Lux Domini

Joshua 19

Chapter context

What is happening in Joshua 19?

inheritancerestcovenant fidelityholy war

Joshua 19 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as allotment, refuge cities, and Joshua’s farewell covenants. Joshua tells of the crossing into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, complex campaigns in the land, tribal allotments, and a final renewal of covenant loyalty. Read this chapter with the wider themes of inheritance, rest, and covenant fidelity in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even 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 Beersheba, and Sheba, and Moladah,   3 And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,   4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,   5 And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,   6 And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:   7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:   8 And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.   9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.   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 toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;   12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,   13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;   14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:   15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and 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 And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.   18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,   19 And Haphraim, and Shihon, and Anaharath,   20 And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,   21 And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;   22 And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at 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 and their villages.   24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.   25 And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,   26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;   27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,   28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;   29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:   30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and 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 to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.   33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:   34 And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.   35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,   36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,   37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,   38 And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.   39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.   40 And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.   41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,   42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,   43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,   44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,   45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,   46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.   47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.   48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.   49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:   50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.   51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.  

Study helps

Glossary

Simeon Person v. 1, 8-9

Hearing. (1. ) The second son of Jacob by Leah ( Gen. 29:33 ). He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (34:25, 26).

Beersheba Place v. 2

Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact ( Gen. 21:31 ). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name ( Gen. 26:31-33 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.

Moladah Place v. 2

Birth, a city in the south of Judah which fell to Simeon ( Josh. 15:21-26 ; 19:2 ). It has been identified with the modern el-Milh, 10 miles east of Beersheba. Modern identification: Khirbet el Waten.

Sheba Place v. 2

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.

Balah Place v. 3

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tulul el Medbah.

Ezem Place v. 3

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Asan.

Hazar-shual Place v. 3

Village or enclosure of the jackal, a city on the south border of Judah ( Josh. 15:28 ; Neh. 11:27 ). It has been identified with the ruins of Saweh, half-way between Beersheba and Moladah. Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.

Bethul Place v. 4

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet ar Ras.

Eltolad Place v. 4

Productive, a town of Simeon, in the south of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:29 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.

Hormah Place v. 4

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Masos.

Beth-marcaboth Place v. 5

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Tatrit.

Hazar-susah Place v. 5

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet esh Shamsaniyat.

Ziklag Place v. 5

A town in the Negeb, or south country of Judah ( Josh. 15:31 ), in the possession of the Philistines when David fled to Gath from Ziph with all his followers. Modern identification: Tell esh Sharia.

Beth-lebaoth Place v. 6

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jebel el Biri.

Sharuhen Place v. 6

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tall al Ajjul.

Ain Place v. 7

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Halif.

Ashan Place v. 7

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Asan.

Ether Place v. 7

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet el Ater.

Rimmon Place v. 7

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Halif.

Baalath-beer Place v. 8

Baalah of the well. Modern identification: Beer Yeroham.

Negeb Place v. 8

Biblical region. Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.

Ramah Place v. 8

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Ira.

Sarid Place v. 10, 12

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Shadud.

Zebulun Person v. 10, 16, 27, 34

Dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah ( Gen. 30:20 ). Little is known of his personal history. He had three sons (46:14).

Dabbesheth Place v. 11

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Shem.

Jokneam Place v. 11

Gathered by the people, ( Josh. 19:11 ; 21:34 ), a city “of Carmel” (12:22), i. e., on Carmel, allotted with its suburbs to the Merarite Levites. Modern identification: Tel Yokneam.

Mareal Place v. 11

Trembling, a place on the southern boundary of Zebulun ( Josh. 19:11 ). It has been identified with the modern M’alul, about 4 miles south-west of Nazareth. Modern identification: Tell Thorah.

Chisloth-tabor Place v. 12

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Iksal.

Daberath Place v. 12

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Horvat Devora.

Japhia Place v. 12

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Yafa.

Eth-kazin Place v. 13

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Kefr Kenna.

Gath-hepher Place v. 13

Wine-press of the well, a town of Lower Galilee, about 5 miles from Nazareth; the birthplace of Jonah ( 2 Kings 14:25 ); the same as Gittah-hepher ( Josh. 19:13 ). Modern identification: Tel Gat Hefer.

