Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior--nine cities, along with their villages. HumtahThis city is mentioned only here in the Bible, and its exact location remains uncertain. The name "Humtah" may derive from a root meaning "to enclose" or "to surround," suggesting a fortified or enclosed settlement. In the context of the tribal allotments, Humtah represents one of the many smaller towns that were part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. Its inclusion highlights the comprehensive nature of the land distribution, ensuring that even lesser-known places were recognized and valued in the divine plan. Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron)
Kiriath-arba, meaning "City of Arba," refers to Hebron, one of the most significant cities in biblical history. Arba was considered the greatest man among the Anakim, a race of giants, which underscores the city's ancient and formidable reputation. Hebron is historically and spiritually significant as the place where Abraham settled, built an altar to the Lord, and where the patriarchs and matriarchs were buried. The renaming of Kiriath-arba to Hebron signifies a transformation from a city associated with giants to a city of covenantal promise and patriarchal heritage. This transformation reflects God's power to redeem and repurpose places for His glory. Zior
Like Humtah, Zior is another city whose precise location is not definitively known today. The name "Zior" may be related to a root meaning "small" or "insignificant," yet its inclusion in the list of cities within Judah's inheritance emphasizes that in God's economy, even the seemingly insignificant places and people have a role and purpose. This serves as a reminder of God's attention to detail and His care for all aspects of His creation. Nine cities, along with their villages
The mention of "nine cities" indicates the specific number of urban centers included in this portion of Judah's inheritance. The phrase "along with their villages" suggests a broader community structure, where each city served as a hub for surrounding rural areas. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern pattern of settlement, where cities provided protection, trade, and religious centers for the surrounding countryside. The detailed enumeration of cities and villages underscores the thoroughness of the land distribution process, ensuring that each tribe received its allotted inheritance as promised by God. This meticulous division of land serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Persons / Places / Events 1. HumtahA city within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. Its specific historical significance is not detailed in the Bible, but it is part of the inheritance given to Judah. 2. Kiriath-arba (Hebron)A significant city in biblical history, Hebron is associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is also known as the city of Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim. Hebron later became a Levitical city and a city of refuge. 3. ZiorAnother city within the territory of Judah. Like Humtah, its specific historical details are sparse, but it contributes to the understanding of the geographical and tribal divisions in ancient Israel. 4. Tribe of JudahOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, Judah's territory included these cities. Judah is significant as the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. 5. Inheritance of the Promised LandThe division of the land among the tribes of Israel as they settled in Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Teaching Points Significance of InheritanceThe allocation of land to the tribes of Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives. Historical and Spiritual LegacyPlaces like Hebron remind us of the deep historical and spiritual roots of our faith. Understanding these connections enriches our appreciation of biblical history. God's Sovereignty in AllocationThe specific mention of cities and their boundaries shows God's sovereignty and order. It encourages believers to trust in God's plan and timing for their lives. Community and BelongingThe division of land among tribes underscores the importance of community and belonging. Christians are called to be part of a spiritual community, the body of Christ. Faithfulness in Small DetailsEven seemingly minor details in Scripture, like the listing of cities, have significance. This teaches us to value all parts of God's Word and seek understanding. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the allocation of land to the tribe of Judah teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. How does the historical significance of Hebron enhance our understanding of biblical events and figures? 3. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in the specific details of our own lives, similar to the detailed allocation of land in Joshua 15? 4. How can the concept of community and belonging, as seen in the tribal divisions, be applied to our involvement in the church today? 5. Reflect on a time when a seemingly minor detail in your life turned out to have significant importance. How does this relate to the detailed listings in Scripture? