24–27. The sons of Simeon] With unimportant variations in the names, the five sons of Simeon are mentioned also in Genesis xlvi. 10, Exodus vi. 15, and Numbers xxvi. 12, 13. A sixth son, Ohad, is given by the list in Genesis. As the mother of one, Shaul, was a Canaanitess (Genesis xlvi. 10) and Mibsam and Mishma are also reckoned Ishmaelites (i. 29, 30), the tribe of Simeon contained marked non-Israelite elements. This is the more natural by reason of its location in the extreme south of Palestine.
27. six daughters] LXX. three daughters.
28–33 (= Joshua xix. 2–8).
The Territory of Simeon.
²⁸And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual;
28. Beer-sheba] at the southern extremity of Palestine, as Dan was at the northern (1 Samuel iii. 20).
²⁹and at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad;
29. Tolad] In Joshua xix. 4 Eltolad.
³⁰and at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag;
30. Bethuel] compare Genesis xxii. 22. In Joshua xix. 4 Bethul. In 1 Samuel xxx. 27 Bethel (not the famous Bethel near Jerusalem).
Hormah] Numbers xiv. 45, xxi. 3; Judges i. 17.