Joshua 19:1-51 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

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SIMEON WITHIN JUDAH'S BOUNDARIES

(vs.1-9)

Because Judah's inheritance was so large, Simeon was given a possession within Judah's borders. Simeon means "hearkening," for the one whose habit is to listen to God will certainly praise Him, thus having title to an inheritance within Judah ("praise"). No separating borders are mentioned for Simeon, and God has definite reason for this, but a number of cities with their surrounding villages are listed as belonging to Simeon. Certainly all of these also have spiritual significance which will yield blessing for those who are concerned and enabled to search it out.

ZEBULON'S INHERITANCE

(vs.10-16)

Zebulon means "dwelling." So that in Israel this implied a permanent abode in the presence of God, a good reminder for us today, for "he who abides (or dwells) in love abides in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). The boundaries of Zebulon are not as clearly defined as natural thought would expect, but this itself indicates a spiritual lesson needful for us. Dwelling with God does not need definition, but spiritual enjoyment and exercise. God's presence is certainly a place of greatest joy for the believer, but also of serious concern that He should be honored in every detail of our conduct.

The area of Zebulon's possession was north of Manasseh. Twelve cities and their villages are noted as belonging to Zebulon (v.15), a picture of his representing all 12 tribes in the virtuous character of dwelling with God.

ISSACHAR'S POSSESSION

(vs.17-31)

Issachar means "there is reward." Believers at the judgment seat of Christ will receive reward for what they have done for the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10), so that this tribe appears to emphasize what outward works should be, not simply our inward character. Again, its borders are not clearly defined, as though indicating we should not limit our good works, which are to be exercised toward all mankind, specially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). The east border, however, was the Jordan River (v.22), a reminder that death will be the end of any opportunity to earn reward for good work done.

THE INHERITANCE OF ASHER

(vs.24-31)

Asher means "happy," which surely implies that in our present inheritance "in heavenly places in Christ" we have every reason for rejoicing, so that this is another lovely feature of Christian character as illustrated by the tribes of Israel. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice." Not that joy is to be an object, for it is "in the Lord," thus plainly making the Lord the Object, but joy will be the spontaneous result of contemplating Him.

NAPHTALI'S TERRITORY

(vs.32-39)

Naphtali means "my wrestlings," so that this adds the lesson of overcoming in conflict. In this matter too Naphtali represents all Israel, for in one very real respect every true believer is an overcomer. "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5). The victory that overcomes the world is not our works, but our faith (1 John 5:4). All Israel were overcomers in their overcoming in general the enemies of the land, though in practice they were not by any means always overcomers. Thus believers are all overcomers in principle, and ought to be also in daily practice, for we should be concerned about details as well as overcoming in general.

Naphtali was north of Zebulon and east of Asher (v.34), so that its territory was in the far north of the land, as was Asher, including a number of fortified cities.

DAN'S INHERITANCE

Dan's name means "judge." This reminds us that "the saints will judge the world" and will judge even "angels" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). We shall do this as identified with Christ when He takes His great authority. Paul uses this to press upon the Corinthians their responsibility of judging grievances in their assembly rather than allowing such matters to be taken before the courts of the world. Yet also, if we are to ever judge others, we must first learn to judge ourselves, as the Lord Jesus insists in Matthew 7:5: "First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Let us consider seriously that, before we shall have part with the Lord Jesus in judging the world, we shall first be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Only in having rightly judged ourselves will we be in any proper condition to judge the world.

The inheritance of Dan was near to the sea-coast, west of Ephraim and Benjamin, and north of Judah. But later, in Judges 18:1 we learn that Dan had not possessed what he was entitled to, so that, after sending spies to the north of the land, who found the Sidonians living in peace without fortifications or armaments, six hundred men from Dan journeyed there and attacked the inhabitants, killing them and burning their city Laish (Judges 18:27-29), then rebuilding the city for themselves, calling it Dan. Thus the tribe of Dan is thereafter referred to as at the extreme north of the land. Laish is the same as Leshem, noted in verse 47, this verse referring to the conquest of Judges 18:1-31. Though the area described in verses 41-46 was Dan's proper inheritance, it seems that they retained little possession of this.

Though Dan's place among the tribes as referring to judgment is an honourable one, yet his after history was contrary to the truth of his position. Dan was the first to introduce idolatry publicly in their tribe (Judges 18:30-31). How solemnly this teaches us that, when we are privileged to be in the place of judging for God, we may so assume such authority for ourselves that it amounts to idolatry!

JOSHUA'S INHERITANCE

(vs.49-51)

All the tribes having been given their territory, now we read of that which was given to Joshua. His name is the same as Jesus (in Greek), meaning "Jehovah is Savior," so that Joshua is a type of Christ as the Leader and Completer of faith. "If others have their particular possessions, how appropriate that Christ should have Timnath Serah, which means "an abundant portion." This surely causes believing hearts to rejoice, that the One who is supremely worthy receives that which delights His great heart of love. It is His voice we hear in Psalms 16:6, "The lines have fallen unto Me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance." In Ephesians 1:18 Paul expresses in prayer his desire that believers might "know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" etc. Those who are redeemed by His blood and their hearts purified by faith, form His inheritance, which is so valuable and glorious to Him.

Related Commentaries of Joshua 19:1

Joshua 19:1-51

1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

3 And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

5 And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,

6 And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:

7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:

8 And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.

9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

10 And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid:

11 And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;

12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,

13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;

14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:

15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

17 And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,

19 And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,

20 And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,

21 And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;

22 And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

25 And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,

26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;

27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,

28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;

29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre;a and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:

30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.

31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.

33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:

34 And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.

35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,

36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,

37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,

38 And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.

39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.

40 And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,

43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,

44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,

45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,

46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border beforeb Japho.

47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight 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.

48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:

50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.