Commentary Critical and Explanatory
Joshua 15:36
And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
Sharaim, х Sha`arayim (H8189), two gates. In other passages (1 Samuel 17:52; 1 Chronicles 4:31) it is in accordance with the Hebrew 'Shaaraim;' Septuagint, Sakarim and Sargareim, (Tischendorf's manuscripts)] - not far from Gath (Tell es-Safieh).
Adithaim, х 'Adiytayim (H5723), double prey]. The Septuagint makes no mention of it. It was the name of a town in the Shephelah: its site has not been ascertained.
Gederah, х ha-Gªdeeraah (H1449), the fold, the enclosure; Septuagint, Gadeera] - a city in the lowland of Judah, probably that described ('Onomast.,' article 'Gahedur') as a large village ten miles from Eleutheropolis (Beit-Jibrin), near Azekah, and probably situated in the valley of Elah (Wady es-Sumt). Van de Velde takes it to be a village now called Ghetera, a few hours' distance from Gath (Tell es-Safieh).
Gederothaim, х Gªdeerotaayim (H1453), two folds - i:e., for the goats and the sheep separately; Septuagint translates kai hai epauleis autees, and its folds - i:e., the folds of the preceding town, Gederah]. This reading of the Septuagint suggests a natural way of removing a difficulty from this verse; because otherwise there would be 15 cities in this group instead of 14.