Joshua 10:3

king of Hebron Situated amongst the mountains, 20 Roman miles, about 7 hours, south of Jerusalem; one of the most ancient cities in the world, rivalling even Damascus, being a well-known town even when Abraham first entered Canaan (Genesis 13:18). Its original name was Kirjath-Arba (Judges 1:10), "the city of Arba," the father of Anak, and progenitor of the giant Anakims (Joshua 21:11; Joshua 15:13-14). Hoham denotes "Jehovah of the multitude."

Piram king of Jarmuth the present Yarmûk, about 1½ miles from Beit-Netif, on the left of the road to Jerusalem. Near it is an eminence called Tell-Ermûd. It was visited by Robinson.

Japhia king of Lachish Lachish has been identified with (1) Um-Lâkis, (2) Zukkarijeh, 2½ hours south-west of Beit-Jibîrn. It was afterwards fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:9). Here Amaziah died (2 Kings 14:19). It was besieged by Sennacherib, who moved thence to Libnah (Isaiah 36:2; Isaiah 37:8).

Debir king of Eglon Lachish and Eglon are mentioned in several other passages (Joshua 12:11-12; Joshua 15:39), in such a way as shews they were not far apart. Eglon has been identified with "Ajlan.

When Nebuchadnezzar came up against Jerusalem, he fought against all "the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah," i.e. they had strength to stand out, when the others had fallen (Jeremiah 34:7).