And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:

JOSHUA 15:51KJV
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Joshua 15:51 (KJV)

What does Joshua 15:51 mean?

Joshua 15:51 lists three towns—Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—as part of a group of eleven cities with their surrounding villages. This verse is part of a detailed record of the towns allotted to the tribe of Judah as their inheritance in the land of Canaan.

In the context of the book of Joshua, these lists are spoken by the narrator, describing how the land was divided among the Israelite tribes after their conquest of Canaan. The verse highlights the careful documentation of territory, showing the importance of each town and its villages in the new homeland for Judah’s descendants.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:51

  • גֹּשֶׁן (Goshen, goshen): This is the name of one of the towns given to Judah. It is not the same as the Goshen in Egypt but a different location within Judah’s territory.
  • עָרִים (ʿarim): This word means "cities" and emphasizes that these were established, populated places, not just small settlements.
  • חֲצֵרִים (ḥatserim): This word means "villages" or "settlements," referring to the smaller communities surrounding the main cities, showing the broader area included in the inheritance.

Why Joshua 15:51 matters

  • Joshua 15:51 helps clarify that the land given to Judah was not just a general region but included specific, named towns and their surrounding villages, showing the thoroughness of the division.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage by contributing to the detailed list of Judah’s inheritance, which underscores the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the Israelites a homeland.
  • By naming even smaller towns, Joshua 15:51 highlights the value placed on every community within the tribe, not just the major cities.

Where else these words appear

“Giloh” Hebrew H1542 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

“Holon” Hebrew H2473 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 21:15 And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
  • Jeremiah 48:21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,

“Goshen” Hebrew H1657 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
  • Genesis 47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
  • Genesis 50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.