Joshua – Chapter 15

Old Testament63 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the…" — so begins Joshua 15. Caleb stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 63 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the uttermost part of the south coast.

2Its beginning was from the top of the most salt sea, and from the bay thereof, that looketh to the south.

3And it goeth out towards the ascent of the Scorpion, and passeth on to Sina: and ascendeth into Cadesbarne, and reacheth into Esron, going up to Addar, and compassing Carcaa.

4And from thence passing along into Asemona, and reaching the torrent of Egypt: and the bounds thereof shall be the great sea, this shall be the limit of the south coast.

5But on the east side the beginning shall be the most salt sea even to the end of the Jordan: and towards the north from the bay of the sea unto the same river Jordan.

6And the border goeth up into Beth-Hagla, and passeth by the north into Beth-Araba: going up to the stone of Boen the son of Ruben.

7And reaching as far as the borders of Debara from the valley of Achor, and so northward looking towards Galgal, which is opposite to the ascent of Adommin, on the south side of the torrent, and the border passeth the waters that are called the fountain of the sun: and the goings out thereof shall be at the fountain Rogel.

8And it goeth up by the valley of the son of Ennom on the side of the Jebusite towards the south, the same is Jerusalem: and thence ascending to the top of the mountain, which is over against Geennom to the west in the end of the valley of Raphaim, northward.

9And it passeth on from the top of the mountain to the fountain of the water of Nephtoa: and reacheth to the towns of mount Ephron: and it bendeth towards Baala, which is Cariathiarim, that is to say, the city of the woods.

10And it compasseth from Baala westward unto mount Seir: and passeth by the side of mount Jarim to the north into Cheslon: and goeth down into Bethsames, and passeth into Thamna.

11And reacheth northward to a part of Accaron at the side: and bendeth to Sechrona, and passeth mount Baala: and cometh into Jebneel, and is bounded westward with the great sea.

12These are the borders round about of the children of Juda in their kindreds.

13But to Caleb the son of Jephone he gave a portion in the midst of the children of Juda, as the Lord had commanded him: Cariath-Arbe the father of Enac, which is Hebron.

14And Caleb destroyed out of it the three sons of Enac, Sesai and Ahiman, and Tholmai of the race of Enac.

15And going up from thence he came to the inhabitants of Dabir, which before was called Cariath-Sepher, that is to say, the city of letters.

16And Caleb said: He that shall smite Cariath-Sepher, and take it, I will give him Axa my daughter to wife.

17And Othoniel the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Axa his daughter to wife.

18And as they were going together, she was moved by her husband to ask a field of her father, and she sighed as she sat on her ass. And Caleb said to her: What aileth thee?

19But she answered: Give me a blessing: thou hast given me a southern and dry land, give me also a land that Is watered. And Caleb gave her the upper and the nether watery ground.

20This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Juda by their kindreds.

21And the cities from the uttermost parts of the children of Juda by the borders of Edom to the south, were Cabseel and Eder and Jagur,

22And Cina and Dimona and Adada,

23And Cades and Asor and Jethnam,

24Ziph and Telem and Baloth,

25New Asor and Carioth, Hesron, which is Asor.

26Amam, Sama and Molada,

27And Asergadda and Hassemon and Bethphelet,

28And Hasersual and Bersabee and Baziothia,

29And Baala and Jim and Esem,

30And Eltholad and Cesil and Harma,

31And Siceleg and Medemena and Sensenna,

32Lebaoth and Selim and Aen and Remmon: all the cities twenty-nine, and their villages.

33But in the plains: Estaol and Sarea and Asena,

34And Zanoe and Engannim and Taphua and Enaim,

35And Jerimoth and Adullam, Socho and Azeca,

36And Saraim and Adithaim and Gedera and Gederothaim: fourteen cities, and their villages.

37Sanan and Hadassa and Magdalgad,

38Delean and Masepha and Jecthel,

39Lachis and Bascath and Eglon,

40Chebbon and Leheman and Cethlis,

41And Gideroth and Bethdagon and Naama and Maceda: sixteen cities, and their villages.

42Labana and Ether and Asan,

43Jephtha and Esna and Nesib,

44And Ceila and Achzib and Maresa: nine cities, and their villages.

45Accaron with the towns and villages thereof.

46From Accaron even to the sea: all places that lie towards Azotus and the villages thereof.

47Azotus with its towns and villages. Gaza with its towns and villages, even to the torrent of Egypt, and the great sea that is the border thereof.

48And in the mountain Samir and Jether and Socoth,

49And Danna and Cariath-senna, this is Dabir:

50Anab and Istemo and Anim,

51Gosen and Olon and Gilo: eleven cities and their villages.

52Arab and Ruma and Esaan,

53And Janum and Beththaphua and Apheca,

54Athmatha and Cariath-Arbe, this is Hebron and Sior: nine cities and their villages.

55Maon and Carmel and Ziph and Jota,

56Jezrael and Jucadam and Zanoe,

57Accain, Gabaa and Thamna: ten cities and their villages.

58Halhul, and Bessur, and Gedor,

59Mareth, and Bethanoth, and Eltecon: six cities and their villages.

60Cariathbaal, the same is Cariathiarim the city of woods, and Arebba: two cities and their villages.

61In the desert Betharaba, Meddin and Sachacha,

62And Nebsan, and the city of salt, and Engaddi: six cities and their villages.

63But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the children of Juda in Jerusalem until this present day.

Important Verses in Joshua 15

Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the uttermost part of the south coast.

Joshua 15:1

And from thence passing along into Asemona, and reaching the torrent of Egypt: and the bounds thereof shall be the great sea, this shall be the limit of the south coast.

Joshua 15:4

But to Caleb the son of Jephone he gave a portion in the midst of the children of Juda, as the Lord had commanded him: Cariath-Arbe the father of Enac, which is Hebron.

Joshua 15:13

But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the children of Juda in Jerusalem until this present day.

Joshua 15:63

Historical Context

Joshua belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises. Chapter 15 of 24 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 63 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Caleb appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin…" The chapter ends with: "But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the…" In terms of historical background, Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Joshua around Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Joshua 15 presents a concrete episode in the history of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the uttermost part of the…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Joshua 15 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1700).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Caleb6 mentions

Reflection for Today

Joshua Chapter 15 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). Here the believer is invited to ponder poverty of spirit and detachment.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 2632) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 15 about?

Joshua 15 contains 63 verses. It opens with "Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin…" and closes with "But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the uttermost part of the south coast." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Caleb.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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