Joshua 15:25 - Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor),

Generated Verse: Joshua 15:25

What does "Joshua 15:25" mean?


Joshua 15 lists the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah. Verse 25 lists two cities: "Hazor Hadattah" and "Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor)." Let's break it down:

Hazor Hadattah: This translates to "New Hazor." The "Hadattah" element indicates a "new" or "newer" Hazor. This suggests there was likely an older or more established Hazor in the region.

Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor): This is a more complex name.
"Kerioth" means "cities" or "towns." It's a plural form, hinting that this might have been a cluster of settlements.
"Hezron" is a personal name. Hezron was a son of Reuben (Genesis 46:9) and a grandson of Jacob. Attaching his name to the city possibly indicates a connection to his descendants or a significant event involving him.
"(also called Hazor)": This is the key. It explicitly states that Kerioth Hezron was also known as Hazor.

Therefore, the verse is likely referring to two separate locations: a "new" Hazor (Hazor Hadattah) and a town or cluster of towns called Kerioth Hezron, which was also known by the simpler name Hazor.

Possible Interpretations and Significance:

Multiple Hazors: The existence of "Hazor Hadattah" and "Kerioth Hezron (Hazor)" indicates there may have been several settlements named "Hazor" in the territory of Judah, leading to the need to differentiate them. This isn't uncommon in ancient toponymy.
Evolution of Names: "Kerioth Hezron" might have been the older, fuller name that was eventually shortened to the more common "Hazor." This is a common linguistic process.
Clan Affiliation: The "Hezron" element in "Kerioth Hezron" suggests a possible link to the clan of Hezron, which could have been significant for land ownership or social organization in that area.
Location: Identifying the exact locations of these ancient cities is difficult. Archaeological digs in the region might help pinpoint the sites and provide more context.

In summary, Joshua 15:25 is a geographic detail that tells us about the distribution of settlements in Judah, specifically that there were at least two places referred to as "Hazor," and one of them may have had ties to the clan of Hezron.

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