“Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.”
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Joshua that details the allotment of land to the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15, the chapter provides a comprehensive account of the territory assigned to Judah as their inheritance within the Promised Land.
Joshua 15:57 mentions three cities: Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah, along with their respective villages. These cities were part of the portion of land allocated to the tribe of Judah.
Kain: The exact location of Kain is uncertain, and there are differing opinions among biblical scholars. Some suggest it could be the same as the city of Cain mentioned in Genesis 4:17, associated with the descendants of Cain. However, this identification is speculative, and the exact location of Kain remains uncertain.
Gibeah: Gibeah is a well-known city in ancient Israel. It is mentioned numerous times in the Bible and was the hometown of King Saul. Later, Gibeah became infamous due to an incident involving the Levite’s concubine described in Judges 19-21. It was situated in the territory of Benjamin, but here in Joshua 15:57, it is mentioned as part of the cities allotted to Judah. This discrepancy could be due to the textual or historical complexities surrounding the city.
Timnah: Timnah is another city mentioned in the Bible and was located within the territory of Judah. In Judges 14, Timnah is the place where Samson married a Philistine woman, which eventually led to a series of events involving his exploits against the Philistines. It is noteworthy that Timnah was not exclusively assigned to Judah but was also allotted to the tribe of Dan, as mentioned in Joshua 19:43.
The significance of this verse lies in the detailed record of the distribution of land to the various tribes of Israel. By describing the cities and villages within the territory of Judah, the Bible provides a historical account of the division of the Promised Land among the Israelites, as instructed by God through Moses and Joshua.
Overall, Joshua 15:57 provides geographical information about the cities within the land of Judah and contributes to the broader narrative of the distribution of land among the twelve tribes of Israel.
