Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that these cities, listed as Simeon's inheritance, were actually part of Judah's original territory. This reveals that land assignments weren't final or perfect; Judah had to give up some of its land to make sure Simeon, a tribe with no territory of its own, received an inheritance.
Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the specific cities assigned to the tribe of Simeon as their inheritance. These cities, including Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah, were actually located within the larger territory originally allotted to the tribe of Judah. This situation arose because Judah had received an unexpectedly large portion, necessitating a readjustment to ensure Simeon also received their rightful share.
Why did the tribe of Simeon end up with cities inside Judah's territory? It wasn't the plan!
The lot for Simeon's inheritance fell within the larger portion assigned to Judah. This happened because Judah's initial inheritance was more than they needed, and Simeon's portion was too small to sustain them.
This situation is a fulfillment of Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon (and his brother Levi): "I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 49:2). While Levi's scattering led to a unique priestly and teaching role, Simeon's was a consequence of past actions.
Instead of a contiguous block of land, Simeon's cities were scattered among Judah's, a visible reminder of their dispersal.
When an error was discovered in land distribution, Judah didn't fight for their extra portion. Why?
The division of the land was guided by God, but human judgment was involved in the process. In this case, the tribe of Judah received more land than they could adequately possess, and the tribe of Simeon received less than they needed.
When this imbalance became clear, Judah didn't cling to their surplus territory. Instead, they relinquished cities within their borders to Simeon. This act demonstrates love and consideration for their brethren, reflecting the principle of not seeking one's own.
This willingness to share isn't just human kindness; it's a response to divine equity, acknowledging that the initial assignment had an error that needed correction to ensure all God's people received their due inheritance.
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Understand the original words
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 allocation of cities like Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah to the tribe of Simeon within Judah's territory highlights the complex and sometimes imperfect process of dividing the Promised Land. It underscores God's provision even when human judgment faltered.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites under Joshua conquered the land of Canaan. The distribution of land to the twelve tribes began after this military campaign.
c. 1400 BC
Initial Land Allotment
The land of Canaan was divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel. However, errors in the initial division occurred, necessitating adjustments.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Simeon's Inheritance Adjusted
The tribe of Simeon received its inheritance from within the territory already allotted to the tribe of Judah, as Judah's portion was too large and Simeon's was initially insufficient.
c. 1400 BC
Cities of Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah assigned
These cities, historically associated with Judah, were now confirmed as part of Simeon's allocated inheritance within Judah's territory.
c. 1300-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
After Joshua's death, the Israelites experienced cycles of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, leading to periods of oppression and deliverance under various judges. The tribal boundaries sometimes blurred during this time.
This passage lists the same cities (or variations of them like Tolad and Bethuel) within the territory of Judah, highlighting how Simeon's inheritance was carved out from Judah's.
1 Chronicles 4:29This verse also names these cities (as Tolad and Bethuel), further emphasizing their connection to the tribe of Simeon, which inherited land from Judah.
Judges 1:17This verse mentions Hormah (as Zephath) and its conquest by Judah, showing a history of conflict and possession in the region where Simeon later received its inheritance.
Genesis 49:7Jacob's prophecy foretold that Simeon and Levi would be 'divided and scattered,' which is reflected in Simeon's inheritance being dispersed within Judah's territory, a consequence of their ancestral actions.
gillJoshua 19:4: "And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,"
And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah. These were all cities of Judah, Joshua 15:30 ; Eltolad is the same with Tolad, and Bethul with Bethuel, 1 Chronicles 4:29 , and with Chesil, Joshua 15:30 , mentioned there along with Hormah; See Gill on Joshua 15:30 .
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 is that these cities, listed as Simeon's inheritance, were actually part of Judah's original territory. This reveals that land assignments weren't final or perfect; Judah had to give up some of its land to make sure Simeon, a tribe with no territory of its own, received an inheritance.
This passage details the specific cities assigned to the tribe of Simeon as their inheritance. These cities, including Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah, were actually located within the larger territory originally allotted to the tribe of Judah. This situation arose because Judah had received an unexpectedly large portion, necessitating a readjustment to ensure Simeon also received their rightful share.
This passage details the specific cities assigned to the tribe of Simeon as their inheritance. These cities, including Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah, were actually located within the larger territory originally allotted to the tribe of Judah. This situation arose because Judah had received an unexpectedly large portion, necessitating a readjustment to ensure Simeon also received their rightful share.
"Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah," — What's easy to miss is that these cities, listed as Simeon's inheritance, were actually part of Judah's original territory. This reveals that land assignments weren't final or perfect; Judah had to g…
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Last reviewed October 2026