Joshua 19:15
It also included Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem. There were twelve cities, along with their villages.
In addition to these
This phrase indicates a continuation or addition to a previous list of cities. In the context of Joshua 19, the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel is being described. The phrase suggests that the cities mentioned are part of a larger inheritance given to the tribe of Zebulun. The Hebrew root here implies a sense of completeness and fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites regarding their inheritance in the Promised Land.

there were Kattath
Kattath is one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Zebulun. The name Kattath may derive from a root meaning "small" or "insignificant," which can be seen as a reminder that even the seemingly insignificant places are part of God's divine plan. Historically, the exact location of Kattath is uncertain, but its inclusion signifies the comprehensive nature of the tribal inheritance.

Nahalal
Nahalal, also known as Nahalol, is another city within Zebulun's territory. The name is thought to be related to a root meaning "pasture" or "meadow," indicating a fertile area suitable for agriculture and livestock. This reflects the provision and sustenance God provides for His people, ensuring that their needs are met in the land He has given them.

Shimron
Shimron is a city that appears in several biblical contexts, including as one of the Canaanite cities defeated by Joshua. The name may mean "watch" or "guard," suggesting a strategic location. This city represents the victory and security that God grants His people as they settle in the land, fulfilling His promises of protection and peace.

Idalah
Idalah is another city in Zebulun's inheritance. The name is less clear in meaning, but it may be related to a root meaning "memorial" or "testimony." This could symbolize the enduring witness of God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, as each city stands as a testament to His promises being realized.

and Bethlehem
This Bethlehem is distinct from the more famous Bethlehem in Judah, the birthplace of Jesus. The name Bethlehem means "house of bread," indicating a place of sustenance and provision. This city in Zebulun's territory underscores the theme of God's provision and care for His people, ensuring they have what they need to thrive.

twelve cities
The number twelve is significant in biblical numerology, often representing completeness and divine order. The twelve cities allotted to Zebulun reflect the fullness of God's provision and the organized distribution of the land among the tribes, emphasizing the orderly and purposeful nature of God's plans.

along with their villages
This phrase highlights the inclusion of surrounding villages with the main cities, indicating a comprehensive inheritance. It underscores the idea that God's blessings extend beyond the major centers to encompass all areas of life, providing for the needs of the entire community. This reflects the holistic nature of God's care and the interconnectedness of His people within the land He has given them.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kattath
A town within the territory allotted to the tribe of Zebulun. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is part of the inheritance given to Zebulun.

2. Nahalal
Another town in Zebulun's territory. It is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as a Levitical city, indicating its importance in religious and community life.

3. Shimron
A significant city in the region, possibly linked to the ancient city of Shimron-Meron, which was a Canaanite royal city conquered by Joshua.

4. Idalah
A lesser-known town in the Zebulun territory, with little additional biblical or archaeological information available.

5. Bethlehem
Not to be confused with the more famous Bethlehem in Judah, this is a different Bethlehem located in Zebulun's territory.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The allocation of land to the tribes of Israel, including Zebulun, demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Believers can trust in God's promises in their own lives.

The Importance of Inheritance
The detailed listing of towns and cities underscores the importance of inheritance and legacy. Christians are reminded of their spiritual inheritance in Christ and the importance of passing on faith to future generations.

The Role of Community and Worship
The mention of Levitical cities like Nahalal highlights the centrality of worship and community in Israel's life. Believers today are encouraged to prioritize worship and community within the church.

Challenges of Incomplete Obedience
The presence of Canaanites in some of these towns serves as a reminder of the consequences of incomplete obedience. Christians are called to fully obey God's commands and remove any hindrances to their spiritual growth.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the allocation of land to the tribe of Zebulun teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. How can we apply the concept of spiritual inheritance in our daily lives and in our families?

3. In what ways does the role of Levitical cities like Nahalal inform our understanding of the importance of worship and community today?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we might be practicing incomplete obedience, and how can we address these?

5. How can the account of the Israelites' conquest and settlement inspire us to trust in God's provision and guidance in our own journeys?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 21:34-35
This passage lists Nahalal as a Levitical city, highlighting its role in the religious life of Israel.

Judges 1:30
This verse mentions the Canaanites living in Nahalal, indicating the incomplete conquest of the land and the ongoing challenges faced by the Israelites.

