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Joshua 15:28,29
And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah, …

Balah
Balah is another town within the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon. It is sometimes identified with Baalah or Bilhah, though the exact location remains uncertain. The name Balah may be related to the Hebrew word for "swallow" or "devour," possibly indicating a place of consumption or destruction. This town's inclusion in the Simeonite territory highlights the tribe's scattered settlements within Judah's borders. The mention of Balah in the context of Simeon's inheritance underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to provide land for each tribe, as initially outlined in the covenant with Abraham.

Ezem
Ezem is a town listed among the cities given to the tribe of Simeon. Its precise location is not definitively known, but it is believed to be situated in the Negev region, south of Judah. The name Ezem may derive from a root meaning "bone" or "strength," suggesting a place of fortitude or resilience. This town's inclusion in the Simeonite allotment reflects the broader theme of God's provision and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. The distribution of cities like Ezem among the tribes illustrates the fulfillment of divine promises and the orderly division of the land as directed by God through Joshua.

“ ‘Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,’ ” (Joshua 19:3)

• Hazar-shual is listed earlier among Judah’s southern towns (Joshua 15:28) and later among Simeon’s settlements (1 Chronicles 4:28). That dual listing shows how Simeon received its inheritance “within the allotment of the sons of Judah” (Joshua 19:1).

• The placement fulfils Jacob’s prophetic word that Simeon would be “scattered” in Israel (Genesis 49:5-7). God’s promise is literal, and here we see it worked out on the map.

• Being on the edge of the Negev, Hazar-shual reminds us that the Lord’s provision reaches even the dry places. The tribe’s smaller population (Numbers 26:14) still received real land, underscoring God’s faithfulness to every family.

• Practical take-away: when God assigns you a place—even a rugged one—He also supplies what you need to flourish there (Psalm 37:3).

• Mentioned again in1 Chronicles 4:29, Balah sits near Hazar-shual, reinforcing that this cluster of towns formed a pocket of Simeonite life inside Judah’s territory.

• Its inclusion says something simple yet important: no inheritance detail is too small for the Spirit to record. Each town mattered to God, just as “not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:29).

• Together with neighbouring villages, Balah created community for a tribe that had once been judged for violence (Genesis 34). Grace re-roots broken stories.

• Also listed in Judah’s roster (Joshua 15:29) and Simeon’s (1 Chronicles 4:29), Ezem anchored the south-western edge of the allotment.

• The pattern—Judah first, Simeon within—highlights cooperative living. Later, Judah shelters Simeon during temple worship (2 Chronicles 15:9). God weaves tribes together, foreshadowing the unity He desires among all believers (Ephesians 4:3-6).

• By naming Ezem, Scripture affirms that borders and boundaries are God-given (Acts 17:26). Recognising them brings security, not restriction, because they define the space where obedience thrives (Psalm 16:5-6).

Joshua 19:3 is more than a list of three obscure towns; it is a snapshot of God’s covenant faithfulness. Hazar-shual, Balah, and Ezem show the literal fulfilment of Jacob’s prophecy, the careful precision of the land grants, and the gracious inclusion of a lesser tribe inside a stronger one. Every location, like every believer, has a God-appointed place in His unfolding plan.