Joshua 19

Jos 19:1 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.

The inheritance of Simeon was taken out of the portion of Judah. The Simeonite territory is described by its towns, of which fourteen were in the Negeb, and four others Jos_19:7 partly in the Negeb and partly in “the valley.”

The second lot came forth to Simeon - In this appointment the providence of God may be especially remarked. For the iniquitous conduct of Simeon and Levi, in the massacre of the innocent Shechemites, Gen_34:25-31
25 And it happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took each his sword and came upon the city boldly, and killed all the males.
26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.
28 They took their sheep and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field.
29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives, they took captive, and plundered even all that was in the house.
30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled me, to make me stink among those who live in the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. And I, being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and kill me. And I shall be destroyed, my house and I.
31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?
Jacob, in the spirit of prophecy, foretold that they should be divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel, Gen_49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brothers; tools of violence are their weapons. Oh my soul, do not come into their secret. Let not my honor be united with their assembly. For in their anger they killed a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung a bull. Let their anger be cursed, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. And this was most literally fulfilled in the manner in which God disposed of both these tribes afterwards. Levi was scattered through all Palestine, not having received any inheritance, only cities to dwell in, in different parts of the land; and Simeon was dispersed in Judah, with what could scarcely be said to be their own, or a peculiar lot.

Within the inheritance of Judah - This was so ordered by God's providence, partly to fulfill 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 lot, but were as inmates to Judah; partly, because now upon the more exact survey of the land, it appeared, that the part given to Judah did far exceed the proportion which they needed, or which the other tribes could expect. And this was the least of the tribes, Num_26:14, and therefore fittest to be put within another tribe. Hence it is that the lots of these two tribes lying together, and being so intermixed, that the tribe of Judah called upon that of Simeon to join them in fighting against the Canaanites, and taking out of their hands the cities that belonged to them, Jdg_1:3.

the second lot came forth to Simeon--The next lot that was drawn at Shiloh, gave the tribe of Simeon his inheritance within the territory, which had been assigned to that of Judah.

Jos 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

Beer-sheba - The well of the oath.

Jos 19:3 And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

On the names in Jos_19:3-6, see the exposition of Jos_15:28-32

and Balah, and Azem - of these places see Jos_15:29; for Balah is the same with Baalah there, and with Bilhah 1Ch_4:29; and Azem with Ezem there.

Jos 19:4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah - These were all cities of Judah, Jos_15:30; Eltolad is the same with Tolad, and Bethul with Bethuel, 1Ch_4:29, and with Chesil, Jos_15:30, mentioned there along with Hormah.

Jos 19:5 And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,

Beth-marcaboth - The house or city of chariots. Probably a place where their war-chariots and cavalry were laid up.

And Ziklag - Another of the cities of Judah; see Jos_15:31,

and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah; or Hazarsusim - as in 1Ch_4:31; the one signifies a chariot house, and the other a court or stable for horses, see 2Ki_23:11.

Jos 19:6 And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:

Thirteen - Fourteen names have been given. The error is possibly due to the use of letters for numbers, which has led to many similar mistakes in other places (Jos_15:32). The Greek version renders the name of the last city to be the phrase “their fields” Josh 19:6 and Batharoth, and their fields, thirteen cities, and their villages. (Septuagint) This makes the list of cities and their listed number coincide.

Beth-lebaoth - The house or city of lionesses. Probably so called from the numbers of those animals which bred there.

And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen - Both these places are thought to be the same with Bethbirei and Shaaraim in 1Ch_4:31; of the latter of which see Jos_15:36.

Jos 19:7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:

Ain and Rimmon - They were in the south land, which were cities of Judah (Jos_15:32). Ain, Remmon, therefore, could not be one city, at this time, as it seems to have been in the times of Nehemiah, Neh_11:29.

Ether and Ashan - in the lowlands (Jos_15:42).

Jos 19:8 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.

And all the villages that were round about these cities - Not only the suburbs adjoining to those cities which are mentioned before, but the several small distinct towns and villages, scattered up and down in the country: The Simeonites received all the villages round about the towns to Baalath-beer, the Ramah of the south. This place, up to which the territory of the Simeonites extended, though without its being actually assigned to the Simeonites, is simply called Baal in 1Ch_4:33, and is possibly the same as Bealoth in Jos_15:24.

Baalath-beer - The well of the mistresses. This is the same with Baal in 1Ch_4:32-33 And their villages were Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities, and all their villages were around these cities, to Baal. These were their homes and their family line; and with Ramath of the south, or south Ramoth, as it is called 1Sa_30:27 to the ones in Bethel, and to the ones in Ramoth of the south, and to the ones in Jattir.

