Joshua 10:3

Hebron. Literally meaning “union,” “league,” or “association.” It is one of the oldest inhabited communities of Palestine, situated about 19 miles (30 km.) southwest of Jerusalem. It was built seven years before Zoan (Tanis) in Egypt (Numbers 13:22), the old Hyksos center of Avaris. Many patriarchal events are associated with Hebron. Here Abraham dwelt in the plains of Mamre (Genesis 13:18; 18:1). Here Sarah died, and Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite (Genesis 23:7-16) for her burial place. Later, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah were buried there. At Hebron the 12 spies found the giant Anakim (Numbers 13:22, 33). The place held many sacred memories for the Israelites.

Pimm king of Jarmuth. Piram signifies “a wild ass”; Jarmuth (meaning uncertain) was about 15 3/4 miles (25.5 km.) west-southwest from Jerusalem. It has been identified with the modern Khirbet Yarmuk, where remains of some ancient walls and cisterns have been discovered. Nothing is known of its size in the time of Joshua, but it must have been reckoned as one of the larger royal cities of southern Palestine.

Japhia king of Lachish. Japhia probably means “visible,” or “the radiant one,” with the possible idea of the impersonation of the god. Lachish, now identified with the large mound of Tell ed-Duweir, is the site of one of the largest occupied cities of ancient Palestine. It is about 27 miles (44 km.) southwest of Jerusalem in what is known as the Shephelah, or low hills, of Judah. It dominated the main road from central Palestine to Egypt. Although this is the first reference to it in the Bible, Lachish is frequently mentioned in later Israelite history.

Debir king of Eglon. Debir means “oracle.” Eglon may mean “rolling.” The place has been tentatively identified with Tell el-Hesi, which was formerly thought to contain the ruins of Lachish.