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ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 15

Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.”

Joshua 15:16

Caleb speaks to the inhabitants of Kiriath Sepher, promising his daughter Achsah as a wife to whoever conquers the city, initiating a challenge that motivates Othniel to act.

What Joshua 15 is about

The boundaries of Judah's inheritance extend from the Salt Sea to the wilderness of Zin (vv. 1-12). The south border reaches the brook of Egypt, while the east border is the Salt Sea. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, is given his portion in Hebron, as God commanded Joshua (vv. 13-19). Caleb drives out the Anakim and offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to anyone who captures Kiriath Sepher. Othniel, his nephew, takes it and marries Achsah, who asks for springs of water, which Caleb grants her.

The cities in Judah's southern region include Kabzeel, Eder, and Jagur, among others, totaling twenty-nine cities (vv. 20-32). In the lowlands and coastal areas, cities such as Ashdod and Gaza are listed, along with their villages (vv. 33-47). The hill country includes cities like Hebron and Gedor, making a total of six cities (vv. 48-61). The Jebusites remain in Jerusalem, which Judah could not drive out (vv. 62-63).

The chapter leaves the reader with the reality that the Jebusites still reside in Jerusalem among the people of Judah.

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Joshua 15 at a glance

  1. Joshua 15:1–12Boundaries of Judah's Inheritance
  2. Joshua 15:13–19Caleb's Inheritance and Faith
  3. Joshua 15:20–32Cities in the Southern Region
  4. Joshua 15:33–47Cities in the Lowland and Coastal Areas
  5. Joshua 15:48–61Cities in the Hill Country
  6. Joshua 15:62–63Remaining Inhabitants

Key verse: Joshua 15:16

One thing to notice

The chapter concludes with a note on the Jebusites in verse 63, stating that 'the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out.' This observation contrasts the preceding sections that detail cities and territories, marking a failure to fully conquer the land as commanded, and thus the persistence of the Jebusites within Jerusalem.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Joshua 15 (WEB)

Boundaries of Judah's Inheritance Joshua 15:1–12

Verse 1. The lot for the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families was to the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the uttermost part of the south. Verse 2. Their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward; Verse 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, went up to Addar, and turned towards Karka; Verse 4. and it passed along to Azmon, went out at the brook of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your south border.

Verse 5. The east border was the Salt Sea, even to the end of the Jordan. The border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan. Verse 6. 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. Verse 7. The border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that faces the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river. The border passed along to the waters of En Shemesh, and ended at En Rogel.

Verse 8. The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem) southward; and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the farthest part of the valley of Rephaim northward. Verse 9. The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (also called Kiriath Jearim); Verse 10. and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim (also called Chesalon) on the north, and went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed along by Timnah;

Verse 11. and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward; and the border extended to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. Verse 12. The west border was to the shore of the great sea. This is the border of the children of Judah according to their families.

Caleb's Inheritance and Faith Joshua 15:13–19

Verse 13. He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron). Verse 14. Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. Verse 15. He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher. Verse 16. Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” Verse 17. Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.

Verse 18. When she came, she had him ask her father for a field. She got off her donkey, and Caleb said, “What do you want?” Verse 19. She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Cities in the Southern Region Joshua 15:20–32

Verse 20. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families. Verse 21. The farthest cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, Verse 22. Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, Verse 23. Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, Verse 24. Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, Verse 25. Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor),

Verse 26. Amam, Shema, Moladah, Verse 27. Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, Verse 28. Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, Verse 29. Baalah, Iim, Ezem, Verse 30. Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, Verse 31. Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,

Verse 32. Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

Cities in the Lowland and Coastal Areas Joshua 15:33–47

Verse 33. In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Verse 34. Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, Verse 35. Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, Verse 36. Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages. Verse 37. Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, Verse 38. Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,

Verse 39. Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, Verse 40. Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish, Verse 41. Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages. Verse 42. Libnah, Ether, Ashan, Verse 43. Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, Verse 44. Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.

Verse 45. Ekron, with its towns and its villages; Verse 46. from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages. Verse 47. Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the brook of Egypt, and the great sea with its coastline.

Cities in the Hill Country Joshua 15:48–61

Verse 48. In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, Verse 49. Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (which is Debir), Verse 50. Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, Verse 51. Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages. Verse 52. Arab, Dumah, Eshan, Verse 53. Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah,

Verse 54. Humtah, Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages. Verse 55. Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, Verse 56. Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, Verse 57. Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages. Verse 58. Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, Verse 59. Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.

