Joshua 19 10

Joshua 19:10 kjv

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

Joshua 19:10 nkjv

The third lot came out for the children of Zebulun according to their families, and the border of their inheritance was as far as Sarid.

Joshua 19:10 niv

The third lot came up for Zebulun according to its clans: The boundary of their inheritance went as far as Sarid.

Joshua 19:10 esv

The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun, according to their clans. And the territory of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid.

Joshua 19:10 nlt

The third allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Zebulun. The boundary of Zebulun's homeland started at Sarid.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 10 Meaning

This verse details the distribution of the land of Canaan to the tribes of Israel, specifically recording that the third portion allotted through the casting of lots fell to the tribe of Zebulun. It further specifies that their inherited territory began at a place called Sarid, establishing the initial boundary point for their tribal land, distributed systematically according to their family units. This was part of God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel.

Joshua 19 10 Context

Joshua 19 is part of the extensive section (chapters 13-21) describing the division of the promised land among the Israelite tribes after the initial conquest of Canaan. Specifically, this chapter details the allocation of land to the remaining seven tribes, which took place at Shiloh after the tabernacle was moved there (Josh 18:1). Following the territories already assigned to Judah (Josh 15), Ephraim, and Manasseh (Josh 16-17), chapter 19 proceeds with Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. Verse 10 explicitly mentions Zebulun receiving the "third lot," implying a sequence where Judah and Simeon were allocated prior to this public distribution in Shiloh. The mention of Sarid provides a crucial geographical marker, indicating the starting or defining point of Zebulun's northern boundary, further elaborated in subsequent verses. The meticulous listing of tribal boundaries underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, ensuring each family group had an identifiable and hereditary landholding.

Joshua 19 10 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A common Hebrew conjunction, linking this event directly to the preceding allocation, often implying a continuation or addition to a sequence of events. Here, it connects Zebulun's lot to the prior lots for Judah and Simeon.
• the third lot (הַגּוֹרָל הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - ha-gorāl ha-shlishī):
  • the lot (הַגּוֹרָל - ha-gorāl): Derived from גּוֹרָל (goral), meaning a "lot" or "portion." In ancient Israel, casting lots was a recognized method for decision-making, believed to be under divine control (Prov 16:33). It conveyed that the allocation was not arbitrary or humanly engineered, but a direct outcome determined by God, emphasizing divine providence in the land distribution.
  • third (הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - ha-shlishī): Indicates the order of distribution. After Judah's primary large portion (Josh 15) and Simeon's allotment within Judah's territory (Josh 19:1-9), Zebulun received the next allocation at Shiloh. This orderly progression highlights methodical divine arrangement rather than chaos.
• came up (עָלָה - ‘ālāh): Literally "ascended" or "went up." Used idiomatically to describe a lot being drawn or selected. It emphasizes the public revelation of the lot's outcome.
• for the children of Zebulun (לִבְנֵי זְבוּלֻן - livnē Zěḇulun):
  • children of (לִבְנֵי - livnē): Literally "sons of," a common Hebrew idiom to designate a tribal group descended from an ancestor.
  • Zebulun (זְבוּלֻן - Zebulun): The sixth son of Jacob and Leah (Gen 30:20). His name means "dwelling" or "honor." This identification specifies the recipient tribe, connecting the present distribution back to the patriarchs and their offspring. Prophecies by Jacob (Gen 49:13) and Moses (Deut 33:18-19) had already anticipated aspects of their future territory and activity.
• according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - ləmišpěḥōṯām):
  • families (מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - mišpěḥōṯām): Plural of מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpakhah), referring to an extended family or clan. This phrase underscores that the tribal territory was not just for the collective tribe but was intended for further internal distribution among the various clans and households (Num 26:52-56), ensuring equity and lineage preservation within the tribe. It signifies orderly governance and property rights within God's covenant.
• and the border (וּגְבוּלָם - ū-ḡěḇûlām):
  • border (גְּבוּל - gevûl): Refers to the physical boundary or territory. Precise demarcation of borders was crucial for tribal identity, land ownership, and avoiding disputes (Deut 19:14, Prov 22:28).
• of their inheritance (נַחֲלָתָם - naḥălāṯām):
  • inheritance (נַחֲלָה - naḥălāh): This term signifies an allotted portion, typically one received by permanent possession, often passed down through generations. In the context of the promised land, it emphasizes that the land was a divinely given gift and a permanent patrimony for the tribe and its families, distinct from mere temporary occupancy. It is tied directly to God's covenant with Abraham.
• was unto Sarid (הָיָה עַד שָׂרִיד - hāyāh ‘ad Sarīd):
  • was unto (הָיָה עַד - hāyāh ‘ad): Means "was as far as," indicating a point defining a limit or starting place for the border.
  • Sarid (שָׂרִיד - Sarīd): A specific geographical place, now often identified with Tell Shadud, located southwest of Nazareth. Its mention serves as a precise landmark for the boundary of Zebulun's inheritance. The meticulous detail in naming specific towns and landmarks highlights the reality and precision of God's land grants, ensuring clear ownership and demonstrating the literal fulfillment of the ancient promises.

Joshua 19 10 Bonus section

The location of Zebulun's territory, specifically encompassing parts of the Galilee region as suggested by the mention of Sarid, has significant eschatological and New Testament implications. Centuries later, the prophet Isaiah spoke of "the land of Zebulun" being where a "great light" would shine upon "the people who walked in darkness" (Isa 9:1-2). This prophecy was fulfilled directly by Jesus Christ, who began His public ministry in Capernaum, a town within Zebulun's historical bounds, and conducted much of His ministry in Galilee (Matt 4:13-16). Thus, the precise geographic details in Joshua 19:10, though seemingly mundane, unknowingly set the stage for crucial redemptive history, demonstrating God's overarching plan weaving through centuries from the Old Covenant's physical inheritance to the New Covenant's spiritual illumination. The meticulous delineation of boundaries served not only for the present legal and social order but also contributed to the future identification of regions significant for messianic prophecy.

Joshua 19 10 Commentary

Joshua 19:10 is a succinct yet profoundly significant verse in the narrative of Israel's settlement in the promised land. It signifies God's faithfulness in delivering on His promises to His people (Josh 21:43-45). The casting of the "lot" (גּוֹרָל - goral) underscores the divine orchestration of the distribution; it was not human negotiation or arbitrary chance, but God's sovereign hand guiding the process (Prov 16:33). This served to remove any tribal dispute over preferred territories, establishing a divinely sanctioned ownership that transcended human preference. Zebulun's inheritance, the "third lot," speaks to a systematic and orderly process, further reinforcing the idea of a structured, God-given inheritance. The phrase "according to their families" highlights the internal order and equitable distribution within the tribe, a vital principle for preserving identity, lineage, and justice among the Israelite clans. Finally, the mention of "Sarid" as a specific border point emphasizes the tangible, geographical reality of God's promise being fulfilled, ensuring that the inheritance was not an abstract concept but a precise, divinely delimited possession. This historical act of physical inheritance foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, an incorruptible and undefiled promise secured by God's sovereign will (Eph 1:11, Col 1:12).