Joshua Chapter 19

At a Glance

  • Joshua 19 continues the distribution of Israel’s inheritance among the remaining tribes.
  • Joshua is part of the Deuteronomistic History, composed to present Israel’s conquest and settlement as a theological narrative of faithfulness and land as the outworking of covenant promises.
  • - Covenant people and communal territory: Inheritance is about corporate identity as much as individual wealth; the tribes’ borders define a shared life under one Lord.
  • - The practicality of covenants: The precise city lists show that obedience includes civic and geographic stewardship—livelihood, security, and worship within the land.
  • - Inclusion within the larger tribe’s allotment: Simeon’s inheritance within Judah’s portion highlights how God’s plans sometimes require such interweaving to accomplish the whole community’s good.

Joshua 19 continues the distribution of Israel’s inheritance among the remaining tribes. After the initial allocations to Judah, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, and others are sketched, the chapter narrows its focus to the precise boundaries and cities allotted to each tribe. The fragmentary list of towns—Beersheba to Ramath of the south for Simeon; a long border description for Zebulun; extensive delineations for Issachar; and openings into further allocations for other tribes—highlights two key dynamics. First, the meticulous geography underscores the seriousness with which God’s people steward the land promised to Abraham. In a land of shifting fortunes, precise boundaries signal settled identity and covenant faithfulness. Second, the repetition of “cities and their villages” reminds readers that inheritance is not abstract real estate but lived space for rely on God, worship, farming, and community life. The chapter also situates Simeon’s inheritance within Judah’s portion, revealing the practical reality that some tribes received within the larger allotment due to the size and needs of the people. Overall, Joshua 19 advances the census-like completion of land distribution and sets the stage for ongoing life in the land—cities of refuge, Levite towns, and ready handholds for pastoral and agricultural rhythms.

Joshua is part of the Deuteronomistic History, composed to present Israel’s conquest and settlement as a theological narrative of faithfulness and land as the outworking of covenant promises. Chapter 19 belongs to the long section detailing the allocation of territory after the decisive military campaigns. The genre is historical narrative with precise ethnographic-geographic inventories, a common ancient Near Eastern mode for recording inheritances. This chapter fits as a “land chapter” that completes the distribution plan introduced earlier in Joshua and aligns with the book’s larger themes: obedience to God, proper management of the land, and the establishment of social order in Canaan. The lists may seem dry, but they function theologically: God’s faithfulness is demonstrated by giving each tribe its place, ensuring that the people can live, worship, and prosper within covenant boundaries. The structure also foreshadows later Levitical and tribal arrangements that sustain Israel’s life in the land.

- God’s faithfulness in providing a settled homeland: The detailed boundaries testify to divine fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and the ongoing trustworthiness of Yahweh to give the people space to flourish.

- Covenant people and communal territory: Inheritance is about corporate identity as much as individual wealth; the tribes’ borders define a shared life under one Lord.

- The practicality of covenants: The precise city lists show that obedience includes civic and geographic stewardship—livelihood, security, and worship within the land.

- Inclusion within the larger tribe’s allotment: Simeon’s inheritance within Judah’s portion highlights how God’s plans sometimes require such interweaving to accomplish the whole community’s good.

- The land as a stage for faithful living: The chapter invites readers to imagine daily life—roads, farms, communities, and temples—rooted in divine provision.

Joshua 19 invites contemporary readers to reflect on what it means to inhabit God’s promises responsibly. Practical takeaways:

- Remember that gifts from God require stewardship. Just as tribes received defined lands, believers are called to steward talents, resources, and communities with care, fairness, and gratitude.

- Community over isolation. The interwoven allotments remind us that faith is lived out within a people; our “spaces” (homes, neighborhoods, workplaces) gain meaning when they are oriented toward the common good and the worship of God.

- Boundaries as freedom. Clear boundaries can free a community to flourish by providing security and identity, not merely restriction. The promise-bearing God gifts boundaries that enable responsibility and flourishing.

- Attentive detail in faithfulness. The lists may seem tedious, but precision in obedience reflects a trustworthy God and a people oriented toward order, justice, and peace.

- The ongoing work of settlement as spiritual formation. Life in the land is not a one-time conquest but a daily practice of faithfulness—trusting God in farming, governance, and neighborliness.

Key Themes

God’s faithfulness in providing a settled homeland: The detailed boundaries testify to divine fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and the ongoing trustworthiness of Yahweh to give the people space to flourish.Covenant people and communal territory: Inheritance is about corporate identity as much as individual wealth; the tribes’ borders define a shared life under one Lord.The practicality of covenants: The precise city lists show that obedience includes civic and geographic stewardship—livelihood, security, and worship within the land.Inclusion within the larger tribe’s allotment: Simeon’s inheritance within Judah’s portion highlights how God’s plans sometimes require such interweaving to accomplish the whole community’s good.

Chapter Text

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.

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