Joshua 19 23

Joshua 19:23 kjv

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

Joshua 19:23 nkjv

This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Joshua 19:23 niv

These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar, according to its clans.

Joshua 19:23 esv

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Issachar, according to their clans ? the cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:23 nlt

The homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Issachar included these towns and their surrounding villages.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 23 Meaning

Joshua 19:23 concludes the description of the land allotted to the tribe of Asher. It states that this defined territory, encompassing both cities and their dependent villages, constituted the inheritance for the children of Asher, distributed according to their family lines. It signifies the divinely ordered and concretely established portion for Asher among the tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's promise.

Joshua 19 23 Context

Joshua chapter 19 describes the allotment of land to six Israelite tribes: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, along with Joshua's own designated city. This specific verse, Joshua 19:23, functions as the concluding summary statement for the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher. It follows a detailed enumeration of Asher's northern and western boundaries (verses 24-30) and the list of specific cities within its territory. Historically, this allocation marked the final stage of the land division process initiated by God and led by Joshua, signifying the practical fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants to possess the land of Canaan. Each such summary verse, like this one for Asher, confirms the definitive and legally binding nature of the tribal inheritance within Israelite society after the initial conquest.

Joshua 19 23 Word analysis

• This was (וַיְהִי / wa·ye·hî): A common Hebrew phrase indicating a declarative statement of fact or the beginning of a new development. Here, it marks the conclusive summary of the described land, emphasizing that it is the inheritance. It underscores the definite nature of God's promise being actualized.
• the inheritance (נַחֲלַת / na·ḥă·laṯ): Derived from the root נָחַל (naḥal), meaning to take or receive as an inheritance, to possess. This term carries significant theological weight, referring to a divinely allocated portion. It speaks to divine provision, legal entitlement, and a lasting possession for the tribal families. In biblical thought, "inheritance" is not merely land but a covenantal gift.
• of the tribe (מַטֵּה / maṭ·ṭêh): Refers to one of the twelve divisions of Israel, tracing their lineage back to one of Jacob's sons. It denotes the distinct socio-political and genealogical unit within the larger nation. The land was not a generic pool but specifically allocated per tribal identity.
• of the children of Asher (בְּנֵי אָשֵׁר / bə·nê ’ā·šêr): "Sons of Asher," referring to the descendants and collective body of the tribe founded by Asher, Jacob's son through Zilpah. Asher's name, meaning "happy" or "blessed," hints at the future prosperity promised and realized through this inheritance.
• according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם / lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām): From the word מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah), meaning a clan, family group, or sub-tribe. This phrase highlights the meticulous and orderly nature of the land division. It wasn't just allocated to the tribe as a whole, but distributed further within, ensuring each family had its rightful claim and piece, vital for maintaining ancestral ties and preventing fragmentation. This order reflects divine wisdom and administrative detail.
• the cities (הֶעָרִים / he·‘ā·rîm): Walled towns or settled habitations within the allotted territory. These were central points for population, administration, and defense.
• and their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶן / wə·ḥaṣ·rê·hen): From the word חָצֵר (chatzer), meaning an unwalled settlement, open enclosure, or dependent hamlet. This denotes the inclusion of all peripheral, less developed areas associated with the main cities. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Asher's inheritance, covering not just the urban centers but also the surrounding agricultural and rural lands necessary for sustenance and livelihood.

Words-group analysis:

• "This was the inheritance of the tribe...according to their families": This full phrase emphasizes the divine basis and comprehensive scope of the land allocation. It underlines that the land was a gift from God, received by a specific lineage, and meticulously divided down to the family unit, reflecting divine order and faithfulness in His covenant promises. The precise language confirms the legality and immutability of the assignment.
• "the cities and their villages": This phrase details the exact nature of the geographical possession. It demonstrates that the tribe received a complete and functioning territory, not just parcels of land. It encompasses both urban centers vital for community and trade, and the rural, agricultural areas (villages) essential for food production and economic stability. This totality of possession allowed the tribe to fully establish themselves within the Promised Land.

Joshua 19 23 Bonus section

The repeated "This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of [tribe name]" formula throughout Joshua 19 (e.g., Josh 19:8 for Simeon, Josh 19:16 for Zebulun, Josh 19:31 for Naphtali) acts as a legal and theological closure statement for each tribe's specific allotment. This consistent linguistic pattern emphasizes the completed and unchangeable nature of the land division, signaling God's ultimate fulfillment of His oath to Abraham (Gen 12:7; 15:18). This systematic recording serves as both a historical account and a permanent legal deed for the tribes. It counteracts any notion that the land was chaotic or haphazardly settled, instead affirming an orderly divine plan.

Joshua 19 23 Commentary

Joshua 19:23 provides the succinct and definitive conclusion to Asher's land allocation. It is more than a mere geographical descriptor; it is a profound declaration of God's faithfulness in bringing His covenant promises to fruition. The phrase "This was the inheritance" confirms the divine apportionment, underscoring that the land was not seized by human might alone but was a sacred gift. The detailed distribution "according to their families" illustrates the meticulous and equitable nature of God's provision and the structured society He intended for Israel, built upon family units and tribal integrity. The explicit inclusion of "the cities and their villages" denotes a complete and functional territory, essential for the tribe's livelihood, security, and establishing a lasting presence in the land. This verse, therefore, represents a tangible fulfillment for the tribe of Asher, marking a point of settled possession after years of wilderness wandering and conquest, embodying the rest and abundance that God desired for His people. It implicitly points to God's attention to detail and His commitment to establishing His people securely in their promised abode.