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

1
And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah. ​
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And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
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And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,
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And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,
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And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,
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And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:
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Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:
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And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.
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Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them. ​

The Inheritance of Zebulun

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And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid:
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And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;
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And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
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And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;
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And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:
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And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and 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
And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.
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And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
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And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,
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And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,
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And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;
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And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages. ​
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This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Asher

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And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
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And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,
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And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;
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And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
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And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon; ​
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And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
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Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.
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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

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The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
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And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:
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And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising. ​
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And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
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And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,
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And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,
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And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
39
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.

The Inheritance of Dan

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And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.
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And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,
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And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,
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And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,
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And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,
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And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,
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And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.
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And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt 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
When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: ​
50
According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein. ​
51
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country. ​

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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