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.

The Inheritance of Simeon

1
The second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. Their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Judah. ​
2
They had for their inheritance Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,
3
Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
4
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
5
Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
6
Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages;
7
Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages;
8
and all the villages that were around these cities to Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.
9
Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the midst of their inheritance. ​

The Inheritance of Zebulun

10
The third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families. The border of their inheritance was to Sarid.
11
Their border went up westward, even to Maralah, and reached to Dabbesheth. It reached to the brook that is before Jokneam.
12
It turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrise to the border of Chisloth Tabor. It went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia.
13
From there it passed along eastward to Gath Hepher, to Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon which stretches to Neah.
14
The border turned around it on the north to Hannathon; and it ended at the valley of Iphtah El;
15
Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages. ​
16
This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

The Inheritance of Issachar

17
The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families.
18
Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
19
Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
20
Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
21
Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez.
22
The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh. Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages. ​
23
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

The Inheritance of Asher

24
The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
25
Their border was Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
26
Allammelech, Amad, Mishal. It reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath.
27
It turned toward the sunrise to Beth Dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of Iphtah El northward to Beth Emek and Neiel. It went out to Cabul on the left hand,
28
and Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, even to great Sidon. ​
29
The border turned to Ramah, to the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah. It ended at the sea by the region of Achzib;
30
Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty-two cities with their villages.
31
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

The Inheritance of Naphtali

32
The sixth lot came out for the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
33
Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adaminekeb, and Jabneel, to Lakkum. It ended at the Jordan.
34
The border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor, and went out from there to Hukkok. It reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan toward the sunrise. ​
35
The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,
36
Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
37
Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,
38
Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
39
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.

The Inheritance of Dan

40
The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.
41
The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,
42
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
43
Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
44
Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
45
Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,
46
Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border over against Joppa.
47
The border of the children of Dan went out beyond them; for the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and lived therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. ​
48
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua's Personal Inheritance

49
So they made an end of distributing the land for inheritance by its borders. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun in their midst. ​
50
According to the commandment of the LORD, they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and lived there. ​
51
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. So they made an end of dividing 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options