Neah Place v. 13-14

Shaking, or settlement, or descent, a town on the east side of Zebulun, not far from Rimmon ( Josh. 19:13 ). Modern identification: Nimrin.

Rimmon Place v. 13

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Rumana.

Hannathon Place v. 14

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Hanaton.

Valley of Iphtahel Place v. 14, 27

Biblical valley. Modern identification: Wadi el Melek.

Bethlehem Place v. 15

House of bread. (1. ) A city in the “hill country” of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath ( Gen. 35:16 , 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11 ). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah ( Micah 5:2 ), Beth-lehem-judah. Modern identification: Beit Lahm.

Idalah Place v. 15

Snares(? ), a city near the west border of Zebulun ( Josh. 19:15 ). It has been identified with the modern Jeida, in the valley of Kishon. Modern identification: Khirbet el Huwarah.

Kattath Place v. 15

( Josh. 19:15 ), a town of Asher, has been identified with Kana el Jelil. (See CANA. ). Modern identification: Khirbet Qutteina.

Nahalal Place v. 15

Pasture, a city in Zebulun on the border of Issachar ( Josh. 19:15 ), the same as Nahalol ( Judg. 1:30 ). It was given to the Levites. Modern identification: Horbat Sefan.

Shimron Place v. 15

Watch-post, an ancient city of the Canaanites; with its villages, allotted to Zebulun ( Josh. 19:15 ); now probably Semunieh, on the northern edge of the plain of Esdraelon, 5 miles west of Nazareth. Modern identification: Tel Shimron.

Chesulloth Place v. 18

Fertile places; the loins, a town of Issachar, on the slopes of some mountain between Jezreel and Shunem ( Josh. 19:18 ). Modern identification: Iksal.

Jezreel Place v. 18

God scatters. (1. ) A town of Issachar ( Josh. 19:18 ), where the kings of Israel often resided ( 1 Kings 18:45 ; 21:1 ; 2 Kings 9:30 ). Modern identification: Tel Yizre’el.

Shunem Place v. 18

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Sulam.

Anaharath Place v. 19

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Rekhesh.

Hapharaim Place v. 19

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Et Taiyibeh.

Shion Place v. 19

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Sirin.

Ebez Place v. 20

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ain el Habus.

Kishion Place v. 20

Hardness, a city of Issachar assigned to the Gershonite Levites ( Josh. 19:20 ), the same as Kishon (21:28). Modern identification: Tell Qisyon.

Rabbith Place v. 20

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Horvat Devora.

Beth-pazzez Place v. 21

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hadita.

En-gannim Place v. 21

Fountain of gardens. (1. ) A town in the plains of Judah ( Josh. 15:34 ), north-west of Jerusalem, between Zanoah and Tappuah. It is the modern Umm Jina. (2. ) A city on the border of Machar. Modern identification: Khirbet Beit Jann.

En-haddah Place v. 21

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hadita.

Remeth Place v. 21

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Kokab el Hawa.

Beth-shemesh Place v. 22

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Sheikh esh Shamsawi.

Jordan Place v. 22, 33-34

Biblical river. Modern identification: Jordan River.

Mount Tabor Place v. 22

Biblical mountain. Modern identification: Jebel et Tur.

Shahazumah Place v. 22

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: El Karm.

Achshaph Place v. 25

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Regev.

Beten Place v. 25

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Ibtin.

Hali Place v. 25

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Alil.

Helkath Place v. 25

Smoothness, a town of Asher, on the east border ( Josh. 19:25 ; 21:31 ); called also Hukok ( 1 Chr. 6:75 ). Modern identification: Tel Qashish.

Allammelech Place v. 26

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Alil.

Amad Place v. 26

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Mount Carmel.

Mishal Place v. 26

( Josh. 19:26 ), a town of Asher, probably the same as Mishal. Modern identification: Tell Keisan.

Mount Carmel Place v. 26

Biblical mountain. Modern identification: Mount Carmel.

Shihor-libnath Place v. 26

Black-white, a stream on the borders of Asher, probably the modern Nahr Zerka, i. e. Modern identification: mouth of the Kishon River.

