Joshua 19

1 And the second lot came out for the children of Symeon; and their inheritance was in the midst of the lots of the children of Juda.
2 And their lot was Beersabee, and Samaa, and Caladam,
3 and Arsola, and Bola, and Jason,
4 and Erthula, and Bula, and Herma,
5 and Sikelac, and Baethmachereb, and Sarsusin,
6 and Batharoth, and their fields, thirteen cities, and their villages.
7 Eremmon, and Thalcha, and Jether, and Asan; four cities and their villages,
8 round about their cities as far as Balec as go to Bameth southward: this the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Symeon according to their families.
9 The inheritance of the tribe of the children of Symeon of the lot of Juda, for the portion of the children of Juda was greater than theirs; and the children of Symeon inherited in the midst of their lot.
10 And the third lot came out to Zabulon according to their families: the bounds of their inheritance shall be—Esedekgola shall be their border,
11 the sea and Magelda, and it shall reach to Baetharaba in the valley, which is opposite Jekman.
12 And the border returned from Sedduc in a contrary direction eastward from Baethsamys, to the borders of Chaselothaith, and shall pass on to Dabiroth, and shall proceed upward to Phangai.
13 And thence it shall come round in the opposite direction eastward to Gebere to the city of Catasem, and shall go on to Remmonaa Matharaoza.
14 And the borders shall come round northward to Amoth, and their going out shall be at Gaephael,
15 and Catanath, and Nabaal, and Symoon, and Jericho, and Baethman.
16 This the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Zabulon according to their families, cities and their villages.
17 And the fourth lot came out to Issachar.
18 And their borders were Jazel, and Chasaloth, and Sunam,
19 and Agin, and Siona, and Reeroth,
20 and Anachereth, and Dabiron, and Kison, and Rebes,
21 and Remmas, and Jeon, and Tomman, and Aemarec, and Bersaphes.
22 And the boundaries shall border upon Gaethbor, and upon Salim westward, and Baethsamys; and the extremity of his bounds shall be Jordan.
23 This the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.
24 And the fifth lot came out to Aser according to their families.
25 And their borders were Exeleketh, and Aleph, and Baethok, and Keaph,
26 and Elimelech, and Amiel, and Maasa, and the lot will border on Carmel westward, and on Sion, and Labanath.
27 And it will return westward from Baethegeneth, and will join Zabulon and Ekgai, and Phthaeel northwards, and the borders will come to Saphthaebaethme, and Inael, and will go on to Chobamasomel,
28 and Elbon, and Raab, and Ememaon, and Canthan to great Sidon.
29 And the borders shall turn back to Rama, and to the fountain of Masphassat, and the Tyrians; and the borders shall return to Jasiph, and their going forth shall be the sea, and Apoleb, and Echozob,
30 and Archob, and Aphec, and Raau.
31 This the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Aser according to their families, the cities and their villages.
32 And the sixth lot came out to Nephthali.
33 And their borders were Moolam, and Mola, and Besemiin, and Arme, and Naboc, and Jephthamai, as far as Dodam; and their goings out were Jordan.
34 And the coasts will return westward by Athabor, and will go out thence to Jacana, and will border on Zabulon southward, and Aser will join westward, and Jordan eastward.
35 And the walled cities of the Tyrians, Tyre, and Omathadaketh, and Kenereth,
36 and Armaith, and Areal, and Asor,
37 and Cades, and Assari, and the well of Asor;
38 and Keroe, and Megalaarim, and Baetthame, and Thessamys.
39 This the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Nephthali.
40 And the seventh lot came out to Dan.
41 And their borders were Sarath, and Asa, and the cities of Sammaus,
42 and Salamin, and Ammon, and Silatha,
43 and Elon, and Thamnatha, and Accaron;
44 and Alcatha, and Begethon, and Gebeelan,
45 and Azor, and Banaebacat, and Gethremmon.
46 And westward of Hieracon the border near to Joppa.
47 This the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan, according to their families, these their cities and their villages: and the children of Dan did not drive out the Amorite who afflicted them in the mountain; and the Amorite would not suffer them to come down into the valley, but they forcibly took from them the border of their portion.
48 And the sons of Dan went and fought against Lachis, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword; and they dwelt in it, and called the name of it Lasendan: and the Amorite continued to dwell in Edom and in Salamin: and the hand of Ephraim prevailed against them, and they became tribute to them.
49 And they proceeded to take possession of the land according to their borders, and the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Naue among them,
50 by the command of God, and they gave him the city which he asked for, Thamnasarach, which is in the mount of Ephraim; and he built the city, and dwelt in it.
51 These the divisions which Eleazar the priest divided by lot, and Joshua the of Naue, and the heads of families among the tribes of Israel, according to the lots, in Selo before the Lord by the doors of the tabernacle of testimony, and they went to take possession of the land.

Joshua 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

The lot of Simeon. (1-9) The lot of Zebulun. (10-16) The lot of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. (17-51)

Verses 1-9 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.

Verses 10-16 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.

Verses 17-51 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.

Footnotes 4

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 19

In this chapter an account is given of the lots of the six remaining tribes, and the cities in them, as of Simeon, whose cities were chiefly within the tribe of Judah, Jos 19:1-9; of Zebulun, its border and cities, Jos 19:10-16; of Issachar, its border and cities, Jos 19:17-23; of Asher, its border and cities, Jos 19:24-31; of Naphtali, its border and cities, Jos 19:32-39; of Dan, its border and titles, Jos 19:40-48; and lastly of a gift of inheritance to Joshua, Jos 19:49-51.

Joshua 19 Commentaries

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.