Joshua 15:32

Twenty and nine. There are two explanations of the discrepancy between the actual number of cities listed, namely 38, and the number given here. Nine of the above cities, namely, Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Baalah, Azem, Hormah, Zildag, Ain, and Rimmon, were afterward given to the tribe of Simeon (ch. 19:2-7). It may be that the writer, knowing this, did not include them in the number, although he named them. This is the Jewish explanation and may appear satisfactory. But perhaps the explanation lies rather in the lack of knowledge regarding the way these names should be interpreted. The names of several cities in the area are expressed by compound terms. Since many of the places mentioned have ceased to exist, and the names of others have been changed, translators may combine what should be separated, and in many cases separate what should be combined (see on v. 21). Such lack of information might easily have increased the number to 38.