Charles Ellicott Commentary Joshua 19:15

"and Kattath, and Nahalal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages." — Joshua 19:15 (ASV)

Nahallal. —(Ain Mahil, sheet 6).

Shimron. —(Simûmieh, west of Nazareth, sheet 5).

Idalah. —(El Huwârah, a ruin just south of Bethlehem, sheet 5).

Beth-lehem. —(Beit-Lahm, sheet 5). It seems right to refer Ibzan of Bethlehem (Judges 12:8, 10) to this town. The other Bethlehem is called in Judges and Ruth, Bethlehem-Judah; and in Micah, Bethlehem-Ephratah (Judges 17:7; Judges 19:1; Ruth 1:1; Micah 5:2). Bethlehem-Judah is designated Bethlehem only when it is impossible to mistake it for Bethlehem of Zebulun (e.g.,Ruth 1:19 and 1 Samuel 16:4).

Twelve cities. —Ittah-kazin, Neah, Dabbasheth, and Kattath have not been identified, and they may not all be names of towns.