  29. Joshua 15:48 tn The words “These cities were” have been supplied in the translation for English stylistic reasons.
  30. Joshua 15:52 tc Some Hebrew mss and some mss of the LXX read “Rumah” in place of “Dumah.”
  31. Joshua 15:61 tn The words “These cities were” have been supplied for English stylistic reasons.
  32. Joshua 15:63 sn The statement to this very day reflects the perspective of the author, who must have written prior to David’s conquest of the Jebusites (see 2 Sam 5:6-7).

15 The territory chosen by lot for the tribe of the descendants of Y’hudah according to their families extended to the border of Edom in the Tzin Desert, toward the Negev in the far south.

Their southern border began at the far shore of the Dead Sea, from the bay facing southward, and went out south of the Scorpion Ascent, passed toward Tzin, went up south of Kadesh-Barnea, passed Hetzron, went up toward Adar, turned toward Karka, passed toward ‘Atzmon, and went out at the Vadi of Egypt, with the border ending at the sea; this will be your southern border.

The eastern border was the Dead Sea to where the Yarden entered it.

The northern border began at the bay of the sea at the end of the Yarden; then the border went up to Beit-Hoglah and passed north of Beit-‘Aravah; next the border went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Re’uven; then the border went up to D’vir from the Akhor Valley, then northward facing Gilgal (that is, across from Ma‘alei-Adumim, which is on the south side of the vadi); next the border passed to the ‘Ein-Shemesh Spring and went out at ‘Ein-Rogel. Then the border went up the Ben-Hinnom Valley to the south side of the Y’vusi (that is, Yerushalayim), and the border continued up to the top of the hill in front of the Hinnom Valley on the west (which is also at the northernmost end of the Refa’im Valley) From this hilltop the border was drawn to the source of the Neftoach Spring and continued out to the cities of Mount ‘Efron; next the border was drawn to Ba‘alah (that is, Kiryat-Ye‘arim). 10 Then the border turned from Ba‘al westward to Mount Se‘ir, passed the spur of Mount Ye‘arim (also called K’salon) on the north, went down to Beit-Shemesh and passed Timnah. 11 Next the border went out toward the side of ‘Ekron northward; and finally, the border was drawn to Shikron, passed Mount Ba‘alah, and went out at Yavne’el, with the border ending at the sea.

12 As for the west border, the Great Sea was its border. These were the borders of the territory of the descendants of Y’hudah, by clans.

13 To Kalev the son of Y’funeh he gave a portion with the descendants of Y’hudah, as Adonai had ordered Y’hoshua, namely, Kiryat-Arba (Arba was the father of the ‘Anak), also called Hevron. 14 Kalev expelled from there three descendants of ‘Anak — Sheshai, Achiman and Talmai, children of ‘Anak. 15 From there he went up to fight the inhabitants of D’vir (D’vir was formerly called Kiryat-Sefer). 16 Kalev said, “To whoever overpowers Kiryat-Sefer and captures it I will give my daughter Akhsah as his wife.” 17 ‘Otni’el the son of K’naz, Kalev’s brother, captured it; so he gave him ‘Akhsah his daughter as his wife. 18 After becoming his wife, she persuaded him to ask her father to give them a field; when she got off her donkey, Kalev asked her, “What do you want?” 19 She said to him: “Give me a blessing: since you gave me land in the Negev, also give me sources of water.” So Kalev gave her the Upper Springs and the Lower Springs.

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Y’hudah, by clans.

21 The cities at the outer part of the tribe of Y’hudah toward the border with Edom in the south were: Kavtze’el, ‘Eder, Yagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, ‘Ad‘adah, 23 Kedesh, Hatzor, Yitnan, 24 Zif, Telem, Be‘alot, 25 Hatzor, Hadatah, K’riot, Hetzron (which is Hatzor), 26 Amam, Sh’ma, Moladah, 27 Hatzar-Gadah, Heshmon, Beit-Pelet, 28 Hatzar-Shu‘al, Be’er-Sheva, Bizyot-Yah, 29 Ba‘alah, ‘Iyim, ‘Etzem, 30 El-Tolad, K’sil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmanah, Sansanah, 32 L’va’ot, Shilchim, ‘Ayin and Rimmon — twenty-nine cities in all, together with their villages.

