And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The tribe of Simeon received their inheritance not as a pristine, independent territory, but carved out from the land already allotted to Judah. This wasn't a mistake; it was a divine allowance, reflecting Simeon's earlier scattered state and acting as a check on Judah's initial over-allocation, teaching them generosity and the importance of ensuring every brother had a place.
And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the inheritance allocated to the tribe of Simeon. Unlike other tribes receiving distinct territories, Simeon's portion was carved out within the land already assigned to Judah, a curious arrangement stemming from Judah receiving a larger share than initially needed. The specific cities listed, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance, foreshadowing their dispersed status among the other tribes.
Have you ever felt like you received less than you deserved? The tribe of Simeon faced a similar situation when their allotted land was carved out from Judah's territory.
The inheritance of the tribe of Simeon wasn't a distinct territory, but rather a section within the larger allotment of the tribe of Judah.
Two names appear in this short verse, Beersheba and Sheba. Are they the same place, or two distinct cities? The text hints at a deeper story.
The mention of 'Beersheba, Sheba' presents a geographical and textual puzzle that reveals something about the carefulness required in Scripture.
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Imagine you've received a generous inheritance, only to be asked to give part of it away. How would you react? The tribe of Judah's response is instructive.
The text reveals a beautiful picture of inter-tribal generosity and acknowledges human error, even within God's plan.
Understand the original words
Be'er Sheva · Hebrew Proper Noun
A name meaning 'well of the oath' or 'well of seven,' historically associated with the patriarchal narratives of Abraham and Isaac and representing a significant southern boundary marker of Israelite territory.
Chormah · Hebrew Proper Noun
Often signifies 'destruction' or 'devoted to destruction' (cherem) in a military context. In the Bible, it refers to a city that was placed under a ban of total destruction as a judgment from God against the Canaanites.
The inclusion of Beersheba and Moladah in Simeon's inheritance highlights a unique historical situation where one tribe's territory was carved out of another's, a consequence of Simeon's smaller numbers and ancestral legacy.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites under Joshua conquered the land of Canaan. The division of the land among the twelve tribes was a crucial step in establishing their national identity and presence in the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Simeon's Inheritance Assigned
The tribe of Simeon received its tribal inheritance, which was uniquely situated within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This unusual arrangement reflected the tribe's diminished status due to ancestral sin.
c. 1400 BC
Cities of Judah and Simeon Defined
Specific cities and their surrounding villages were designated as the inheritance for Simeon, including key locations like Beersheba and Moladah, confirming their boundaries within Judah's larger allotment.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
The establishment of the united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon, while not directly changing the tribal boundaries, saw a consolidation of Israelite power and administration over the land.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The cities belonging to Simeon, being within Judah's territory, remained part of the southern kingdom.
This passage names Beersheba as a place where Isaac made a covenant, linking it to oaths and significant promises, which ties into the meaning of Beersheba as 'well of the oath'.
Genesis 49:7Jacob's prophecy foretold that Simeon and Levi would be 'divided and scattered in Israel,' directly foreshadowing Simeon's inheritance being a dispersed portion within another tribe's territory.
Joshua 15:26This verse lists cities belonging to Judah, including Moladah and possibly a variant of Sheba ('Shema'), showing that these places were originally part of Judah's inheritance before being allocated to Simeon.
1 Chronicles 4:28This passage also lists cities belonging to Simeon, and notably omits 'Sheba' from the list found in Joshua 19:2, suggesting a potential overlap or renaming of locations.
Romans 12:1This verse calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, which echoes the idea of willingly giving up or relinquishing something, much like the tribe of Judah did when they ceded part of their inheritance.
clarkeJoshua 19:2: "And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,"
Beer-sheba - The well of the oath. See the note on Genesis 21:31 .
calvinJoshua 19:1-9: "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."
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.
Et omnes villae quae erant per circuitus urbium istarum usque ad Baalath-beer, Ramath Australem. Ist…
The tribe of Simeon received their inheritance not as a pristine, independent territory, but carved out from the land already allotted to Judah. This wasn't a mistake; it was a divine allowance, reflecting Simeon's earlier scattered state and acting as a check on Judah's initial over-allocation, teaching them generosity and the importance of ensuring every brother had a place.
This passage details the inheritance allocated to the tribe of Simeon. Unlike other tribes receiving distinct territories, Simeon's portion was carved out within the land already assigned to Judah, a curious arrangement stemming from Judah receiving a larger share than initially needed. The specific cities listed, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance, foreshadowing their dispersed status among the other tribes.
This passage details the inheritance allocated to the tribe of Simeon. Unlike other tribes receiving distinct territories, Simeon's portion was carved out within the land already assigned to Judah, a curious arrangement stemming from Judah receiving a larger share than initially needed. The specific cities listed, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance, foreshadowing their dispersed status among the other tribes.
"And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah," — The tribe of Simeon received their inheritance not as a pristine, independent territory, but carved out from the land already allotted to Judah. This wasn't a mistake; it was a divine allowance, refl…
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Last reviewed October 2026