Joshua 19:2-7
And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities with their villages,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What’s easy to miss here is that "Beersheba, Sheba" likely refers to just one location. The Hebrew conjunction used can mean "and" but also "or," suggesting this place was known by both names, or one was a variant of the other, preventing confusion as these tribes received their portions.
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose territory was not a contiguous block but carved out from within the larger portion allotted to the tribe of Judah. The reason for this unusual arrangement was that Judah had received more land than it needed, so some of its territory was reassigned to Simeon, ensuring every tribe received its due inheritance from God.
Imagine receiving an inheritance, only to find it's inside someone else's land. This was the reality for the tribe of Simeon.
The tribe of Simeon received their allotted territory not as a distinct, separate region, but nestled within the territory of Judah. This wasn't an oversight but a consequence of past actions.
A Scattered People
Jacob, in his final prophecy, declared that Simeon and Levi would be 'divided and scattered in Israel' (Genesis 49:7). While Levi's scattering eventually led to a priestly dignity, Simeon's resulted in this fragmented inheritance. They were dispersed, with cities given to them from Judah's portion.
Theological Significance
This placement served as a constant, visible reminder of Simeon's historical transgressions, particularly their brutal actions alongside Levi at Shechem. It was a form of divine justice, ensuring their actions had lasting consequences.
The name 'Beersheba' itself tells a story of promises and pacts. What does this ancient well signify for Simeon's inheritance?
Beersheba, meaning 'well of the oath' or 'well of seven,' was a significant location, deeply tied to the patriarchs.
Abraham and Isaac's Covenant
It's famously the place where Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech, sealing it with seven ewe lambs (Genesis 21:22-31). Later, Isaac also encountered God there and renewed the covenant, digging wells and naming one Beersheba (Genesis 26:23-33).
A Place of Promise
For Simeon, inheriting land that included Beersheba connected them to these foundational promises of God. Despite their tribe's troubled past and fragmented inheritance, they were still part of the covenant land and its rich spiritual history.
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 allotment of land described in Joshua 19 reflects an early stage of Israel's settlement. The tribe of Simeon's inheritance being carved out of Judah's territory highlights that the land division was a dynamic process, influenced by earlier tribal dispersals and the eventual political realities leading to the divided kingdom and exile.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquered the land of Canaan. This period marked the beginning of the allocation of land to the twelve tribes.
During the period of the Judges— this verse
Simeon's Inheritance Allotted
The tribe of Simeon received their inheritance within the territory already assigned to the tribe of Judah, as their portion was insufficient on its own. This indicates a complex and sometimes overlapping distribution of land.
c. 10th Century BC
Division of Kingdom
Following the reign of Solomon, the United Kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms: Israel (in the north) and Judah (in the south). The cities of Simeon largely remained within the southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of the northern tribes. The southern Kingdom of Judah, including the territory of Simeon, continued for another century.
This passage describes Isaac giving the name 'Sheba' to the city of Beersheba, highlighting the close connection or even identity between these two names as seen in Joshua's inheritance list.
Genesis 49:7Jacob's prophecy foretold that Simeon would be 'divided and scattered,' which is reflected in the tribe of Simeon receiving its inheritance within the territory of Judah, rather than a contiguous block of land.
Joshua 15:26This verse lists Moladah as a city within the inheritance of Judah, showing how Simeon's allotted lands were carved out from Judah's larger portion.
1 Chronicles 4:28This parallel account of Simeon's inheritance omits 'Sheba' from the list, supporting the idea that 'Sheba' might be another name for Beersheba, thus reconciling different enumerations of these cities.
Nehemiah 11:29This post-exilic record lists inhabitants in Beersheba, showing that this location continued to be significant long after the initial tribal allocations.
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…
What’s easy to miss here is that "Beersheba, Sheba" likely refers to just one location. The Hebrew conjunction used can mean "and" but also "or," suggesting this place was known by both names, or one was a variant of the other, preventing confusion as these tribes received their portions.
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose territory was not a contiguous block but carved out from within the larger portion allotted to the tribe of Judah. The reason for this unusual arrangement was that Judah had received more land than it needed, so some of its territory was reassigned to Simeon, ensuring every tribe received its due inheritance from God.
This passage details the tribal inheritance of Simeon, whose territory was not a contiguous block but carved out from within the larger portion allotted to the tribe of Judah. The reason for this unusual arrangement was that Judah had received more land than it needed, so some of its territory was reassigned to Simeon, ensuring every tribe received its due inheritance from God.
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When an error is discovered in dividing inheritance, who steps up? Judah's response reveals a crucial principle.
The initial division of land wasn't perfect. The tribe of Judah received more territory than they could adequately possess. The subsequent adjustment, giving parts of Judah's portion to Simeon, highlights several important points:
Acknowledging Error
The tribe of Judah didn't cling possessively to their oversized inheritance. When it became clear they had too much and Simeon needed land, Judah yielded gracefully. This reflects a spirit of moderation and willingness to correct mistakes.
Divine Order Restored
While human judgment made the initial error, the Spirit guided the correction. God ensures that His people ultimately receive their rightful portions, even if it requires adjustments. This process demonstrated equity and ensured no tribe was left landless.
Principle of Sharing
This act of Judah exemplifies the principle of 'love seeks not her own' (1 Corinthians 13:5). They were willing to share what they perceived as their own gain for the good of their brethren.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the southern Kingdom of Judah, exiling much of the population. This event marked the end of the tribal land system as described in Joshua.
"And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and A…" — What’s easy to miss here is that "Beersheba, Sheba" likely refers to just one location. The Hebrew conjunction used can mean "and" but also "or," suggesting this place was known by both names, or o…