33 In the Sh’felah: Eshta’ol, Tzor‘ah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoach, ‘Ein-Ganim, Tapuach, ‘Enam, 35 Yarmut, ‘Adulam, Sokhoh, ‘Azekah, 36 Sh’arim, ‘Aditayim, G’derah and G’derotayim — fourteen cities, together with their villages. 37 Tz’nan, Hadashah, Migdal-Gad, 38 Dil‘an, Mitzpeh, Yokte’el, 39 Lakhish, Bozkat, ‘Eglon, 40 Kabon, Lachmas, Kitlish, 41 G’derot, Beit-Dagon, Na‘amah and Makkedah — sixteen cities, together with their villages. 42 Livnah, ‘Eter, ‘Ashan, 43 Yiftach, Ashnah, N’tziv, 44 Ke‘ilah, Akhziv and Mareshah — nine cities, together with their villages. 45 ‘Ekron, with its towns and villages — 46 from ‘Ekron to the sea; all those near Ashdod, with their villages; 47 Ashdod, with its towns and villages; ‘Azah, with its towns and villages, to the Vadi of Egypt, with the Great Sea as its border.

48 In the hills: Shamir, Yatir, Sokhoh, 49 Danah, Kiryat-Sanna (that is, D’vir), 50 ‘Anav, Esht’moh, ‘Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon and Giloh — eleven cities, together with their villages. 52 Arav, Dumah, Esh’an, 53 Yanum, Beit-Tapuach, Afekah, 54 Humtah, Kiryat-Arba (that is, Hevron) and Tzi‘or — nine cities, together with their villages. 55 Ma‘on, Karmel, Zif, Yutah, 56 Yizre‘el, Yokde‘am, Zanoach, 57 Kayin, Giv‘ah and Timnah — ten cities, together with their villages. 58 Halchul, Beit-Tzur, G’dor, 59 Ma‘arat, Beit-‘Anot, Elt’kon — six cities, together with their villages. 60 Kiryat-Ba‘al (that is, Kiryat-Ye‘arim) and Rabbah — two cities, together with their villages.

61 In the desert: Beit-‘Aravah, Middin, S’khakhah, 62 Nivshan, ‘Ir-Hamelach and ‘Ein-Gedi — six cities, together with their villages.

63 As for the Y’vusi, who lived in Yerushalayim, the descendants of Y’hudah could not drive them out; so the Y’vusi live with the descendants of Y’hudah in Yerushalayim to this day.

Allotment for Judah(A)

15 The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom,(B) to the Desert of Zin(C) in the extreme south.(D)

Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Dead Sea,(E) crossed south of Scorpion Pass,(F) continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea.(G) Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka. It then passed along to Azmon(H) and joined the Wadi of Egypt,(I) ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This is their[a] southern boundary.

The eastern boundary(J) is the Dead Sea(K) as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

The northern boundary(L) started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, went up to Beth Hoglah(M) and continued north of Beth Arabah(N) to the Stone of Bohan(O) son of Reuben. The boundary then went up to Debir(P) from the Valley of Achor(Q) and turned north to Gilgal,(R) which faces the Pass of Adummim south of the gorge. It continued along to the waters of En Shemesh(S) and came out at En Rogel.(T) Then it ran up the Valley of Ben Hinnom(U) along the southern slope of the Jebusite(V) city (that is, Jerusalem(W)). From there it climbed to the top of the hill west of the Hinnom Valley(X) at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.(Y) From the hilltop the boundary headed toward the spring of the waters of Nephtoah,(Z) came out at the towns of Mount Ephron and went down toward Baalah(AA) (that is, Kiriath Jearim).(AB) 10 Then it curved westward from Baalah(AC) to Mount Seir,(AD) ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Kesalon), continued down to Beth Shemesh(AE) and crossed to Timnah.(AF) 11 It went to the northern slope of Ekron,(AG) turned toward Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah(AH) and reached Jabneel.(AI) The boundary ended at the sea.

