Introduction

Joshua 19 completes the tribal allotments by describing the territories for the remaining six tribes and Joshua's personal inheritance. Each tribe receives its specific portion, fulfilling God's promise to give Israel the land. The chapter concludes with Joshua himself receiving his inheritance—appropriately, only after all the people have received theirs.

Simeon's Allotment (Verses 1-9)

[1] The second lot falls to Simeon's tribe, by clans. "Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah." Because Judah's portion was too large for them, Simeon receives cities within Judah's territory rather than separate land.

[2-8] Simeon's inheritance includes: Beersheba (Sheba), Moladah, Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susah, Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen towns with villages. Also: Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four towns with villages, plus surrounding villages as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev).

[9] "The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah's portion was more than they needed." This arrangement fulfills Jacob's prophecy that Simeon would be scattered within Israel (Genesis 49:7">Genesis 49:7).

Zebulun's Allotment (Verses 10-16)

[10-14] The third lot falls to Zebulun, by clans. Their boundary goes west to Maralah, reaches Dabbesheth, continues to the ravine near Jokneam, turns east from Sarid toward Kisloth Tabor, continues to Daberath, up to Japhia, and on to Gath Hepher and Eth Kazin, around to Rimmon and turns toward Neah. The boundary then circles north of Hannathon, ending at the Valley of Iphtah El.

[15-16] Zebulun's cities include Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem (not the Bethlehem in Judah). Twelve towns with villages total.

Issachar's Allotment (Verses 17-23)

[17-22] The fourth lot falls to Issachar, by clans. Their territory includes: Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem, Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez. The boundary touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh, ending at the Jordan.

[23] Sixteen towns with villages.

Asher's Allotment (Verses 24-31)

[24-30] The fifth lot falls to Asher, by clans. Their territory includes: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph, Allammelek, Amad, Mishal. On the west their boundary touches Carmel and Shihor Libnath, then turns east toward Beth Dagon, touches Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El, goes north to Beth Emek and Neiel, passes Kabul on the left, and reaches Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, and Greater Sidon. The boundary then turns toward Ramah and the fortified city of Tyre, turns toward Hosah, and comes out at the Mediterranean. Cities include Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob.

[31] Twenty-two towns with villages.

Naphtali's Allotment (Verses 32-39)

[32-38] The sixth lot falls to Naphtali, by clans. Their boundary runs from Heleph, from the large tree in Zaanannim, through Adami Nekeb and Jabneel to Lakkum, ending at the Jordan. The boundary turns west through Aznoth Tabor and goes to Hukkok, touches Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and the Jordan on the east. Fortified cities include: Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor, Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh.

[39] Nineteen towns with villages.

Dan's Allotment (Verses 40-48)

[40-46] The seventh lot falls to Dan, by clans. Their territory includes: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, Me Jarkon, Rakkon, plus the area facing Joppa.

[47] The Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory. They went up and attacked Leshem, took it, put it to the sword, settled there, and renamed it Dan after their ancestor. This migration is described more fully in Judges 18:1-31">Judges 18.

[48] This was Dan's inheritance, by clans, with their towns and villages.

Joshua's Inheritance (Verses 49-51)

[49-50] When the tribal allotments are complete, the Israelites give Joshua his inheritance "as the LORD had commanded." They give him Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He builds up the town and settles there.

[51] "These are the territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh in the presence of the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting." The distribution is complete.

Key Takeaways

• Every tribe receives inheritance: God's promise is fulfilled to each family and clan.
• Prophecies are realized: Simeon's scattering and other predictions from Genesis 49 come to pass.
• Leadership serves last: Joshua receives his inheritance only after all others receive theirs.
• Adaptation happens: Dan migrates when their original territory proves difficult to possess.
• Divine guidance throughout: The entire distribution happens "in the presence of the LORD."

Reflection Questions

1. What does Simeon's inheritance within Judah teach about how God fulfills ancient prophecies?
2. Why is it significant that Joshua received his inheritance last?
3. How does Dan's migration illustrate both failure and adaptation?
4. What does the completed distribution reveal about God's faithfulness to His promises?