Joshua 19:40 - Meaning and Application

Dan had been one of the four divisions of Israel’s camp in the wilderness, and that division brought up the rear. Yet, when the land of Canaan was divided, Dan was the last tribe to receive an inheritance. Its lot fell in the southern part of Canaan, between Judah on the east, the land of the Philistines on the west, Ephraim on the north, and Simeon on the south.

God’s providence placed this large and strong tribe in a difficult position, but also in a place where it could face those troublesome neighbors, the Philistines. That is exactly what later happened in Samson’s life. This passage gives two things about Dan’s inheritance.

First, it names what fell to Dan by lot: Zorah and Eshtaol, along with the camp of Dan in that area, where Samson later lived and worked. Near there was the valley of Eshcol, the place where the spies brought back the famous cluster of grapes. Japho, or Joppa, was also within this tribe’s boundary.

Second, it points to what Dan gained by its own effort and courage, which is mentioned here (Joshua 19:47) and described more fully in Judges 18:7 and following.