Joshua – Chapter 19

Old Testament51 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was" — so begins Joshua 19. The chapter centers on Simeon, Joshua and Eleazar. Across its 51 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was

2In the midst of the possession of the children of Juda: Bersabee and Sabee and Molada

3And Hasersual, Bala and Asem,

4And Eltholad, Bethul and Harma,

5And Siceleg and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa,

6And Bethlebaoth and Sarohen: thirteen cities, and their villages.

7And Remmon and Athor and Asan: four cities, and their villages.

8And all the villages round about these cities to Baalath Beer Ramath to the south quarter. This is the inheritance of the children of Simeon according to their kindreds,

9In the possession and lot of the children of Juda: because it was too great, and therefore the children of Simeon had their possession in the midst of their inheritance.

10And the third lot fell to the children of Zabulon by their kindreds: and the border of their possession was unto Sarid.

11And It went up from the sea and from Merala, and came to Debbaseth: as far as the torrent, which is over against Jeconam.

12And it returneth from Sarid eastward to the borders of Ceseleththabor: and it goeth out to Dabereth and ascendeth towards Japhie.

13And it passeth along from thence to the east side of Gethhepher and Thacasin: and goeth out to Remmon, Amthar and Noa.

14And it turneth about to the north of Hanathon: and the outgoings thereof are the valley of Jephtahel,

15And Cateth and Naalol and Semeron and Jedala and Bethlehem: twelve cities and their villages.

16This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Zabulon by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

17The fourth lot came out to Issachar by their kindreds.

18And his inheritance was Jezrael and Casaloth and Sunem,

19And Hapharaim and Seon and Anaharath,

20And Rabboth and Cesion, Abes,

21And Rameth and Engannim and Enhadda and Bethpheses.

22And the border thereof cometh to Thabor and Sehesima and Bethsames: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the Jordan: sixteen cities, and their villages.

23This is the possession of the sons of Issachar by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

24And the fifth lot fell to the tribe of the children of Aser by their kindreds:

25And their border was Halcath and Chali and Beten and Axaph,

26And Elmelech and Amaad and Messal: and it reacheth to Carmel by the sea and Sihor and Labanath,

27And it returneth towards the east to Bethdagon: and passeth along to Zabulon and to the valley of Jephthael towards the north to Bethemec and Nehiel. And it goeth out to the left side of Cabul,

28And to Abaran and Rohob and Hamon and Cana, as far as the great Sidon.

29And it returneth to Horma to the strong city of Tyre, and to Hosa: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the sea from the portion of Achziba:

30And Amma and Aphec and Rohob: twenty-two cities, and their villages.

31This is the possession of the children of Aser by their kindreds, and the cities and their villages.

32The sixth lot came out to the sons of Nephtali by their families:

33And the border began from Heleph and Elon to Saananim, and Adami, which is Neceb, and Jebnael even to Lecum:

34And the border returneth westward to Azanotthabor, and goeth out from thence to Hucuca, and passeth along to Zabulon southward, and to Aser westward, and to Juda upon the Jordan towards the rising of the sun.

35And the strong cities are Assedim, Ser, and Emath, and Reccath and Cenereth,

36And Edema and Arama, Asor,

37And Cedes and Edri, Enhasor,

38And Jeron and Magdalel, Horem, and Bethanath and Bethsames: nineteen cities, and their villages.

39This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Nephtali by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

40The seventh lot came out to the tribe of the children of Dan by their families

41And the border of their possession was Saraa and Esthaol, and Hirsemes, that is, the city of the sun,

42Selebin and Aialon and Jethela,

43Elon and Themna and Acron,

44Elthece, Gebbethon and Balaath,

45And Juda and Bane and Barach and Gethremmon:

46And Mejarcon and Arecon, with the border that looketh towards Joppe,

47And is terminated there. And the children of Dan went up and fought against Lesem, and took it: and they put it to the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt in it, calling the name of it Lesem Dan, by the name of Dan their father.

48This is the possession of the tribe of the sons of Dan, by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

49And when he had made an end of dividing the land by lot to each one by their tribes, the children of Israel gave a possession to Joshua the son of Nun in the midst of them,

50According to the commandment of the Lord, the city which he asked for, Thamnath Saraa, in mount Ephraim: and he built up the city, and dwelt in it.

51These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed by lot in Silo, before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and they divided the land.

Important Verses in Joshua 19

And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was

Joshua 19:1

And Siceleg and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa,

Joshua 19:5

And all the villages round about these cities to Baalath Beer Ramath to the south quarter. This is the inheritance of the children of Simeon according to their kindreds,

Joshua 19:8

According to the commandment of the Lord, the city which he asked for, Thamnath Saraa, in mount Ephraim: and he built up the city, and dwelt in it.

Joshua 19:50

Historical Context

Joshua addresses israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 19 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 51 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Simeon, Joshua and Eleazar, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was" The final verse reads: "These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of…" The wider setting of Joshua is this: Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 51-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 74).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God fulfills His promises. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Joshua 19 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

Simeon3 mentionsJoshua2 mentionsEleazar1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Joshua Chapter 19 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The passage calls believers to grasp that God fulfills His promises.

May your reading of Joshua Chapter 19 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God fulfills His promises applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 19 about?

Joshua 19 contains 51 verses. It opens with "And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was" and closes with "These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 19?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their kindreds: and their inheritance was" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 19?

This chapter mentions Simeon, Joshua, Eleazar.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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