Joshua 15:20
New International Version
This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

New Living Translation
This was the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Judah.

English Standard Version
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans.

Berean Standard Bible
This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah.

King James Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

New King James Version
This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families:

New American Standard Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

NASB 1995
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

NASB 1977
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

Legacy Standard Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

Amplified Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families (clans).

Christian Standard Bible
This was the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This was the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their clans.

American Standard Version
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

Contemporary English Version
The following is a list of the towns in each region given to the Judah clans:

English Revised Version
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the land inherited by the families of the tribe of Judah.

Good News Translation
This is the land that the families of the tribe of Judah received as their possession.

International Standard Version
Here's a list of cities allotted for the tribe of the descendants of Judah according to their families:

NET Bible
This is the land assigned to the tribe of Judah by its clans:

New Heart English Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their families.

Webster's Bible Translation
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah.

World English Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah, for their families.

Young's Literal Translation
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah, for their families.

Smith's Literal Translation
This the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Juda by their kindreds.

Catholic Public Domain Version
This is the possession of the tribe of the sons of Judah, by their families.

New American Bible
This is the heritage of the tribe of Judahites by their clans:

New Revised Standard Version
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their families.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their families.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Yehuda for their families
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Juda.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cities of Judah
20This is the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Judah. 21These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,…

Cross References
Numbers 34:2
“Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries:

Deuteronomy 1:7
Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.

Joshua 14:1-2
Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. / Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Numbers 26:52-56
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. / Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. ...

Deuteronomy 34:2
all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea,

Joshua 18:5-6
and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north. / When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God.

Judges 1:9
Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills.

1 Chronicles 6:65
They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

Ezekiel 47:13-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance.

Genesis 15:18-21
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— / the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, / Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, ...

1 Kings 4:20-21
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing. / And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Nehemiah 9:8
You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Hebrews 4:8
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.


Treasury of Scripture

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

Genesis 49:8-12
Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee…

Deuteronomy 33:7
And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

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Children Clan Heritage Inheritance Judah Tribe
Joshua 15
1. The borders of the lot of Judah
13. Caleb's portion and conquest
16. Othniel, for his valour, marries Achsah, Caleb's daughter
18. She obtains a blessing of her father
21. The cities of Judah
63. The Jebusites unconquered














This is the inheritance
The term "inheritance" in biblical context often refers to the land or blessings given by God to His people. In the Old Testament, the land of Canaan was promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This inheritance is not just a physical possession but also a spiritual legacy, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. The concept of inheritance is also seen in the New Testament, where believers are described as heirs with Christ, receiving spiritual blessings and eternal life.

of the clans
The division of the land among the clans indicates a structured and organized approach to settlement. Each clan, or extended family group, received a portion of land, ensuring that the inheritance was distributed fairly among the people. This reflects the importance of family and community in ancient Israelite society. The clan system also provided a means of maintaining tribal identity and heritage, which was crucial for preserving the covenant relationship with God.

of the tribe of Judah.
Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's fourth son with Leah. The tribe of Judah held a prominent position among the tribes, as it was prophesied that the Messiah would come from Judah's line (Genesis 49:10). The land allotted to Judah was significant, encompassing a large and strategically important area in the southern part of Canaan. This territory included Jerusalem, which would later become the political and spiritual center of Israel. The tribe of Judah's inheritance foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who would fulfill God's promises and establish an eternal kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for dividing the land among the tribes.

2. Tribe of Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. This tribe is significant in biblical history as it is the lineage from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ came.

3. Inheritance
Refers to the portion of land allocated to the tribe of Judah. This concept of inheritance is central to the Israelites' understanding of God's promises and faithfulness.

4. Clans of Judah
The subdivisions within the tribe of Judah, each receiving a portion of the land. This reflects the organizational structure and familial ties within the tribe.

5. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. The allocation of this land is a fulfillment of God's covenant.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
The allocation of land to Judah is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives.

Significance of Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage in Christ is crucial. Just as Judah's inheritance was significant, so is our inheritance as children of God.

Leadership and Responsibility
Judah's role as a leading tribe foreshadows the leadership responsibilities believers have in their communities and families.

