Josh. 19 The second lot falls to Simeon; his borders among the tribe of Judah, whose inheritance was too great for them, Josh. 19:1–9. The third lot falls to Zebulun, Josh. 19:10–16. The fourth to Issachar, Josh. 19:17–23. The fifth to Asher, Josh. 19:24–31. The sixth to Naphtali, Josh. 19:32–39.

This was so ordered by God’s providence, partly, to fulfil that threatening that he would divide and scatter this tribe in Israel, Gen. 49:7, which was hereby done in part, because they had no distinct part of their own, but were as inmates to Judah; partly, because now upon the more exact survey…

Beer-sheba, Sheba, or, or Sheba, i.e. otherwise called; for that Beer-sheba and Sheba were one and the same city is manifest, both from Josh. 19:6, where all the cities are reckoned to be but thirteen; and from 1 Chron. 4:28, where Simeon’s cities are enumerated, and Sheba omitted as superfluous.

Balah, called also Bilhah, 1 Chron. 4:29; and Baalah, Josh. 15:29. For let this be observed, once for all, that the names of persons or places are frequently changed through length of time, or difference of dialects, or study of brevity and easiness in pronunciation, or new accidents, or other…

Thirteen cities, or, towns, as some of them are called. 1 Chron. 4:32. Nor are all Simeon’s cities here numbered, for Etam is added, 1 Chron. 4:32, unless that were built afterward.

Zebulun is here put before Issachar, his elder brother, as he is also Gen. 49:13–14, Deut. 33:18.

The sea, i.e. the midland sea, as on the other side it reached to the sea of Galilee, and so those prophecies concerning him, Gen. 49:13, Deut. 33:18, were abundantly fulfilled. Jokneam: supposed to be Kishon, Judg. 4:7, or Belus, or Pagis.

Daberath, a city in Issachar, as appears from Josh. 21:18.

Bethlehem; not that where Christ was born, which was in Judah, thence called Bethlehem Judah, Matt. 2:1, but another. Twelve cities: there are more numbered here, but the rest either were not cities properly so called, having villages under their jurisdiction; or were not within this tribe, but…

Jezreel, the royal city, 1 Kings 21:1. This tribe, because it lay between Benjamin on the south and Zebulun on the north, is not here described by its borders, which were the same with theirs; but by some of its cities. Shunera, the birth-place of Abishag, 1 Kings 1:3.

En-gannim; a different place from that En-gannim in the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15:34.

Their border, on the north-west side.

Carmel westward, or, Carmel by the sea, to distinguish it from that Carmel in the tribe of Judah, 1 Sam. 25:2. This was a place of eminent fruitfulness, Isa. 33:9, Isa. 35:2, Isa. 37:24, agreeable to the prophecy concerning Asher, Gen. 49:20, Deut. 33:24.

Either, 1. That country called Cabul, wherein were twenty cities, of which 1 Kings 9:13. But this is not probable, because that was not within nor belonging to any particular tribe; for then Solomon could not have alienated it from them, and given it unto Hiram, whereas this did belong to Asher.

Kanah, to wit, Kanah the greater, in the Upper Galilee, not Kanah the less, which was in the Lower Galilee. Great Zidon; called great for its antiquity, and riches, and glory.

The coast turneth from the north southward. To the strong city Tyre; exclusively, for this city was no part of the land given them.

Here are more named, but some of them were not within this tribe, but only bordering places.

Their coast; their northern border, drawn from west to east, as appears, because when this coast is described and brought to its end, the coast is said to turn from the east westward, Josh. 19:34. The outgoings, i.e. the end of that coast.

Westward: this is unquestionably the southern border described from east to west. To Judah, upon Jordan. Quest. How can this be, when there were divers tribes between this and Judah, all which reached to Jordan? Answ.

Hammath, or, Hamath; of which see Num. 34:8, 1 Kings 8:65, 2 Kings 23:33. Chinnereth; whence the lake of Chinnereth or Gennesaret received its name.

Nineteen cities: See Poole “Josh. 19:15”, See Poole “Josh. 19:22”, See Poole “Josh. 19:30”.

Their inheritance; which is here described only by its cities, not by its borders, which are in part the same with Judah’s; and their inheritance is in good part taken out of Judah’s too large portion, as appears from divers of the cities here mentioned, which are also reckoned as in Judah’s…

Went out too little for them, Heb. went out from them, to wit, out of their hands or possession; for so this Hebrew word is used concerning those lands, which in the year of the jubilee are said to go out, Lev. 25:28, Lev. 25:30–31, Lev. 25:33, i.e.

i.e. They are said to give it, because the whole land was given to Joshua, and Eleazar, and the princes, as joint trustees, acting in the name and for the good of the people; so that even Joshua could take nothing without their gift.

According to the word of the Lord; as God promised or commanded; either, first, formerly, as may be gathered from Josh. 16:6; where we read that the Lord said something unto Moses concerning me, Caleb, and thee, Joshua; though only what is said to Caleb be there expressed, the other not being to…