Joshua-Chapter-19

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Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Joshua Chapter 19”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Joshua Chapter 19 represents the grand finale of the tribal land allotments at Shiloh. It details the specific territories and cities granted to Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. This chapter is more than a geographic list; it is a legal and spiritual deed that transforms ancient promises into a physical reality. The process concludes with a remarkable display of humility by Joshua, who waits until every tribe has been provided for before accepting his own portion, thereby modelling the true heart of a fine Hebrew leader.

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Joshua Chapter 19, verses 1 to 51: Whilst below the verses are all the Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

Verses 1-9: And the second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families; and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the children of JudahAnd they had for their inheritance Beer-sheba with Sheba, and Moladah; and Hazarshual, and Balah, and Ezemand Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormahand Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susahand Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages: Ain, Rimmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages; and all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalath-beer, as far as Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. Out of the allotment of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon, for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them; therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.

Explanation: Verses 1 through 9 describe the lot of Simeon. Uniquely, their inheritance is located entirely within the territory of Judah. This occurred because Judah’s original portion was found to be too extensive for their needs, leading to a practical and generous reallocation that also fulfilled the ancient prophecy that Simeon would be divided and scattered.

Verses 10-16: And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families; and the border of their inheritance was unto SaridAnd their border went up westward, even to Maralah, and reached to Dabbesheth; and it reached to the brook that is before Jokneam. And it turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chisloth-tabor; and it went out to Dobrath, and went up to JaphiaAnd from thence it passed along eastward to Gath-hepher, to Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon-methoar unto NeahAnd the border turned about it on the north to Hannathon; and the goings out thereof were at the valley of Iphtaheland Kattath, and Nahalal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem; twelve cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verses 10-16 outline the territory of Zebulun. Situated in the fertile Lower Galilee, their borders reached toward the valley of Jezreel and included twelve major cities. This placement allowed them to control strategic trade routes, fulfilling their destiny as a people of commerce and prosperity.

Verses 17-23: The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families. And their border was Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunemand Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharathand Rabbith, and Kishion, and Ebezand Remeth, and En’gannim, and En’haddah, and Beth’pazzezand the border reached to Tabor, and Shahazim, and Beth-shemesh; and the goings out of their border were at the Jordan; sixteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verses 17-23 detail the inheritance of Issachar. They were granted a prime agricultural region including the Jezreel Valley and sixteen cities. This “pleasant land” became a centre for the nation’s sustenance and was the site of many future significant events in Israel’s history.

Verses 24-31: And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families. And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaphand Allam-melech, and Amad, and Mishal; and it reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihor-libnathAnd it turned toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it went out to Cabul on the left hand, and Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great ZidonAnd the border turned to Ramah, and to the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea from Hebel to AchzibUmmah also, and Aphek, and Rehob; twenty and two cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verses 24-31 define the borders of Asher. Their lot was along the northern Mediterranean coast, extending toward the great Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. It was a rich, fertile strip that gave the nation access to the resources of the sea and the northern plains.

Verses 32-39: The sixth lot came out for the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families. And their border was from Heleph, from Elon-beza-anannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakkum; and the goings out thereof were at the JordanAnd the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor, and went out from thence to Hukok; and it reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan toward the sunrisingAnd the fortified cities were Ziddim-zer, and Hammath, and Rakkath, and Chinnerethand Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazorand Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazorand Iron, and Migdal-el, and Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verses 32-39 describe the portion for Naphtali. Their land was in the Eastern Upper Galilee, surrounding the western shore of the Sea of Galilee (Chinnereth). Their territory was well-watered and contained nineteen fortified cities, serving as a vital northern frontier for the nation.

Verses 40-48: The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. And the border of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh; and Shaalabbin, and Aijalon, and Ithlahand Elon, and Timnah, and Ekronand Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath; and Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmonand Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border over against Joppa. And the border of the children of Dan was too strait for them; so the children of Dan went up and fought 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. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verses 40-48 focus on the tribe of Dan. Their initial allotment was a small but fertile area near the Philistine coast. However, the text notes their difficulty in securing this land, which led a portion of the tribe to migrate far north to capture and settle the city of Leshem, renaming it Dan.

Verses 49-50: When they had made an end of distributing the land for inheritance by the borders thereof, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun in the midst of them; according to the commandment of יְהוָה - the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in the hill-country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

Explanation: Verses 49-50 record the people’s gift to Joshua. Only after all the tribes had received their land did the nation give Joshua the city he requested Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. His willingness to be served last highlights his character as a servant of the people.

Verse 51: These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the Priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of us the Hebrews, distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh before יְהוָה - the LORD, at the door of the tent of meeting. So they made an end of dividing the land.

Explanation: Verse 51 serves as the formal conclusion to the entire distribution process. It reiterates that the work was done “before יְהוָה - the LORD” at the Tabernacle in Shiloh by the high priest, the national leader, and the tribal heads, signifying the complete fulfilment of the task of dividing the land.

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My Closing Message:

The completion of the allotments in Joshua 19 marks a monumental milestone: the word of the Almighty to the patriarchs has finally become an address on a map. This chapter teaches us that while the “lot” represents Divine sovereignty, the actual settlement required human initiative, cooperation, and even the sharing of resources, as seen when Judah shared with Simeon. By ending with Joshua’s own humble request, the Torah reminds us that the ultimate goal of any inheritance is not personal gain, but the establishment of a righteous community where even the greatest leader sees himself as a part of the whole.

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“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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