Joshua 19:23

This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

This is the inheritance {H5159} of the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Issachar {H3485} according to their families {H4940}, the cities {H5892} and their villages {H2691}.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Yissakhar according to their families, the cities, with their villages.

This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Issachar, including these cities and their villages.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

Commentary

Joshua 19:23 concludes the description of the land allotted to the tribe of Issachar during the division of Canaan. This verse succinctly confirms their territorial inheritance, emphasizing that it was precisely "according to their families," encompassing specific cities and their surrounding villages.

Context

Following the successful conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, the book of Joshua dedicates several chapters (Joshua 13-19) to detailing how the land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. This process was not random but was determined by lot, under divine guidance, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The territory of Issachar, described in verses 17-23 of chapter 19, was strategically located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, south of Zebulun and Naphtali, and north of Manasseh.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Fulfillment: This verse underscores God's faithfulness in providing a homeland for His people, precisely as He had promised generations earlier. The detailed enumeration of cities and villages highlights the precision of His provision and the fulfillment of His covenant.
  • Tribal Identity and Inheritance: The phrase "according to their families" emphasizes the importance of lineage and family units in the Israelite tribal structure. Each tribe, and within it, each family, received a specific, divinely sanctioned portion of the land, affirming their identity and permanence within the nation of Israel. This concept of inheritance by lot was central to their understanding of God's order.
  • Boundaries and Order: The meticulous listing of boundaries and cities throughout Joshua 19, culminating in verses like 23, illustrates the importance of defined territories for maintaining order and preventing disputes among the tribes. It established clear markers for their future dwelling.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "inheritance" here is nachalah (Χ Φ·Χ—Φ²ΧœΦΈΧ”), which signifies an allotted possession, a heritage, or an estate. It often carries the connotation of something received from a predecessor or by divine grant, emphasizing that this land was not merely conquered but was a gift from God to His chosen people, secured for future generations.

Practical Application

Joshua 19:23, while historical, offers timeless principles. It reminds us of God's meticulous care and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as He provided a specific inheritance for Issachar, He also provides for us today, often in ways that are perfectly tailored to our needs and circumstances. It encourages us to trust in God's provision and to live within the boundaries and blessings He has set for us. The detailed nature of this historical account also serves as a testament to the reliability of God's Word and His covenant-keeping nature, a theme echoed in the New Testament concerning our spiritual inheritance in Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.