Joshua Chapter 19
1 The second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Judah.
2 They had for their inheritance Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,
3 Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
5 Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
6 Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages;
7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages;
8 and all the villages that were around these cities to Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.
9 Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the middle of their inheritance.
10 The third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families. The border of their inheritance was to Sarid.
11 Their border went up westward, even to Maralah, and reached to Dabbesheth. It reached to the brook that is before Jokneam.
12 It turned from Sarid eastward towards the sunrise to the border of Chisloth Tabor. It went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia.
13 From there it passed along eastward to Gath Hepher, to Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon which stretches to Neah.
14 The border turned around it on the north to Hannathon; and it ended at the valley of Iphtah El;
15 Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.
16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.
17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families.
18 Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
21 Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez.
22 The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh. Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.
23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.
24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
25 Their border was Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
26 Allammelech, Amad, Mishal. It reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath.
27 It turned towards the sunrise to Beth Dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of Iphtah El northward to Beth Emek and Neiel. It went out to Cabul on the left hand,
28 and Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, even to great Sidon.
29 The border turned to Ramah, to the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah. It ended at the sea by the region of Achzib;
30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty-two cities with their villages.
31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.
32 The sixth lot came out for the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
33 Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, to Lakkum. It ended at the Jordan.
34 The border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor, and went out from there to Hukkok. It reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan towards the sunrise.
35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,
36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
37 Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,
38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.
40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.
41 The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,
42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,
46 Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border opposite Joppa.
47 The border of the children of Dan went out beyond them; for the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and lived therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their forefather.
48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.
49 So they finished distributing the land for inheritance by its borders. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun amongst them.
50 According to the LORD's commandment, they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and lived there.
51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing the land.
Footnotes
Version: World English Bible
- About World English Bible (WEB)
- WEB Glossary
- WEB Web Site (source documents)
- Bible on one web page
- Download WEB (for MS Word)
Audio
To Listen to this Chapter
The mp3 Audio File should start to play in a new Tab. Then return to this Tab to follow the text whilst listening.
Joshua Chapter 19 Guide
In this chapter we have the account of the distribution of the remainder of the land among the last six tribes- Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.
Now that all had been provided, Joshua was given a special portion. Moreover, he was given what he asked.
The time and the nature of his choice are alike revelations of the character of the man. As to time, he did not ask for a possession until all had been supplied. He was content to wait, taking only when others had received. Then as to the nature of his choice. He asked for Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim. In doing so he chose a city which was hardly a city until it became his. It will be remembered that when Ephraim had complained, Joshua had charged them to go to the mountains and possess their possessions. Now when his opportunity came, he proved that he was prepared to act for himself on the advice he had given. To that very hill country he went, and there is a splendid ring of resoluteness in his character in the statement, "He built the city, and dwelt therein."
Thus the conquered country was now divided, and the division was made under the superintendence of Eleazar the priest, Joshua the leader, and the heads of the tribes of the nation. All this, moreover, was done at the door of the Tent of Meeting and in recognition of those great principles of religious life which lay at the heart of the national life.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Joshua Chapter 19 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.