Jos 19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them - they had more cities than they could fill with people, and more land than they could cultivate; they had an hundred fourteen cities with their villages:

Jos 19:10 And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid:

for the children of Zebulun - Who, though younger than Issachar, has his lot before him, agreeably to the order in which his blessing is predicted, both by Jacob and Moses, Gen_49:13.

the third lot came up --The boundaries of the possession assigned to them extended from the Sea of Galilee on the east, to the Mediterranean on the west. Although they do not seem at first to have touched on the western shore--a part of Manasseh running north into Asher (Jos_17:10) --they afterwards did, according to the prediction of Moses (Deu_33:19).

In the division to each tribe of Israel, the prophetic blessings of Jacob were fulfilled. They chose for themselves, or it was divided to them by lot, in the manner and places that he foresaw.

Jos 19:11 And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;

And their border went up toward the sea - Westward towards the Mediterranean sea, which fulfilled the prophecies of Jacob and Moses, that Zebulun should dwell by the sea, be an haven of ships, and take of the abundance of the seas, as in the places before referred to.

Jos 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,

Chisloth-tabor - a place on the side of Tabor.

Dabrath - a place in the tribe of Issachar that was given up to the Levites (Jos_21:28; 1Ch_6:57)

And turned from Sarid eastward - This describes the southern border, going on from west to east:

Jos 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;

Gittah-hepher - The same as Gath-hepher, the home of the prophet Jonah (2Ki_14:25).

Rimmon - a Levitical town (Jos_21:35; 1Ch_6:62).

Remmon-methoar to Neah – Possibly read “and goeth out to Remmon, which reacheth to Neah.”

Jos 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:

Hannathon - more properly Channathon.

Jos 19:15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

Kattath - possibly the same as Kitron, which is mentioned in Jdg_1:30 in connection with Nahalol.

Nehalal - or Nahalol (Jdg_1:30).

And Kattath, and Nahallal - Of the two first of these we read nowhere else, but in Jos_21:34,

Bethlehem - (of Zebulun), which many regard as the home of the judge Ibzan (Jdg_12:8). The house of bread; a different place from that in which our Lord was born.

twelve cities with their villages - The number of the towns is given as twelve, though only five are mentioned by name. It would therefore appear that seven names have disappeared from the text, and perhaps also the definition of the western frontier. The Septuagint does not contain this numerical phrase.

and Shimron - a royal city, the king of which Joshua took and hanged, Jos_11:1,

Jos 19:16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Jos 19:17 And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

The fourth lot came out to Issachar - It is remarkable, that though Issachar was the eldest brother, yet the lot of Zebulun was drawn before his lot; and this is the order in which Jacob himself mentions them, Gen_49:13-14, though no reason appears, either here or in the place above, why this preference should be given to the younger; but that the apparently fortuitous lot should have distinguished them just as the prophetic Jacob did, is peculiarly remarkable.

the fourth lot came out to Issachar--Instead of describing the boundaries of this tribe, the inspired historian gives a list of its principal cities. These cities are all in the eastern part of the plain of Esdraelon. Issachar received for the most part the large and very fertile plain of Jezreel Jos_17:16, and was bounded on the south by Manasseh, on the west by Manasseh and Asher, on the north by Zebulun, and farther east by Naphtali also, and on the east by the Jordan.

Jos 19:18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,

Sunem - the home of Abishag (1Ki_1:3-15), also mentioned in 1Sa_28:4 and 2Ki_4:8. Here the Philistines pitched before the battle of Gilboa 1Sa_28:4 and Saul and his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, killed. The place is also known in connection with Elisha 2Ki_4:8; 2Ki_8:1 and the place where he restored the son of a pious woman to life. 2Ki_4:8.

Jezreel - and its famous and fertile plain are the choicest part of the inheritance of Issachar Jos_17:16. Which was a royal seat in the time of Ahab, 1Ki_21:1.

Jos 19:19 And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,

Jos 19:20 And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,

Kishion - was given up to the Levites (Jos_21:28) and according to some, is written Kedesh in 1Ch_6:57. It may have given its name to the River Kishon near it.

Jos 19:21 And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;

En-gannim - allotted to the Levites (Jos_21:29; also 1Ch_6:73, where it is called Anem). The name En-gannim signifies fountain of gardens. It may have been called Ahem 1Ch_6:73.

