Joshua-Chap-15-1-20

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Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

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Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Joshua Chapter 15:1-20”

Part One..

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Joshua Chapter 15 marks a pivotal transition from the general conquest of Canaan to the specific, permanent inheritance of the tribes. Judah is the first tribe to receive its allotment west of the Jordan, a position of pre-eminence reflecting both its size and the patriarchal blessings of Jacob. The detailed geographic markers valleys, springs, and stones emphasize that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) promise was not a vague spiritual concept but a concrete, physical reality. This section also highlights the “conquest within the conquest”, as individual leaders like Caleb and Othniel demonstrate the active faith required to fully possess what has been Divinely granted.

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Let us now read Joshua Chapter 15:1-20: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “And the lot for the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families was unto the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the uttermost part of the south. 2. And their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looked southward. 3. And it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea, and passed along by Hezron, and went up to Addar, and turned about to Karka. 4. And it passed along to Azmon, and went out at the Brook of Egypt; and the goings out of the border were at the sea; this shall be your south border. 5. And the east border was the Salt Sea, even unto the end of the Jordan. And the border of the north side was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan. 6. And the border went up to Beth-hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah; and the border went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 7. And the border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is over against the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the brook; and the border passed along to the waters of En-shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En-rogel. 8. And the border went up by the Valley of the son of Hinnom unto the side of the Jebusite southward the same is Jerusalem and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the Valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the uttermost part of the vale of Rephaim northward. 9. And the border was drawn from the top of the mountain unto the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah--the same is Kiriath-jearim. 10. And the border turned about from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim on the north--the same is Chesalon--and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed along by Timnah. 11. And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward; and the border was drawn to Shikkeron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. 12. And as for the west border, the Great Sea was the border thereof. This is the border of the children of Judah round about according to their families. 13. And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of יְהוָה - the LORD to Joshua, even Kiriath-arba, which Arba was the father of Anak the same is Hebron. 14. And Caleb drove out thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15. And he went up thence against the inhabitants of Debir, now the name of Debir beforetime it was Kiriath-sepher. 16. And Caleb said: ‘He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife’. 17. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 18. And it came to pass, when she came unto him, that she persuaded him to ask of her father a field; and she alighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her: ‘What wouldest thou?’ 19. And she said: ‘Give me a blessing; for that thou hast set me in the Southland, give me therefore springs of water’. And he gave her the Upper Springs and the Nether Springs. 20. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families”.

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The Text: Joshua 15:1-20:

The text details the allotment for the tribe of Judah, outlining its borders: the south border along the Salt Sea and Zin, and the eastern, northern, and western boundaries, including the Valley of Hinnom and the Great Sea. It also recounts Caleb’s conquest of Hebron from the sons of Anak, his offer of his daughter Achsah in marriage for capturing Kiriath-sepher, and her wise request for, and receipt of, water springs from her father.

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Verse Explanations:

Verses 1-12: The Sacred Enclosure.

The description follows a specific order: South, East, North, West. The “lot” (goral) fell to Judah first, establishing them as the anchor of the southern territory. The northern border runs just south of the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, positioning it on the edge of Judah and Benjamin a detail that foreshadows its future role as the capital.

Verses 13-15: Conquering the Giants.

Caleb, at eighty-five, personally drives out the sons of Anak, showing that spiritual vitality is not diminished by age.

Verses 16-17: Othniel’s Valor.

By offering his daughter Achsah in marriage, Caleb seeks a son-in-law with his own warrior spirit. Othniel captures Kiriath-sepher (the “City of Books”), foreshadowing his role as Israel’s first judge.

Verses 18-19: Achsah’s Wisdom.

Achsah requests, and receives, the Upper and Nether Springs, demonstrating foresight in securing necessary resources for the arid land. Her action highlights the need for active faith to make an inheritance flourish.

Verse 20: The Summary.

Concludes the official boundary record for the families of Judah.

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My Closing Message:

This passage reminds us that while אֱלֹהִים - Elohim gives the “lot” of our lives, we must often “drive out the giants” to fully inhabit it. Like Caleb, we are called to maintain a “can-do” spirit. Like Achsah, we must have the vision to see what is missing and the courage to ask for the “springs” that sustain life. May we seek not only the territory of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises but also the spiritual “water” required to make our heritage fruitful.

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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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