Joshua 15:29
New International Version
Baalah, Iyim, Ezem,

New Living Translation
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

English Standard Version
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Berean Standard Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Berean Literal Bible
Baalah, and Ijim, and Ezem,

King James Bible
Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

New King James Version
Baalah, Ijim, Ezem,

New American Standard Bible
Baalah, Iim, and Ezem,

NASB 1995
Baalah and Iim and Ezem,

NASB 1977
Baalah and Iim and Ezem,

Legacy Standard Bible
Baalah and Iim and Ezem,

Amplified Bible
Baalah and Iim and Ezem,

Berean Annotated Bible
Baalah (mistress), Iim (ruins), Ezem (bone),

Christian Standard Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

American Standard Version
Baalah, and Iim, and Ezem,

English Revised Version
Baalah, and Iim, and Ezem;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

Good News Translation
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

International Standard Version
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

NET Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

New Heart English Bible
Baalah, and Iyim, and Ezem,

Webster's Bible Translation
Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

World English Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Ba‘alah, and Iim, and Azem,

Berean Literal Bible
Baalah, and Ijim, and Ezem,

Young's Literal Translation
Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Baalah and Iim and Azem,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Baala and Jim and Esem,

Catholic Public Domain Version
and Baalah and Iim and Ezem,

New American Bible
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,

New Revised Standard Version
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Baalah, Allan, Azem,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Bel and Elin and Atsam
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Baalah, and Iim, and Ezem;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Bala and Bacoc, and Asom,

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Cities of Judah
28Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,…

Cross References
Baalah

1 Chronicles 13:6
David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.
Iim

Numbers 33:45
They set out from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad.

Numbers 33:44
They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab.
Ezem

Joshua 19:3
Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,

1 Chronicles 4:29
Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
Numbers 34:4
cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon,

Deuteronomy 2:8
So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab.

Judges 1:18
And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.

1 Samuel 27:6
That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah.

1 Kings 9:26
King Solomon also assembled a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.

2 Chronicles 8:17
Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth on the coast of Edom.

Ezekiel 47:19
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

Ezekiel 48:28
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.

Genesis 10:19
and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.

Genesis 14:7
Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.


Treasury of Scripture

Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

Baalah

Joshua 15:9-11
And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim: …

Joshua 19:3
And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

Azem

1 Chronicles 4:29
And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad,

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Azem Baalah Ba'alah Ezem Iim Ijim
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Azem Baalah Ba'alah Ezem Iim Ijim
Joshua 15
1. The borders of the lot of Judah
13. 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












Baalah,

Baalah was a settlement in Judah’s southern territory and later formed part of Simeon’s inheritance within Judah’s borders (Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:29). It should not be confused with Baalah, or Kiriath-jearim, in Judah’s hill country, where the ark later remained before David brought it to Jerusalem.

1Ch 13:6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah…
2Sa 6:2 And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah…

Iim,

Iim was likely a small settlement whose name means “ruins” or “heaps.” Even places with little recorded history belonged within the inheritance God gave His people, demonstrating the completeness of His provision.

Num 33:45 They set out from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad.
Num 33:44 They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim…

Ezem,

Ezem stood among the Negev towns assigned first to Judah and later to Simeon (Joshua 19:3). The southern land demanded endurance and dependence upon God, yet it was included in the promised inheritance and sustained the tribes according to His purpose.

Jos 19:3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,
1Ch 4:29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,

Persons / Places / Events
1. Baalah
A town in the southern part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The name "Baalah" is derived from the Hebrew root "Baal," which means "lord" or "master." This reflects the historical context where Canaanite deities were often worshipped, and places were named after them.

2. Iim
Another town within the territory of Judah. The name "Iim" is thought to mean "ruins" or "heaps," indicating a place that may have been desolate or abandoned at some point.

3. Ezem
A town also located in the southern region of Judah's inheritance. The name "Ezem" is believed to mean "bone" or "strength," possibly indicating a place of fortitude or resilience.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our Inheritance
Just as the tribes of Israel received specific inheritances, Christians are called to understand and embrace their spiritual inheritance in Christ. Reflect on what God has allotted to you in your life and how you can steward it faithfully.

The Significance of Names
The names of places often carry deep meanings and historical significance. Consider the names and titles in your life and what they signify about your identity and purpose in God's plan.