1 Chronicles 6:77
Reiterates the allocation of Nahalal to the Levites, emphasizing the distribution of cities for religious purposes.
A Too Extensive Earthly PortionW. Seaton.Joshua 19:1-51
Self the Last to be ConsideredW. Seaton, M. A.Joshua 19:1-51
The Leader DisinterestedW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 19:1-51
People
Allon, Anath, Asher, Dagon, Dan, Danites, Eleazar, Elon, Heleb, Hepher, Hosah, Israelites, Issachar, Japhia, Jezreel, Joshua, Naphtali, Nun, Rehob, Serah, Shema, Shimron, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Timnah, Zebulun, Zidon
Places
Achshaph, Achzib, Adami-nekeb, Aijalon, Ain, Allammelech, Amad, Anaharath, Aphek, Ashan, Aznoth-tabor, Baalath, Baalath-beer, Balah, Beersheba, Bene-berak, Beten, Beth-anath, Beth-dagan, Beth-emek, Beth-lebaoth, Bethlehem, Beth-marcaboth, Beth-pazzez, Beth-shemesh, Bethul, Cabul, Carmel, Chesulloth, Chinnereth, Chisloth-tabor, Dabbesheth, Daberath, Dan, Ebez, Ebron, Edrei, Ekron, Elon, Eltekeh, Eltolad, En-gannim, En-haddah, Eshtaol, Ether, Ezem, Gath-hepher, Gath-rimmon, Gibbethon, Gibeah, Hali, Hammath, Hammon, Hannathon, Hapharaim, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susah, Hazor, Heleph, Helkath, Horem, Hormah, Hosah, Hukkok, Idalah, Ir-shemesh, Ithlah, Jabneel, Japhia, Jehud, Jezreel, Jokneam, Joppa, Jordan River, Kanah, Kattath, Kedesh, Kishion, Lakkum, Leshem, Mahalab, Me-jarkon, Migdal-el, Mishal, Moladah, Nahalal, Neah, Negeb, Neiel, Rabbith, Rakkath, Rakkon, Ramah, Rehob, Remeth, Rimmon, Sarid, Shaalabbin, Shahazumah, Sharuhen, Sheba, Shiloh, Shimron, Shion, Shunem, Sidon the Great, Tabor, Timnah, Timnath-serah, Tyre, Ummah, Valley of Iphtahel, Yiron, Zaanannim, Zer, Ziddim, Ziklag, Zorah
Topics
Bethlehem, Beth-lehem, Cities, Hamlets, Idalah, I'dalah, Included, Jidalah, Kattah, Kattath, Nahalal, Nahal'al, Nahallal, Places, Shimron, Towns, Twelve, Unwalled, Villages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 19:1-47

     7266   tribes of Israel

Joshua 19:1-48

     5235   boundary

Library
Tiberias.
All the Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Joshua 19:35. "Rakkath is Tiberias," say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely: "It is clear to us that Rakkath is Tiberias." And when, after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected, "When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the elders,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Chammath. Ammaus. The Warm Baths of Tiberias.
Chammath and Rakkath are joined together, Joshua 19:35. For they were very neighbouring cities; Rakkath is Tiberias,--and Chammath, the town Ammaus, in Josephus. Of their neighbourhood, the Jerusalem Talmudists write thus: "The men of a great city may walk" (on the sabbath) "through a whole small city" (which was within a sabbath-day's journey); "but the inhabitants of a small city walk not through a whole great city." And then follows, "Formerly the men of Tiberias walked through all Chammath; but
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Some Other Towns Near Tiberias. Beth-Meon. Caphar Chittaia. Paltathah.
Among the towns, neighbouring upon Tiberias, Tarichee is especially commemorated in Josephus, a city thirty furlongs distant from Tiberias: you will find in him the history and mention of it very frequent. In the Talmudists we meet with other names also. I. Beth-Meon. "The men of Tiberias, who went up to Beth-Meon to be hired for workmen, were hired according to the custom of Beth-Meon: the men of Beth-Meon, who went down to Tiberias to be hired, were hired according to the custom of Tiberias." This
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was.
By comparing the maps with the Talmudic writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the sea of Gennesaret to be without the tribe of Naphthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within. "The Rabbins deliver: The sea of Tiberias is in the portion of Naphtali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the south side of it: as it is said, 'Possess the sea and the south,' Deuteronomy 33:23." The Gloss is; "(Naphtali) had
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision D. The Transfiguration. Concerning Elijah. (a Spur of Hermon, Near Cæsarea Philippi.) ^A Matt. XVII. 1-13; ^B Mark IX. 2-13; ^C Luke IX. 28-36. ^c 28 And it came to pass about eight days { ^a six days} ^c after these sayings [Mark agrees with Matthew in saying six days. Luke qualifies his estimate by saying "about." But if we regard him as including the day of the "sayings" and also the day of the transfiguration, and the other two as excluding these days, then the three statements
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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