And Remeth - Remeth seems to be the same with Jarmuth, Jos_21:29; and with Ramoth, 1Ch_6:73,

Jos 19:22 And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

Beth-shemesh - The house or temple of the sun; there were several cities or towns of this name in Palestine; an ample proof that the worship of this celestial luminary had generally prevailed in that idolatrous country. There is one in the tribe of Judah, Jos_21:16; and another in the tribe of Naphtali, Jos_19:38; There is evidence of such worship in Egypt in the bible as well as in archaeology.

Jer 43:13 He shall also break the obelisks of The House of the Sun which is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians he shall burn with fire. (MKJV)

Jer 43:13 He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire. (KJV)

And the coast reacheth to Tabor - Tabor was the name of a mountain in those parts; There was a city of this name near the mountain, 1Ch_6:77, and which is meant here, and which either gave unto or received name from the mount.

Jos 19:23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Jos 19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

The Inheritance of Asher - Asher received its territory along the Mediterranean Sea from Carmel to the northern boundary of Canaan itself. The lot Asher lay upon the coast of the great sea. We read of only one remarkable person of this tribe, and that was Anna, the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, a widow of about four-score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luk_2:26-38

Jos 19:25 And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,

Helkath - given up to the Levites Jos_21:31, : 2Sa_2:16, and 1Ch_6:75, as Hukok.

Achshaph - a royal city, whose king was taken by Joshua; Jos_11:1, Jos_12:20.

Jos 19:26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;

Shihor-libnath - black-white, that is, the "black" or "muddy river".

Carmel - The vineyard of God; a place greatly celebrated in Scripture, and especially for the miracles of Elijah; see 1 Kings 18:19-40. The fruit-field, which has acquired celebrity from the history of Elijah (1Ki_18:17.), Its name, “fruit-field,” is well chosen; for whilst the lower part is covered with laurels and olive trees, the upper abounds in figs and oaks, and the whole mountain is full of the most beautiful flowers. A place of eminent fruitfulness, agreeable to the prophecy concerning Asher, Gen_49:20. There was another Carmel in the tribe of Judah, (see Jos_15:55), but this, in the tribe of Asher, was situated n the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. This Carmel is called "Carmel by the sea."

and Misheal - the same with Mashal, 1Ch_6:74;

Jos 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,

Cabul on the left hand - That is, to the north of Cabul, for so the left hand, when referring to place, is understood among the Hebrews. We must not confound this town or Cabul with the twenty cities given by Solomon to Hiram, with which he was displeased, and which in contempt he called the land of Cabul, the dirty or paltry land, 1Ki_9:11-13. Not the land of Cabul, 1Ki_9:13; but a city. The Jews speak of a city of this name, destroyed because of contentions in it.

And turneth towards the sunrising - Or eastward:

to Bethdagon - there was a city of this name in the tribe of Judah; Jos_15:41. Dagon, being a god of the Phoenicians, had temples built for him in various places in Canaan:

and reacheth to Zebulun - not the tribe of Zebulun, but a city.

Jos 19:28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;

and Kanah – Some have supposed this Kanah to be the same where Christ wrought his first miracle, Joh_2:1. Others, that this is a different Cana from that in Lower Galilee. Namely, Kenah the greater, in the upper Galilee; not Kenah the less, which was in the lower Galilee.

Jos 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:

to the strong city Tyre - not the insular Tyre, but the town of Tyre, which was on the mainland. The ancient and celebrated Tyre, so much spoken of both in sacred and profane history, was a rock or small island in the sea, about six or seven hundred paces from the main land. In order to reduce this city, Alexander the Great was obliged to fill up the channel between it and the main land, and after all took it with much difficulty. It is generally supposed that a town on the main land, opposite to this fortified rock, went by the same name; one being called old Tyre, the other, new Tyre: it was out of the ruins of the old Tyre, or that which was situated on the main land, that Alexander is said to have filled up the channel between it and the new city. Of this city Isaiah, Isaiah 23:1-18, and Ezekiel, Ezekiel 27:1-28:26, have given a very grand description, and also predicted its irreparable ruin which prophecies have been most literally fulfilled.

Achzib - where the Asherites dwelt with the Canaanites (Jdg_1:31-32)

And then the coast turneth to Ramah - Which was a city in the tribe of Naphtali, Jos_19:36; and on the borders of Asher;

Jos 19:30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.

Twenty and two cities - There are nearly thirty cities in the above enumeration instead of twenty-two, but probably several are mentioned that were but frontier towns, and that did not belong to this tribe, their border only passing by such cities; and on this account, though they are named, yet they do not enter into the enumeration in this place. Perhaps some of the villages are named as well as the cities.

Jos 19:31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher - As before described, a goodly heritage; it was, according to the prediction of Jacob and Moses, Gen_49:20; a very fruitful country.

Jos 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.

