Joshua 19:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

Complete Jewish Bible:

For their inheritance they had Be'er-Sheva, Sheva, Moladah,

Berean Standard Bible:

Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,

American Standard Version:

And they had for their inheritance Beer-sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they had in their inheritance^{H5159} Beersheba^{H884}, or Sheba^{H7652}, and Moladah^{H4137},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Joshua 19:2

Joshua 19:2 is part of the larger narrative found in the Book of Joshua, which details the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel after their exodus from Egypt and the conquests under Joshua's leadership. The verse specifically mentions three cities—Beersheba, Sheba, and Moladah—that were included in the inheritance of one of the tribes, which, based on the context provided in subsequent verses, is likely the tribe of Simeon.

Beersheba is a significant city in the biblical narrative, often associated with the Patriarchs Abraham and Isaac, who both dug wells there and made pacts with the Philistine king Abimelech. It is located in the southern part of the land of Canaan and is emblematic of the southernmost reach of Israel's territory, thus the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" is frequently used to describe the full extent of the land from north to south.

Sheba could refer to a different location than Beersheba, but some scholars suggest it might be an alternate name or a specific region within Beersheba. The inclusion of "or Sheba" in the text may indicate a scribal note or a clarification for readers, ensuring they understand the geographical reference.

Moladah is not as prominently featured in the biblical text, but it is one of the cities listed among the inheritance of Simeon, which was situated within the territory of Judah. This reflects the complex land distribution system where some tribes, like Simeon, received cities within the territory of another tribe rather than a contiguous territory of their own.

In summary, Joshua 19:2 reflects the historical process of land allocation to the Israelite tribes after their arrival in Canaan. It highlights the importance of Beersheba as a boundary marker and cultural touchstone for the Israelites, while also illustrating the intricate and sometimes overlapping nature of tribal inheritances in the region. This verse is part of the detailed records in the Bible that served to confirm the historical presence of the Israelites in the land and to establish the legal rights of the tribes to their respective territories.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5159
   There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַחֲלָה
   Transliteration: nachălâh
   Pronunciation: nakh-al-aw'
   Description: from נָחַל (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion; heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare נַחַל.
   
2. Strong's Number: H884
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע
   Transliteration: Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ
   Pronunciation: be-ayr' sheh'-bah
   Description: from בְּאֵר and שֶׁבַע (in the sense of שָׁבַע); well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine; Beer-shebah.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7652
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁבַע
   Transliteration: shebaʻ
   Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
   Description: the same as שֶׁבַע; seven; Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites; Sheba.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4137
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹלָדָה
   Transliteration: Môwlâdâh
   Pronunciation: mo-law-daw'
   Description: from יָלַד; birth; Moladah, a place in Palestine; Moladah.