Lexical Summary Ashnah: Ashnah Original Word: אַשְׁנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashnah Probably a variation for Yshanah; Ashnah, the name of two places in Palestine -- Ashnah. see HEBREW Yshanah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition two cities in Judah NASB Translation Ashnah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַשְׁנָה proper name, of a location (the firm ?) name of two cities in Judah. 1 Joshua 15:33. 2 Joshua 15:43. אֶשְׁנָב see שׁנב. אֶשְׁעָן see שׁען. Topical Lexicon Overview Ashnah designates one or possibly two Judean towns situated in the Shephelah, the gently rolling foothills between the hill country of Judah and the Philistine plain. The listings in Joshua 15:33 and Joshua 15:43 appear in different sub-districts of the same territorial catalogue, suggesting either twin settlements bearing the same name or a single community mentioned twice because it bordered two administrative regions. Biblical occurrences Joshua 15:33 places Ashnah alongside Eshtaol and Zorah, communities later associated with Samson’s family (Judges 13:2). Joshua 15:43 repeats the name in a cluster that includes Libnah and Nezib. The positioning of Ashnah in catalogues that frame Israel’s conquest emphasizes that the Lord’s promise to Abraham of a defined inheritance was being fulfilled for the tribe of Judah. “in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah” (Joshua 15:33). Geographical and archaeological suggestions 1. Khirbet al-Saniyya (near modern Eshtaol), c. 25 km west-northwest of Jerusalem. The site meets the topographical demand of a Shephelah town north of the Sorek Valley. Surface pottery at these mounds ranges from Late Bronze through Iron II, compatible with occupation during the settlement and monarchic periods. Historical setting Ashnah’s inclusion among fortified towns in the lowland hints at a strategic line of defense against Philistine incursions. After the allotments, Judah was responsible for maintaining these border settlements. In the monarchy, nearby Zorah and Eshtaol formed part of Rehoboam’s fortified network (2 Chronicles 11:10). Ashnah likely shared that defensive role even if not named explicitly. Covenantal significance By occupying Ashnah, Judah demonstrated tangible possession of God’s sworn gift (Genesis 15:18-21). Each named village substantiates the historical reality of Israel’s settlement and underscores the faithfulness of God to secure land for His covenant people despite regional opposition (Joshua 21:43-45). Prophetic and messianic horizon The foothills are where David confronted Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and where Micah foretold peace flowing from Zion (Micah 4:4). Towns like Ashnah, though small, form the backdrop for the royal and prophetic activity that anticipates the Messiah’s kingdom—a reminder that the Lord works out salvation history not only in capitals but also in obscure villages. Ministry reflections • Obscurity does not negate significance. Just as Ashnah’s brief mention still served Judah’s security, lesser-known believers today advance the kingdom through steadfast presence in unnoticed places (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Conclusion Although Ashnah surfaces only twice, its placement in Judah’s foothills testifies to God’s meticulous faithfulness in allotting the land and protecting His people. It illustrates how every locale named in Scripture, however modest, contributes to the grand narrative of redemption culminating in Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְאַשְׁנָ֖ה וְאַשְׁנָֽה׃ ואשנה ואשנה׃ veashNah wə’ašnāh wə·’aš·nāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:33 HEB: אֶשְׁתָּא֥וֹל וְצָרְעָ֖ה וְאַשְׁנָֽה׃ NAS: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, KJV: Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, INT: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah Joshua 15:43 2 Occurrences |
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