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The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, for the sons of Simeon according to their clans. Their inheritance was within the inheritance of the sons of Judah.
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And they received as their inheritance: Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah,
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Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,
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Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
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Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,
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Beth-lebaoth and Sharuhen: thirteen cities with their villages.
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En-rimmon, Ether, and Ashan: four cities with their villages;
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also all the villages around these cities, as far as Baalath-beer, that is, Ramah in the Southland. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their clans.
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The inheritance of the sons of Simeon was taken from the portion of the sons of Judah. For the portion of the sons of Judah was too large for them, so the sons of Simeon received an inheritance within their midst.
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The third lot came out for the sons of Zebulun according to their clans. The border of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid.
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On the west, their border went up to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and then touched the brook that flows by Jokneam.
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From Sarid it turned eastward, toward the sunrise, through the territory of Chisloth-tabor, to Daberath, and up to Japhia;
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from there it continued eastward, toward the sunrise, to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and on to Rimmon, and it curved toward Neah.
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Then the border turned around it on the north to Hannathon, and ended at the valley of Iphtah-el.
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Also Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the sons of Zebulun according to their clans; these cities with their villages.
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The fourth lot came out for the tribe of Issachar, for the sons of Issachar according to their clans.
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Their territory was Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
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Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
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Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
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Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.
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The border of their territory touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh; and the border of their territory ended at the Jordan River; sixteen cities with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Issachar according to their clans, these cities with their villages.
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The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their clans.
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Their territory was Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
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Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal; and their border touched Carmel and the brook of Libnah on the west;
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then it turned eastward to Beth-dagon, touched Zebulun and the valley of Iphtah-el on the north, Beth-emek and Neiel, and went on to Cabul on the north,
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and to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Great Sidon.
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Then the boundary turned back to Ramah and reached to the fortified city of Tyre; then the boundary turned back to Hosah and ended at the sea. Also Mahalab, Achzib,
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Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob; twenty-two cities with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their clans; these cities with their villages.
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For the sons of Naphtali the sixth lot came out, for the sons of Naphtali according to their clans.
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Their border began at Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adami-Nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and ended at the Jordan River.
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Then the boundary turned westward to Aznoth-Tabor, and from there to Hukkok, touching the territory of Zebulun on the south, touching the territory of Asher on the west, and the territory of Judah at the Jordan, toward the sunrise.
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The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth,
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Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
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Kedesh, Edrei, En-Hazor,
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Yiron, Migdal-El, Horem, Beth-Anath, and Beth-Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
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This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali according to their clans; these cities with their villages.
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For the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their clans the seventh lot came out.
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The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-Shemesh,
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Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
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Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
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Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
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Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon,
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Me-jarkon and Rakkon, together with the territory opposite Joppa.
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But the territory of the sons of Dan was too small for them, so the sons of Dan went up and fought against Leshem. They captured it, struck its people with the edge of the sword, and took possession of it. Then they settled there and called Leshem Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
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This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their clans; these cities with their villages.
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When the Israelites had finished dividing the land as their inheritance according to its borders, they gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua son of Nun.
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According to the command of the LORD, they gave him the city he asked for, namely Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He built up the city and settled there.
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These are the inheritances that were apportioned by lot among the tribes of the Israelites at Shiloh by Eleazar the priest, by Joshua son of Nun, and by the heads of the fathers’ houses, before the LORD, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing the land.
🗺️🏕️🎯 Summary of Joshua 19 – The Distribution of the Inheritance to Six Tribes and to Joshua
Joshua 19 completes the process of dividing the land in Canaan for the seven remaining tribes. In this chapter, each tribe — Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan — receives its portion according to the lot. At the end of the chapter, Joshua himself receives his personal inheritance, but he waits until all the people have first received their own inheritance.
📌 1. The Portion of the Tribe of Simeon (verses 1–9)
- Simeon received its inheritance within the portion of Judah, because Judah’s portion was too large.
- This shows a wise rearrangement for balance among the tribes.
🎯 The Lord pays attention to the needs of every part of His people, including proportional correction.
📌 2. The Portion of the Tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali (verses 10–39)
- Each tribe received land in the northern and central parts of Canaan.
- Their territory included fertile areas, important cities, and strategic positions for trade and agriculture.
- Naphtali included the Sea of Galilee, which would later be very important in the ministry of Jesus.
🎯 Every portion has the potential to support God’s great plan — even a region that seems small.
📌 3. The Portion of the Tribe of Dan (verses 40–48)
- At first Dan received a portion in the west.
- Because they failed to drive out the local inhabitants, they attacked and took the city of Leshem (later called Dan).
- This shows failure and adjustment, but also initiative to improve their position.
🎯 Failure is not the end, as long as there is bold and right follow-up action.
📌 4. Joshua Receives His Inheritance (verses 49–51)
- After all the portions were finished, the people gave the city of Timnath-serah to Joshua, according to the Lord’s command.
- Joshua waited until all the people had received their portions — showing humility and the heart of a true leader.
🎯 A true leader does not demand his portion first, but puts the people he serves first.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord is faithful to fulfill all His promises, completely.
- Balance and justice are important in the community of faith.
- Sometimes we must adjust our position again — like the tribe of Dan.
- True spiritual leaders put others first.
- A region that seems simple can become the place of the great fulfillment of God’s plan (Galilee, Dan).
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“…consider others more important than yourselves…”
“I have finished the good race… now there is laid up the crown of righteousness…”
“Whoever wants to become great… let him be your servant.”
🎯 Joshua reflects Christ: a leader who gave himself for his people, and in the end received the promised portion.
“They gave Joshua… the city he asked for…” – Joshua 19:50
“So they finished dividing the land according to its boundaries.” – Joshua 19:51
