Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is the striking juxtaposition of the "City of Salt" and Engedi, a place renowned for its lush vineyards and "camphire" (henna). This pairing highlights God's provision for His people, giving them both the stark, life-sustaining resources of the desert and the abundant fertility of an oasis. It’s a beautiful reminder that God’s blessings aren't uniform but are perfectly suited to each place and need.
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes a detailed list of cities and their surrounding villages assigned to the tribe of Judah, marking the final division of the land. It follows the extensive enumeration of territories, highlighting specific locations like the City of Salt and Engedi, places known for their unique geographical features and historical significance, including David's refuge from Saul. The entire passage serves as a record of God fulfilling His promise to give Israel their inheritance, though later commentaries note that the tribe of Judah did not fully drive out all inhabitants, leaving certain groups like the Jebusites in Jerusalem.
Why does the Bible list cities like Nibshan and the City of Salt? These aren't household names, but their inclusion tells us something profound.
The final verses of Joshua 15 list numerous cities, towns, and villages that were part of the tribe of Judah's inheritance. Among them are names like Nibshan and the City of Salt. While not as famous as Jerusalem or Bethlehem, these places held real significance for the people who lived there.
These names remind us that every place, every community, and every individual has a place in God's grand plan, even those not recorded in the most famous narratives.
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Judah received a vast inheritance, but what does the sheer number of cities reveal about God's faithfulness?
The lists of cities in Joshua 15 are not just dry geography; they are a testament to God's promises. For the tribe of Judah, the enumeration of 113 cities (as mentioned in broader context, with verse 62 being a specific part of this) with their towns and villages signifies the incredible bounty and completeness of the inheritance God provided.
This verse lists specific cities within the southern territory of Judah. Their inclusion highlights the detailed allotment of land promised by God, which would later play a role in significant events like David's refuge at Engedi and the Assyrian invasion.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1390 BC
Division of Land Among Tribes
After the conquest, the land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve Israelite tribes, with Judah receiving a significant portion.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Specific Allotment for Judah
The tribe of Judah is assigned its inheritance, a detailed list of cities and their surrounding villages within this territory is recorded.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Davidic Dynasty
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital, and many cities within Judah's territory, including En-gedi, become significant centers.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, capturing many cities. While Jerusalem is spared, the southern territories, including areas around the Dead Sea, are impacted.
This passage highlights Engedi as a place of refuge for David when he was fleeing from King Saul, showing its significance as a hiding place in a rugged, remote area.
Ezekiel 47:10This prophetic vision mentions Engedi in the context of abundant life and healing waters flowing from the temple, contrasting with the saltiness of the Dead Sea region.
Genesis 19:25This verse describes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the saltiness of the land, providing geographical and historical context for the 'City of Salt' and its location near the Dead Sea.
Song of Solomon 1:14This poetic verse mentions 'clusters of the henna' at Engedi, highlighting the region's natural beauty and fertility, particularly its vineyards and aromatic plants, despite its proximity to the salty Dead Sea.
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 15:62: "And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages."
And Nibshan,.... Of Nibshan no mention is made elsewhere: and the city of Salt some take to be Zoar, so called because near the salt sea, or where Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt, Genesis 19:22; but rather this city might be so called, because salt was made here. and Engedi, or Engaddi, is a well known place, near the salt sea; See Gill on Ezekiel 47:10. Jerom says (y), there was a very la…
What's easily missed here is the striking juxtaposition of the "City of Salt" and Engedi, a place renowned for its lush vineyards and "camphire" (henna). This pairing highlights God's provision for His people, giving them both the stark, life-sustaining resources of the desert and the abundant fertility of an oasis. It’s a beautiful reminder that God’s blessings aren't uniform but are perfectly suited to each place and need.
This verse concludes a detailed list of cities and their surrounding villages assigned to the tribe of Judah, marking the final division of the land. It follows the extensive enumeration of territories, highlighting specific locations like the City of Salt and Engedi, places known for their unique geographical features and historical significance, including David's refuge from Saul. The entire passage serves as a record of God fulfilling His promise to give Israel their inheritance, though later commentaries note that the tribe of Judah did not fully drive out all inhabitants, leaving certain groups like the Jebusites in Jerusalem.
This verse concludes a detailed list of cities and their surrounding villages assigned to the tribe of Judah, marking the final division of the land. It follows the extensive enumeration of territories, highlighting specific locations like the City of Salt and Engedi, places known for their unique geographical features and historical significance, including David's refuge from Saul. The entire passage serves as a record of God fulfilling His promise to give Israel their inheritance, though later commentaries note that the tribe of Judah did not fully drive out all inhabitants, leaving certain groups like the Jebusites in Jerusalem.
"Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages." — What's easily missed here is the striking juxtaposition of the "City of Salt" and Engedi, a place renowned for its lush vineyards and "camphire" (henna). This pairing highlights God's provision for H…
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Last reviewed October 2026