Joshua 19:1-9·~1 min

Simeon’s Inheritance

The second lot assigns Simeon a cluster of towns within Judah’s land, then explains why: Judah’s portion is larger than needed, so Simeon receives its inheritance from inside it.

T¹he second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: ²Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, ³Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, ⁴Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, ⁵Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, ⁶Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen— thirteen cities, along with their villages. ⁷Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan— four cities, along with their villages, ⁸and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the Negev). ⁹This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Simeon. The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion.

Section summaryThe lot for Simeon places its towns inside Judah’s territory, listing the cities and villages that make up its share. The section ends by explaining that Simeon’s inheritance comes from Judah because Judah’s portion proves too large.

Role in the chapterThis section resumes the unfinished allotments and immediately shows that Israel’s inheritance can be adjusted within the larger settlement. It also links Simeon’s place to Judah, showing the tribes ordered together rather than isolated.