Joshua Chapter 19

This chapter is about the tribes of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, & Joshua’s allotments for their real estate. This is the last chapter for this allotment business. This isn’t a long chapter. Enjoy!!!

The second tribe that came for their inheritance was Simeon. Here are their real estate holdings within the territory of Judah: Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, Hazaar Shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah, Beth Lebaoth, Sharuhen, Ain, Rimmon, Ether, & Ashen. 17 towns in all, plus their villages. And all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev).

The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah. Because Judah’s real estate holdings were more than they needed.

The 3rd tribe that came along was Zebulun. The borders of their real estate holding were: As far as Sarid. Going west, it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, & extended to the ravine near Jokneam. It turned east from Sarid toward the sunrise to the territory of Kisloth Tabor & went on to Daberath & up to Japhia. Then it continued eastward to Gath Hepher & Eth Kazin. It came out at Rimmon & turned toward Neah. There the border went around on the north to Hannathon & ended at the Valley of Iphtah El. Included were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, & Bethlehem. There were 12 towns & their villages.

The 4th tribe to come along was Issachar. Their territory included: Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem, Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah, & Beth Pazzez. The border touched Tabor, Shahazumah, & Beth Shemesh, & ended at the Jordan River. There were 16 towns & their villages.

The 5th tribe to come for their real estate holdings was the tribe of Asher. Their territory included: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph, Allammelech, Amad & Mishal. On the west, the border touched Carmel & Shihor Libnath. It then turned east toward Beth Dagon, touched Zebulun & the Valley of Iphtah El, & went north to Beth Emek & Neiel, passing Cabul on the left. It went to Abdon, Rehob Hammon, & Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. (Check out Joshua 21:30.)

The border then turned back toward Ramah & went to the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah & came out to the sea in the region of Aczib, Ummah, Aphek, & Rehob. There were 22 towns & their villages.

The 6th tribe that came to Joshua for real estate was Naphtali. Their borders went from Heleph & the large tree (Yes, they’re using a tree as a guidepost.) in Zaanannim, passing Adami Nekeb & Jabneel to Lakkum & ending the Jordan River. The border ran west through Aznoth Tabor & came out at Hukkok. It touched Zebulun’s territory on the south, Asher’s territory on the west & the Jordan River on the east.

The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor, Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, & Beth Shemesh. There were 19 towns & villages.

The 7th tribe that came for real estate was Dan. Their territory included: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithiah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, Melarkon, & Rakkon, with the area facing Joppa.

However, the Danites had difficulty taking possession of their real estate. So they went up & attacked Leshem. They captured it, & killed everyone. Then they occupied it. They renamed it: Dan. After their forefather.

After they had finished dividing the real estate, the Israelites gave Joshua his inheritance. They gave him a town, Timnath Serah. (Also called Timnath Heres. Check out Judges 2:9.) This was in the hill country where the tribe of Ephraim had settled. Joshua built up the town & settled there.