What was Shihon?

Shihon was a town located within the tribal inheritance of the people of Issachar in the land of Canaan. The name Shihon (Hebrew: שִׁיחוֹן, Shîḥôn) possibly derives from a root meaning “desolation” or “waste,” though the exact meaning remains uncertain due to the lack of additional biblical or extrabiblical references. Shihon is mentioned in the territorial listings found in Joshua 19:19, as one of the towns allotted to the tribe of Issachar when the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel under Joshua’s leadership.

Biblical References

Shihon appears only once in the Bible in the following passage:

• Joshua 19:17-23 – This passage describes the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar. Verse 19 lists Shihon among other cities:
  “Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath…” (NIV).
  Some translations vary slightly, with the name rendered as Shion, possibly due to textual differences or transliteration choices.

Cross-References

• Joshua 19:17-23 – Full description of Issachar’s inheritance.

• Genesis 49:14-15 – Jacob’s prophecy about Issachar.

• Deuteronomy 33:18-19 – Moses’ blessing to the tribe of Issachar.

• Judges 10:1 – Tola of Issachar judged Israel, showing Issachar’s historical presence.

• 1 Chronicles 7:1-5 – Genealogical details of Issachar‘s descendants.

Shihon in the Biblical Narrative

Though the Bible does not give further narrative details about Shihon beyond its mention in a list of cities, its inclusion in the tribal allotment of Issachar serves as part of the broader testimony to God‘s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each town mentioned in the tribal inheritances had significance to the people who settled there—places of community life, worship, and agricultural activity in the land “flowing with milk and honey.”

Shihon, as part of this territory, contributed to the collective fulfillment of God‘s covenant to give the descendants of Israel a land of their own (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 3:8). The inclusion of even smaller, lesser-known towns like Shihon underscores the detailed and sovereign nature of God‘s distribution of land and inheritance among His people.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

While Shihon may seem insignificant at first glance, its mention carries weight in the broader biblical theme of God‘s faithfulness and attention to detail. God did not overlook a single city or family in His promises to Israel. Every place mattered. For Christians, this points to the personal and intimate nature of God’s care—He remembers every person and place.

In a world that often prizes the prominent and forgets the obscure, God’s inclusion of towns like Shihon in Scripture reminds believers that nothing is too small to be part of His redemptive plan. The believer’s spiritual inheritance in Christ, like the land inheritance of Israel, is full, personal, and secured (Ephesians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3-4).

How Shihon Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The division of the land in Joshua prefigures the inheritance that believers receive in Jesus Christ. Just as each tribe received a portion of Canaan, every believer receives a spiritual inheritance through faith in Jesus (Colossians 1:12; Acts 26:18). The specific mention of towns like Shihon points to the fact that God gives inheritance to His people by name and with precision—and this is fulfilled spiritually in Christ.

Jesus, the greater Joshua (Hebrews 4:8-10), leads His people into the ultimate rest and inheritance—not merely physical land, but the eternal kingdom of God. The inclusion of Shihon reminds us that in Christ, no one is forgotten, and no promise is left unfulfilled.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Covenant Faithfulness

The listing of towns in Joshua 19, including Shihon, is part of the tangible fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. God told Abraham that his descendants would possess the land (Genesis 15:18–21), and this is realized in Joshua’s time.

2. Divine Sovereignty in Distribution

The land was divided not according to man’s plan, but by divine instruction through the casting of lots (Joshua 18:6, 10). Every city—including Shihon—was given to a specific tribe by God’s will, showcasing His sovereignty and intentional design.

3. The Value of the Seemingly Insignificant

God records every detail, even small towns like Shihon, reinforcing that in God’s plan, every person and place has value and purpose. This theme recurs in Scripture, where God often uses the least, the lowly, or the overlooked for His glory.

4. Typology of Inheritance

The land inheritance is a type of the greater inheritance believers receive in Christ—secured, undeserved, and part of God’s covenantal love. The towns of Issachar, including Shihon, contribute to this typological picture.

Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to include small towns like Shihon in the biblical record?

2. How does the idea of “inheritance” in the Old Testament shape your understanding of your spiritual inheritance in Christ?

3. In what ways have you seen God care about the “small details” in your own life?

4. How can the faithfulness of God in Joshua’s time encourage you to trust His promises today?

5. What does the distribution of land in the book of Joshua teach you about God’s order and sovereignty?

Even a brief mention of a place like Shihon invites us to reflect on God’s thoroughness, care, and redemptive story woven through every corner of Scripture. Through towns large and small, God’s glory and promises are displayed, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, our eternal inheritance.