Inheritance of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan
Joshua 19
Joshua 19
Joshua 19. In this chapter we have the division the remaining land to six of the remaining seven tribes—Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan—along with the personal inheritance of Joshua. Each tribe received its lot according to God’s direction through Joshua, marking the near completion of the conquest and division of Canaan. Simeon was placed within Judah, fulfilling an earlier prophecy of being scattered. Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali were given territories mostly in the northern regions, each with boundaries and cities that held future significance in Israel’s history. Dan expanded northward without Divine command, an action that later played into Israel’s spiritual decline in Judges. The chapter ends with Joshua receiving his portion in the hill country of Ephraim, a reward for his faithful leadership. This chapter reflects the faithfulness of God to His promises and the varied outcomes of the tribes according to human responsibility.
The Inheritance of Simeon (19:1-9)
CHAPTER 19
1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families; and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah. 2 And they had in their inheritance Beer-sheba, and Sheba, and Moladah, 3 and Hazar-Shual, and Balah, and Ezem, 4 and Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah, 5 and Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susah, 6 and Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen: thirteen cities and their hamlets; 7 Ain, Rimmon, and Ether, and Ashan: four cities and their hamlets; 8 and all the hamlets that are round these cities to Baalath-beer, that is Ramah of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. 9 Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was too great for them, and the children of Simeon inherited within their inheritance.
vv.1-6 The Lot of Simeon. The second lot which Joshua cast before Jehovah at Shiloh fell to Simeon, the second son of Leah. It is notable that in the prophetic blessing of his sons, Jacob says of two sons of Leah because of their extreme violence against the sons of Shechem; “Simeon and Levi are brethren: Instruments of violence their swords… I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel.” In this prophecy, Jacob divides the two sons; “I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel”. This refers first of all to the fact that neither Levi nor Simeon would have a portion as the other tribes (Simeon would be scattered in Judah, and Levi would be placed in cities), but also that Simeon and Levi would be separated from each other. Yet Simeon means “hearing” and Judah means “praise.” The two are linked together, and we learn in this a moral lesson: when we are open to hear the Word of God, it result in hearts overflowing with praise. We see the same with Mary who is found sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing His word, then later anointing His feet with ointment (a picture of worship). It seems that Simeon, over time lost much of its distinct tribal identity and was often absorbed into Judah, although there are a few mentions of Simeonites (Num. 25:1-15; 1 Chron. 12:25).
The Inheritance of Zebulun (19:10-16)
10 And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families. And the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid; 11 and their border went up westwards, and to Marealah, and reached to Dabbesheth, and reached to the torrent that is before Jokneam; 12 and turned from Sarid eastward, toward the sun-rising, to the border of Chisloth-Tabor, and went out to Dabrath, and went up to Japhia; 13 and from thence it passed eastward toward the sun-rising to Gath-Hepher, to Eth-kazin, and went out to Rimmon which reaches to Neah; 14 and the border turned round it northwards to Hannathon: and ended in the valley of Jiphthah-el; … 15 and Kattath, and Nahalal, and Shimron, and Jidalah, and Beth-lehem: twelve cities and their hamlets. 16 This was the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities and their hamlets.
vv.10-16 The Lot of Zebulon. The third lot fell to Zebulun (means “dwelling’), the fifth son of Leah. While in Jacob’s prophecy of Zebulon we read “Zebulun will dwell at the shore of the seas”, we find that Zebulon’s inheritance lay close to the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee, but not not border on them. Zebulun came as far east as Mt. Tabor and Gath-Hepher (close to Nazareth) and as far westward as Mount Carmel. Many of the cities in Zebulon are largely unmentioned in scripture. The Bethlehem here is Bethlehem of Zebulun, not to be confused with Bethlehem of Judah. Gath-Hepher is the place where Jonah the Prophet came from. Ironically, the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day made the statement that “no prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:52), and yet Jonah was from a town a few kilometers from Nazareth. Nahum also likely came from Galilee, from the city that bears his name (Capernaum).
The Inheritance of Issachar (19:17-23)
17 The fourth lot came forth to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families. 18 And their territory was toward Jizreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, 19 and Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath, 20 and Rabbith, and Kishion, and Ebez, 21 and Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez; 22 and the border reached to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Beth-shemesh; and their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities and their hamlets. 23 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their hamlets.
vv.17-23 The Lot of Issachar. The fourth lot fell to Issachar (means ‘reward’), the youngest son of Leah. The territory of Issachar was located in the fertile Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. It was bordered by Zebulon and Naphtali to the north at about Mount Tabor, the tribe of Manasseh to the south, and the Jordan River to the east. Jezreel later became an important city, including the royal residence of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 21). The city of Shunem is also known for the great woman of Shumen who lived there (2 Kings 4).
