Joshua 15:25

And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

Joshua 15:25 (KJV)

Context

The book of Joshua records how the Israelites received the land of Canaan after their conquest under Joshua’s leadership. This verse belongs to the detailed account of the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah.

The verse names several cities: Hazor, Hadattah, Kerioth, and Hezron. Many translations treat these as two compound names: Hazor-hadattah, meaning “new Hazor,” and Kerioth-hezron, also called Hazor. The KJV lists four separate names, but the phrase “which is Hazor” suggests that Kerioth and Hezron together form one place.

Meaning

Hazor was a prominent name in ancient Canaan. There were at least three places called Hazor in Judah’s territory, distinguished here as “new Hazor” and “Kerioth-hezron.” The exact locations of these cities are uncertain. Hadattah appears nowhere else in the Bible, and Kerioth may be the same as the Kerioth mentioned in Jeremiah 48:24, though this is not certain.

These names remind us that God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants was fulfilled in a concrete, historical way. Each city, even those obscure to us, was known to God and formed part of His faithful provision.

Biblical connections

The detailed lists of Judah’s cities echo the broader theme of inheritance. God gave the land as He had promised, and the record shows His care for specific places and people. The repetition of “Hazor” highlights that God’s promises are precise and reliable.

Application

This passage encourages believers to trust that God is faithful to His promises, even when the details are not fully understood. Just as God knew every city in Judah’s allotment, He knows the details of our lives and provides for us specifically.

Reflection

We may not recognize every name in this list, but God does. His faithfulness extends to the smallest and most obscure parts of our story. We can rest in the certainty that He who gave the land to Israel will also fulfill every promise He has made to us.