Verse 60. Kiriath Baal (also called Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages. Verse 61. In the wilderness, Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Remaining Inhabitants Joshua 15:62–63

Verse 62. Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages. Verse 63. As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out; but the Jebusites live with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Joshua 15

Land Inheritance

The boundaries of Judah's inheritance are described in detail in verses 1-12. The territory extends 'from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea' in the east to 'the brook of Egypt' in the south, defining the land allocated to this tribe. The precise borders are established, showing the significance of land ownership in the context of the tribes of Israel. This section serves as a foundation for understanding the geographical context of Judah's territory.

God's Faithfulness

Caleb's inheritance in verses 13-19 highlights God's faithfulness to His promises. Caleb received 'Kiriath Arba' as his portion because of his faithfulness during the spies' mission, as commanded 'according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua.' This narrative shows how God fulfills His promises to those who remain steadfast in faith, as Caleb drives out the Anakim and secures the land for himself and his family.

Courage and Faith

Caleb's courageous actions in verses 14-17 illustrate the theme of courage and faith. After receiving his inheritance, he confronts the 'three sons of Anak' and successfully drives them out. Furthermore, he challenges others by promising his daughter Achsah to the one who captures Kiriath Sepher, demonstrating his confidence in God's support and the strength of his own faith as he takes decisive action in securing the land.

Obedience and Blessing

Verses 18-19 recount Achsah's request to her father Caleb for additional springs of water after receiving her inheritance. Caleb grants her request by providing both 'the upper springs and the lower springs.' This interaction shows how Achsah's initiative is met with generosity, indicating a connection between their faithfulness and the blessings received, as well as the supportive relationship within their family.

Chapter outline

How Joshua 15 unfolds

  1. Joshua 15:1–12 Boundaries of Judah's Inheritance

    The boundaries of Judah's inheritance are defined, starting from the 'uttermost part of the Salt Sea' and including landmarks like 'Kadesh Barnea' and 'the stone of Bohan' (vv. 1-12).

  2. Joshua 15:13–19 Caleb's Inheritance and Faith

    Caleb receives his inheritance in Hebron, displaying bold faith by driving out the Anakim, and he promises his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures Kiriath Sepher (vv. 13-19).

  3. Joshua 15:20–32 Cities in the Southern Region

    A list of twenty-nine cities in the southern region allocated to Judah is given, naming places such as 'Kabzeel', 'Beersheba', and 'Ziklag' along with their villages (vv. 20-32).

  4. Joshua 15:33–47 Cities in the Lowland and Coastal Areas

    The text enumerates cities in the lowland and coastal areas, detailing fourteen cities like 'Eshtaol' and 'Azekah', sixteen cities including 'Lachish' and 'Makkedah', and nine cities such as 'Libnah' and 'Mareshah' (vv. 33-47).

  5. Joshua 15:48–61 Cities in the Hill Country

    The next section outlines cities located in the hill country, detailing eleven cities along with their villages, emphasizing the geographic diversity of Judah's territory (vv. 48-61).

  6. Joshua 15:62–63 Remaining Inhabitants

    The verses mention 'Nibshan', 'the City of Salt', and 'En Gedi' as six cities, noting that the 'children of Judah couldn’t drive out' the Jebusites who 'live with the children of Judah at Jerusalem' (vv. 62-63).

Key verses

  • Joshua 15:16Caleb speaks to the inhabitants of Kiriath Sepher, promising his daughter Achsah as a wife to whoever conquers the city, initiating a challenge that motivates Othniel to act.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Joshua 15

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v13, what name is given to the portion of land given to Caleb?
  2. observeWhich three sons of Anak does Caleb drive out in v14?
  3. interpretCaleb's offer in v16: what does it indicate about the customs of land ownership and marriage?
  4. interpretIn v63, why do the children of Judah fail to drive out the Jebusites?
  5. applyWhen has asking for 'springs of water' like Achsah in v19 led you to unexpected blessings?

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Joshua 15: frequently asked questions

What is Joshua 15 about?+
The boundaries of Judah's inheritance extend from the Salt Sea to the wilderness of Zin (vv. 1-12).
What is the key verse in Joshua 15?+
Joshua 15:16: “Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.”
What are the main themes of Joshua 15?+
The main themes of Joshua 15 are Land Inheritance, God's Faithfulness, Courage and Faith, Obedience and Blessing.

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