Beth-dagon Place v. 27

House of Dagon. (1. ) A city in the low country or plain of Judah, near Philistia ( Josh. 15:41 ); the modern Beit Degan, about 5 miles from Lydda. (2. ) A city near the south-east border of Asher ( Josh. 19:27 ). Modern identification: Khirbet Jelameh.

Beth-emek Place v. 27

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Emek.

Cabul Place v. 27

How little! as nothing. (1. ) A town on the eastern border of Asher ( Josh. 19:27 ), probably one of the towns given by Solomon to Hiram; the modern Kabul, some 8 miles east of Accho, on the very borders of Galilee.

Neiel Place v. 27

Dwelling-place of God, a town in the territory of Asher, near its southern border ( Josh. 19:27 ). Modern identification: Khirbet Yanin.

Ebron Place v. 28

A community; alliance. (1. ) A city in the south end of the valley of Eshcol, about midway between Jerusalem and Beersheba, from which it is distant about 20 miles in a straight line. Modern identification: Tel Avdon.

Hammon Place v. 28

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Umm el Awamid.

Kanah Place v. 28

Reedy; brook of reeds. (1. ) A stream forming the boundary between Ephraim and Manasseh, from the Mediterranean eastward to Tappuah ( Josh. 16:8 ). Modern identification: Qana.

Rehob Place v. 28

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell el Balat.

Sidon Place v. 28

A fishery, a town on the Mediterranean coast, about 25 miles north of Tyre. It received its name from the “first-born” of Canaan, the grandson of Noah ( Gen. 10:15 , 19). Modern identification: Sandikli archaeological site in Sidon.

Achzib Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Achziv.

City People v. 29, 50

The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).

Great Sea Place v. 29

(Heb. yam), signifies (1) “the gathering together of the waters,” the ocean ( Gen. 1:10 ); (2) a river, as the Nile ( Isa. 19:5 ), the Euphrates ( Isa. 21:1 ; Jer. 51:36 ); (3) the Red Sea. Modern identification: Mediterranean Sea.

Hosah Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Rachidiyeh.

Mahalab Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet al Mahalib.

Ramah Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ramyah.

Tyre Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tyre.

Aphek Place v. 30

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Afek.

Rehob Place v. 30

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Bir el Gharbi.

Ummah Place v. 30

Vicinity, a town of Asher ( Josh. 19:30 ). Modern identification: Tel Akko.

Naphtali Person v. 32, 39

My wrestling, the fifth son of Jacob. His mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid ( Gen. 30:8 ). When Jacob went down into Egypt, Naphtali had four sons ( Gen. 46:24 ). Little is known of him as an individual.

Adami-nekeb Place v. 33

Cavern, a town on the boundary of Naphtali ( Josh. 19:33 ). It has with probability, been identified with Seiyadeh, nearly 2 miles east of Bessum, a ruin half way between Tiberias and Mount Tabor. Modern identification: Tel Adami.

Allon Place v. 33

Biblical tree. Modern identification: Hanot Taggarim.

Heleph Place v. 33-34

Exchange, a city on the north border of Naphtali ( Josh. 19:33 ). Modern identification: Khirbet Irbadeh.

Jabneel Place v. 33

Built by God. (1. ) A town in the north boundary of Judah ( Josh. 15:11 ), called afterwards by the Greeks Jamnia, the modern Yebna, 11 miles south of Jaffa. After the fall of Jerusalem. Modern identification: Tel Yin’am.

Lakkum Place v. 33

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Horbat Kush.

Zaanannim Place v. 33

Wanderings; the unloading of tents, so called probably from the fact of nomads in tents encamping amid the cities and villages of that region. Modern identification: Hanot Taggarim.

Aznoth-tabor Place v. 34

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Govel.

Hukkok Place v. 34

Decreed, a town near Zebulun, not far from Jordan, on the border of Naphtali ( Josh. 19:34 ). (See HELKATH. ). Modern identification: Khirbet el Jemeijimeh.

Chinnereth Place v. 35

Biblical body of water. Modern identification: Tel Kinrot.

Hammath Place v. 35

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hamat Tiberias.

Rakkath Place v. 35

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Raqqat.

Zer Place v. 35

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tyre.

