New International Version In the western foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, New Living Translation The following towns situated in the western foothills were also given to Judah: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, English Standard Version And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Berean Standard Bible These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Berean Literal Bible In the Shephelah: Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah, King James Bible And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, New King James Version In the lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, New American Standard Bible In the lowland: Eshtaol, Zorah, and Ashnah, NASB 1995 In the lowland: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, NASB 1977 In the lowland: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, Legacy Standard Bible In the Shephelah: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, Amplified Bible In the lowland: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, Berean Annotated Bible These were in the foothills {Shephelah}: Eshtaol (entreaty), Zorah (hornet), Ashnah (I will cause change), Christian Standard Bible In the Judean foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Holman Christian Standard Bible In the Judean foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, American Standard Version In the lowland, Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah, English Revised Version In the lowland, Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah; GOD'S WORD® Translation In the foothills they gave Judah 14 cities with their villages: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Good News Translation The cities in the foothills were Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, International Standard Version The lowland cities included Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, NET Bible These cities were in the lowlands: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, New Heart English Bible In the lowland, Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah, Webster's Bible Translation And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThese were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, World English Bible In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn the low country: Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Berean Literal Bible In the Shephelah: Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah, Young's Literal Translation In the low country: Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Smith's Literal Translation In the plain Eshtaol and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut in the plains: Estaol and Sarea and Asena, Catholic Public Domain Version Truly, in the plains, there were: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, New American Bible In the Shephelah: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, New Revised Standard Version And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd in the valley, Eshtaol, Zedaa, Ashtnah, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Eshtwaeil and Tsada and Eshtana OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917In the Lowland: Eshtaol, and Zorah, and Ashnah; Brenton Septuagint Translation In the plain country Astaol, and Raa, and Assa, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Cities of Judah…32Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—twenty-nine cities in all, along with their villages. 33These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,… Cross References These were in the foothills: 2 Chronicles 26:10 Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields. 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages. Joshua 11:16 So Joshua took this entire region: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah, and the mountains of Israel and their foothills, Eshtaol, Judges 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 16:31 Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years. Judges 18:11 So six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war. Zorah, Judges 13:2 Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. Joshua 19:41 The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, 1 Chronicles 2:53 and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites. Ashnah, 2 Chronicles 11:9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. 1 Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. 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. Nehemiah 11:25-30 As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages; / in Jeshua, Moladah, and Beth-pelet; / in Hazar-shual; in Beersheba and its villages; … Jeremiah 32:44 Fields will be purchased with silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed, and witnessed in the land of Benjamin, in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah—the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev—because I will restore them from captivity, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 33:13 In the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev, in the land of Benjamin and the cities surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the LORD. Treasury of Scripture And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Joshua 19:41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh, Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. Judges 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. Jump to Previous Ashnah Country Eshtaol Lowland Valley Western Zorah ZoreahJump to Next Ashnah Country Eshtaol Lowland Valley Western Zorah ZoreahJoshua 15 1. The borders of the lot of Judah13. 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 These were in the foothills: The Shephelah was the belt of low hills between Judah’s central highlands and the coastal plain. Its fertile valleys, trade routes, and strategic passes made it an important and contested part of Judah’s inheritance. 