Joshua 19

CHAPTER 19

Allotment for the Remaining Six Tribes (19:1–48)

1–9 These verses describe the allotment for the tribe of Simeon. Only towns are mentioned, because Simeon’s allotment was totally within the allotment previously given to Judah (verse 1). It was decided that the tribe of Judah had been given more land than it needed (verse 9).

The fact that Simeon’s land was within Judah’s allotment was a fulfillment of Jacob’s “blessing” on his sons Simeon and Levi, in which Jacob predicted that the descendants of these two brothers would be scattered throughout Israel (Genesis 49:7); this was a consequence of the two brothers’ violent behavior toward the Shechemites (Genesis Chapter 34). As time went on, the Simeonites were assimilated by Judah, and lost their individual identity as a tribe.

10–39 These verses describe the allotments for the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali.

40–48 These verses describe the allotment for the tribe of Dan. Particular mention is made of the Danites’ difficulty in taking possession of their territory (verse 47). Later on, to gain additional territory, they attacked the northern city of Leshem, also called Laish, where they practiced idolatry until Israel was exiled from the land (see Judges 18:1–11,27–31).

Allotment for Joshua (19:49–51)

49–50 Just as Caleb was given a special inheritance because of his faithfulness and courage (Joshua 14:6–15), so Joshua was given an inheritance also. His inheritance, a town, was located within the allotment of Ephraim, his own tribe. Thus these two great leaders of Israel received a special reward for their service to God.

51 All the land west of the Jordan—except Caleb’s and Joshua’s inheritance—was assigned by lot. The lots were cast in the presence of the LORD. The land belonged to the Lord; it was His gift to Israel, to be taken by faith. Those tribes, like the Danites, who failed to take possession of their territories, would eventually bring God’s judgment down on all of Israel.