Ziddim Place v. 35

Sides, a town of Naphtali ( Josh. 19:35 ), has been identified with Kefr-Hattin, the “village of the Hittites,” about 5 miles west of Tiberias.

Adamah Place v. 36

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Qarn Hattin.

Hazor Place v. 36

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Hazor.

Ramah Place v. 36

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Zeitun er Rameh.

Edrei Place v. 37

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Har Zevi.

En-hazor Place v. 37

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Aynata.

Kedesh Place v. 37

Sanctuary. (1. ) A place in the extreme south of Judah ( Josh. 15:23 ). Probably the same as Kadesh-barnea (q. v. ). (2. ) A city of Issachar ( 1 Chr. 6:72 ). Possibly Tell Abu Kadeis, near Lejjun. Modern identification: Tel Kedesh.

Beth-anath Place v. 38

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Safad el Battikh.

Beth-shemesh Place v. 38

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Rosh.

Horem Place v. 38

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hariss.

Migdal-el Place v. 38

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Majdel Selem.

Yiron Place v. 38

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Yarun.

Eshtaol Place v. 41

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Deir Shubeib.

Ir-shemesh Place v. 41

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Bet Shemesh.

Zorah Place v. 41

Place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan ( Josh. 19:41 ; Judg. 18:2 ), probably the same as Zoreah ( Josh. 15:33 ). This was Samson’s birthplace. Modern identification: Tel Tzora.

Aijalon Place v. 42

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Yalo.

Ithlah Place v. 42

Suspended; high, a city on the borders of Dan ( Josh. 19:42 ). Modern identification: Yalo.

Shaalbim Place v. 42

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Salbit.

Ekron Place v. 43

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Miqne.

Elon Place v. 43

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Wadi Illin.

Timnah Place v. 43

A portion. (1. ) A town of Judah ( Josh. 15:10 ). The Philistines took possession of it in the days of Ahaz ( 2 Chr. 28:18 ). It was about 20 miles west of Jerusalem. It has been identified with Timnatha of Dan. Modern identification: Tel Batash.

Baalath Place v. 44

Biblical hill. Modern identification: Al Maghar.

Eltekeh Place v. 44

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Shalaf.

Gibbethon Place v. 44

A height, a city of the Philistines in the territory of Dan, given to the Kohathites ( Josh. 19:44 ; 21:23 ). Modern identification: Tell Melat.

Bene-berak Place v. 45

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Khayriyya.

Gath-rimmon Place v. 45

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Gerisa.

Jehud Place v. 45

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Yehud.

Joppa Place v. 46

Beauty, a town in the portion of Dan ( Josh. 19:46 ; A. V., “Japho”), on a sandy promontory between Caesarea and Gaza, and at a distance of 30 miles north-west from Jerusalem. It is one of the oldest towns in Asia. Modern identification: Jaffa.

Me-jarkon Place v. 46

Biblical river. Modern identification: Yarkon River.

Rakkon Place v. 46

A place upon the shore, a town belonging to Dan ( Josh. 19:46 ). It is now Tell er-Rakkeit, 6 miles north of Joppa, on the sea-shore, near the mouth of the river ‘Aujeh, i. e., “yellow water. ” (See KANAH. ). Modern identification: Tell er Reqqeit.

Dan Place v. 47

Woodland Dan, a place probably somewhere in the direction of Dan, near the sources of the Jordan ( 2 Sam. 24:6 ). The LXX. and the Vulgate read “Dan-ja’ar”, i. e., “Dan in the forest. ”. Modern identification: Tel Dan.

Joshua Tribe v. 49, 51

Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A. V. ), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 .

Nun Person v. 49, 51

Beyond the fact that he was the father of Joshua nothing more is known of him ( Ex. 33:11 ).

Timnath-heres Place v. 50

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Tibnah.

Eleazar Person v. 51

God has helped. (1. ) The third son of Aaron ( Ex. 6:23 ). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas ( Ex. 6:25 ). After the death of Nadab and Abihu.

Shiloh Place v. 51

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Seilun.

Tabernacle Object v. 51

(1. ) A house or dwelling-place ( Job 5:24 ; 18:6 , etc. ). (2. ) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24 ) containing the image of Moloch ( Amos 5:26 ; marg. and R. V., “Siccuth”). (3. ) The human body.