Jos 19:33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:

From Allon to Zaanannim - Render “from the oak forest at Zaanannim.” From Jdg_4:11 it appears that this oak or oak-forest was near Kedesh. Or from the plain in Zaanannim (d); for it seems to be the same with the plain of Zanaaim, Jdg_4:11.

Jos 19:34 And then the coast turneth 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.

And to Judah upon Jordan - It is certain that the tribe of Naphtali did not border on the east upon Judah, for there were several tribes betwixt them. By Judah is not meant the tribe of Judah, from which Naphtali was at a great distance, but a city so called. The Septuagint omits Judah from this verse. Josh 19:34 And the coasts will return westward by Athabor, and will go out thence to Jacana, and will border on Zabulon southward, and Aser will join [it] westward, and Jordan eastward. (Septuagint).

Jos 19:35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,

Hammath - a Levitical city (compare Jos_21:32; 1Ch_6:76), is not to be confounded with the Hamath on the northeastern frontier of the land Num_13:21.

Rakkath, and Chinnereth - Rakkath according to the Jewish writers is the same with Tiberias, as Chinnereth with Gennesaret, from whence the lake or sea of Tiberias, and the country and lake of Gennesaret, had their names, often mentioned in the New Testament. Gennesaret was a most delicious and fruitful spot, and fulfilled the prophecy of Moses, Deu_33:23; concerning Naphtali.

Jos 19:36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,

Adamah - Adamah is different from Adami, Jos_19:33; and may seem to confirm the notion of some, that Nekeb there is an epithet of it, and so distinguishes it from Adamah here:

Hazor - a royal city, Jos_11:1.

Jos 19:37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,

And Kedesh - This is Kedesh in Galilee, in Mount Naphtali, to distinguish it from others of the same name; it was one of the cities of refuge, Jos_20:7.

Edrei - a different place from one of that name in the kingdom of Og, Num_21:33,

Jos 19:38 And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.

Jos 19:39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Jos 19:40 And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

the seventh lot came out for the tribe - It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.

Jos 19:41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

Ir-shemesh - The city of sun; another proof of the idolatry of the Canaanites. Given up to the Levites.

Zorah, and Eshtaol - these cities were taken out of the tribe of Judah. They were given up to the Levites.

Jos 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,

Saalabbin - or Saalbim, which remained in the hands of the Canaanites (Jdg_1:35), is frequently mentioned in the history of David and Solomon (2Sa_23:32; 1Ch_11:33; 1Ki_4:9).

Shaalabbin - The foxes. Of this city the Amorites kept constant possession.

Ajalon - which was also not taken from the Canaanites (Jdg_1:35), was assigned to the Levites (Jos_21:24; 1Ch_6:54). It is mentioned in the wars with the Philistines (1Sa_14:31; 1Ch_8:13), was fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch_11:10), and was taken by the Philistines from King Ahaz (2Ch_28:18). Ajalon is famous for the standing still of the moon in its valley while Joshua pursued his enemies.

Jos 19:43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,

Elon - which is mentioned again in 1Ki_4:9, with the addition of Beth-hanan.

Thimnathah - Probably the same as Timnah but a different place from Timnah in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:10.

Ekron - A well-known city of the Philistines and the metropolis of one of their five dynasties, and never possessed by the Israelites; it first fell by lot to the tribe of Judah, and afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, Jos_15:45.

Jos 19:44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,

Eltekeh and Gibbethon - which were allotted to the Levites (Jos_21:23). Under the earliest kings of Israel, Gibbethon was in the hands of the Philistines in the reign of Asa (1Ki_15:27; 1Ki_16:15, 1Ki_16:17). Eltekeh was supposed by some to be the same with Eltekon in the tribe of Judah given to the Danites, Jos_15:59,

Baalath - fortified by Solomon (1Ki_9:18). It is not the same with Baalah, Jos_15:29

Jos 19:45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,

Gath-rimmon - given to the Levites (Jos_21:24; 1Ch_6:54).

Jehud, and Bene-berak - Or Jehud of the children of Berak. Beneberak signifies sons of lightning.

Jos 19:46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.

The border before Japho - includes the places in the environs of Joppa. Japho is the well-known port of Palestine (2Ch_2:15; Ezr_3:7; Jon_1:3) a port in the Mediterranean sea, famous for being the place where Jonah took shipping. It is where the Apostle Peter resided some time; Act_9:36; and Act_9:38.

