"Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,"
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Joshua where the land of Canaan is being allotted to the various tribes of Israel. Joshua 15:provides a detailed account of the boundaries and cities allocated to the tribe of Judah.
In Joshua 15:39, three cities are mentioned: Lachish, Bozkath, and Eglon. These cities were among the many cities assigned to the tribe of Judah.
Lachish:Lachish was an ancient city located southwest of Jerusalem. It was strategically positioned on a hill and was a significant centre in the region. Lachish played a prominent role in biblical history. It was conquered by Joshua during the initial conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 10:31-32). Later, during the reign of King Hezekiah, Lachish became a target of the Assyrian invasion. The siege and subsequent fall of Lachish are depicted in the reliefs found in the palace of the Assyrian king Sennacherib in Nineveh.
Bozkath:Bozkath is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Joshua 15:39. Its exact location is uncertain, and little is known about this particular city. Some scholars speculate that it might be the same as the town called Bozcathah mentioned in Joshua 19:5.
Eglon:Eglon was a city located in the foothills of Judah, south of Hebron. Like Lachish, Eglon was one of the cities conquered by Joshua during the initial campaign in Canaan (Joshua 10:33). In Judges 3:12-30, we read about how Eglon became the capital of the Moabite king, Eglon, who oppressed the Israelites for eighteen years until he was assassinated by the judge Ehud.
These cities mentioned in Joshua 15:39 represent the land that was assigned to the tribe of Judah. This chapter emphasises the fulfilment of God’s promise to give the Israelites the land He had sworn to their forefathers. It demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His guidance throughout the conquest and division of the land among the twelve tribes.
Overall, the study of Joshua 15:39 provides historical context and highlights the significance of the cities mentioned in the distribution of the Promised Land to the tribe of Judah.