12 The western boundary is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.(AJ)

These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans.

13 In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb(AK) son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba(AL), that is, Hebron.(AM) (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)(AN) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites(AO)—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai,(AP) the sons of Anak.(AQ) 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah(AR) in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” 17 Othniel(AS) son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

18 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him[b] to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”

19 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev,(AT) give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.(AU)

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

21 The southernmost towns of the tribe of Judah in the Negev(AV) toward the boundary of Edom were:

Kabzeel,(AW) Eder,(AX) Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh,(AY) Hazor,(AZ) Ithnan, 24 Ziph,(BA) Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor),(BB) 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah,(BC) 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual,(BD) Beersheba,(BE) Biziothiah, 29 Baalah,(BF) Iyim, Ezem,(BG) 30 Eltolad,(BH) Kesil, Hormah,(BI) 31 Ziklag,(BJ) Madmannah,(BK) Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain(BL) and Rimmon(BM)—a total of twenty-nine towns and their villages.

33 In the western foothills:

Eshtaol,(BN) Zorah,(BO) Ashnah,(BP) 34 Zanoah,(BQ) En Gannim,(BR) Tappuah,(BS) Enam, 35 Jarmuth,(BT) Adullam,(BU) Sokoh,(BV) Azekah,(BW) 36 Shaaraim,(BX) Adithaim and Gederah(BY) (or Gederothaim)[c]—fourteen towns and their villages.

37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpah,(BZ) Joktheel,(CA) 39 Lachish,(CB) Bozkath,(CC) Eglon,(CD) 40 Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, 41 Gederoth,(CE) Beth Dagon,(CF) Naamah and Makkedah(CG)—sixteen towns and their villages.

42 Libnah,(CH) Ether, Ashan,(CI) 43 Iphtah, Ashnah,(CJ) Nezib, 44 Keilah,(CK) Akzib(CL) and Mareshah(CM)—nine towns and their villages.

45 Ekron,(CN) with its surrounding settlements and villages; 46 west of Ekron, all that were in the vicinity of Ashdod,(CO) together with their villages; 47 Ashdod,(CP) its surrounding settlements and villages; and Gaza, its settlements and villages, as far as the Wadi of Egypt(CQ) and the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.(CR)

48 In the hill country:

Shamir,(CS) Jattir,(CT) Sokoh,(CU) 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir(CV)), 50 Anab,(CW) Eshtemoh,(CX) Anim, 51 Goshen,(CY) Holon(CZ) and Giloh(DA)—eleven towns and their villages.

52 Arab, Dumah,(DB) Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba(DC) (that is, Hebron) and Zior—nine towns and their villages.

55 Maon,(DD) Carmel,(DE) Ziph,(DF) Juttah,(DG) 56 Jezreel,(DH) Jokdeam, Zanoah,(DI) 57 Kain, Gibeah(DJ) and Timnah(DK)—ten towns and their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth Zur,(DL) Gedor,(DM) 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth and Eltekon—six towns and their villages.[d]

60 Kiriath Baal(DN) (that is, Kiriath Jearim(DO)) and Rabbah(DP)—two towns and their villages.

61 In the wilderness:(DQ)

Beth Arabah,(DR) Middin, Sekakah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt and En Gedi(DS)—six towns and their villages.

63 Judah could not(DT) dislodge the Jebusites(DU), who were living in Jerusalem;(DV) to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.(DW)

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 15:4 Septuagint; Hebrew your
  2. Joshua 15:18 Hebrew and some Septuagint manuscripts; other Septuagint manuscripts (see also note at Judges 1:14) Othniel, he urged her
  3. Joshua 15:36 Or Gederah and Gederothaim
  4. Joshua 15:59 The Septuagint adds another district of eleven towns, including Tekoa and Ephrathah (Bethlehem).

