Joshua 19:1-23

Simeon, Zebulun, and Issachar

Read the passage

1The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah

2and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,

3Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,

4Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,

5Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,

6Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities, along with their villages.

7Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities, along with their villages,

8and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the Negev). This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Simeon.

9The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion.

10The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun: The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid.

11It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam.

12From Sarid it turned eastward along the border of Chisloth-tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia.

13From there it crossed eastward to Gath-hepher and to Eth-kazin; it extended to Rimmon and curved around toward Neah.

14Then the border circled around the north side of Neah to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah-el.

15It also included Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem. There were twelve cities, along with their villages.

16This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Zebulun, including these cities and their villages.

17The fourth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Issachar:

18Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,

19Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,

20Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

21Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.

22The border reached Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen cities, along with their villages.

23This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Issachar, including these cities and their villages.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The second lot falls to Simeon, whose inheritance lies within Judah's territory. The record names its towns, including Beersheba, Ziklag, and Hormah, together with their surrounding villages.

The text says the inheritance of Simeon came from Judah's portion because Judah's share was larger than needed. That statement gives a practical reason for the arrangement. The tribes are not competing for identical territories; they are sharing what has been assigned so the whole people can live.

The third lot falls to Zebulun. Its boundary passes through Sarid and Daberath, and its towns include Bethlehem. Twelve cities and their villages are assigned to its clans.

The fourth lot belongs to Issachar. Its sixteen cities and their villages include Jezreel and Shunem, and its boundary reaches the Jordan. The reading ends with this third tribal allotment, giving each group identifiable towns and land.

Questions

1 Where does Simeon's inheritance lie?

AnswerSimeon's inheritance lies within Judah's territory, because Judah's portion was larger than its people needed.

2 What does the record name for each tribe?

AnswerIt names towns and boundaries, giving the families identifiable places rather than a general promise without practical detail.

3 Which tribe receives the third lot?

AnswerZebulun receives the third lot and receives its inheritance within the territory assigned to its clans.

4 Which tribe receives the fourth lot?

AnswerIssachar receives the fourth lot, including sixteen cities and their villages, with a boundary reaching the Jordan.

What This Means for Us

Fairness sometimes requires sharing space rather than defending every boundary as untouchable. Judah's larger portion becomes a place where Simeon can belong.

Ask whether your household has more capacity than it needs while someone nearby lacks room, support, or security. Sharing should be thoughtful and just, but it should remain a real possibility when love requires it.

Prayer

Lord, keep us from treating every possession as untouchable. Give us wisdom to share space and resources fairly, gratitude for what we have, and concern for the people whose needs are easy to overlook. Amen.

Your reading

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