יהושע, פרק י״ט, פסוק ל״ח

As the division of the tribal lands draws to a close, a final tally records nineteen cities along with their surrounding settlements. Among these is a city named Beth-shemesh, marking the third distinct location in the biblical record to bear this name [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The detailed inventory of locations listed just before this final count presents a puzzle, as the total number of names exceeds nineteen. Commentators offer different ways to understand exactly how the final number is reached. One perspective suggests that the count consists of sixteen fortified cities along with three additional cities located right on the territorial border. Any other places mentioned in the broader regional description actually belonged to the neighboring tribe's inheritance [מצודת דוד].

Another approach calculates the total by grouping fifteen fortified cities with four specific additional towns: Adami-nekeb, Jabneel, Lakkum, and Hukkok. To resolve the extra names in the earlier record, this view explains that certain locations, such as Heleph and Allon, were never cities to begin with. Instead, they simply identified broader geographic areas within the region [מלבי״ם].