Joshua 15 Summary

Joshua 15 records the allotment given to the tribe of Judah, beginning with a precise description of its four borders: the south border running from the Salt Sea through the wilderness of Zin to the river of Egypt, the east border formed by the Salt Sea and the Jordan, the north border passing through landmarks including the valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, and the west border extending to the Great Sea. Within this territory, Caleb son of Jephunneh receives Hebron as his portion according to God's command, drives out the three sons of Anak, and offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever conquers Debir; Othniel son of Kenaz wins the city and Achsah, and she negotiates with her father Caleb to also receive springs of water as an additional blessing. The chapter then enumerates, by district, the many cities belonging to Judah in the south, the lowlands, the mountains, and the wilderness. It concludes with the note that Judah was unable to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem, so the two peoples continued to dwell there together.