And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:

JOSHUA 15:44KJV
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Joshua 15:44 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:44 mean?

Joshua 15:44 lists three towns—Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—as part of a group of nine 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 the context of the book of Joshua, these verses are spoken by the narrator, describing how the land was distributed by Joshua and the leaders to the people of Israel. The focus here is on identifying specific towns and their villages within the territory assigned to Judah, emphasizing the careful and organized way the land was divided among the tribes.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:44

  • קְעִילָה (Qe‘ilah, "Keilah"): This name refers to a town in the lowlands of Judah. Its mention highlights the historical and geographical detail in the land allotment.
  • אַכְזִיב (Akhziv, "Achzib"): Another town listed, emphasizing the thoroughness of the record in naming even lesser-known places.
  • מָרֵשָׁה (Mareshah): This town later became significant in Judah’s history, showing that the allocation included both prominent and smaller sites.
  • תֵּשַׁע (tesha‘, "nine"): The number nine here refers to the total cities in this section, showing the precise accounting of settlements.
  • עָרִים (‘arim, "cities") and חֲצֵרֵיהֶן (ḥatserayhen, "villages"): The distinction between cities and their surrounding villages shows the structure of settlement, with main towns and their dependent rural areas.

Why Joshua 15:44 matters

  • Joshua 15:44 shows the careful and organized way the land was divided among the tribes, reflecting the importance of each community, no matter how small.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage by showing that Judah’s inheritance included both major towns and their surrounding villages, giving a fuller picture of daily life and settlement patterns.
  • Listing these specific towns helps later readers and historians trace the development and significance of these places in Israel’s story.

Where else these words appear

“Achzib” Hebrew H392 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Judges 1:31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
  • Micah 1:14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

“Mareshah” Hebrew H4762 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:42 Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn, which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
  • 2 Chronicles 14:10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

“Keilah” Hebrew H7084 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
  • 1 Samuel 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
  • 1 Samuel 23:12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

“nine” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 34:13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: