Amam, Shema, Moladah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse, though seemingly just a list of place names, subtly highlights how the land distribution wasn't always neat; Shema and Moladah, listed here as Judah's inheritance, later became associated with Simeon. This shows that borders and even tribal identities could shift, demonstrating God's dynamic and sometimes surprising ways of working out His promises.
Amam, Shema, Moladah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, specifying the cities and their surrounding areas assigned to them. These descriptions provide a geographical and historical record of the land distribution after the conquest of Canaan, showing the extent of Judah's territory and the cities within it, some of which later became significant centers.
This verse is just a list of names. Or is it? Sometimes, the simplest lists hide profound meaning, pointing to something much bigger than just a place.
Joshua 15:26 reads, 'Amam, Shema, and Moladah.' On the surface, these are just three names out of a long list of cities belonging to the tribe of Judah. But look closer.
More Than Just Geography
These aren't just random names; they represent the fulfillment of God's promises. This entire chapter is a detailed record of the land God allotted to the tribe of Judah. Each city listed is a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to Abraham centuries before.
A Shared Inheritance
Interestingly, some of these exact cities (like Shema and Moladah) are later mentioned as belonging to the tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:2). This doesn't mean there's a mistake! It shows how God's people shared and sometimes redistributed the land. The tribe of Judah, being so large and prosperous, had a vast inheritance, and portions were given to Simeon within Judah's territory. It’s a beautiful picture of how God’s blessings can be shared among His people.
These cities weren't just assigned; they were to be inhabited and held. What does this mean for us when we receive God's promises?
The assignment of cities like Amam, Shema, and Moladah wasn't just a clerical act; it carried profound implications for the tribe of Judah.
Claiming the Promise
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Receiving this inheritance was a call to action. It required faith and courage to take possession of these cities, especially those that might have been difficult to conquer or hold. This speaks to a core biblical principle: God gives the promise, but we must actively step into it.
Guarding the Legacy
Furthermore, holding onto these cities meant establishing communities, worshipping God, and living according to His laws within those boundaries. It wasn't just about land ownership; it was about spiritual stewardship. The inclusion of these names signifies a responsibility to honor God with the territory He provided.
This list of cities isn't just a static geographical record; it reflects the dynamic history of the land and its people, showing how territories were assigned, re-assigned, and how the significance of places changed over centuries.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Israel Conquers Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, invade and begin conquering the land of Canaan. This marks the initial distribution of territories.
c. 1400 BC
Land Allotment to Judah
The tribe of Judah receives its assigned inheritance within the conquered territory. This list of cities, including Amam, Shema, and Moladah, details their portion.
Post-Conquest
Simeon's Inheritance
Later, some of these cities, like Shema and Moladah, are incorporated into the territory allotted to the tribe of Simeon, indicating shifting boundaries or shared usage.
c. 1000 BC
David's Kingdom Established
Bethlehem, though not explicitly listed as a major city in Joshua's time, rises to prominence as David's birthplace and the capital of his united kingdom, showcasing the evolving significance of locations.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of many Judeans lead to significant shifts in population and the abandonment or reoccupation of cities.
c. 5th Century BC
Post-Exilic Repopulation
After the return from exile, Jews repopulated some of these ancient cities. Nehemiah mentions inhabitants in places like Hazar-shual, indicating continuity or re-establishment.
This passage lists Shema and Moladah as cities that later belonged to the tribe of Simeon, showing how the tribal boundaries and city assignments shifted over time.
1 Chronicles 4:28This verse also mentions Moladah, connecting it to the descendants of Simeon, further illustrating the geographical and familial overlaps within the tribes.
Nehemiah 11:26Moladah is mentioned again here as a place reoccupied by the people of Judah after the Babylonian exile, demonstrating its continued significance and the return to ancestral lands.
Genesis 49:7Jacob's prophecy about dividing his sons and scattering them in Israel provides a backdrop for understanding why certain cities, like those of Simeon, ended up within the larger territory allotted to Judah.
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 15:26: "Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,"
Amam,.... Of Amam we read nowhere else: and Shema is thought by some to be the same with Sheba, though wrongly, given afterwards to the tribe of Simeon, as was also Moladah, mentioned with it, Joshua 19:2, and Moladah; it is also spoken of in 1 Chronicles 4:28, and seems to be the same with Malathi or Malatis, about twenty miles from Hebron (f). (f) Vid. Reland. Palest. Illustrat. tom. 2. p. 885, 886.
This verse, though seemingly just a list of place names, subtly highlights how the land distribution wasn't always neat; Shema and Moladah, listed here as Judah's inheritance, later became associated with Simeon. This shows that borders and even tribal identities could shift, demonstrating God's dynamic and sometimes surprising ways of working out His promises.
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, specifying the cities and their surrounding areas assigned to them. These descriptions provide a geographical and historical record of the land distribution after the conquest of Canaan, showing the extent of Judah's territory and the cities within it, some of which later became significant centers.
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, specifying the cities and their surrounding areas assigned to them. These descriptions provide a geographical and historical record of the land distribution after the conquest of Canaan, showing the extent of Judah's territory and the cities within it, some of which later became significant centers.
"Amam, Shema, Moladah," — This verse, though seemingly just a list of place names, subtly highlights how the land distribution wasn't always neat; Shema and Moladah, listed here as Judah's inheritance, later became associated…
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Last reviewed October 2026