Joshua 15

CHAPTER 15

Allotment for Judah (15:1–63)

1–12 These verses describe the boundaries of Judah’s allotment. It is helpful to consult a map depicting the allotments of the various tribes (see back of commentary). The Great Sea mentioned in verse 12 is the Mediterranean Sea.

13–14 These verses add to what we have already learned about Caleb’s inheritance (see Joshua 14:6–15and comment). Inverse 14, we are told that Caleb drove out three Anakites, the same three who are mentioned in Numbers 13:22. Caleb had probably driven out the Anakites in an earlier campaign under the leadership of Joshua⁵⁷ (see Joshua 11:21–23).

15–19 Caleb gave his daughter in marriage to Othniel, who was Caleb’s nephew.⁵⁸ Othniel later became one of Israel’s judges (see Judges 3:7–11).

20–62 Having described the outer boundaries of Judah’s allotment, the writer then lists all the towns within those boundaries.⁵⁹

In verses 45–47, three cities of the Philistines are listed. These cities would not be captured until the reign of King David.

Verses 61 and 62 list the cities located in the desert. This desert refers not to the Negev (verse 21) but to the dry region that lies between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.

63 The city of Jerusalem was located within the allotment of the tribe of Benjamin, which bordered Judah’s allotment (Joshua 18:28). Evidently the men of Judah and Benjamin attempted to drive out the Jebusites who lived there, but were not totally successful. Jerusalem later changed hands at least twice (Judges 1:8,21) before being permanently subdued by King David (2 Samuel 5:6–10).