The Land of Judah

15 So this was the [a]lot of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families:

(A)The border of Edom at the (B)Wilderness of Zin southward was the extreme southern boundary. And their (C)southern border began at the shore of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward. Then it went out to the southern side of (D)the Ascent of Akrabbim, passed along to Zin, ascended on the south side of Kadesh Barnea, passed along to Hezron, went up to Adar, and went around to Karkaa. From there it passed (E)toward Azmon and went out to the Brook of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your southern border.

The east border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

And the (F)border on the northern quarter began at the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. The border went up to (G)Beth Hoglah and passed north of Beth Arabah; and the border went up (H)to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. Then the border went up toward (I)Debir from (J)the Valley of Achor, and it turned northward toward Gilgal, which is before the Ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. The border continued toward the waters of En Shemesh and ended at (K)En Rogel. And the border went up (L)by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom to the southern slope of the (M)Jebusite city (which is Jerusalem). The border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the Valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the Valley (N)of [b]Rephaim northward. Then the border went around from the top of the hill to (O)the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and extended to the cities of Mount Ephron. And the border went around (P)to Baalah (which is (Q)Kirjath Jearim). 10 Then the border [c]turned westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (which is Chesalon), went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed on to (R)Timnah. 11 And the border went out to the side of (S)Ekron northward. Then the border went around to Shicron, passed along to Mount Baalah, and extended to Jabneel; and the border ended at the sea.

12 The west border was (T)the coastline of the Great Sea. This is the boundary of the children of Judah all around according to their families.

Caleb Occupies Hebron and Debir(U)

13 (V)Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the children of (W)Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, namely, (X)Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). 14 Caleb drove out (Y)the three sons of Anak from there: (Z)Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15 Then (AA)he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir (formerly the name of Debir was Kirjath Sepher).

16 (AB)And Caleb said, “He who [d]attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” 17 So (AC)Othniel the (AD)son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him (AE)Achsah his daughter as wife. 18 (AF)Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So (AG)she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” 19 She answered, “Give me a (AH)blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

The Cities of Judah

20 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families:

21 The cities at the limits of the tribe of the children of Judah, toward the border of Edom in the South, were Kabzeel, (AI)Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 (AJ)Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor, Hadattah, Kerioth, Hezron (which is Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual, (AK)Beersheba, Bizjothjah, 29 Baalah, Ijim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Chesil, (AL)Hormah, 31 (AM)Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and (AN)Rimmon: all the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

33 In the lowland: (AO)Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, (AP)Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, 36 Sharaim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages; 37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpah, (AQ)Joktheel, 39 (AR)Lachish, Bozkath, (AS)Eglon, 40 Cabbon, [e]Lahmas, Kithlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah: sixteen cities with their villages; 42 (AT)Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Jiphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah: nine cities with their villages; 45 Ekron, with its towns and villages; 46 from Ekron to the sea, all that lay near (AU)Ashdod, with their villages; 47 Ashdod with its towns and villages, Gaza with its towns and villages—as far as (AV)the Brook of Egypt and (AW)the Great Sea with its coastline.

48 And in the mountain country: Shamir, Jattir, Sochoh, 49 Dannah, Kirjath Sannah (which is Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 (AX)Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages; 52 Arab, Dumah, Eshean, 53 Janum, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, (AY)Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron), and Zior: nine cities with their villages; 55 (AZ)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, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon: six cities with their villages; 60 (BA)Kirjath Baal (which is Kirjath Jearim) and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.

61 In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and (BB)En Gedi: six cities with their villages.

63 As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, (BC)the children of Judah could not drive them out; (BD)but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 15:1 allotment
  2. Joshua 15:8 Lit. Giants
  3. Joshua 15:10 turned around
  4. Joshua 15:16 Lit. strikes
  5. Joshua 15:40 Or Lahmam