Joshua 19

1 And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was
2 In the midst of the possession of the children of Juda: Bersabee and Sabee and Molada
3 And Hasersual, Bala and Asem,
4 And Eltholad, Bethul and Harma,
5 And Siceleg and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa,
6 And Bethlebaoth and Sarohen: thirteen cities, and their villages.
7 And Remmon and Athor and Asan: four cities, and their villages.
8 And all the villages round about these cities to Baalath Beer Ramath to the south quarter. This is the inheritance of the children of Simeon according to their kindreds,
9 In the possession and lot of the children of Juda: because it was too great, and therefore the children of Simeon had their possession in the midst of their inheritance.
10 And the third lot fell to the children of Zabulon by their kindreds: and the border of their possession was unto Sarid.
11 And It went up from the sea and from Merala, and came to Debbaseth: as far as the torrent, which is over against Jeconam.
12 And it returneth from Sarid eastward to the borders of Ceseleththabor: and it goeth out to Dabereth and ascendeth towards Japhie.
13 And it passeth along from thence to the east side of Gethhepher and Thacasin: and goeth out to Remmon, Amthar and Noa.
14 And it turneth about to the north of Hanathon: and the outgoings thereof are the valley of Jephtahel,
15 And Cateth and Naalol and Semeron and Jedala and Bethlehem: twelve cities and their villages.
16 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Zabulon by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.
17 The fourth lot came out to Issachar by their kindreds.
18 And his inheritance was Jezrael and Casaloth and Sunem,
19 And Hapharaim and Seon and Anaharath,
20 And Rabboth and Cesion, Abes,
21 And Rameth and Engannim and Enhadda and Bethpheses.
22 And the border thereof cometh to Thabor and Sehesima and Bethsames: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the Jordan: sixteen cities, and their villages.
23 This is the possession of the sons of Issachar by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.
24 And the fifth lot fell to the tribe of the children of Aser by their kindreds:
25 And their border was Halcath and Chali and Beten and Axaph,
26 And Elmelech and Amaad and Messal: and it reacheth to Carmel by the sea and Sihor and Labanath,
27 And it returneth towards the east to Bethdagon: and passeth along to Zabulon and to the valley of Jephthael towards the north to Bethemec and Nehiel. And it goeth out to the left side of Cabul,
28 And to Abaran and Rohob and Hamon and Cana, as far as the great Sidon.
29 And it returneth to Horma to the strong city of Tyre, and to Hosa: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the sea from the portion of Achziba:
30 And Amma and Aphec and Rohob: twenty-two cities, and their villages.
31 This is the possession of the children of Aser by their kindreds, and the cities and their villages.
32 The sixth lot came out to the sons of Nephtali by their families:
33 And the border began from Heleph and Elon to Saananim, and Adami, which is Neceb, and Jebnael even to Lecum:
34 And the border returneth westward to Azanotthabor, and goeth out from thence to Hucuca, and passeth along to Zabulon southward, and to Aser westward, and to Juda upon the Jordan towards the rising of the sun.
35 And the strong cities are Assedim, Ser, and Emath, and Reccath and Cenereth,
36 And Edema and Arama, Asor,
37 And Cedes and Edri, Enhasor,
38 And Jeron and Magdalel, Horem, and Bethanath and Bethsames: nineteen cities, and their villages.
39 This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Nephtali by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.
40 The seventh lot came out to the tribe of the children of Dan by their families
41 And the border of their possession was Saraa and Esthaol, and Hirsemes, that is, the city of the sun,
42 Selebin and Aialon and Jethela,
43 Elon and Themna and Acron,
44 Elthece, Gebbethon and Balaath,
45 And Juda and Bane and Barach and Gethremmon:
46 And Mejarcon and Arecon, with the border that looketh towards Joppe,
47 And is terminated there. And the children of Dan went up and fought against Lesem, and took it: and they put it to the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt in it, calling the name of it Lesem Dan, by the name of Dan their father.
48 This is the possession of the tribe of the sons of Dan, by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.
49 And when he had made an end of dividing the land by lot to each one by their tribes, the children of Israel gave a possession to Josue the son of Nun in the midst of them,
50 According to the commandment of the Lord, the city which he asked for, Thamnath Saraa, in mount Ephraim: and he built up the city, and dwelt in it.
51 These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest, and Josue the son of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed by lot in Silo, before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and they divided 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.

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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