Joshua 15:61
New International Version
In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Sekakah,

New Living Translation
In the wilderness there were the towns of Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

English Standard Version
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Berean Standard Bible
These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

King James Bible
In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,

New King James Version
In the wilderness: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

New American Standard Bible
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

NASB 1995
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah,

NASB 1977
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah,

Legacy Standard Bible
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah,

Amplified Bible
In the wilderness [that slopes downward toward the Dead Sea]: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah,

Christian Standard Bible
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

American Standard Version
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

English Revised Version
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the desert Judah was given six cities with their villages: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Good News Translation
In the desert there were Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

International Standard Version
The wilderness included Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Majority Standard Bible
These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

NET Bible
These cities were in the desert: Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

New Heart English Bible
In the wilderness, Beth Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

Webster's Bible Translation
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

World English Bible
In the wilderness, Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the wilderness: Beth-Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

Young's Literal Translation
In the wilderness: Beth-Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

Smith's Literal Translation
In the desert, the House of Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the desert Betharaba, Meddin and Sachacha,

Catholic Public Domain Version
In the desert: Beth-Arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

New American Bible
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

New Revised Standard Version
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Midian, Secasah,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Bayth Araba and Medyan and Saksa
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Baddargeis, and Tharabaam, and Aenon;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cities of Judah
60Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah—two cities, along with their villages. 61These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages.…

Cross References
Judges 1:16
Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.

1 Samuel 23:14
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

1 Samuel 23:19
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 23:24
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon,

1 Samuel 25:1
When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

1 Samuel 26:1
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”

2 Samuel 15:23
Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness.

2 Samuel 16:2
“Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

2 Samuel 16:14
Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

2 Samuel 17:16
Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

2 Samuel 17:29
honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

Matthew 3:1
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 24:26
So if they tell you, ‘There He is, in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Here He is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.


Treasury of Scripture

In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,

Beth-arabah

Joshua 15:6
And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

Joshua 18:18
And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:

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Arabah Beth Betharabah Beth-Arabah Desert Waste Wilderness
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Arabah Beth Betharabah Beth-Arabah Desert Waste Wilderness
Joshua 15
1. The borders of the lot of Judah
13. Caleb's portion and conquest
16. Othniel, for his valour, marries Achsah, Caleb's daughter
18. She obtains a blessing of her father
21. The cities of Judah
63. The Jebusites unconquered














These were in the wilderness
The phrase "in the wilderness" refers to the geographical and spiritual context of the Israelites' journey. The Hebrew word for wilderness, "midbar," often signifies a place of testing, transformation, and divine encounter. Historically, the wilderness was a vast, arid region that the Israelites traversed after their exodus from Egypt. Spiritually, it represents a place where God refines His people, teaching them reliance on Him. The wilderness is not just a physical location but a metaphor for life's trials, where faith is tested and strengthened.

Beth-arabah
Beth-arabah, meaning "house of the desert" or "house of the plain," was a town located in the wilderness of Judah. The name itself suggests a place of desolation, yet it was part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Judah. This highlights the theme of God bringing life and purpose to barren places. Archaeologically, Beth-arabah is identified with a site near the Dead Sea, emphasizing the harsh conditions the Israelites faced. Yet, even in such places, God's promises and presence were assured.

Middin
Middin, meaning "judgment" or "strife," is another town listed in the wilderness of Judah. The name may reflect the challenges and conflicts encountered by the Israelites. Historically, these towns served as markers of the Israelites' journey and settlement in the Promised Land. Theologically, Middin can symbolize the struggles believers face in their spiritual journey, where God's justice and guidance are sought. It reminds us that even in times of strife, God is present to lead and judge righteously.

Secacah
Secacah, meaning "enclosure" or "thicket," was also located in the wilderness of Judah. The name suggests a place of protection or refuge, possibly indicating a fortified settlement. In the broader biblical narrative, such places of refuge are significant as they represent God's provision and safety amidst the wilderness. Secacah serves as a reminder that God provides shelter and security for His people, even in the most desolate and challenging environments. It underscores the theme of divine protection and care throughout the journey of faith.

(61) In the wilderness--i.e., in the mountains

near the Dead Sea three places have been identified--viz., Secacah (Sikkkeh), the City of Salt (Tell el-Milh), and En-gedi (Ain Jidy). (See 1Samuel 24:1, &c.)

Verse 61. - The wilderness. מִדְבַּר; This was the eastern part of the territory of Judah, bordering on the Dead Sea. Here David took refuge from the pursuit of Saul (Psalm 63:1), here St. John the Baptist prepared the way of Christ. It is described by Tristram ('Land of Israel,' p. 197) as "a wilderness, but no desert." Herbage is to be found there, but no trees, no signs of the cultivation formerly bestowed upon the hill country (see above, ver. 48). And the fewness of the cities in early times is a proof that its character has not been altered by time. The hills, says Canon Tristram, are of a "peculiar desolate tameness," and are intersected by the traces of winter watercourses, seaming the sides of the monotonous round-topped hills. Other writers describe this country in less favourable terms, denying it even the scanty herbage found there by Canon Tristram.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[These were] in the wilderness:
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

Beth-arabah,
הָעֲרָבָ֔ה (hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1026: Beth-arabah -- 'place of the depression', a place near the Dead Sea

Middin,
מִדִּ֖ין (mid·dîn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4081: Middin -- a city in the wilderness of Judah

Secacah,
וּסְכָכָֽה׃ (ū·sə·ḵā·ḵāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5527: Secacah -- protector


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OT History: Joshua 15:61 In the wilderness Beth Arabah Middin Secacah (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 15:60
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