Joshua 15:29 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:29 mean?

Joshua 15:29 lists three place names—Baalah, Iim, and Azem—as part of the territory given to the tribe of Judah. This verse is part of a longer section that carefully records the boundaries and towns included in Judah’s inheritance in the land of Canaan.

In the book of Joshua, Joshua is leading the Israelites as they divide the Promised Land among the twelve tribes. This verse is one entry in a detailed list of towns within Judah’s portion. Naming these places shows the historical care taken to define tribal lands and helps later generations know their ancestral territory.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:29

• בַּעֲלָה (Baalah, transliterated "baʿălāh") means “mistress” or “lady,” and is often connected to places associated with the Canaanite god Baal. Here, it is a town name, possibly hinting at the area’s earlier religious history.
• עִיִים (Iim, transliterated "ʿiyyim") means “ruins” or “heaps,” suggesting this town may have been built on or near ancient ruins.
• עָצֵם (Azem, transliterated "ʿāṣēm") is a place name whose meaning is less clear, but it is listed as a distinct town within Judah’s territory.

Why Joshua 15:29 matters

• Listing these towns by name shows the historical and legal precision with which Israel’s tribal lands were recorded, helping later generations trace their heritage and land rights.
• The inclusion of towns with names like Baalah and Iim hints at the complex history of the land, including earlier Canaanite influences and the transformation of these places into Israelite territory.
• This verse is one piece of a much larger list, emphasizing the importance of every town and region in the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land to Israel.