Joshua 14 2

Joshua 14:2 kjv

By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

Joshua 14:2 nkjv

Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

Joshua 14:2 niv

Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Joshua 14:2 esv

Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.

Joshua 14:2 nlt

These nine and a half tribes received their grants of land by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD's command through Moses.

Joshua 14 verses

Joshua 14 2 Meaning

Joshua 14:2 describes the method of land distribution among the Israelite tribes: by casting lots, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. This verse signifies the direct divine intervention and faithfulness in fulfilling the covenant promise of a land inheritance to His people. It ensures that the allocation of territory was not based on human negotiation or might but solely on God's sovereign will, confirming His authority over the land and its division among the nine and a half tribes.

Joshua 14 2 Context

Joshua chapter 14 begins a new section of the book, shifting from the conquest narratives to the division of the conquered land. This chapter is pivotal, opening with a summary statement about the method of land distribution and then specifically detailing Caleb's request and receiving of Hebron. Historically, after roughly seven years of conquest, the land west of the Jordan was under Israelite control, necessitating the formal assignment of territories. The divine command for division by lot (Num 26:55-56) was a crucial part of God's covenant with Abraham, fulfilling the promise to give Israel the land (Gen 12:7, 15:18). This verse sets the stage for chapters 15-19, which enumerate the specific tribal allocations, demonstrating the orderly and divinely guided establishment of Israel's presence in Canaan.

Joshua 14 2 Word analysis

• By lot: Hebrew: gōrāl (גּוֹרָל). This refers to casting lots, typically stones or marked objects, to determine outcomes. In ancient Israel, this practice was not seen as random chance but as a divinely controlled method to ascertain God's will. Proverbs 16:33 states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." This emphasized God's sovereignty over the seemingly arbitrary, minimizing human manipulation or preference.

• was their inheritance: Hebrew: naḥălâ (נַחֲלָה). This term denotes a permanent, unalienable possession, often passed down from generation to generation. It is more than just property; it signifies a divinely granted portion or destiny. For Israel, the land was a foundational element of their covenant identity, a tangible fulfillment of God’s ancient promise.

• as the Lord commanded: Hebrew: ṣiwwâ YHWH (צִוָּה יהוה). This highlights divine mandate. The land distribution was not a human idea but a direct, binding instruction from the Sovereign God, YHWH. It underscores God’s absolute authority and meticulous involvement in the affairs of His people. This practice distinguished Israelite land allocation from methods employed by surrounding nations.

• by the hand of Moses: Hebrew: bəyad Mōšeh (בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה). This idiom indicates that Moses was the intermediary or instrument through whom God's commands were communicated and sometimes executed. It points back to God's instructions given during the wilderness wanderings, especially in Numbers 26 and 34, legitimizing the method used for land division and connecting Joshua's actions directly to foundational Mosaic law.

• for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe: This specification clarifies which tribes were receiving their allotment west of the Jordan. Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan (Num 32; Josh 13). The two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, were counted as separate tribes (Gen 48:5), effectively maintaining twelve land-inheriting portions despite the Levites not receiving a tribal territory (Num 18:20).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded": This phrase directly links divine will to the distribution of property, showing God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over the land and its allocation. It sets the precedent that the land was not merely seized by force but graciously bestowed by God, according to His prior instruction. This also stands in contrast to the arbitrary and often oppressive land appropriations common in other ancient Near Eastern societies, where rulers dictated divisions based on power or favor.
  • "commanded by the hand of Moses": This emphasizes the historical continuity and the divine authority underpinning the land division. It ties the present act in Joshua to the original covenant commands delivered to Moses, reinforcing the unchanging nature of God’s plan and His chosen mediator, asserting divine legitimacy over human convention.

Joshua 14 2 Bonus section

The detailed phrase "nine tribes, and for the half tribe" implicitly confirms the specific composition of Israel's tribes that received land west of the Jordan. The unique arrangement of Levi not receiving a land inheritance (their "inheritance" was the Lord Himself through their service in the tabernacle/temple, and they received cities scattered throughout Israel) and Joseph's lineage being divided into two full tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) ensured that the total count of land-inheriting units remained twelve, upholding the complete and ordered structure of Israel. This divine ordering, facilitated by the casting of lots, provided each tribe with a legitimate claim and security in their respective territories.

Joshua 14 2 Commentary

Joshua 14:2 succinctly encapsulates the foundational principle guiding Israel's land division in Canaan: divine authority and providential guidance. The distribution was not arbitrary or human-negotiated, but rooted in God's explicit command delivered through Moses. The use of lots removed human bias and dispute, showcasing God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous care for each tribal portion. This systematic allocation fulfills God's ancient promises to Abraham, solidifying Israel's identity as a nation firmly planted in their divinely appointed inheritance. It underscores the Lord's faithfulness to His covenant promises, a central theme of Joshua and the entire Bible, leading His people into rest and security in the promised land through obedience to His word.