SERIES G --- THE PROMISED LAND --- LESSON 18

MY LAND!

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO SIMEON

From Joshua 19:1-9

When lots were cast again, the tribe of Simeon received the second assignment of land, including an area that had earlier been assigned to Judah. Within this inheritance lay these seventeen cities and their surrounding villages: Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, Beth-lebaoth, Sharuhen, En-rimmon, Ether and Ashan. The tribe of Simeon was also given cities around Baalath-beer or Ramah of the Negeb. The land assigned to Simeon’s tribe was part of the land previously assigned to Judah, for the tribe of Judah had received too much land. Therefore, Simeon’s inheritance lay within the boundaries of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah.

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO ZEBULUN

From Joshua 19:10-16

The third tribe of the seven to draw a lot for the assignment of land was Zebulun. The boundaries of their assignment went from the south side of Sand to the west, near Mareal and Dabbesheth, to the brook near Jokneam. From Sand the boundary also went eastward to the region of Chisloth-tabor, then on to Daberath and then to Japhia. From there it continued eastward toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher and Ethkazin, then to Rimmon where it went toward Neah. There the border turns north to Hannathon and ends at the Valley of Iphtahel. There were twelve cities with their surrounding villages in this territory, including the following: Kattah, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem.

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO ISSACHAR

From Joshua 19:17-23

The fourth lot was drawn for the tribe of Issachar. The following sixteen cities and their surrounding villages, were included in the land assigned to this tribe: Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, Rabbith, Kishiort, Ebez, Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez, Tabor, Shahazumah and Beth-shemesh. Its boundary ended at the Jordan River.

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO ASHER

From Joshua 19:24-31

The fifth lot was drawn for the tribe of Asher. The territory assigned to this tribe included twenty-two cities and their surrounding villages, including Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, Allam-melech, Amad and Mishal. The western boundary included Carmel and Shihor-libnath. As the boundary turned east, it included Beth-dagon and went as far as Zebulun and to the Valley of Iphtahel, then northward to Bethemek and Neiel. It continued northward to Cabul, Ebron, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, then as far as Great Sidon. At Great Sidon, the boundary turned to Ramah, then went on to the fortified city of Tyre, where it turned to Hosah and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. Also included in this territory were Mahalab, Achzib, Ummah, Aphek and Rehob. These were all included in the total of twenty-two cities, with their surrounding villages.

THE LAND ASSIGNED TO NAPHTALI

From Joshua 19:32-39

The sixth lot was drawn for the tribe of Naphtali. The boundary for their assignment began at Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, going on to Adami-nekeb, Jabneel and Lakkum, ending at the Jordan River. Naphtali’s western boundary went past Aznoth-tabor, then Hukkok, touching Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west and Judah at the Jordan River in the east. The following fortified cities were included in this territory: Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, Yiron, Migdalel, Horem, Beth-anath and Beth-shemesh. There were nineteen cities in all, including their surrounding villages.

COMMENTARY

SIX TRIBES AND THEIR TERRITORY

Why is such a lengthy account of the dividing of the Promised Land given in the Bible? Think how exciting this was for a people freed from slavery and fresh from wandering in a desert wilderness. Now each one would be able to say, “My land!” Each would know that his children and his children’s children would have a homeland. After the tribe of Benjamin received its inheritance of land, six tribes remained without territory. The next lot fell to the tribe of Simeon. Instead of settling in a new area, Simeon received a section of land in the middle of Judah’s territory, because Judah had more land than it could subdue and occupy. Since it was within another tribe’s boundaries, no borderlines for Simeon were ever recorded. The territory is identified by the cities within it. The major city among those assigned to Simeon was Beersheba. While other landmark cities like Beth-marcaboth {Place of Chariots} and En-rimmon {Pomegranate Spring}, are still identifiable, others; like Hazar-shual {Jackal Court} and Beth-lebaoth {Place of Lions}; have disappeared. The tribe of Zebulun was given the next land assignment, in the rolling hill country far to the north. The description of Zebulun’s wandering border starts in the middle of the southern boundary line. To the west it ran to Dabbesheth {The Hump}, then to the springs of Tel Qeimun. Heading east, it passed through a town called Gath-hepher {Wine-press of Hepher}, north through Rimmon {Pomegranate} and back down through the Valley of Iphrael. Issachar drew the third lot, a small area above Manasseh with the Jordan River as an eastern border. Like Simeon, the boundary lines for this tribe were never recorded; only a list of towns describes the area. Some of the important landmarks included Beth-shemesh {House of the Sun}, and En-gannim, {Spring of the Gardens}. The tribe of Asher settled in a much larger area. Shihor-libnath {Crocodile River} flowed along the southern border to the Mediterranean. The sea then formed the boundary up to the seaport of Tyre, almost the entire length of the land. On the east the border turned toward Beth-dagon {Shrine of Dagon}, and travelled northward through the hot springs at Rehob. This same line formed the western boundary of Naphtali’s territory. In the south it ran past Zaanannim toward the Sea of Galilee, sharing a border with Zebulun, Manasseh and a corner of Issachar. The tribe of Dan received its land last. Some of the towns included in its territory were Shaalabbin {Place of Foxes}, Jalud {Praise} and Bene-berak, {Sons of Lighting}. However, the tribe of Dan was not able to drive out the Amorites living in the area and never settled in its assigned territory