Joshua 15:33-36
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While the text lists cities, it implicitly highlights that some of these places, like Eshtaol and Zorah, would later be associated with Samson, showing how ordinary geographical lists can intersect with epic stories of faith and deliverance. This subtle foreshadowing reveals the interconnectedness of God’s plans across generations and within the very land He designated for His people.
And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage lists cities within the tribe of Judah's inheritance, specifically those located in the lowland region known as the Shephelah. Some of these cities, like Eshtaol and Zoreah, would later be reassigned to the tribe of Dan and become significant places in the life of Samson. The text is part of a larger description of the territorial divisions of the Promised Land after the conquest.
God didn't just give Israel a plot of land; He gave them a vibrant, fertile inheritance packed with cities and villages. What does this tell us about God's generosity?
Joshua 15 lists the cities and territories belonging to the tribe of Judah. This specific verse, Joshua 15:33, highlights cities in the 'valley' – the Shephelah, a fertile plain.
God's Abundant Gift
Two of the cities mentioned here, Eshtaol and Zoreah, are forever linked to a larger-than-life hero. What does their inclusion tell us about God's work in ordinary places?
While Joshua 15 is about land allocation, these cities later become famous as the home and burial place of Samson, a pivotal figure in the Book of Judges.
From Tribe to Tribe, From Judge to Judge
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Understand the original words
shephelah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the flat, fertile coastal plain situated between the central Judean mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, often functioning as a strategic buffer zone and agricultural region. In the Bible, it is frequently associated with border disputes and control between Israel and the Philistines.
chatser · Hebrew Noun
A group of houses or a small community, often dependent upon or associated with a larger 'mother' city for protection and administration in the ancient Near East.
The cities listed here, though part of Judah's initial inheritance, were strategically important and later became significant centers for the tribe of Dan, and later still, figures like Samson and post-exilic settlers.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the Promised Land, following God's command.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Division of Land by Lot
After the conquest, the land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots, as recorded in Joshua.
During the period of the Judges (c. 1370–1070 BC)
Transfer to Danite Tribe
Although initially allotted to Judah, the cities of Eshtaol and Zorah, along with surrounding territories, were later assigned to the tribe of Dan.
c. 1100 BC
Samson's Exploits
The town of Zorah, one of these lowland cities, becomes the home of Samson, a Nazirite judge of Israel, whose heroic deeds are recorded in the Book of Judges.
970 BC
Rehoboam Fortifies Cities
Following the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death, King Rehoboam fortifies several cities, including Zorah, to defend the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
After the Babylonian exile, some Jewish families re-settle in cities like Zorah, as indicated in the post-exilic period records.
This passage directly connects Eshtaol and Zorah to Samson, the famous judge whose exploits are deeply rooted in this region, highlighting the significance of these locations in Israel's history.
Joshua 19:41This verse shows how these cities, initially allotted to Judah, were later assigned to the tribe of Dan, illustrating the shifting tribal boundaries and shared territories within the promised land.
Joshua 10:40This verse describes Joshua's conquest of the Shephelah, the lowland region where Eshtaol, Zorah, and Ashnah were located, emphasizing the military victories that secured these areas for Israel.
Nehemiah 11:29This passage references the return of some of these towns' inhabitants after the Babylonian exile, showing their re-occupation and continued importance to the Jewish people.
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 15:33: "And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,"
And in the valley,.... In Joshua 15:33 are enumerated the several cities belonging to the tribe of Judah which lay in the valley. Jerom (f) says, that now all the plain and champaign country near Eleutheropolis, which verges to the north and west, is called "Sephela", or the valley: Eshtaol; the two first of these seem to be given afterwards to the tribe of Dan, Joshua 19:41; between these two places Samson was born and buried,…
While the text lists cities, it implicitly highlights that some of these places, like Eshtaol and Zorah, would later be associated with Samson, showing how ordinary geographical lists can intersect with epic stories of faith and deliverance. This subtle foreshadowing reveals the interconnectedness of God’s plans across generations and within the very land He designated for His people.
This passage lists cities within the tribe of Judah's inheritance, specifically those located in the lowland region known as the Shephelah. Some of these cities, like Eshtaol and Zoreah, would later be reassigned to the tribe of Dan and become significant places in the life of Samson. The text is part of a larger description of the territorial divisions of the Promised Land after the conquest.
This passage lists cities within the tribe of Judah's inheritance, specifically those located in the lowland region known as the Shephelah. Some of these cities, like Eshtaol and Zoreah, would later be reassigned to the tribe of Dan and become significant places in the life of Samson. The text is part of a larger description of the territorial divisions of the Promised Land after the conquest.
"And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages." — While the text lists cities, it implicitly highlights that some of these places, like Eshtaol and Zorah, would later be associated with Samson, showing how ordinary geographical lists can intersect w…
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Last reviewed October 2026
