The tribe of Sim'e-on was the smallest in numbers, having only 22,200 warriors. It had been predicted that this tribe would be closely associated with the tribe of Ju'dah, and dependent upon them in many respects. Sim'e-on was therefore given a territory south of the allotment of Ju'dah, bordering on the deserts of E'dom. The soil was poor in quality, the climate very dry for most of the year, and the country was unable to sustain even this small tribe. For this reason a number of cities within the borders of Ju'dah were assigned to Sim'e-on.
It had been predicted that Ben'ja-min would be a tribe given to conquest, and in the wars of Ca'naan its members had been noted for courage and bravery. In occupation and habits, the people of this tribe were very much like those of Ju'dah. Since it was comparatively small in numbers, having only 45,600 able bodied men over twenty, there was no need for a large area. Ben'ja-min therefore received a small mountainous territory north of the eastern half of Ju'dah, and not far from the future ruling powers of the nation.
The tribe of Dan was destined for a position of leadership in culture, political power, and the development of crafts. Numbering 64,400 warriors, it was allotted a comparatively small area just north of Ju'dah, and east of the territory given to Ben'ja-min and E'phra-im. This small tract however, was capable of supporting a large and growing population, for it embraced the wide and fertile plains of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an.
Special favors had been promised to the tribe of E'phra-im because its members were descendants of one of the sons of Jo'seph. They had shown great courage during the wars of Is'ra-el, and had become prosperous in flocks and herds. Although the tribe at this time numbered only 32,500 men above the age of twenty, it had been promised a multitude of descendants; E'phra-im therefore received a very large area in central Ca'naan. This territory extended from the Jor'dan on the east to the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an on the west, and was north of Ben'ja-min and Dan. Most of this area was very mountainous, but the soil was rich and fertile, and fresh streams of water flowed in abundance. It was, in many respects, the best part of Ca'naan. Within its borders were the mountains of E'bal and Ger'iz-im, where the Covenant had been renewed by Is'ra-el soon after entering Ca'naan; the sacred city of She'chem, and other places memorable in the lives of A'bra-ham, I'saac, and Ja'cob.
