Joshua 19:48
This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Dan, including these cities and their villages.
This was the inheritance
The term "inheritance" in the Hebrew context is "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which signifies a possession or a heritage passed down through generations. In the biblical narrative, the concept of inheritance is deeply rooted in the covenantal promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It reflects not only a physical possession of land but also a spiritual legacy. For the Israelites, receiving their inheritance was a fulfillment of God's promises and a testament to His faithfulness. This inheritance was not merely a gift but a divine allotment, emphasizing God's sovereignty in distributing the land among the tribes.

of the tribe of the Danites
The "tribe of the Danites" refers to the descendants of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Dan's name means "judge" in Hebrew, and his tribe was known for its strength and ability to judge or lead. Historically, the tribe of Dan faced challenges in securing their allotted territory, which was initially located in the central coastal region of Canaan. The Danites' struggle to fully possess their land is a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face in claiming God's promises. It also highlights the importance of faith and perseverance in overcoming obstacles.

according to their clans
The phrase "according to their clans" indicates the division of the inheritance among the smaller family units within the tribe. The Hebrew word for "clans" is "מִשְׁפָּחוֹת" (mishpachot), which underscores the importance of family and community in Israelite society. Each clan received a portion of the land, ensuring that every family had a stake in the inheritance. This distribution reflects God's desire for order and equity among His people, as well as the communal aspect of living out one's faith within a supportive network of relationships.

these cities with their villages
The mention of "cities with their villages" highlights the specific nature of the inheritance. The Hebrew word for "cities" is "עָרִים" (arim), and "villages" is "חַצְרֵיהֶן" (chatzerihen). This distinction between cities and villages indicates a structured society with urban centers and rural areas, each playing a vital role in the community's life. The cities often served as administrative and religious centers, while the villages were primarily agricultural. This allocation of land underscores the comprehensive provision of God, ensuring that the Danites had everything necessary for a thriving community life, from governance to sustenance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tribe of Dan
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah. The tribe is known for its struggles in securing its allotted inheritance.

2. Inheritance
Refers to the land portion allocated to the tribe of Dan as part of the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. This was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land.

3. Cities and Villages
The specific locations within the territory assigned to the Danites. These were meant to be places of settlement and community for the tribe.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment
The allocation of land to the tribe of Dan is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives.

Challenges in Possessing Inheritance
The Danites faced difficulties in fully possessing their inheritance, reminding us that spiritual inheritance in Christ may also require perseverance and faith.

Community and Belonging
The mention of cities and villages underscores the importance of community and belonging. Christians are called to be part of a spiritual community, the body of Christ.

Obedience and Trust
The allocation of land required obedience and trust in God's plan. Similarly, believers are called to trust and obey God's direction in their lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inheritance of the tribe of Dan teach us about God's promises and their fulfillment in our lives today?

2. How can the struggles of the Danites in securing their inheritance encourage us in our spiritual journey and battles?

3. In what ways does the concept of inheritance in Joshua 19:48 connect to our spiritual inheritance in Christ as described in the New Testament?

4. How can we foster a sense of community and belonging within our local church, similar to the cities and villages mentioned for the Danites?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are obedient and trusting in God's plan for our lives, even when faced with challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 18
This chapter provides further insight into the struggles of the tribe of Dan in securing their inheritance, highlighting their eventual migration and conquest of Laish.

Genesis 49:16-17
Jacob's blessing over Dan, which prophetically speaks to the tribe's future challenges and characteristics.

Ephesians 1:11
Discusses the concept of inheritance in Christ, drawing a parallel to the physical inheritance of the tribes of Israel.
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
Cities, Clan, Dan, Families, Hamlets, Heritage, Inheritance, Places, Sons, Towns, Tribe, Unwalled, Villages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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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