The Inheritance of Asher (19:24-31)
24 And the fifth lot came forth for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families. 25 And their territory was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Acshaph, 26 and Allammelech, and Amead, and Mishal; and the border reached to Carmel westwards, and to Shihor-libnath, 27 and turned towards the sun-rising to Beth-Dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthah-el northward to Beth-emek and Neiel, and went out to Cabul on the left, 28 and Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, as far as great Zidon; 29 and the border turned to Ramah, and as far as the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah; and ended at the sea by the tract of country of Achzib; 30 and Ummah, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty-two cities and their hamlets. 31 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities and their hamlets.
vv.24-31 The Lot of Asher. The fifth lot fell to Asher (means ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’). It is helpful to trace Asher through the Old Testament, and even into the New where we find Anna the Prophetess awaiting the birth of Messiah (Luke 2:36-38). There are a number of “so-called” Asherite Psalms, which begin with the word “Blessed”; the Hebrew word “Asher”. The Asherite Psalms are Psalm 1, 32, 41, 112, 119, and 128. Together these Psalms give us the keys to happiness. For instance, Psalm 1 shows us that the happy man is he who walks separate from evil, and who delights in the Word of God. Here in Psalm 32, the happy man is he who confesses his sins and has a sense of God’s forgiveness and grace. A.C. Gaebelein suggests that the names of some of the cities in Asher also give us keys to happiness.
The Inheritance of Naphtali (19:32-39)
32 The sixth lot came forth to the children of Naphtali, for the children of Naphtali according to their families. 33 And their border was from Heleph, from the oak of Zaanannim; and Adami-nekeb and Jabneel to Lakkum; and ended at the Jordan; 34 and the border turned westwards to Aznoth-Tabor, and went out from thence to Hukkok, and reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah upon Jordan towards the sun-rising. 35 And the fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth, 36 and Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor, 37 and Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-Hazor, 38 and Jiron, and Migdal-el, Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh: nineteen cities and their hamlets. 39 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their hamlets.
vv.32-39 The Lot of Naphtali. The sixth lot fell to Naphtali (means ‘wrestling’). Given the meaning of the name Naphtali, one is reminded of the Christians warfare, wherein Paul says: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Jacob’s prophecy of Naphtali is that he is “a hind let loose”, representing the soul at liberty, praising the Lord; “He giveth goodly words”. Naphtali reached as far south as Mount Tabor and Zebulon, as far east as the Sea of Chinnereth (or the Sea of Galilee) and the River Jordan, and as far west as Asher. Several cities within Naphtali’s territory, as listed in Joshua 19, are tied to important biblical events or figures. One of the most significant is Kedesh (or Kedesh-Naphtali), which was designated as a city of refuge and was the hometown of Barak, the military commander called by Deborah to lead Israel against Sisera (Judges 4:6). Hazor was a prominent Canaanite royal city ruled by Jabin, and it was destroyed by Joshua during the conquest (Joshua 11). Later, another king named Jabin of Hazor was defeated by Deborah and Barak, marking Hazor as a recurring enemy of Israel.
The Inheritance of Dan (19:40-48)
40 The seventh lot came forth for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. 41 And the territory of their inheritance was Zoreah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh, 42 and Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jithlah, 43 and Elon, and Timnathah, and Ekron, 44 and El-tekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath, 45 and Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gath-Rimmon, 46 and Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border over against Japho. 47 And the border of the children of Dan ended with these; and the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and took possession of it, and dwelt in it, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. 48 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities and their hamlets.
vv.40-48 The Lot of Dan. The seventh and final lot fell to the tribe of Dan (means ‘judged’). The tribe of Dan was located adjacent to Benjamin between Judah on the south and Ephraim on the north. Dan also bordered on the land of the Philistines, including the city of Akron which is one of the five cities of the Philistines. Later this proximity to the Philistines became a snare for Samson who is of the tribe of Dan. The key port city of Japho (or Joppa) was located in the tribe of Dan (modern Tel-Aviv). Without a word from the Lord, Dan also went up, far from his assigned inheritance, and fought against Leshem in the north of Israel and took possession of it, and renamed the city Dan. Therefore Dan ended up with territory both in the south of Israel near Judah, and in the north near Naphtali. This northern Dan became the center of Israel’s first great foray into idolatry, as documented in the end of the book of Judges.
The Inheritance of Joshua (19:49-51)
49 And they ended dividing the land for inheritance according to its borders. And the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them. 50 According to the word of Jehovah they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill-country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and dwelt in it. 51 These were the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed by lot in Shiloh before Jehovah, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And they ended dividing the land.
vv.49-51 The Inheritance of Joshua. After all the tribes had received their inheritance, finally Joshua receives his lot within the tribe of Ephraim. It is a touching proof of his genuine care for the people, as a servant-leader; “Charity suffereth long … charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up … seeketh not her own” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). But it is also beautiful to see the people’s care for him, in that “the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them”. The city that was given Joshua was Timnath-serah, which means an abundant portion. We see Joshua building the city and dwelling in it, leading by example in what the children of Israel were to do.