Historical Context and Faithfulness
The towns listed in Joshua 15:29 remind us of the importance of historical context in understanding Scripture. Study the history of your faith community and how it shapes your current walk with God.

Resilience in Faith
The name "Ezem," meaning strength, can inspire believers to seek resilience in their faith journey. Reflect on areas where you need God's strength to persevere.

Avoiding Idolatry
The name "Baalah" serves as a reminder of the temptation of idolatry. Examine your life for anything that might take the place of God and commit to worshipping Him alone.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 15:29?

2. How does Joshua 15:29 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

3. What significance do the listed towns hold in the context of Israel's inheritance?

4. How can we apply the concept of divine inheritance in our daily lives?

5. What connections exist between Joshua 15:29 and God's covenant with Abraham?

6. How does understanding Joshua 15:29 enhance our trust in God's provision today?

7. What is the significance of the cities listed in Joshua 15:29 for Israel's inheritance?

8. How does Joshua 15:29 reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites?

9. What archaeological evidence supports the existence of the cities mentioned in Joshua 15:29?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 15?


What Does Joshua 15:29 Mean
Baalah

“Baalah, Iim, Ezem” (Joshua 15:29) appears in the long catalog of southern Judean settlements.

• Baalah sits in the Negev, the dry southern region bordering Edom, anchoring Judah’s extreme frontier (cf. Joshua 15:21).

• The same town later shows up in Simeon’s inheritance nested inside Judah’s larger territory (Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:29). God kept His word to Judah while also providing room for Simeon when Judah’s share proved “too large for them” (Joshua 19:9).

• Every named place—no matter how obscure—proves that “not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed” (Joshua 21:45). The listing underscores a concrete, geographic fulfillment, reminding us that God’s faithfulness reaches even the smallest village on the map.


Iim

• Iim (“heaps” or “ruins”) is another Negev hamlet, probably perched on a ridge of rocky knolls. Its mention with Baalah and Ezem links it to the same defensive chain stretching toward the wilderness.

• Though tiny, Iim mattered for the security of the border and for sustaining herders and travelers moving between Beersheba and the Arabah (see the travel corridor hinted at in Numbers 20:17–19; Deuteronomy 2:8).

• Isaiah later pictures cities reduced to “ruins” (Isaiah 17:1), an echo that reminds us how fragile human settlements are compared with the enduring word of God (Isaiah 40:8). The verse quietly invites trust in the One whose covenant, not bricks, guarantees permanence.


Ezem

• Ezem rounds out the triad, another Negev village reassigned to Simeon (Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:29).

• The handover illustrates cooperative stewardship within God’s people: Judah holds the larger allotment, yet shares resources so every tribe thrives (compare Paul’s principle of mutual provision in 2 Corinthians 8:13–15).

• Positioned near desert pasturelands, Ezem would have served shepherding families—an echo of the patriarchs who once wandered these same plains (Genesis 13:1–4). God’s promise embraces both the famous and the forgotten, securing livelihoods in unfriendly terrain.


summary

Joshua 15:29 may read like a footnote, but it testifies to the meticulous faithfulness of God. Baalah, Iim, and Ezem remind us that:

• Every promise has a pinpoint location; God’s word lands on real soil.

• Small places and ordinary people share in the inheritance just as surely as great cities and famous leaders.

• The covenant community flourishes when members steward God-given space together, mirroring the generosity of the Lord who apportions it.

Verse 29. - Iim. The Alexandrian version of LXX. has Ἀυείμ here. If this be correct, the city was named after the Avim (see note on Joshua 13:4). If we take the reading in the text we must interpret by ruins (see note on Ai, Joshua 7:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Baalah,
בַּעֲלָ֥ה (ba·‘ă·lāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1173: Baalah -- the name of several places in Israel

Iim,
וְעִיִּ֖ים (wə·‘î·yîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5864: Iim -- a place on the eastern border of Moab

Ezem,
וָעָֽצֶם׃ (wā·‘ā·ṣem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6107: Ezem -- 'bone', a place in the Negev of Judah


Additonal Resources
Joshua 15:29 Blue Letter Bible
Joshua 15:29 Bible Gateway
Joshua 15:29 Bible.com

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OT History: Joshua 15:29 Baalah Iim Ezem (Josh. Jos)

Joshua 15:28
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