This 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.
Simeon receives this inheritance from Judah’s portion because Judah’s share is too large for Judah alone.
It explains why Simeon’s inheritance is enclosed within Judah’s land.
1The 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.