Joshua 19:17

The land given to the tribe of Issachar included much of the fertile Jezreel Valley. During Old Testament times, much of this valley was swampy land, surrounded by prosperous and important cities. This area was a center of Canaanite power, so this small tribe had trouble gaining control of the land at first.

The tribes of Zebulun and Issachar had lands in a strategic location. The main international trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia passed through their territories. When Israel was strong, this location brought wealth. However, when Israel was weak, these tribes became exposed to attacks from Egyptian armies and Mesopotamian powers fighting for control of the ancient Near East.

The five small remaining tribes received land on the edges of Israelite territory and had little influence on the nation.

• The allotment of land to the tribes on the west side of the Jordan describes what God intended for each tribe to possess.

• The one narrating the story begins this section with Caleb receiving land and ends with Joshua receiving land (14:6–15; 19:49–51). Only Caleb and Joshua had shown faith in God that Israel could conquer the land (Numbers 13:30; 14:6–9).

• As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.

• The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.

• In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.