And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:

JOSHUA 15:41KJV
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Joshua 15:41 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:41 mean?

Joshua 15:41 lists four towns—Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—as part of a group of sixteen cities with their surrounding villages that were allotted to the tribe of Judah. This verse is part of a detailed record of the land divisions among the tribes of Israel after they entered Canaan.

In this section, Joshua is recording the boundaries and towns given to Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land. The verse is a straightforward listing, showing the care taken to document each city and its villages, emphasizing the organized distribution of land and the importance of each settlement in the tribal identity and history.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:41

  • גְּדֵרוֹת (Gederoth, "guh-deh-ROHT"): This name means "walls" or "fences," likely referring to a fortified or enclosed town, highlighting the practical features of ancient settlements.
  • בֵּית־דָּגוֹן (Bethdagon, "beyt-da-GOHN"): This means "house of Dagon," with Dagon being a Philistine deity, suggesting the town may have had historical or cultural ties to neighboring peoples.
  • נַעֲמָה (Naamah, "nah-ah-MAH"): The name means "pleasant" or "beautiful," possibly reflecting the character or reputation of the place.
  • מַקֵּדָה (Makkedah, "mah-keh-DAH"): Known from earlier in Joshua as a site of a significant battle, its inclusion here reminds readers of its historical importance.

Why Joshua 15:41 matters

  • The verse shows the thoroughness with which the land was divided, giving each tribe a clear record of its inheritance and responsibilities.
  • Listing each city by name, including those with foreign associations like Bethdagon, highlights the diversity and history of the region Judah inherited.
  • Connecting these towns to earlier events in Joshua (like Makkedah's battle) helps readers see how the conquest and settlement stories are tied together in Israel's memory.

Where else these words appear

“Gederoth” Hebrew H1450 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.

“Bethdagon” Hebrew H1016 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,

“Naamah” Hebrew H5279 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 1 Kings 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
  • 1 Kings 14:31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.

“Makkedah” Hebrew H4719 · used in 8 verses

  • Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
  • Joshua 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
  • Joshua 10:28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.