Joshua 19NIV
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Joshua19

New International Version

1The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon according to its clans. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah.

2It included: Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,

3Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,

4Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,

5Ziklag, Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susah,

6Beth Lebaoth and Sharuhen—thirteen towns and their villages;

7Ain, Rimmon, Ether and Ashan—four towns and their villages—

8and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev). This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Simeonites, according to its clans.

9The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah’s portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.

10The third lot came up for Zebulun according to its clans: The boundary of their inheritance went as far as Sarid.

11Going west it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and extended to the ravine near Jokneam.

12It turned east from Sarid toward the sunrise to the territory of Kisloth Tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia.

13Then it continued eastward to Gath Hepher and Eth Kazin; it came out at Rimmon and turned toward Neah.

14There the boundary went around on the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah El.

15Included were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem. There were twelve towns and their villages.

16These towns and their villages were the inheritance of Zebulun, according to its clans.

17The fourth lot came out for Issachar according to its clans.

18Their territory included: Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem,

19Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,

20Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

21Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah and Beth Pazzez.

22The boundary touched Tabor, Shahazumah and Beth Shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen towns and their villages.

23These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar, according to its clans.

24The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher according to its clans.

25Their territory included: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph,

26Allammelek, Amad and Mishal. On the west the boundary touched Carmel and Shihor Libnath.

27It then turned east toward Beth Dagon, touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El, and went north to Beth Emek and Neiel, passing Kabul on the left.

28It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.

29The boundary then turned back toward Ramah and went to the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah and came out at the Mediterranean Sea in the region of Akzib,

30Ummah, Aphek and Rehob. There were twenty-two towns and their villages.

31These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Asher, according to its clans.

32The sixth lot came out for Naphtali according to its clans:

33Their boundary went from Heleph and the large tree in Zaanannim, passing Adami Nekeb and Jabneel to Lakkum and ending at the Jordan.

34The boundary ran west through Aznoth Tabor and came out at Hukkok. It touched Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west and the Jordan on the east.

35The fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth,

36Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

37Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,

38Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath and Beth Shemesh. There were nineteen towns and their villages.

39These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali, according to its clans.

40The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan according to its clans.

41The territory of their inheritance included: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,

42Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,

43Elon, Timnah, Ekron,

44Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,

45Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,

46Me Jarkon and Rakkon, with the area facing Joppa.

47(When the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and attacked Leshem, took it, put it to the sword and occupied it. They settled in Leshem and named it Dan after their ancestor.)

48These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Dan, according to its clans.

49When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them,

50as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there.

51These are the territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh in the presence of the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And so they finished dividing the land.

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Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 19.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The lot of Simeon. (1–9). The lot of Zebulun. (10–16). The lot of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. (17–51).

vv1-9

The men of Judah did not oppose taking away the cities within their border, when convinced that they had more than was right. If a true believer has obtained an unintended and improper advantage in any thing, he will give it up without murmuring. Love seeketh not her own, and doth not behave unseemly; it will induce those in whom it richly dwells, to part with their own to supply what is lacking to their brethren.

vv10-16

In the division to each tribe of Israel, the prophetic blessings of Jacob were fulfilled. They chose for themselves, or it was divided to them by lot, in the manner and places that he foresaw. So sure a rule to go by is the word of prophecy: we see by it what to believe, and it proves beyond all dispute the things that are of God.

vv17-51

Joshua waited till all the tribes were settled, before he asked any provision for himself. He was content to be unfixed, till he saw them all placed, and herein is an example to all in public places, to prefer the common welfare before private advantage. Those who labour most to do good to others, seek an inheritance in the Canaan above: but it will be soon enough to enter thereon, when they have done all the service to their brethren of which they are capable. Nor can any thing more effectually assure them of their title to it, than endeavouring to bring others to desire, to seek, and to obtain it. Our Lord Jesus came and dwelt on earth, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for man, yet himself not having where to lay his head; for Christ pleased not himself. Nor would he enter upon his inheritance, till by his obedience to death he secured the eternal inheritance for all his people; nor will he account his own glory completed, till every ransomed sinner is put in possession of his heavenly rest.

Key Words

secondH8145Hebrew

שֵׁנִי: properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again

lotH1486Hebrew

גּוֹרָל: properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

came outH3318Hebrew

יָצָא: to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.

SimeonH8095Hebrew

שִׁמְעוֹן: Shimon, one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him

tribeH4294Hebrew

מַטֶּה: a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread)

peopleH1121Hebrew

בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

clansH4940Hebrew

מִשְׁפָּחָה: a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

inheritanceH5159Hebrew

נַחֲלָה: properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

midstH8432Hebrew

תָּוֶךְ: a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre

JudahH3063Hebrew

יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Cross References

Joshua 19
v1Genesis 49:7fulfillment

Simeon's inheritance within Judah fulfills Jacob's prophecy that Simeon would be divided and scattered in Israel.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v10Genesis 49:13fulfillment

Zebulun's lot bordering the sea fulfills Jacob's prophecy concerning his dwelling by the haven of ships.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallels the list of Simeon's cities, confirming that Beersheba and Sheba are one and the same.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Deuteronomy 33:18fulfillment

Zebulun and Issachar's relative positions and blessings are fulfilled in their designated portions.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v47Judges 18:29thematic

Records the Danites renaming the city of Leshem (Laish) to Dan after their father.

Supported by JFB

v17Genesis 49:14thematic

Jacob's prophecy of Issachar's strong-boned labor matches their agricultural territory in Esdraelon.

v24Genesis 49:20thematic

Jacob's prophecy of Asher's rich food matches their fertile coastal territory.

v24Judges 1:31contrast

Shows Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Tyre, Zidon, and Achzib.

Supported by JFB

Moses' prophetic blessing of Asher relates directly to the fertile territory allotted here.

v40Judges 18:1thematic

Highlights the Danites' struggle to possess their small allotment, leading to northern expansion.

Supported by JFB

v1Joshua 19:9thematic

Explains that Simeon's lot was taken from Judah's portion because it was too large.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

Illustrates how Judah's abundance supplied Simeon's lack, demonstrating mutual Christian giving.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v10Matthew 4:13thematic

Jesus' ministry in Galilee took place in the ancient borders of Zebulun and Naphtali.

v50Joshua 24:30thematic

Identifies Timnath-serah as Joshua's final inheritance and place of burial.