Joshua19

Joshua 19 details the final division of the land of Canaan by lot among the remaining Israelite tribes. The inheritances for Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan are described, including their borders and cities. Notably, Simeon's portion was within Judah's, and Dan's initial inheritance proved too small, leading them to conquer Leshem. The chapter concludes with Joshua receiving his own requested inheritance and the completion of the land division process at Shiloh.
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The Inheritance of Simeon

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The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: ​
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Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,
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Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,
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Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
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Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,
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Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities, along with their villages.
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Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities, along with their villages,
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and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the Negev). This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Simeon.
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The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion. ​

The Inheritance of Zebulun

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The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun:
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The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid. It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam.
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From Sarid it turned eastward along the border of Chisloth-tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia.
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From there it crossed eastward to Gath-hepher and to Eth-kazin; it extended to Rimmon and curved around toward Neah.
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Then the border circled around the north side of Neah to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah-el.
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It also included Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem. There were twelve cities, along with their villages. ​
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This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Zebulun, including these cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Issachar

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The fourth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Issachar:
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Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
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Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
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Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
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Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.
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The border reached Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen cities, along with their villages. ​
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This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Issachar, including these cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Asher

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The fifth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Asher:
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Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
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Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west the border touched Carmel and Shihor-libnath,
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then turned eastward toward Beth-dagon, touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah-el, and went north to Beth-emek and Neiel, passing Cabul on the left.
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It went on to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. ​
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The border then turned back toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah, and came out at the Sea in the region of Achzib,
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Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob. There were twenty-two cities, along with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Asher, including these cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Naphtali

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The sixth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Naphtali:
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Their border started at Heleph and the great tree of Zaanannim, passing Adami-nekeb and Jabneel as far as Lakkum and ending at the Jordan.
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Then the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor and ran from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun on the south side, Asher on the west, and Judah at the Jordan on the east. ​
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The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,
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Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
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Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor,
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Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh. There were nineteen cities, along with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Naphtali, including these cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Dan

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The seventh lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Dan:
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The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,
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Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
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Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
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Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
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Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon,
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Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, including the territory across from Joppa.
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(Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.) ​
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This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Dan, including these cities and their villages.

Joshua's Personal Inheritance

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When they had finished distributing the land into its territories, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, ​
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as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, as he requested. He rebuilt the city and settled in it. ​
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These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed by lot to the tribes of Israel at Shiloh before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing up the land. ​

Study Notes for Joshua 19

Verse 1

The designation of Simeon as the second lot implies that the distribution process resumed immediately following the initial division described in Chapter 18.

Verse 9

This verse explains that Simeon’s inheritance was not contiguous but embedded within Judah’s territory because Judah’s initial portion was too vast. This arrangement fulfilled Jacob’s prophecy that Simeon would be scattered (Gen 49:7).

Verse 15

The city of Bethlehem mentioned here is in Galilee, distinct from the famous Bethlehem of Judah where David and later Jesus were born.

Verse 22

The border of Issachar touched strategic geographical points, including Mount Tabor, a prominent landmark often associated with later military conflicts (Judges 4).

Verse 28

Asher's territory extended northward, reaching the powerful Phoenician city of Zidon (Sidon), indicating that the tribe was intended to inhabit areas that were not fully conquered initially.

Verse 34

The border description shows Naphtali situated strategically, bounded by Asher to the west and Zebulun to the south, highlighting the close proximity of these Galilean tribes.

Verse 47

This verse provides the crucial historical context for the later migration of the tribe of Dan (detailed in Judges 18). Their assigned territory was too small and vulnerable, forcing them to conquer a new settlement in the far north, renaming Leshem to Dan.

Verse 49

This verse marks the end of the territorial division for the tribes. Joshua, who oversaw the entire process, receives his inheritance last, demonstrating his humility and dedication to the community first.

Verse 50

Timnathserah was Joshua's chosen city, located in the hill country of Ephraim (his home tribe). The text emphasizes that this gift was given 'according to the word of the LORD,' honoring his faithful leadership.

Verse 51

This concluding statement affirms the legitimacy and divine authority of the land distribution, performed by the three key figures of authority (Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal heads) at the central sanctuary in Shiloh.

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