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 23This chapter details Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah in Hebron as a burial site, establishing Hebron's significance in the patriarchal accounts. 2 Samuel 2Hebron is where David is anointed king over Judah, highlighting its importance as a political and spiritual center. Hebrews 11The faith of the patriarchs, including their connection to the land of Canaan, is celebrated, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises. People Achsah, Addar, Ahiman, Anak, Anakites, Arba, Ben, Bohan, Cain, Caleb, Dagon, Debir, Dumah, Eder, Eglon, Ephron, Gad, Gedor, Hezron, Hoglah, Jebusites, Jephunneh, Jezreel, Joshua, Kenaz, Maon, Naamah, Othniel, Pelet, Reuben, Seir, Shamir, Shema, Sheshai, Shual, Talmai, Tappuah, Telem, Timnah, ZurPlaces Achzib, Adadah, Addar, Adullam, Adummim, Ain, Akrabbim, Amam, Anab, Anim, Aphekah, Arab, Ashan, Ashdod, Ashnah, Azekah, Baalah, Bealoth, Beersheba, Beth-anoth, Beth-arabah, Beth-dagan, Beth-hoglah, Beth-pelet, Beth-shemesh, Beth-tappuah, Beth-zur, Biziothiah, Bozkath, Brook of Egypt, Cabbon, Carmel, Chesalon, Chesil, Chitlish, City of Salt, Dannah, Debir, Dilean, Dimonah, Dumah, Eder, Edom, Eglon, Ekron, Eltekon, Eltolad, Enam, En-gannim, Engedi, En-rogel, En-shemesh, Eshan, Eshtaol, Eshtemoh, Ether, Ezem, Gaza, Gederah, Gederoth, Gederothaim, Gedor, Gibeah, Gilgal, Giloh, Great Sea, Hadashah, Halhul, Hazar-gaddah, Hazar-shual, Hazor, Hazor-hadattah, Hebron, Heshmon, Hezron, Holon, Hormah, Humtah, Iim, Iphtah, Ithnan, Jabneel, Jagur, Janim, Jarmuth, Jattir, Jebus, Jerusalem, Jokdeam, Joktheel, Jordan River, Juttah, Kabzeel, Kadesh-barnea, Kain, Keilah, Kerioth-hezron, Kinah, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-baal, Kiriath-jearim, Kiriath-sannah, Kiriath-sepher, Lachish, Lahmam, Lebaoth, Libnah, Maarath, Madmannah, Makkedah, Maon, Mareshah, Middin, Migdal-gad, Mizpeh, Moladah, Mount Baalah, Mount Ephron, Mount Jearim, Mount Seir, Negeb, Nephtoah, Nezib, Nibshan, Rabbah, Rimmon, Salt Sea, Sansannah, Secacah, Shaaraim, Shamir, Shema, Shikkeron, Shilhim, Socoh, Tappuah, Telem, Timnah, Valley of Achor, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Rephaim, Zanoah, Zenan, Ziklag, Zin, Zior, Ziph, ZorahTopics Arba, Cities, Hamlets, Hebron, Humtah, Kiriath, Kiriath-arba, Kir'iath-ar'ba, Kirjatharba, Kirjath-arba, Nine, Places, Towns, Unwalled, Villages, Zior, Zi'orDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 15:1-63 5235 boundary
7266 tribes of Israel Library The Sea of Sodom
The bounds of Judea, on both sides, are the sea; the western bound is the Mediterranean,--the eastern, the Dead sea, or the sea of Sodom. This the Jewish writers every where call, which you may not so properly interpret here, "the salt sea," as "the bituminous sea." In which sense word for word, "Sodom's salt," but properly "Sodom's bitumen," doth very frequently occur among them. The use of it was in the holy incense. They mingled 'bitumen,' 'the amber of Jordan,' and [an herb known to few], with …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaTiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 John the Baptist --visit of Jesus to John, and his Abode in the Desert of Judea --Adoption of the Baptism of John.
An extraordinary man, whose position, from the absence of documentary evidence, remains to us in some degree enigmatical, appeared about this time, and was unquestionably to some extent connected with Jesus. This connection tended rather to make the young prophet of Nazareth deviate from his path; but it suggested many important accessories to his religious institution, and, at all events, furnished a very strong authority to his disciples in recommending their Master in the eyes of a certain class …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Epistle xxvi. To Theoctista, Patrician
To Theoctista, Patrician [1704] Gregory to Theoctista, &c. That your Excellency, though placed in so great a tumult of affairs, is full of the fruitfulness of the sacred word, and incessantly pants after eternal joys, for this I give great thanks to Almighty God, in that in you I see fulfilled what is written of the elect fathers, But the children of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea (Exod. xv. 19). But on the other hand, I am come into the depth of the sea, and the storm hath …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Some Helps to Mourning
Having removed the obstructions, let me in the last place propound some helps to holy mourning. 1 Set David's prospect continually before you. My sin is ever before me' (Psalm 51:3). David, that he might be a mourner, kept his eye full upon sin. See what sin is, and then tell me if there be not enough in it to draw forth tears. I know not what name to give it bad enough. One calls it the devil's excrement. Sin is a complication of all evils. It is the spirits of mischief distilled. Sin dishonours …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 15:54 NIVJoshua 15:54 NLTJoshua 15:54 ESVJoshua 15:54 NASBJoshua 15:54 KJV
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