What Does Joshua 15:39 Mean in the King James?

Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

Joshua 15:39 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Eglon may preserve the Hebrew calf-word ⁨עגל⁩ inside a place name, letting a living image remain beneath the map-label.

THE MEANING

The verse sets Lachish, Bozkath, and Eglon before you as distinct, named places. Its attention rests on the particular: a place is not an abstraction, and its name may carry an older image within it.

THE ROOT

עֶגְלוֹן

ʿEglōn

GROWS FROM

ע־ג־ל

ʿ-g-l

This consonantal base is associated with calf and heifer terms; the place-name’s derivation is uncertain.

Eglon is commonly connected with ⁨עגל⁩, the Hebrew calf-word. If that connection holds, the name preserves an image that disappears when it is heard only as a place label; the verse itself does not explain the town’s naming.

ALSO GROWS

ʿēgel: Calf

עֵגֶל

This is the closest lexical echo of Eglon and gives the name a possible living image beneath its place-name form.

ʿeglâ: Heifer, a young female bovine

עֶגְלָה

This related form shows the same consonantal base in another word for a young bovine.

THE PATTERN

Scriptural names can carry a nature or vocation that the surrounding words disclose.

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 17:5 · KJVThe verse connects a changed name with the nature and vocation expressed through it.

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Exodus 3:14 · KJVThe name given here speaks of the one named rather than serving as a bare label.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21 · KJVThe verse links the name Jesus with the deliverance expressed in his work.

THE THREAD

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

Psalm 106:19 · KJV

The calf here is ⁨עֵגֶל⁩ (ʿēgel), sharing the consonants ⁨ע־ג־ל⁩ commonly linked to Eglon. That echo lets the place name retain a possible image beneath its English form, though this verse does not establish the town’s etymology.

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