And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The tribe of Simeon, whose inheritance was allotted within Judah's territory, received cities like Beersheba, which had already been significant for oaths of covenant. This placement wasn't just an administrative detail; it highlights how even those seemingly left with less were situated within sacred, divinely-established places.
And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose allotted territory was not a contiguous block but rather cities scattered within the larger portion assigned to the tribe of Judah. This unique situation arose because Judah had been given more land than needed, so they relinquished some territory to ensure Simeon, whose own inheritance was insufficient, received their share. The specific cities mentioned, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance.
The tribe of Simeon received their inheritance not as a distinct territory, but carved out from the land already assigned to Judah. What does this unusual arrangement reveal about God's dealings with His people?
When the lots were cast for the tribes of Israel, Simeon’s inheritance was unique: it was located within the territory of Judah. This wasn't a mistake or an oversight, but a deliberate divine arrangement.
A Prophesied Scattering
Jacob, on his deathbed, prophesied that Simeon and Levi would be 'divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel' (Genesis 49:7). While Levi's scattering led to a unique priestly honor, Simeon’s resulted in his descendants being dispersed among other tribes, primarily Judah. This verse marks the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Divine Correction and Equity
The commentators note that Judah had received more land than they could rightly possess. The decision to carve out Simeon's inheritance from Judah's portion demonstrates God's commitment to fairness and order. Even when human plans err (as they did in the initial division), God ensures that every tribe receives its due, and His justice is upheld.
Beersheba is a place name rich with history, connected to pivotal moments between Abraham and God. Why is this specific location significant for Simeon's inheritance?
The mention of Beersheba in Simeon's inheritance is deeply symbolic. This was not just any town; it was a place where God had made significant promises.
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A Place of Covenant
Beersheba means 'Well of the Oath' or 'Well of Seven.' It’s where Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech, sealing it with seven ewe lambs (Genesis 21:22-31). It was also the site where Isaac experienced God's reaffirmation of the covenant promises made to Abraham (Genesis 26:23-33).
Continuity of Promise
For the tribe of Simeon, inheriting a place like Beersheba signifies that even within their dispersed and seemingly diminished portion, they were still included in the land promised by God. It's a reminder that God's faithfulness to His covenant people is steadfast, even when circumstances appear less than ideal.
The text lists 'Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah.' But is 'Sheba' a separate city, or is it tied to Beersheba? The way this is written hints at a deeper layer.
There's a subtle but important detail regarding the mention of 'Sheba' alongside Beersheba. Biblical scholars and commentators have debated whether these refer to two distinct cities or if 'Sheba' is another name or designation for Beersheba.
Merged or Mistaken Names?
Many scholars, looking at the context and other scriptural lists (like 1 Chronicles 4:28, which omits 'Sheba'), suggest that 'Sheba' here likely refers to the same place as Beersheba, or a very closely associated location. The Hebrew word translated as 'and' (the vav) can sometimes be used in a way that means 'or,' indicating an alternative name or clarification.
Navigating Textual Nuances
This isn't about finding a 'mistake' in the Bible, but about understanding how ancient texts were written and how place names could be recorded. The slight variations across different lists of cities highlight the complexity of mapping ancient territories and names. What remains clear is that Beersheba, a place of profound spiritual significance, was central to Simeon's allotted portion.
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 inheritance described in Joshua 19:2 for the tribe of Simeon highlights a unique situation where their allotted territory was carved out from the larger portion assigned to the tribe of Judah, a consequence of an adjusted division meant to ensure fairness among the tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquered the land of Canaan, displacing its inhabitants and preparing to divide the land amongst the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Tribal Allotments Determined
The land of Canaan was divided by lot under Joshua's leadership, with the tabernacle set up at Shiloh. Initially, the divisions were made, but errors in surveying and assignment were later corrected.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Correction of Simeon's Inheritance
The tribe of Simeon received its inheritance 'within the inheritance of the children of Judah' because Judah's initial portion was too large. This indicates an adjustment to the original division, reflecting a need for equity.
c. 1350 BC
Simeon's Dispersal and Decline
The tribe of Simeon, scattered within Judah's territory, eventually diminished in strength and influence, often associated with smaller settlements and pastoral life.
This passage explains the origin of the name Beersheba ('well of the oath'), linking it to Abraham's covenant with Abimelech, thus providing historical and theological depth to one of Simeon's inherited cities.
Genesis 49:7Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi ('I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel') is directly reflected in Simeon's inheritance being a dispersed territory within Judah's larger portion, showing the fulfillment of this ancient word.
Joshua 15:26This verse lists Moladah as a city belonging to the tribe of Judah, highlighting how Simeon's inheritance was carved out from Judah's territory, illustrating the 'inheritance within an inheritance' concept.
1 Chronicles 4:28This parallel account of Simeon's inheritance omits the name Sheba (or equates it with Beersheba), reinforcing the textual complexity and possible overlap in the city names within the biblical record.
Nehemiah 11:29This post-exilic passage mentions dwelling places of the descendants of Judah and Simeon, indicating the continued presence and territorial relationship of these tribes in the southern region, long after the initial division of the land.
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, whose inheritance was allotted within Judah's territory, received cities like Beersheba, which had already been significant for oaths of covenant. This placement wasn't just an administrative detail; it highlights how even those seemingly left with less were situated within sacred, divinely-established places.
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose allotted territory was not a contiguous block but rather cities scattered within the larger portion assigned to the tribe of Judah. This unique situation arose because Judah had been given more land than needed, so they relinquished some territory to ensure Simeon, whose own inheritance was insufficient, received their share. The specific cities mentioned, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance.
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose allotted territory was not a contiguous block but rather cities scattered within the larger portion assigned to the tribe of Judah. This unique situation arose because Judah had been given more land than needed, so they relinquished some territory to ensure Simeon, whose own inheritance was insufficient, received their share. The specific cities mentioned, like Beersheba and Moladah, highlight the fragmented nature of Simeon's inheritance.
"And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah," — The tribe of Simeon, whose inheritance was allotted within Judah's territory, received cities like Beersheba, which had already been significant for oaths of covenant. This placement wasn't just an…
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Last reviewed October 2026