Joshua 19NKJV
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Joshua19

New King James Version

1The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. And their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

2They had in their inheritance Beersheba (Sheba), Moladah,

3Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,

4Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,

5Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,

6Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen: thirteen cities and their villages;

7Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan: four cities and their villages;

8and all the villages that were all around these cities as far as Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.

9The inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah, for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of that people.

10The third lot came out for the children of Zebulun according to their families, and the border of their inheritance was as far as Sarid.

11Their border went toward the west and to Maralah, went to Dabbasheth, and extended along the brook that is east of Jokneam.

12Then from Sarid it went eastward toward the sunrise along the border of Chisloth Tabor, and went out toward Daberath, bypassing Japhia.

13And from there it passed along on the east of Gath Hepher, toward Eth Kazin, and extended to Rimmon, which borders on Neah.

14Then the border went around it on the north side of Hannathon, and it ended in the Valley of Jiphthah El.

15Included were Kattath, Nahallal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

16This was the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

17The fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

18And their territory went to Jezreel, and included Chesulloth, Shunem,

19Haphraim, Shion, Anaharath,

20Rabbith, Kishion, Abez,

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

22And the border reached to Tabor, Shahazimah, and Beth Shemesh; their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

23This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

24The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

25And their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,

26Alammelech, Amad, and Mishal; it reached to Mount Carmel westward, along the Brook Shihor Libnath.

27It turned toward the sunrise to Beth Dagon; and it reached to Zebulun and to the Valley of Jiphthah El, then northward beyond Beth Emek and Neiel, bypassing Cabul which was on the left,

28including Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.

29And the border turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre; then the border turned to Hosah, and ended at the sea by the region of Achzib.

30Also Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob were included: twenty-two cities with their villages.

31This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

32The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, for the children of Naphtali according to their families.

33And their border began at Heleph, enclosing the territory from the terebinth tree in Zaanannim, Adami Nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum; it ended at the Jordan.

34From Heleph the border extended westward to Aznoth Tabor, and went out from there toward Hukkok; it adjoined Zebulun on the south side and Asher on the west side, and ended at Judah by the Jordan toward the sunrise.

35And the fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,

36Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

37Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,

38Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh: nineteen cities with their villages.

39This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.

40The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

41And the territory of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,

42Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Jethlah,

43Elon, Timnah, Ekron,

44Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,

45Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,

46Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the region near Joppa.

47And the border of the children of Dan went beyond these, because the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem and took it; and they struck it with the edge of the sword, took possession of it, and dwelt in it. They called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

48This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

49When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun.

50According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it.

51These were the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel divided as an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. So they made an end of dividing the country.

Study Guide

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.