This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a simple label; it highlights that Judah's inheritance was already sorted out "according to their families," showing a pre-existing, organized structure for how God's people would settle the land. It also underscores that this extensive territory, filled with over a hundred cities and villages, was a remarkably generous gift from God, far more than they might have needed at the time.
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the detailed account of the tribe's boundaries and specific land grants, this verse marks the formal beginning of the enumeration of Judah's cities. It serves as an introduction to a lengthy list that describes the actual distribution of land within the tribe, clarifying the inheritance received by the clans of Judah according to their family groups.
Ever feel like you didn't get a fair share? The tribe of Judah received a vast and fertile territory. This wasn't random; it was a deliberate act of divine generosity.
Joshua 15:20 marks the beginning of a detailed inventory of the land God promised and gave to the tribe of Judah. The sheer number of cities listed (over 100!) points to the immense fertility and potential of this region.
A Land of Blessing
Calvin highlights that this land was not just habitable, but “abounding in all kinds of advantages.” It was a land blessed by God, capable of sustaining a large population and yielding abundant resources. This wasn't just a plot of dirt; it was a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and provision for His people.
More Than Enough
When considering the population of the tribe of Judah, the allocated land was more than sufficient. This generous allocation underscores God's commitment to provide for His people, ensuring they would have more than just their basic needs met. It was a land meant for flourishing, a testament to His abundant grace.
Lists and inventories can seem dry, but this one holds a dramatic story of bravery, a father's love, and a daughter's bold request. The details of the land are intertwined with human drama.
While verse 20 serves as a straightforward declaration of inheritance, the preceding verses (15:16-19) reveal a fascinating narrative that sets the stage. Caleb, a leader of Judah, offered his daughter Achsah as a wife to whoever could conquer the city of Debir.
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A Prize for Bravery
Othniel, Caleb's nephew and a man of valor, succeeded in taking the city. This act of courage was not just about military might; it was about faith and obedience, as Othniel was destined to become the first judge of Israel.
A Daughter's Boldness
Upon receiving her inheritance, Achsah didn't just accept it passively. She approached her father, Caleb, and boldly asked for an additional blessing: springs of water. This request, made in a region described as a 'south land' (a drier area), was crucial for life and prosperity. Her father granted her request, demonstrating a deep affection for her and a willingness to provide for her needs beyond the initial promise. This narrative shows that even within the formal division of land, personal stories of faith, courage, and familial love played a significant role.
Receiving land was just the beginning. The story of Judah's inheritance is also about how they lived on the land and how God's promises unfolded, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Joshua 15:20 formally marks the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. However, the subsequent historical accounts reveal that the distribution and possession of this land were not always neat or final.
Dividing the Portions
As Calvin notes, the vast territory of Judah was divided into portions for its various clans. However, parts of this inheritance were later allocated to other tribes, like Simeon. This fulfilled Jacob’s prophecy of being 'divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel,' indicating a dispersion rather than a compact, unified territory for every clan.
Unfulfilled Conquests
Furthermore, the passage reminds us that not all the promised land was immediately conquered. Even within Judah's territory, the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem for a significant time (as noted in verse 63, discussed by Calvin). This serves as a stark reminder that God's promises often require human effort, obedience, and perseverance. It was due to the people's 'sluggishness' and 'love of ease' that full possession was delayed, not due to a lack of God's power or provision.
This duality—God's generous gift and the human responsibility to fully possess and steward it—is a recurring theme throughout Israel's history.
Understand the original words
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
A fixed portion of property or position received as one's allotted share. In the context of Israel, it specifically refers to the land promised by God to the tribes and families of Israel as their permanent possession.
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A kinship group or large family unit within an Israelite tribe. It refers to the basic social structure of the people of Israel, organized by descent from a common ancestor.
This verse marks the official recording of the boundaries and cities belonging to the tribe of Judah. This detailed administrative act occurred after the initial conquest and allocation of land, signifying the establishment of tribal territories within the newly conquered Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua leads Israelites into Canaan
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, Joshua, Moses' successor, leads the Israelites into the Promised Land, beginning the conquest of Canaanite territories.
c. 1400-1380 BC
Conquest and division of Canaan
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, engage in military campaigns to subdue the land. Following the conquest, the land is systematically divided among the twelve tribes.
c. 1380 BC
Caleb is granted Hebron
Caleb, one of the faithful spies from the Exodus generation, is given the city of Hebron and its surrounding lands as his inheritance, a significant portion of Judah's territory.
c. 1380 BC
Othniel takes Debir
Othniel, Caleb's nephew, bravely captures the city of Debir and is rewarded with Caleb's daughter, Acsah, in marriage, highlighting acts of valor within the tribe.
c. 1380 BC— this verse
Judah's inheritance is detailed
The specific cities and territories belonging to the tribe of Judah are systematically recorded, marking the formal establishment of their inheritance within the Promised Land.
c. 1380 BC
Simeon's inheritance within Judah
A portion of Judah's allotted land is later given to the tribe of Simeon, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy of their scattering within Israel and demonstrating the complex settlement patterns.
Jacob's prophecy foretold that the tribe of Simeon would be 'divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel,' which directly relates to how their allotment would be absorbed within Judah's territory, as mentioned in the commentary.
Judges 1:13This passage describes Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, taking Debir and receiving Achsah as his wife, directly illustrating the event that occurs just before this verse and its significance for Caleb's family.
Deuteronomy 1:15This verse highlights the principle of dividing the land by families according to the 'number of names,' which is the underlying reason for the detailed listing of tribal inheritances that begins with Joshua 15:20.
1 Samuel 17:25The offer made by Caleb to give his daughter for the capture of Kirjath-sepher mirrors the incentive offered for valor in battle, as seen with David's potential reward for defeating Goliath.
calvinJoshua 15:14-63: "And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak."
- And it came to pass as she came unto him, etc Although we may conjecture that the damsel Acsa was of excellent morals and well brought up, as marriage with her had been held forth as the special reward [149] of victory, yet perverse cupidity on her part is here disclosed. She knew that by the divine law women were specially excluded from hereditary lands, but she neverthe…
gillJoshua 15:20: "This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families."
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah, according to their families. The general description of which is given in the preceding part of the chapter, as the particular cities belonging to it are enumerated in the following part; the account of the gift of Hebron to Caleb, and the taking of Debir by Othniel, with the request of Achsah, and the grant of it, are inserted…
This verse isn't just a simple label; it highlights that Judah's inheritance was already sorted out "according to their families," showing a pre-existing, organized structure for how God's people would settle the land. It also underscores that this extensive territory, filled with over a hundred cities and villages, was a remarkably generous gift from God, far more than they might have needed at the time.
Following the detailed account of the tribe's boundaries and specific land grants, this verse marks the formal beginning of the enumeration of Judah's cities. It serves as an introduction to a lengthy list that describes the actual distribution of land within the tribe, clarifying the inheritance received by the clans of Judah according to their family groups.
Following the detailed account of the tribe's boundaries and specific land grants, this verse marks the formal beginning of the enumeration of Judah's cities. It serves as an introduction to a lengthy list that describes the actual distribution of land within the tribe, clarifying the inheritance received by the clans of Judah according to their family groups.
"This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans." — This verse isn't just a simple label; it highlights that Judah's inheritance was already sorted out "according to their families," showing a pre-existing, organized structure for how God's people wou…
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Last reviewed October 2026