Joshua-Chap-15-21-63

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Re Tanakh versions:

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:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

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”

Part Two..

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

Introduction:
In this section, the Torah moves from the boundaries of the land to a specific list of cities. This is a record of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) detailed provision. Every name represents a home, a farm, and a community. It shows us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises are not just general ideas, but are found in the specific, everyday places where we live.

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Let us now read Joshua Chapter 15:21-63: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

21. “And the cities at the uttermost part of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur; 22. and Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah; 23. and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan; 24. Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth; 25. and Hazor, and Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron--the same is Hazor; 26. Amam, and Shema, and Moladah; 27. and Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-pelet; 28. and Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Biziothiah; 29. Baalah, and Iim, and Ezem; 30. and Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah; 31. and Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah; 32. and Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon; all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages. 33. In the Lowland: Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah; 34. and Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam; 35. Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah; 36 .and Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, with Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages. 37. Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad; 38. and Dilan, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel; 39. Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon; 40. and Cabbon, and Lahmas, and Chithlish; 41. and Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages. 42. Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan; 43. and Iphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib; 44. and Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages. 45. Ekron, with its towns and its villages; 46 from Ekron even unto 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; unto the Brook of Egypt, the Great Sea being the border thereof. 48. And in the hill-country: Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh; 49. and Dannah, and Kiriath-sannah--the same is Debir; 50. and Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim; 51. and Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages. 52. Arab, and Rumah, and Eshan; 53. and Janum, and Beth-tappuah, and Aphekah; 54. and Humtah, and Kiriath-arba the same is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages. 55. Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah; 56. and Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah; 57. Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages. 58. Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor; 59. and Maarath, and Beth-anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages. 60. Kiriath-baal, the same is Kiriath-jearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages. 61. In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah; 62. and Nibshan, and the City of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages. 63. And as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwelt with the children of Judah at Jerusalem, unto this day”.

Re the above Text:
The list divides Judah’s land into four regions: the dry South, the fertile Lowlands, the Mountains, and the Wilderness. Each area had its own challenges, but אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provided for all. The final verse, verse 63, is a sober reminder. Even though Judah was a strong tribe, they left the Jebusites in Jerusalem. This teaches us that even when we have great blessings, we must remain diligent so that we do not leave “pockets of resistance” in our spiritual lives.

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Explanations of Joshua Chapter 15, verses 21 to 63:

Verses 21-32: The Negev (The South). These cities form a protective barrier along the southern frontier. Many of these, like Beersheba, were later shared with the tribe of Simeon, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy that Simeon would be “divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel”.

Verses 33-47: The Shephelah (The Lowlands). This fertile “granary” region was the agricultural heart of the tribe. Interestingly, the text lists Philistine strongholds like Gaza and Ashdod. While legally part of the allotment, they remained largely unpossessed, highlighting the gap between “having a promise” and “obtaining a promise”.

Verses 48-60: The Mountains. This was the strategic high ground. It includes nine Levitical cities, such as Hebron. These cities served as “theological think tanks”, ensuring that the Torah was taught throughout the tribal life.

Verses 61-62: The Wilderness. Even the arid desert was settled. The mention of En-gedi (“Spring of the Kid”) highlights אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s provision of life even in the most desolate places.

Verse 63: The Jebusite Failure. The chapter ends on a “sad note”. Unlike Caleb, who drove out the giants, the tribe as a whole lacked the resolve to take the citadel of Jerusalem. This coexistence was a “failure of faith”, allowing a pagan foothold to remain in the heart of the Promised Land.

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My Closing Message:
Joshua 15 teaches us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provides a complete inheritance, but we often settle for partial possession. The meticulous list of 122 cities shows that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s grace is expansive, covering every “valley” and “hill” of our lives. Yet, the presence of the Jebusites at the end serves as a warning: when we allow “strongholds” of doubt or old habits to remain, they become long-term challenges to our peace. We are called not just to inhabit the land, but to fully transform it into a place where the Word of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim reigns supreme.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

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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“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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