2Ch 26:10 Since he had much livestock in the foothills… Eshtaol, Eshtaol stood near the borderlands where Dan and Judah met. It later became associated with Samson, whose early life and calling were connected with the area between Eshtaol and Zorah. Jdg 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him… Zorah, Zorah was Samson’s hometown and overlooked the surrounding countryside from its elevated position. Its location near Philistine territory reflects the pressure Israel faced along Judah’s western frontier. Jdg 13:2 Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah,… Ashnah, Ashnah was one of the smaller towns assigned to Judah in the Shephelah. Though little else is recorded about it, its inclusion shows the careful definition of Judah’s territorial inheritance. 2Ch 11:9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Persons / Places / Events 1. EshtaolA town located in the territory of Judah, within the Shephelah or lowland region. It is historically significant as the place where Samson began to be stirred by the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 13:25). 2. Zorah Another town in the Shephelah, closely associated with Eshtaol. It is the birthplace of Samson, one of the judges of Israel, and is often mentioned alongside Eshtaol in the context of his life and exploits. 3. Ashnah A lesser-known town in the same region, mentioned in the context of the territorial boundaries of Judah. Its exact historical significance is less documented, but it contributes to the understanding of the geographical and cultural landscape of the area. Teaching Points Understanding God's Sovereignty in GeographyThe specific mention of towns like Eshtaol, Zorah, and Ashnah in the Bible underscores the importance of geography in God's plan. Each location has a role in the unfolding of biblical history, reminding us that God is sovereign over all places and events. The Role of Heritage and Identity The towns listed in Joshua 15:33 are part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. This inheritance is not just about land but also about identity and belonging. As Christians, our identity is rooted in our spiritual inheritance through Christ. The Importance of Obedience and Faithfulness The history of these towns, especially in connection with Samson, serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God. Samson's life shows the consequences of straying from God's commands, urging us to remain faithful. God's Use of Imperfect People Samson's association with Eshtaol and Zorah highlights how God can use imperfect people to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to trust that God can work through our weaknesses. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 15:33?2. How does Joshua 15:33 illustrate God's promise of land to His people? 3. What significance do the listed towns hold in the context of Judah's inheritance? 4. How can we relate the allocation of land to God's provision in our lives? 5. What connections exist between Joshua 15:33 and God's covenant with Abraham? 6. How can understanding Joshua 15:33 deepen our trust in God's faithfulness today? 7. What is the significance of the cities listed in Joshua 15:33 for Israel's history? 8. How does Joshua 15:33 reflect God's promise to the Israelites? 9. What archaeological evidence supports the locations mentioned in Joshua 15:33? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 15? (33) In the valley--i.e., the Shephelah, or plain of the coast. Of the fourteen that follow in Joshua 15:33-36, Conder identifies ten. Eshtaol, and Zoreah, were afterwards assigned to Dan (Joshua 19:41). Verse 33. The valley. בְַּשפֵלָה (see note on Joshua 9:1; 10:40). This was the fertile part of Judah, and formed a part of the rich plain which has been described as extending northward as far as Carmel. It was "renowned for the beauty of its flowers" (Delitzsch). With the exception of Zorah and Eshtaol, border towns to the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:41; Judges 13:25), famous in the history of Samson (see Judges 13-16.), and mentioned in 2 Chronicles 11:10; Nehemiah 11:29, the cities remarkable in history have been noticed already. It is worthy of remark that the cities of the Philistines were included in this list. But the Philistines, save during the reigns of David and Solomon, retained their independence, and in earlier and later times alike even encroached upon the Jewish territory (see 1 Samuel 13:5; 2 Chronicles 28:18; and note on ver. 11). Joshua 15:33 is more than a line in an ancient survey. By naming Eshtaol, Zorah, and Ashnah, God stamped real towns onto a real map, proving His promise to give Israel a homeland. Eshtaol and Zorah foreshadow Samson’s exploits and later defenses, while Ashnah reminds us that no place in God’s plan is insignificant. Together they show that every boundary, village, and family rests within the Lord’s faithful, literal fulfillment of His word.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew [These were] in the foothills:בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֑ה (baš·šə·p̄ê·lāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8219: Lowland Eshtaol, אֶשְׁתָּא֥וֹל (’eš·tā·’ō·wl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 847: Eshtaol -- to found, establish Zorah, וְצָרְעָ֖ה (wə·ṣā·rə·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6881: Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan Ashnah, וְאַשְׁנָֽה׃ (wə·’aš·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 823: Ashnah -- two cities in Judah Additonal Resources Joshua 15:33 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 15:33 Bible Gateway Joshua 15:33 Bible.com Joshua 15:33 NIV |
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