Question I. What [are] the limits [borders] and cities of the Simeonic tribe?

The second lot, among the oft-mentioned remaining seven tribes, fell to the Simeonic tribe; and [it] attributed to it [its] inheritance within the very portion of the Judaic tribe. And therefore here [its] limits are not described (in respect of the four quarters of the world) in the manner of the other tribes about which [we have treated] hitherto; but only [it] is said [that] this inheritance was “in the midst of the possession of the children of Juda” — so that those Judaic limits can in some way be held [to be] Simeonic also, just as, namely, the same boundaries can be reckoned [those] of a part and of the whole. Yet that “in the midst” — which the 70 too had said, “ἀναμέσον κλήρου υἱῶν Ἰούδα [anameson klērou huiōn Iouda]” [“in the midst of the lot of the children of Judah”], and (v. 9) “ἐν μέσῳ [en mesō]” [“in the midst”] — does not so signify a middle of situation, as if this Simeonic tribe existed precisely in the middle place of Judaea, and as it were in its very center; but [it means] that [it is] within that [portion], among its boundaries. For the portion of the Simeonites was, otherwise, in the farthest part of the Judaic portion, toward the West and the South. Its cities are indicated (v. 6) [as] thirteen, and moreover (v. 7) four — in all seventeen. Whence [it] follows [that] there is only one and the same city of which two names are set down (v. 2): “Beersabee & Sabee.” And therefore (1 Chron. 4) only one of them is set down — the former, namely [Beersabee] — which is also more renowned, [being] more worn by greater use, and placed here in the prior place, because there Abraham struck a covenant with Abimelech at the well, and gave him, for the sake of attesting friendship, seven chosen [lambs]. From all these things [come] these names to that city, since “beer” signifies “a well,” but “sabee” either “an oath” or “seven.” But because around those cities there was a great frequency of hamlets and villages, [it] is therefore said, with a mark of universality (v. 8): “all the hamlets round about those cities.” But here [there] is a certain not-unworthy-of-notice admonition of Radak himself — namely, [that] the proper names of men and places, set in various places, often vary by one or even another letter. For, for example, [the place] which here (v. 3) [is] “Balaa” is called (1 Chron. 4:29) in the Latin indeed by the same name, but in the Hebrew “Bilha”; and above (ch. 15:29) “Baala”; (Num. 1:14) “Deuel,” (ch. 2:14) “Rehuel.”