Simeon’s Inheritance

19 The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of his descendants by their clans, but their inheritance was within the portion of Judah’s descendants. Their inheritance included:

Beer-sheba (or Sheba(A)), Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—13 cities, with their villages; Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities, with their villages; and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the south[a]).

This was the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon’s descendants by their clans. The inheritance of Simeon’s descendants was within the territory of Judah’s descendants, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So Simeon’s descendants received an inheritance within Judah’s portion.

Zebulun’s Inheritance

10 The third lot came up for Zebulun’s descendants by their clans.

The territory of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid; 11 their border went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam. 12 From Sarid, it turned east toward the sunrise along the border of Chisloth-tabor, went to Daberath, and went up to Japhia. 13 From there, it went east toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher and to Eth-kazin; it extended to Rimmon, curving around to Neah. 14 The border then circled around Neah on the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah-el, 15 along with Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—12 cities, with their villages.

16 This was the inheritance of Zebulun’s descendants by their clans, these cities, with their villages.

Issachar’s Inheritance

17 The fourth lot came out for the tribe of Issachar’s descendants by their clans.

18 Their territory went to Jezreel, and included Chesulloth, Shunem,(B) 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez. 22 The border reached Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and ended at the Jordan—16 cities, with their villages.

23 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar’s descendants by their clans, the cities, with their villages.

Asher’s Inheritance

24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher’s descendants by their clans.

25 Their boundary included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, 26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal and reached westward to Carmel and Shihor-libnath. 27 It turned eastward to Beth-dagon, passed Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah-el, north toward Beth-emek and Neiel, and went north to Cabul,(C) 28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Great Sidon. 29 The boundary then turned to Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre; it turned back to Hosah and ended at the sea, including Mahalab, Achzib,[b] 30 Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob—22 cities, with their villages.

31 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Asher’s descendants by their clans, these cities with their villages.

Naphtali’s Inheritance

32 The sixth lot came out for Naphtali’s descendants by their clans.

33 Their boundary went from Heleph and from the oak in Zaanannim, including Adami-nekeb and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and ended at the Jordan. 34 To the west, the boundary turned to Aznoth-tabor and went from there to Hukkok, reaching Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and Judah[c] at the Jordan on the east. 35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,[d] 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, 37 Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, 38 Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh—19 cities, with their villages.

39 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali’s descendants by their clans, the cities with their villages.

Dan’s Inheritance

40 The seventh lot came out for the Danite tribe by its clans.

41 The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron, 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, 46 Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the territory facing Joppa.

47 When the territory of the Danites slipped out of their control,[e] they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and struck it down with the sword. So they took possession of it, lived there, and renamed Leshem after[f] their ancestor Dan. 48 This was the inheritance of the Danite tribe by its clans, these cities with their villages.

Joshua’s Inheritance

49 When they had finished distributing the land into its territories, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them. 50 By the Lord’s command, they gave him the city Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim,(D) which he requested. He rebuilt the city and lived in it.

51 These were the portions that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed to the Israelite tribes by lot at Shiloh in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting.(E) So they finished dividing up the land.

Cities of Refuge

20 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, “Tell the Israelites: Select your cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,(F) so that a person who kills someone unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.(G) When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before[g] the elders of that city, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them.(H) And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, for he killed his neighbor accidentally and did not hate him beforehand. He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time.(I) Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he fled.”

So they designated Kedesh in the hill country of Naphtali in Galilee,(J) Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.(K) Across the Jordan east of Jericho, they selected Bezer on the wilderness plateau from Reuben’s tribe, Ramoth in Gilead from Gad’s tribe, and Golan in Bashan from Manasseh’s tribe.

These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them,(L) so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die at the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the assembly.