Unity and Diversity
The division of land among clans within Judah shows the importance of unity in diversity within the body of Christ.

Covenant Relationship
The inheritance of land is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, encouraging believers to live in covenant faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 15:20?

2. How does Joshua 15:20 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel?

3. What can we learn about God's provision from the land given to Judah?

4. How does Joshua 15:20 connect to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15?

5. In what ways can we trust God for our "inheritance" today?

6. How should the division of land in Joshua 15:20 influence our community stewardship?

7. What is the significance of Joshua 15:20 in the context of Israel's tribal inheritance?

8. How does Joshua 15:20 reflect God's promise to the Israelites?

9. What archaeological evidence supports the territorial boundaries described in Joshua 15:20?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 15?

11. Do the cities assigned in Joshua 21 conflict with the earlier tribal boundaries in Joshua 14-20?

12. What is the identity of the Kenizzites?

13. In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands?

14. What is the significance of the Tribe of Manasseh?
What Does Joshua 15:20 Mean
This

The single word looks back to everything just recorded—the boundaries, landmarks, and towns detailed in Joshua 15:1–19. Like a divine finger pointing to a map, “This” fixes our attention on a specific parcel of land already surveyed. Earlier, Joshua 14:1–2 emphasized that the distribution was carried out “by lot at Shiloh before the LORD,” underscoring God’s active role. The word also anticipates the lengthy list of cities that follows (Joshua 15:21–63), reminding us that God cares about real places and real people.


is the inheritance

“Inheritance” signals a gift, not a wage. The land is passed down because the Lord promised it, echoing Numbers 26:52–56 where lots were cast “according to the names of their fathers.” The term recalls:

Deuteronomy 19:14—warnings not to move boundary stones, stressing the permanence of God-given allotments.

Psalm 16:6—“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places,” a joyful response to God’s apportioning grace.

The verse thus affirms that Israel’s geography is theology in soil and stone—evidence of the covenant-keeping God.


of the clans

Distribution went deeper than the tribe as a whole; it drilled down to each mishpachah (family group). Numbers 33:54 required the lots to be proportionate to clan size, ensuring fairness. The detail guards against anonymous faith. Just as Acts 2:41 counts individual converts, Joshua 15:20 values every clan by name, showing that the Lord’s promises land squarely on households.


of the tribe

“Tribe” reminds us of corporate identity. Genesis 49:28 describes Jacob blessing “the twelve tribes of Israel,” and Joshua 21:1–3 shows tribal cooperation when the Levites receive their cities. The wording here signals that personal blessings never sever believers from the larger people of God; rather, they reinforce unity in distinction. Romans 11:1–2 later confirms that God has not rejected His people, validating the ongoing significance of tribal identities.


of Judah

Judah is spotlighted because of its leadership role. Genesis 49:8–10 foretold Judah’s preeminence and the coming of the Shiloh. Ruth 4:11–12 invokes Judah’s name when blessing Boaz and Ruth, and Revelation 5:5 hails Christ as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” By recording Judah’s inheritance first, Scripture not only honors the tribe’s size (Numbers 26:19–22) but also foreshadows the royal and messianic line culminating in David (2 Samuel 7:12–16) and Jesus (Matthew 1:1–3).


summary

Joshua 15:20 is a concise heading that roots Judah’s future in God’s past promises. It confirms that the land was:

• specifically defined (“This”),

• graciously granted (“inheritance”),

• carefully allotted to every household (“clans”),

• tied to a wider covenant family (“tribe”), and

• pregnant with messianic hope (“Judah”).

The verse teaches that God keeps His word in precise, tangible ways, inviting believers today to trust His promises with the same confidence Joshua’s generation placed in their boundary lines.

Verse 20. - This is the inheritance. The territory of Judah is divided into four parts, in the summary which follows: the "south," the "valley," the "mountains," and the "wilderness." Tribe. Here מַטֶּה (see note Joshua 13:29).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
זֹ֗את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

is the inheritance
נַחֲלַ֛ת (na·ḥă·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

of the clans
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the tribe
מַטֵּ֥ה (maṭ·ṭêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Judah.
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: Joshua 15:20 This is the inheritance of the tribe (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 15:19
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