Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even in this short list of cities, there's a stark reminder that the promised land wasn't fully conquered. Ekron was a major Philistine city, indicating that the Israelites, despite receiving their inheritance by lot, still had significant battles ahead to truly claim God's promises. This underscores that receiving an inheritance is often just the beginning of the journey, not the end.
Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes the detailed listing of cities and territories assigned to the tribe of Dan, marking the final tribe to receive its inheritance. Following this, the chapter shifts to describe how Joshua himself received a portion, and then it broadly summarizes the completion of the land division.
Imagine working hard for your inheritance, only to find it's not quite enough. This was the reality for the tribe of Dan.
The tribe of Dan received their inheritance within the promised land, but the text implies it was smaller than expected. Their allotted cities, including Elon, Timnathah, and Ekron, eventually proved insufficient for their growing population.
Among the cities listed for Dan, one name stands out as a major challenge and a symbol of foreign power.
Ekron, one of the five major Philistine cities, appears in the list of Dan's inheritance. This inclusion is significant because the Philistines were Israel's long-standing adversaries.
Ask a follow-up
The mention of Ekron highlights the complex reality of the Israelite settlement; while the land was divided by lot, powerful non-Israelite cities remained, setting the stage for future conflicts and interactions.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Conquest of Canaan by Israelites
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquered the land of Canaan. This led to the division of the land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Philistine City-States Flourish
Cities like Ekron were powerful centers of the Philistines, a people who often clashed with the Israelites. These cities were significant geopolitical entities in the region.
c. 1000 BC
Consolidation of Israelite Tribes
After the initial conquest, the tribes began to solidify their territories, with cities and villages assigned according to the lots cast. This period marked the establishment of tribal boundaries.
This verse lists Ekron as part of Judah's inheritance, highlighting its strategic importance and its later assignment to Dan in Joshua 19, illustrating the shifting boundaries and complexities of land distribution.
Judges 1:34-36This passage recounts the Danites' struggle to possess their allotted territory, forcing them to seek land elsewhere and ultimately capture Leshem, which they rename Dan, demonstrating the challenges faced by the tribe in fully occupying their inheritance.
1 Samuel 5:10This verse shows Ekron as a Philistine city where the Ark of the Covenant was sent after its capture from the Israelites, underscoring its continuous importance as a Philistine stronghold and its unfortunate association with the enemies of Israel.
Jeremiah 25:20This prophetic passage includes Ekron among the nations cursed by the Lord, indicating its historical significance as a city opposed to God's people and subject to divine judgment.
calvinJoshua 19:32-51: "The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families."
And then the coast turns westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.
Postea revertitur terminus ad mare ad Aznoth-thabor: et progreditur illinc in Huccoc, et pervenit ad Zabulon a meridie, et ad Aser pervenit…
pulpitJoshua 19:43: "And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,"
Verse 43. - Ekron (see Joshua 13:3).
Even in this short list of cities, there's a stark reminder that the promised land wasn't fully conquered. Ekron was a major Philistine city, indicating that the Israelites, despite receiving their inheritance by lot, still had significant battles ahead to truly claim God's promises. This underscores that receiving an inheritance is often just the beginning of the journey, not the end.
This verse concludes the detailed listing of cities and territories assigned to the tribe of Dan, marking the final tribe to receive its inheritance. Following this, the chapter shifts to describe how Joshua himself received a portion, and then it broadly summarizes the completion of the land division.
This verse concludes the detailed listing of cities and territories assigned to the tribe of Dan, marking the final tribe to receive its inheritance. Following this, the chapter shifts to describe how Joshua himself received a portion, and then it broadly summarizes the completion of the land division.
"Elon, Timnah, Ekron," — Even in this short list of cities, there's a stark reminder that the promised land wasn't fully conquered. Ekron was a major Philistine city, indicating that the Israelites, despite receiving their i…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026