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 19:8 Or the Negev
  2. Joshua 19:29 Or sea, in the region of Achzib
  3. Joshua 19:34 LXX omits Judah
  4. Joshua 19:35 A town near the Sea of Galilee
  5. Joshua 19:47 Lit territory of the sons of Dan went out from them
  6. Joshua 19:47 Lit and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of
  7. Joshua 20:4 Lit in the ears of

Allotment for Simeon(A)

19 The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon according to its clans. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah.(B) It included:

Beersheba(C) (or Sheba),[a] Moladah,(D) Hazar Shual,(E) Balah, Ezem,(F) Eltolad,(G) Bethul, Hormah,(H) Ziklag,(I) Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susah, Beth Lebaoth and Sharuhen—thirteen towns and their villages;

Ain, Rimmon,(J) Ether and Ashan(K)—four towns and their villages— and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev).(L)

This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Simeonites, according to its clans. The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah,(M) because Judah’s portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.(N)

Allotment for Zebulun

10 The third lot came up for Zebulun(O) according to its clans:

The boundary of their inheritance went as far as Sarid.(P) 11 Going west it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and extended to the ravine near Jokneam.(Q) 12 It turned east from Sarid(R) toward the sunrise to the territory of Kisloth Tabor and went on to Daberath(S) and up to Japhia. 13 Then it continued eastward to Gath Hepher(T) and Eth Kazin; it came out at Rimmon(U) and turned toward Neah. 14 There the boundary went around on the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah El.(V) 15 Included were Kattath, Nahalal,(W) Shimron,(X) Idalah and Bethlehem.(Y) There were twelve towns and their villages.

16 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of Zebulun,(Z) according to its clans.(AA)

Allotment for Issachar

17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar(AB) according to its clans. 18 Their territory included:

Jezreel,(AC) Kesulloth, Shunem,(AD) 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion,(AE) Ebez, 21 Remeth, En Gannim,(AF) En Haddah and Beth Pazzez. 22 The boundary touched Tabor,(AG) Shahazumah and Beth Shemesh,(AH) and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen towns and their villages.

23 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar,(AI) according to its clans.(AJ)

Allotment for Asher

24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher(AK) according to its clans. 25 Their territory included:

Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph,(AL) 26 Allammelek, Amad and Mishal.(AM) On the west the boundary touched Carmel(AN) and Shihor Libnath. 27 It then turned east toward Beth Dagon,(AO) touched Zebulun(AP) and the Valley of Iphtah El,(AQ) and went north to Beth Emek and Neiel, passing Kabul(AR) on the left. 28 It went to Abdon,[b](AS) Rehob,(AT) Hammon(AU) and Kanah,(AV) as far as Greater Sidon.(AW) 29 The boundary then turned back toward Ramah(AX) and went to the fortified city of Tyre,(AY) turned toward Hosah and came out at the Mediterranean Sea(AZ) in the region of Akzib,(BA) 30 Ummah, Aphek(BB) and Rehob.(BC) There were twenty-two towns and their villages.

31 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Asher,(BD) according to its clans.

Allotment for Naphtali

32 The sixth lot came out for Naphtali according to its clans:

33 Their boundary went from Heleph and the large tree in Zaanannim,(BE) passing Adami Nekeb and Jabneel(BF) to Lakkum and ending at the Jordan. 34 The boundary ran west through Aznoth Tabor and came out at Hukkok.(BG) It touched Zebulun(BH) on the south, Asher on the west and the Jordan[c] on the east. 35 The fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath,(BI) Rakkath, Kinnereth,(BJ) 36 Adamah, Ramah,(BK) Hazor,(BL) 37 Kedesh,(BM) Edrei,(BN) En Hazor, 38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath(BO) and Beth Shemesh.(BP) There were nineteen towns and their villages.

39 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali, according to its clans.(BQ)

Allotment for Dan

40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan according to its clans. 41 The territory of their inheritance included:

Zorah, Eshtaol,(BR) Ir Shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon,(BS) Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah,(BT) Ekron,(BU) 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon,(BV) Baalath,(BW) 45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,(BX) 46 Me Jarkon and Rakkon, with the area facing Joppa.(BY)

47 (When the territory of the Danites was lost to them,(BZ) they went up and attacked Leshem(CA), took it, put it to the sword and occupied it. They settled in Leshem and named(CB) it Dan after their ancestor.)(CC)

48 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Dan,(CD) according to its clans.

