Joshua · chapter 19 of 24
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Joshua 19 describes the lots of the six remaining tribes: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan, with their borders and cities. Simeon's inheritance is taken from Judah's. Dan loses territory and conquers Leshem. The chapter ends with Joshua receiving, by the Lord's command, the city he asked for, Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim.
With this chapter the distribution of the land west of the Jordan is completed. Joshua 19 is, once again, a geographical text, but it ends with a significant gesture: the leader who divided the land for everyone is the last to receive his own. The chapter shows Joshua's generosity and selflessness, and closes the section of the book devoted to the inheritances.
The second lot falls to Simeon, whose inheritance lies within that of Judah, because Judah's portion was too large for them. Its cities are listed, among them Beersheba and Ziklag, with their villages. The third lot falls to Zebulun, with towns such as Dabbesheth and Japhia. The fourth is for Issachar, with Jezreel, Shunem and Haphraim. The fifth lot is for Asher, whose border reaches to Carmel and Lebanon, including Acco and Tyre, the fortified city. The sixth lot is for Naphtali, with borders that reach the Jordan and cities such as Kedesh and Hazor.
The seventh lot is for the tribe of Dan, whose cities include Zorah, Eshtaol and Aijalon. But the territory of Dan was too small for them, and the sons of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, took it, struck it with the edge of the sword, possessed it and settled in it. They named it Dan, after the name of their father.
When they finish dividing the land by its borders, the sons of Israel give an inheritance to Joshua, son of Nun, among them. According to the word of the Lord, they give him the city he asked for, Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim. Joshua rebuilds the city and lives in it. The chapter ends by saying that these are the inheritances that the priest Eleazar, Joshua and the heads of the tribes distributed by lot at Shiloh, before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Simeon's inheritance is taken from Judah's portion, because that was too large for them. Even the largest tribe shares, and the distribution shows God's attention to the need of each tribe.
The territory of Dan was too small for them, and the sons of Dan went up to fight Leshem and took it, and called it Dan. When a tribe does not possess what it was given, it looks for another place on its own.
When the distribution is finished, the Israelites give Joshua an inheritance, according to the word of the Lord: the city he asked for, Timnath-serah. The leader serves himself last, not first.
These are the inheritances that the priest Eleazar, Joshua and the heads distributed by lot at Shiloh, before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent. The text closes by recalling that the land is a gift from God.
5 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Within the inheritance of Judah, because Judah's portion was too large. — Joshua 19:1, 9
Answer: Leshem, which they called Dan. — Joshua 19:47
Answer: Because their territory was too small for them. — Joshua 19:47
Answer: Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim. — Joshua 19:50
Answer: At Shiloh, before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. — Joshua 19:51
The end of the chapter shows a leader who received his share last. Joshua had led the people, had divided the land for others, and only afterward asked for something for himself, a modest city that he rebuilt. In a small group this invites us to ask how we exercise leadership: whether we seek our own first or first serve those who depend on us.
The story of Dan also carries a warning: when we do not possess in faith what God gave us, it is easy to look for shortcuts on our own. Dan found a new place, but at the cost of leaving its original inheritance. Faithfulness in what is assigned is safer than ambition for what belongs to others.
Joshua 19 closes the distribution of the land with Joshua's own inheritance. In Joshua 20, the law of Moses about cities of refuge is applied and six cities are set apart to protect anyone who kills unintentionally.
The text of Joshua says that the territory assigned to Dan was too small for them and that for this reason they conquered Leshem, in the north, and called it Dan. The book of Judges tells that migration in more detail. For this reason the phrase from Dan to Beersheba came to describe all Israel.
The text says the Israelites gave it to him according to the word of the Lord, once the distribution was finished. It is a gesture of humility that contrasts with other leaders who serve themselves first. Joshua asked for a specific city, rebuilt it and lived in it.