Jos 19:47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

the sons of Dan went up to fight against Leshem - Besides this inheritance, the Danites of Zorea and Eshtaol went, after Joshua's death, and conquered the town of Leshem or Laish, on the northern boundary of Canaan, and gave it the name of Dan, as the territory which was allotted to them under Joshua was too small for them, on account of their inability to drive out the Amorites from several of their towns (Jdg_1:34-35; Jdg_18:2). For further particulars concerning this conquest, see Judg 18.

Leshem - or Laish (Jdg_18:7, Jdg_18:27). It was there that Jeroboam set up the golden calves (1Ki_12:29-30, etc.); and it is frequently mentioned as the northernmost city of the Israelites, in contrast with Beersheba, which was in the extreme south of the land (Jdg_20:1; 1Sa_3:20; 2Sa_3:10).

And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them - rather, “the border of the children of Dan was extended.” The Hebrew appears to mean “the children of Dan enlarged their border because they had not room enough.”

The reason of this was that the Danites, a numerous tribe (Num_26:5), found themselves Jdg_1:34-35 cooped up among the hills by the powerful and warlike Amorites. Hence, the Danite expedition, which surprised the Sidonion inhabitants of Leshem, an unwarlike and peaceable race, exterminated them, and annexed their city and territory to the portion of Dan.

And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them,.... Being a very numerous tribe, the cities allotted them were not sufficient for them; or rather, leaving out the supplement "too little", the words will run, it "went out from them"; they lost part of it, being driven out of the valley into the mountain by the Amorites, Jdg_1:34; which obliged them to seek out elsewhere for habitations:

and dwelt therein - being a Canaanitish city, they put all in it to the sword, as the Lord had commanded, and took possession of it for an habitation:

and called Leshem Dan - this is the place which is always meant, where the phrase is used "from Dan to Beersheba", Jdg_20:1, this being at the utmost northern border of the land of Canaan, as Beersheba was at the further part of the southern coast of it.

Went up to fight - This was done after Joshua's death, and seems to be here inserted, that all the chief places where the Danites dwelt, tho' far distant, might be mentioned together; and to give an account of this strange accident, why they removed from their appointed portion to so remote a place;

Jos 19:48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan - Before described by its cities, which were in it. This tribe was bounded by Ephraim on the north, by Judah on the east, by Simeon on the south, and by the Mediterranean sea on the west.

Jos 19:49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:

And when they made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts - That is, Eleazar, Joshua, and the ten men appointed for this, purpose; when all the lots were drawn, and the several inheritances which came up to them were divided among the families of the respective tribes, this work being finished:

the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua - most interpreters observe the modesty of Joshua, that though the oldest and the greatest man in the nation, the chief governor, yet had his inheritance last of all; nor did he take any part to himself, it was given to him by the people, who had the whole land divided among them; in which he was a type of Christ; 2Co 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might be made rich through His poverty. When the land was distributed among the tribes according to its territories, the Israelites gave Joshua an inheritance in the midst of them, according to the command of Jehovah, namely the town of Timnath-serah, upon the mountains of Ephraim, for which he asked, and which he finished building; and there he dwelt until the time of his death Jos 24:30 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. Jdg_2:9

Jos 19:50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

According to the word of the Lord - (lit. “at the mouth of Jehovah”) does not refer to a divine oracle communicated through the high priest, but to a promise which Joshua had probably received from God at the same time as Caleb, in Kadesh, but which, like the promise given to Caleb, is not mentioned in the Pentateuch (see at Jos_15:13; Jos_14:9).

Timnath-serah - called Timnath-heres in Jdg_2:9, must not be confounded with Timnah in the tribe of Dan (Jos_19:43; Jos_15:10). The name of the place is also written Timnath-heres Jdg_2:9, by a transposition of the letters. The rabbinical explanation that the name Timnath-heres (i. e. “portion of the sun”) was given because a representation of the sun was affixed to the tomb in memory of Joshua’s command to the sun to stand still, appears to be an afterthought. The name Timnath-serah (“portion that remains”) was perhaps conferred on the spot in consequence of its being allotted to Joshua, the last allotment made in the whole distribution of his conquests.

Jos 19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.

At the door of the tabernacle - All the inheritances were determined by lot, and this was cast before the Lord - every thing was done in his immediate presence, as under his eye; hence there was no murmuring, each having received his inheritance as from the hand of God himself, though some of them thought they must have additional territory, because of the great increase of their families.

These are the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun - The one the high priest, and the other the chief governor of the nation:

and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel - the princes appointed for this service, whose names are given Num_34:18; the inheritances before described in the preceding chapters by their boundaries and cities, these the said persons

These are the inheritances--This verse is the formal close of the section which narrates the history of the land distribution; and to stamp it with due importance, the names of the commissioners are repeated, as well as the spot where so memorable a transaction took place.