Allotment for Joshua

49 When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, 50 as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah[d](CE) in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there.

51 These are the territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh in the presence of the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And so they finished dividing(CF) the land.(CG)

Cities of Refuge(CH)

20 Then the Lord said to Joshua: “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally(CI) may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.(CJ) When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate(CK) and state their case before the elders(CL) of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly(CM) and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

So they set apart Kedesh(CN) in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem(CO) in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba(CP) (that is, Hebron(CQ)) in the hill country of Judah.(CR) East of the Jordan (on the other side from Jericho) they designated Bezer(CS) in the wilderness on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead(CT) in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan(CU) in the tribe of Manasseh. Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally(CV) could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.(CW)

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 19:2 Or Beersheba, Sheba; 1 Chron. 4:28 does not have Sheba.
  2. Joshua 19:28 Some Hebrew manuscripts (see also 21:30); most Hebrew manuscripts Ebron
  3. Joshua 19:34 Septuagint; Hebrew west, and Judah, the Jordan,
  4. Joshua 19:50 Also known as Timnath Heres (see Judges 2:9)

27 Don’t boast about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day might bring.(A)

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—
a stranger, and not your own lips.(B)

A stone is heavy and sand, a burden,
but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.

Fury is cruel, and anger a flood,
but who can withstand jealousy?(C)

Better an open reprimand
than concealed love.(D)

The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,(E)
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.(F)

A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb,(G)
but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.

A man wandering from his home
is like a bird wandering from its nest.(H)

Oil(I) and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.[a]

10 Don’t abandon your friend or your father’s friend,(J)
and don’t go to your brother’s house
in your time of calamity;
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.(K)

11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,(L)
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.(M)

12 A sensible person sees danger and takes cover;
the inexperienced keep going and are punished.(N)

13 Take his garment,[b]
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.[c](O)

14 If one blesses his neighbor
with a loud voice early in the morning,
it will be counted as a curse to him.

15 An endless dripping on a rainy day
and a nagging wife are alike.(P)
16 The one who controls her controls the wind
and grasps oil with his right hand.

17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.[d]

18 Whoever tends a fig tree(Q) will eat its fruit,(R)
and whoever looks after his master will be honored.

19 As water reflects the face,
so the heart reflects the person.

20 Sheol and Abaddon(S) are never satisfied,(T)
and people’s eyes are never satisfied.(U)

21 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,
and a man for the words of his praise.[e](V)

22 Though you grind a fool
in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
you will not separate his foolishness from him.(W)

23 Know well the condition of your flock,(X)
and pay attention to your herds,
24 for wealth is not forever;(Y)
not even a crown lasts for all time.
25 When hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grain from the hills is gathered in,
26 lambs will provide your clothing,
and goats, the price of a field;
27 there will be enough goat’s milk for your food—
food for your household
and nourishment for your female servants.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 LXX reads heart, but the soul is torn up by affliction
  2. Proverbs 27:13 A debtor’s outer garment held as collateral; Dt 24:12-13,17; Jb 22:6; Am 2:8
  3. Proverbs 27:13 Lit a foreign woman
  4. Proverbs 27:17 Lit and a man sharpens his friend’s face
  5. Proverbs 27:21 Or gold, but a man [is tested] by his praise

27 Do not boast(A) about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.(B)

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.(C)

Stone is heavy and sand(D) a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?(E)

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.(F)

One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest(G)
    is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume(H) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(I) strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(J)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(K)

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(L)

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.(M)

14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping(N)
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,(O)
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.(P)

19 As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]

20 Death and Destruction[b] are never satisfied,(Q)
    and neither are human eyes.(R)

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(S)
    but people are tested by their praise.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
    grinding them like grain with a pestle,
    you will not remove their folly from them.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(T)
    give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(U)
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you
  2. Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon