Joshua 19

Land Is Given to Simeon

1 The second lot that was drawn out was for the tribe of Simeon, family group by family group. The share of land they were given was in the territory of Judah.
2 Here is what Simeon's share included. Beersheba, Moladah,
3 Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
5 Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
6 Beth Lebaoth and Sharuhen. The total number of towns was 13. Some of them had villages near them.
7 Here's another list of towns that were given to Simeon. Ain, Rimmon, Ether and Ashan. The total number of towns was four. Some of them had villages near them.
8 The towns and all of the villages that were around them reached all the way to Ramah in the Negev Desert. That was the share of land the tribe of Simeon received, family group by family group.
9 Simeon's share of land was taken from Judah's share. That's because Judah had more land than they needed. So the people of Simeon received their share of land inside the territory of Judah.

Land Is Given to Zebulun

10 The third lot that was drawn out was for the tribe of Zebulun, family group by family group. Here are the borders of Zebulun's territory. The border of their share of land went as far as Sarid.
11 It ran west to Maralah and touched Dabbesheth. It reached to the valley near Jokneam.
12 It turned east from Sarid toward the sunrise. It went to the territory of Kisloth Tabor. It went on to Daberath and up to Japhia.
13 Then it continued east to Gath Hepher and Eth Kazin. It came to an end at Rimmon and turned toward Neah.
14 There the border went around on the north to Hannathon. It came to an end at the Valley of Iphtah El.
15 Zebulun's territory included Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem. The total number of towns was 12. Some of them had villages near them.
16 Those towns and their villages were Zebulun's share, family group by family group.

Land Is Given to Issachar

17 The fourth lot that was drawn out was for the tribe of Issachar, family group by family group.
18 Here is what Issachar's share included. Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem,
19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
21 Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah and Beth Pazzez.
22 The border touched Tabor, Shahazumah and Beth Shemesh. It came to an end at the Jordan River. The total number of towns was 16. Some of them had villages near them.
23 Those towns and their villages were the share the tribe of Issachar received, family group by family group.

Land Is Given to Asher

24 The fifth lot that was drawn out was for the tribe of Asher, family group by family group.
25 Here is what Asher's share included. Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph,
26 Allammelech, Amad and Mishal. On the west the border touched Carmel and Shihor Libnath.
27 Then it turned east toward Beth Dagon. It touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El. It went north to Beth Emek and Neiel. It went past Cabul on the left.
28 It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah. It reached all the way to Greater Sidon.
29 The border then turned back toward Ramah. It went to Tyre, a city that had high walls around it. It turned toward Hosah. It came to an end at the Mediterranean Sea in the area of Aczib,
30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob. The total number of towns was 22. Some of them had villages near them.
31 Those towns and their villages were the share the tribe of Asher received, family group by family group.

Land Is Given to Naphtali

32 The sixth lot that was drawn out was for Naphtali, family group by family group.
33 Their border started at Heleph and the large tree in Zaanannim. It went past Adami Nekeb and Jabneel. It went to Lakkum and came to an end at the Jordan River.
34 The border ran west through Aznoth Tabor. It came to an end at Hukkok. It touched Zebulun on the south. It touched Asher on the west. It touched the Jordan on the east.
35 The cities that had high walls around them were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth,
36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
37 Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,
38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath and Beth Shemesh. The total number of towns was 19. Some of them had villages near them.
39 Those towns and their villages were the share the tribe of Naphtali received, family group by family group.

Land Is Given to Dan

40 The seventh lot that was drawn out was for the tribe of Dan, family group by family group.
41 Here is what Dan's share of land included. Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,
42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,
46 Me Jarkon and Rakkon. Dan's share included the area that faces Joppa.
47 The people of Dan had trouble taking over their territory. So they went up and attacked Leshem. They took it. They killed its people with their swords. Then they moved into Leshem and settled down there. They named it Dan. That's because they traced their family line back to him.
48 All of those towns and their villages were the share the tribe of Dan received, family group by family group.

Land Is Given to Joshua

49 The people of Israel finished dividing up the shares of land the tribes received. Then they gave a share to Joshua, the son of Nun.
50 They did what the LORD had commanded them to do. They gave Joshua the town he asked for. It was Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He built up the town and settled down there.
51 All of those territories were given out by using lots at Shiloh. The lots were drawn out by the priest Eleazar and by Joshua, the son of Nun. The leaders of the tribes of Israel helped them. The lots were drawn out in front of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So the work of dividing up the land was finished.

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.

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

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