Joshua 19:9-51

The families of Simeon received their inheritance from Judah’s share of land because Judah’s portion exceeded what they needed. So the inheritance of the families of Simeon was within the territory of Judah. The families of the tribe of Zebulun received the third assignment of land. Their boundary reached as far southeast as the city of Sarid. Going west, it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and extended to the stream near Jokneam. In the other direction, the boundary line went east to the border of Chisloth-Tabor, and from there to Daberath and Japhia; then it continued east of Gath-Hepher, Eth Kazin, Rimmon, and turned toward Neah. The northern boundary of Zebulun passed Hannathon and ended at the valley of Iphtah El. Their land encompassed twelve cities, including Kattath, Nahalal, Shimeon, Iralah, and Bethlehem. Zebulun’s families inherited all these towns and their villages. The families of the tribe of Issachar received the fourth assignment of land. Their inheritance included Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem, Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez. Their border touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh, and ended at the Jordan River—sixteen towns and their villages. Issachar’s families inherited all these cities and their towns. The families of the tribe of Asher received the fifth assignment of land. Their territory included the city of Helkath to Hali, Beten, Achshaph, Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. Their border touched Carmel to the west and Shihor Libnath. The eastern border went north from the city of Beth Dagon. It touched the territory of the tribe of Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El to the north, Beth Emek and Neiel, and extended to Cabul on the north. It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. The boundary then turned back toward Ramah and went to the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah and came out at the sea in the region of Achzib, Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob—twenty-two towns and their villages. Asher’s families inherited this entire region. The families of the tribe of Naphtali received the sixth assignment of land. The northern border of its territory went from the town of Heleph to the oak near the town of Zaanannim, then continued to Adami Nekeb, Jabneel, and on to Lakkum, and ended at the Jordan River. It turned westward to Aznoth Tabor, extended from there to Hukok, touched Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and the Jordan on the east. The fortified towns of Naphtali included Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor, Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh—nineteen towns and their villages. Naphtali’s families inherited this entire region. The families of the tribe of Dan received the seventh assignment of land. Its area included the towns of Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, as well as the territory around Joppa. The Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory, so they went up and attacked Leshem, took it, killed its inhabitants, and occupied it. Then they renamed the city after their ancestor Dan. Dan’s families inherited this entire region. All the people of Israel gathered in front of the tabernacle at Shiloh so that Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the tribes could divide all the land west of the Jordan River. They used lots to find out how YAHWEH wanted them to divide the land. When they finished dividing the land into its regions, the Israelites gave their warrior-chief, Joshua son of Nun, his inheritance. As YAHWEH had instructed, they gave him the city he requested—Timnath Serah in the Ephraimite hill country. So he built up the city and lived there.