CHAPTER 19
. THE LOT
OF SIMEON.
1. the second lot came forth to
Simeon—The next lot that was drawn at Shiloh, gave the tribe of
Simeon his inheritance within the territory, which had been assigned
to that of Judah. The knowledge of Canaan possessed by the
Israelites, when the division of the land commenced, was but very
general, being derived from the rapid sweep they had made over it
during the course of conquest; and it was on the ground of that rough
survey alone that the distribution proceeded, by which Judah received
an inheritance. Time showed that this territory was too large (), either for their numbers, however great, to occupy and
their arms to defend, or too large in proportion to the allotments of
the other tribes. Justice therefore required (what kind and brotherly
feeling readily dictated) a modification of their possession; and a
part of it was appropriated to Simeon. By thus establishing it within
the original domain of another tribe, the prophecy of Jacob in regard
to Simeon was fulfilled (Genesis 49:7);
for from its boundaries being not traced, there is reason to conclude
that its people were divided and dispersed among those of Judah; and
though one group of its cities named (Genesis 49:7), gives the idea of a compact district, as it is usually
represented by map makers, the other group (Joshua 19:7;
Joshua 19:8) were situated, two in
the south, and two elsewhere, with tracts of the country around them.
Joshua 19:8. OF ZEBULUN.
10-14. the third lot came up for the
children of Zebulun—The boundaries of the possession assigned
to them extended from the Lake of Chinnereth (Sea of Galilee) on the
east, to the Mediterranean on the west. Although they do not seem at
first to have touched on the western shore—a part of Manasseh
running north into Asher () —they afterwards did, according to the prediction of
Moses (Deuteronomy 33:19). The extent
from north to south cannot be very exactly traced; the sites of many
of the places through which the boundary line is drawn being unknown.
Some of the cities were of note.
Deuteronomy 33:19. OF ISSACHAR.
17-20. the fourth lot came out to
Issachar—Instead of describing the boundaries of this tribe,
the inspired historian gives a list of its principal cities. These
cities are all in the eastern part of the plain of Esdraelon.
. OF ASHER.
24-31. the fifth lot came out for
the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is
traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of
them, however, is unknown.
26. to Carmel . . . and to
Shihor-libnath—that is, the "black" or "muddy
river"; probably the Nahr Belka, below Dor (Tantoura); for that
town belonged to Asher (Joshua 17:10).
Thence the boundary line turned eastward to Beth-dagon, a town at the
junction of Zebulun and Naphtali, and ran northwards as far as Cabul,
with other towns, among which is mentioned (Joshua 17:10) "great Zidon," so called on account of its being
even then the flourishing metropolis of the Phoelignicians. Though
included in the inheritance of Asher, this town was never possessed
by them (Judges 1:31).
24-31. the fifth lot came out for
the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is
traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of
them, however, is unknown.
29. and then the coast turneth to
Ramah—now El-Hamra, which stood where the Leontes (Litany) ends
its southern course and flows westward.
and to the strong city
Tyre—The original city appears to have stood on the mainland,
and was well-fortified. From Tyre the boundary ran to Hosah, an
inland town; and then, passing the unconquered district of Achzib
(Judges 1:31), terminated at the
seacoast.
Judges 1:31. OF NAPHTALI.
24-31. the fifth lot came out for
the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is
traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of
them, however, is unknown.
32-39. the sixth lot came out to the
children of Naphtali—Although the cities mentioned have not
been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh,
that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (), that the boundary described () ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the
sources of the Jordan.
34. Aznoth-tabor—on the east
of Tabor towards the Jordan, for the border ran thence to Hukkok,
touching upon that of Zebulun; and as the territory of Zebulun did
not extend as far as the Jordan, Aznoth-tabor and Hukkok must have
been border towns on the line which separated Naphtali from Issachar.
to Judah upon Jordan toward
the sunrising—The sixty cities, Havoth-jair, which were on the
eastern side of the Jordan, opposite Naphtali, were reckoned as
belonging to Judah, because Jair, their possessor, was a descendant
of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-22)
[KEIL].
1 Chronicles 2:4-13. OF DAN.
32-39. the sixth lot came out to the
children of Naphtali—Although the cities mentioned have not
been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh,
that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (), that the boundary described () ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the
sources of the Jordan.
40-46. the seventh lot came out for
the tribe . . . Dan—It lay on the west of Benjamin and
consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its
boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from
the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
47. the children of Dan went up to
fight against Leshem—The Danites, finding their inheritance too
small, decided to enlarge its boundaries by the sword; and, having
conquered Leshem (Laish), they planted a colony there, calling the
new settlement by the name of Dan (see on ).
. THE CHILDREN
OF ISRAEL GIVE
AN INHERITANCE TO
JOSHUA.
50. According to the word of the
Lord they gave him the city which he asked—It was most proper
that the great leader should receive an inheritance suited to his
dignity, and as a reward for his public services. But the gift was
not left to the spontaneous feelings of a grateful people. It was
conferred "according to the word of the Lord"—probably an
unrecorded promise, similar to what had been made to Caleb ().
