Jos 15:21-41 | Clarke

‏ Joshua 15:21-41

Verse 24. Ziph] There were two cities of this name in the tribe of Judah, that mentioned here, and another Jos 15:55. One of these two is noted for the refuge of David when persecuted by Saul; and the attempts made by its inhabitants to deliver him into the hands of his persecutor. See 1Sa 23:14-24.

Verse 28. Beer-sheba] A city, famous in the book of Genesis as the residence of the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, Ge 22:19; 28:10; 46:1. See Clarke on Ge 21:31. It lay on the way between Canaan and Egypt, about forty miles from Jerusalem.

Verse 30. Hormah] A place rendered famous by the defeat of the Hebrews by the Canaanites. See Nu 14:45, De 1:44.

Verse 31. Ziklag] The Philistines seem to have kept possession of this city till the time of David, who received it from Achish, king of Gath, 1Sa 27:6; after which time it remained in the possession of the kings of Judah.

Verse 32. All the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages] But on a careful examination we shall find thirty-eight; but it is supposed that nine of these are excepted; viz., Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual, Baalah, Azem, Hormah, Ziklag, Ain, and Rimmon, which were afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon. This may appear satisfactory, but perhaps the truth will be found to be this: Several cities in the promised land are expressed by compound terms; not knowing the places, different translations combine what should be separated, and in many cases separate what should be combined. Through this we have cities formed out of epithets. On this ground we have thirty-eight cities as the sum here, instead of twenty-nine.

Verse 33. Eshtaol, and Zoreah] Here Samson was buried, it being the burial-place of his fathers; see Jud 16:31. These places though first given to Judah, afterwards fell to the lot of Dan, Jos 19:41.

Verse 35. Jarmuth] See Clarke on Jos 10:3.

Adullam] See Clarke on Jos 12:15.

Socoh] It was near this place that David fought with and slew Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, 1Sa 17:1.

Verse 36. Gederah] See Clarke on Jos 12:13.

Fourteen cities] Well reckoned, we shall find fifteen cities here; but probably Gederah and Gederothaim (Jos 15:36) are the same. See Clarke on Jos 15:32.

Verse 39. Lachish-and Eglon] See Clarke on Jos 10:3.

Verse 41. Beth-dagon] The house or temple of Dagon. This is a well known idol of the Philistines, and probably the place mentioned here was in some part of their territories; but the situation at present is unknown.