Joshua 19 41

Joshua 19:41 kjv

And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

Joshua 19:41 nkjv

And the territory of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,

Joshua 19:41 niv

The territory of their inheritance included: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,

Joshua 19:41 esv

And the territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,

Joshua 19:41 nlt

The land allocated as their homeland included the following towns: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 41 Meaning

Joshua 19:41 outlines part of the western border for the tribe of Dan's inherited territory. It specifies three key towns: Zorah, Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh, establishing the geographical limits of their allotted land. This verse highlights the practical aspect of land distribution after the conquest of Canaan, ensuring each tribe had a clearly defined patrimony as part of God's covenant promise.

Joshua 19 41 Context

Joshua chapter 19 describes the final land allocations to the remaining seven Israelite tribes: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and finally, Dan. This allocation concludes the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan as an inheritance to Abraham's descendants. Each tribal allotment is meticulously detailed by its borders and included towns. The historical context is the period directly following the main conquest of Canaan, where Joshua, under divine instruction, is distributing the conquered land "by lot." For Dan, this specified territory was relatively small and challenging, often requiring them to fight the inhabitants, as elaborated later in the book of Judges.

Joshua 19 41 Word analysis

• וַיְהִי (Vayehi): "And it was" or "And the." This is a common Hebrew conjunction and verb form that simply introduces a new event, state, or in this case, a definition of a border, emphasizing continuity with the preceding description of land divisions.
• גְּבוּל (Gevul): "border," "boundary," "territory." This noun emphasizes the fixed, defined limits of a land portion. Its use here highlights the specific and measured allocation of land, signifying divine order and justice in distribution. Each tribal possession was distinct.
• נַחֲלָתָם (Nachalatam): "of their inheritance." Composed of nachalah (נַחֲלָה - inheritance, possession, patrimony) and the possessive suffix -tam (their). The term nachalah carries significant theological weight throughout the Old Testament, representing a divinely bestowed portion or legacy, usually the Promised Land itself, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His covenant. For the tribes, their nachalah was a tangible fulfillment of Abrahamic promises.
• צָרְעָה (Tsor'ah): "Zorah." A prominent town in the Shephelah (foothills), significant later as the birthplace and burial place of Samson (Jdg 13:2; 16:31), a Danite judge. Its strategic location suggests military importance and fertile ground.
• וְאֶשְׁתָּאוֹל (v'Eshta'ol): "and Eshtaol." Often paired with Zorah. Also strongly associated with Samson's story and a place where the Spirit of the Lord first began to move him (Jdg 13:25). It served as another landmark for the Danite border.
• וְעִיר שָׁמֶשׁ (v'Ir Shemesh): "and Ir-shemesh" (City of the Sun). This name literally means "City of the Sun" and is widely identified with Beth Shemesh.
  • עִיר (Ir): "city," "town." A common Hebrew word for a populated settlement.
  • שָׁמֶשׁ (Shemesh): "sun." This indicates the prior (and likely current at the time of allocation) Canaanite religious significance of the site, being dedicated to the worship of the sun god Shamash. Its inclusion in the Israelite inheritance is a powerful theological statement. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over pagan deities and lands, signifying the displacement of idolatry with the territory of God's covenant people. The naming itself is a subtle but clear polemic against contemporary Canaanite religious practices.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The border of their inheritance": This phrase underlines the established and legitimate claim of the tribe of Dan to a specific land area, rooted in divine allotment rather than conquest alone. It speaks to order, divine provision, and tribal identity. The term "inheritance" elevates the land from mere territory to a spiritual patrimony.
• "Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh": These three cities, all situated in the Shephelah, a strategically important buffer zone between the Judean mountains and the Philistine plain, define a crucial part of Dan's allotted territory. Their listing provides concrete, identifiable geographical markers that establish a visible, understood boundary. The presence of "Ir-shemesh" (City of the Sun) implies Israel's divine commission to occupy and claim lands previously marked by pagan worship, asserting Yahweh's dominion.

Joshua 19 41 Bonus section

• The area encompassing Zorah, Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh (Beth Shemesh) was a hotly contested border region between the Israelites (specifically Judah and Dan) and the Philistines. This made their "inheritance" not just a gift, but a perpetual battleground, contributing to Dan's later relocation.
• The fact that Samson, a deliverer judge, originated from this specific Danite territory (between Zorah and Eshtaol) highlights God's continued involvement even amidst tribal struggles for possession, raising up deliverers from within the challenging inheritance.
• Beth Shemesh, or Ir-shemesh, is notably where the Ark of the Covenant was returned after its capture by the Philistines (1 Sam 6). This event underscores the historical and spiritual significance of a location initially named after a pagan deity, now being sanctified by the return of God's presence.

Joshua 19 41 Commentary

Joshua 19:41, though a simple geographic listing, is laden with significance. It demonstrates the meticulous fulfillment of God's promises through the systematic distribution of the Promised Land to the Israelite tribes. For the tribe of Dan, Zorah, Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh (Beth Shemesh) defined a key part of their initial inheritance. However, this verse also subtly foreshadows the struggles that lay ahead for Dan, particularly in securing and holding this specific region, which was densely populated by strong Canaanite and Philistine peoples. Their eventual inability to fully dispossess these inhabitants (as detailed in Judges 1) ultimately led to their migration northward. Furthermore, the mention of "Ir-shemesh" signifies a subtle but profound theological truth: Israel's God, Yahweh, was sovereign over even those lands formerly devoted to foreign gods, reclaiming them for His people. This established God's reign and Israel's presence in strategic areas that would later be vital for key figures like Samson.