Joshua 14 5

Joshua 14:5 kjv

As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

Joshua 14:5 nkjv

As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did; and they divided the land.

Joshua 14:5 niv

So the Israelites divided the land, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Joshua 14:5 esv

The people of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses; they allotted the land.

Joshua 14:5 nlt

So the land was distributed in strict accordance with the LORD's commands to Moses.

Joshua 14 verses

Joshua 14 5 Meaning

This verse highlights the precise and faithful execution of God's directives concerning the division of the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes. It emphasizes that the entire process of assigning territorial inheritances was not arbitrary, but conducted in exact accordance with the detailed instructions the Lord had previously given to Moses. The phrase "they divided the land" signifies the actual physical implementation of this divine command by the collective body of Israel, transforming a centuries-old promise into a tangible reality for each tribe.

Joshua 14 5 Context

Joshua chapter 14 initiates the detailed account of the land allocation process following the successful military campaigns. The initial verses (14:1-4) establish the roles of Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the tribal families as the primary figures responsible for this critical task, also clarifying the unique provisions for Joseph's descendants and the Levites. Verse 5 functions as a foundational principle for the entire division that follows, ensuring its legitimacy and divine sanction. This moment marks a crucial turning point from warfare to the implementation of God's promise of settlement, allowing Israel to finally inhabit the land promised generations earlier to Abraham, fulfilling the covenant and solidifying their identity as God's nation in their own territory.

Joshua 14 5 Word analysis

• As the Lord commanded (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה - ka'asher tzivah Yahweh)

  • "As" (כַּאֲשֶׁר - ka'asher): Denotes strict adherence, meaning "just as," "exactly according to." It emphasizes precision and conformity to a prior instruction.
  • "Lord" (יְהוָה - Yahweh): God's personal, covenant name. It underscores the divine authority and the relational faithfulness behind the command. His promise is upheld by His character.
  • "commanded" (צִוָּה - tzivah): A strong Hebrew verb indicating a binding, authoritative decree or order, not a mere suggestion. It implies an imperative that must be followed.
  • Significance: This phrase grounds the entire land distribution in divine decree, not human ingenuity. It highlights God's sovereignty over the land and its division.

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh)

  • The revered prophet and mediator through whom God revealed His law and specific instructions for the land's apportionment (e.g., in Numbers 26 and 34).
  • Significance: Connects the current act directly to the authoritative body of law and promises given during the wilderness wanderings, showing continuity in God's plan.

• so the people of Israel did (כֵּן עָשׂוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ken asu b'nei Yisrael)

  • "so" (כֵּן - ken): Indicates direct consequence or result; "accordingly," "thus." It shows a corresponding action to the preceding divine command.
  • "the people of Israel" (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - b'nei Yisrael): Refers to the collective nation, emphasizing that the act was a unified, corporate obedience by the new generation inheriting the land.
  • "did" (עָשׂוּ - asu): A verb signifying action and performance; they carried out, accomplished, or executed the command. It highlights active submission.
  • Significance: Demonstrates corporate obedience. Their faithful action enabled the fulfillment of the divine promise and established the nation within the land.

• they divided the land (וַיַּחְלְקוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ - vayachleku et ha'aretz)

  • "divided" (וַיַּחְלְקוּ - vayachleku): Specifically means to apportion, to allot, or to distribute. This verb directly refers to the physical act of sectioning off the territory. While not stated in this verse, the preceding verses and the book indicate this was done by lot, reinforcing divine control.
  • "the land" (אֶת הָאָרֶץ - et ha'aretz): Refers to the specific Promised Land of Canaan.
  • Significance: The tangible outcome of God's command and Israel's obedience. This action established the tribal inheritances and solidified Israel's presence in their God-given territory. It actualized the promise into concrete possession.

Joshua 14 5 Bonus section

The phrase "as the Lord commanded Moses" appears frequently throughout the book of Joshua, serving as a powerful recurring motif. This repetition solidifies the thematic unity of the book: that God's promises made through Moses are now being meticulously fulfilled under Joshua's leadership. It highlights the faithful continuation of divine mandates across generations. While Joshua 14:5 explicitly states the act of dividing, the preceding verse (14:2) specifies that this division occurred "by lot, as the Lord commanded Moses," underscoring that the casting of lots was the divinely ordained method for distribution. This process of casting lots was crucial as it bypassed potential human bias or conflict, making the outcome a direct revelation of God's will for each tribe's inheritance, thus embedding divine providence into the very fabric of their territorial boundaries.

Joshua 14 5 Commentary

Joshua 14:5 serves as a critical theological statement regarding the foundation of Israel's presence in the Promised Land. It unequivocally declares that the land distribution was not a matter of human discretion, political maneuvering, or military might, but the direct consequence of God's explicit command through Moses. The "as... so... did" structure highlights perfect divine instruction met with faithful human execution, which was foundational to Israel's identity and ongoing blessings. This adherence to divine instruction ensures that each tribal inheritance is seen as a direct gift from Yahweh, emphasizing His sovereignty, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His design for their communal life. This foundational principle underscores the divine right to the land, distinguishing Israel's claims from those of surrounding nations and affirming that true success and blessing came from obedience to God's established will, rather than independent action.