Timnath-serah—or Heres,
on Mount Gaash (Judges 2:9). Joshua
founded it, and was afterwards buried there (Judges 2:9).
51. These are the inheritances—This
verse is the formal close of the section which narrates the history
of the land distribution; and to stamp it with due importance, the
names of the commissioners are repeated, as well as the spot where so
memorable a transaction took place.
CHAPTER 19
. THE LOT OF SIMEON.
1. the second lot came forth to Simeon—The next lot that was drawn at Shiloh, gave the tribe of Simeon his inheritance within the territory, which had been assigned to that of Judah. The knowledge of Canaan possessed by the Israelites, when the division of the land commenced, was but very general, being derived from the rapid sweep they had made over it during the course of conquest; and it was on the ground of that rough survey alone that the distribution proceeded, by which Judah received an inheritance. Time showed that this territory was too large (), either for their numbers, however great, to occupy and their arms to defend, or too large in proportion to the allotments of the other tribes. Justice therefore required (what kind and brotherly feeling readily dictated) a modification of their possession; and a part of it was appropriated to Simeon. By thus establishing it within the original domain of another tribe, the prophecy of Jacob in regard to Simeon was fulfilled (Genesis 49:7); for from its boundaries being not traced, there is reason to conclude that its people were divided and dispersed among those of Judah; and though one group of its cities named (Genesis 49:7), gives the idea of a compact district, as it is usually represented by map makers, the other group (Joshua 19:7; Joshua 19:8) were situated, two in the south, and two elsewhere, with tracts of the country around them.
Joshua 19:8. OF ZEBULUN.
10-14. the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun—The boundaries of the possession assigned to them extended from the Lake of Chinnereth (Sea of Galilee) on the east, to the Mediterranean on the west. Although they do not seem at first to have touched on the western shore—a part of Manasseh running north into Asher () —they afterwards did, according to the prediction of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:19). The extent from north to south cannot be very exactly traced; the sites of many of the places through which the boundary line is drawn being unknown. Some of the cities were of note.
Deuteronomy 33:19. OF ISSACHAR.
17-20. the fourth lot came out to Issachar—Instead of describing the boundaries of this tribe, the inspired historian gives a list of its principal cities. These cities are all in the eastern part of the plain of Esdraelon.
. OF ASHER.
24-31. the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of them, however, is unknown.
26. to Carmel . . . and to Shihor-libnath—that is, the "black" or "muddy river"; probably the Nahr Belka, below Dor (Tantoura); for that town belonged to Asher (Joshua 17:10). Thence the boundary line turned eastward to Beth-dagon, a town at the junction of Zebulun and Naphtali, and ran northwards as far as Cabul, with other towns, among which is mentioned (Joshua 17:10) "great Zidon," so called on account of its being even then the flourishing metropolis of the Phoelignicians. Though included in the inheritance of Asher, this town was never possessed by them (Judges 1:31).
24-31. the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of them, however, is unknown.
29. and then the coast turneth to Ramah—now El-Hamra, which stood where the Leontes (Litany) ends its southern course and flows westward.
and to the strong city Tyre—The original city appears to have stood on the mainland, and was well-fortified. From Tyre the boundary ran to Hosah, an inland town; and then, passing the unconquered district of Achzib (Judges 1:31), terminated at the seacoast.
Judges 1:31. OF NAPHTALI.
24-31. the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher—The western boundary is traced from north to south through the cities mentioned; the site of them, however, is unknown.
32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali—Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (), that the boundary described () ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
34. Aznoth-tabor—on the east of Tabor towards the Jordan, for the border ran thence to Hukkok, touching upon that of Zebulun; and as the territory of Zebulun did not extend as far as the Jordan, Aznoth-tabor and Hukkok must have been border towns on the line which separated Naphtali from Issachar.
to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising—The sixty cities, Havoth-jair, which were on the eastern side of the Jordan, opposite Naphtali, were reckoned as belonging to Judah, because Jair, their possessor, was a descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-22) [KEIL].
1 Chronicles 2:4-13. OF DAN.
32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali—Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (), that the boundary described () ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe . . . Dan—It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
47. the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem—The Danites, finding their inheritance too small, decided to enlarge its boundaries by the sword; and, having conquered Leshem (Laish), they planted a colony there, calling the new settlement by the name of Dan (see on ).
. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL GIVE AN INHERITANCE TO JOSHUA.
50. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked—It was most proper that the great leader should receive an inheritance suited to his dignity, and as a reward for his public services. But the gift was not left to the spontaneous feelings of a grateful people. It was conferred "according to the word of the Lord"—probably an unrecorded promise, similar to what had been made to Caleb ().
Timnath-serah—or Heres, on Mount Gaash (Judges 2:9). Joshua founded it, and was afterwards buried there (Judges 2:9).
51. These are the inheritances—This verse is the formal close of the section which narrates the history of the land distribution; and to stamp it with due importance, the names of the commissioners are repeated, as well as the spot where so memorable a transaction took place.