Joshua 15:54
And Humtah, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
Original Language Analysis
אַרְבַּ֛ע
and Kirjatharba
H7153
אַרְבַּ֛ע
and Kirjatharba
Strong's:
H7153
Word #:
3 of 9
kirjath-arba or kirjath-ha-arba, a place in palestine
הִ֥יא
H1931
הִ֥יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 9
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Historical Context
The cities listed here were in the central hill country of Judah, the heartland of the tribe. This mountainous region, while defensively strong, required terracing and water management for agriculture. The concentration of cities reflects relatively dense settlement in areas where natural springs provided reliable water sources. These became the core territory of the later kingdom of Judah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the detailed enumeration of cities demonstrate God's precision in fulfilling promises?
- What does the inclusion of both 'cities' and 'villages' teach about God's concern for all levels of community?
- How might maintaining careful records of God's faithfulness strengthen faith in future generations?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Humtah, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages—This verse lists cities in Judah's hill country. Hebron (Kirjath-arba) appears again, contextualizing Caleb's personal inheritance within Judah's broader tribal allotment. The systematic enumeration—"nine cities with their villages"—demonstrates meticulous record-keeping for legal and administrative purposes.
These geographical lists serve multiple functions: legal documentation of tribal boundaries, historical preservation of conquest achievements, and theological testimony to God's precise fulfillment of covenant promises. Every named city represented a specific fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that his descendants would possess Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). The detailed precision reflects God's character—He is not vague in His promises but specific, verifiable, and faithful in every particular.