Joshua 19:23
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities, and their villages. Joshua 19:23 (KJV)
In this verse we receive a concise description of the allotment given to the tribe of Issachar during the division of the Promised Land. It records the families, the cities and the villages that comprised the tribe’s inheritance, providing a snapshot of the geographical reality of the time.
The verse marks the outer limits of Issachar’s territory by naming several prominent landmarks. The coast reached to Tabor, a notable mountain in the northern part of the tribal area, known for its strategic position and often serving as a natural landmark. Another point on the border is Shihor‑libnath; its exact location is not precisely known today, but the name appears in other biblical territorial lists, indicating that it was a recognized boundary marker in the ancient allotment. Bethshemesh is also mentioned as a city on the border; there were several cities with this name in Israel, and the text makes clear that this is not the better‑known Beth‑shemesh associated with other biblical narratives.
The passage concludes by stating that the border of the tribe of Issachar extended to the Jordan River. The Jordan River was a significant eastern landmark of ancient Israel, forming part of the natural boundary of the Promised Land. Its inclusion in the verse underscores the easternmost reach of Issachar’s allotted land.
Within these borders the verse records that there were sixteen cities together with their surrounding villages. These settlements would have provided the people of Issachar with places to live, work, and worship, forming the social and economic fabric of the tribe.
Overall, Joshua 19:23 offers clear geographical information about the borders and landmarks that defined the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar. By naming Tabor, Shihor‑libnath, Bethshemesh, and the Jordan River, the verse helps readers visualize the extent of the inheritance and understand how the tribal divisions were organized among the twelve tribes of Israel.
