The districts of Judah and Benjamin (Josh 15:21-62, 18:25-28)

The settlement pattern of Judah is reflected in great detail by Joshua 15:20-63. That passage is the most detailed geographical text preserved in the Bible. The date of the original document incorporated by the author of Joshua is disputed. The references to administrative reorganization by Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 17:1–13) and his appointment of royal sons as local governors (21:3) have led some to suggest that the roster of Judean towns was compiled in the mid-ninth century. Others favor an eighth or seventh century date. In any case the roster is defective as it stands; key towns like Beth-shemesh and Adoraim are missing along with other known settlements from the genealogies of Judah, Caleb and Simeon (1 Chr 2–4). An entire district is missing from the Hebrew text but can be partially supplied from the Greek version (Josh 15:59a).

Article abstract from The Sacred Bridge