Joshua 19:1-9

Joshua 19:1-9

[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  within  the inheritance  of them.

What does Joshua 19:1-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Simeon"s lot fell within the southern portion of the inheritance of Judah because Judah"s portion proved too large for that tribe ( Joshua 19:9). Simeon received certain towns within Judah"s territory. In this way God fulfilled Jacob"s prediction, at least initially, that Simeon would experience dispersion ( Genesis 49:5-7).
The Simeonites received two groups of towns ( Joshua 19:2-8). The first group consisted of13towns in the Negev ( Joshua 19:2-6). The second included four towns, two in the Negev and two in the Shephelah ( Joshua 19:7). The names of all these towns also occur in Judah"s list ( Joshua 15:26-32; Joshua 15:42).