Joshua 19:31
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.
Original Language Analysis
נַֽחֲלַ֛ת
This is the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלַ֛ת
This is the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
מַטֵּ֥ה
of the tribe
H4294
מַטֵּ֥ה
of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
3 of 9
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָשֵׁ֖ר
of Asher
H836
אָשֵׁ֖ר
of Asher
Strong's:
H836
Word #:
5 of 9
asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
according to their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
according to their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
6 of 9
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
Historical Context
Asher's tribal inheritance system, distributing land by families rather than individuals, created economic stability and prevented the landless poverty that plagued other ancient societies. The family-based allocation ensured that even if individuals failed, the clan structure preserved inheritance. This system continued until the Babylonian exile disrupted tribal territories.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the family-based inheritance system (nachalah according to mishpachot) inform Christian community structure and intergenerational faithfulness?
- What parallels exist between Asher receiving full inheritance but possessing it incompletely and Christians' positional versus experiential sanctification?
- How does Asher's failure to drive out Canaanites despite receiving perfect territory warn against blaming circumstances when incomplete obedience is the real issue?
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Analysis & Commentary
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families—The formula the inheritance (נַחֲלַת nachalat) according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם l'mishpechotam) appears throughout Joshua 13-19, emphasizing that land distribution followed family structure, not individual preference. Each mishpachah (clan, extended family) received portions within the tribal territory, ensuring that inheritance passed through generations. This system prevented land consolidation by the wealthy and maintained tribal identity.
Asher's inheritance fulfilled Jacob's blessing: "his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties" (Genesis 49:20). The coastal region's fertility and trade access provided exactly the richness predicted. Yet Judges 1:31-32 reveals Asher failed to drive out Canaanites from key cities, living among them instead. The nachalah was perfect; Asher's possession was incomplete. This parallels the Christian life: our inheritance in Christ is complete (Ephesians 1:3), but our experiential possession requires ongoing faith and obedience. We must "work out" what God has "worked in" (Philippians 2:12-13).