Joshua 18 10

Joshua 18:10 kjv

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

Joshua 18:10 nkjv

Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.

Joshua 18:10 niv

Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions.

Joshua 18:10 esv

and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.

Joshua 18:10 nlt

And there at Shiloh, Joshua cast sacred lots in the presence of the LORD to determine which tribe should have each section.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 10 Meaning

Joshua 18:10 details a pivotal moment in Israel's settlement of the Promised Land. Joshua, acting under divine guidance, utilizes lots in Shiloh to fairly distribute the remaining territorial inheritances to the tribes of Israel who had not yet received their portions. This act emphasizes God's sovereign oversight in the division, Joshua's obedient leadership, and the systematic allocation of land according to tribal and clan structures, ensuring each family received its designated inheritance from the Lord.

Joshua 18 10 Context

Joshua 18:10 follows the initial division of land to the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and half-Manasseh in earlier chapters (13-17). At this point, seven tribes had not yet received their territorial inheritances, indicating a delay in fully occupying the land God promised. Joshua expresses concern about their "sluggishness" (v. 3). To address this, Joshua commissions a survey team of twenty-one men (three from each of the seven remaining tribes) to explore and map the undivided land, describing it in seven parts (v. 4-9). After they complete this survey and return to Shiloh, verse 10 marks the crucial moment when Joshua, acting as God's chosen leader, proceeds with the equitable and divinely ordained distribution of these remaining territories by casting lots "before the Lord" in Shiloh, the location of the tabernacle. This act ensures fairness and demonstrates trust in God's providence over human preferences, thereby moving Israel closer to complete fulfillment of the land promise.

Joshua 18 10 Word analysis

• And Joshua: וַיַּפֵּיל (vayappeil). This highlights Joshua's central role as Moses' successor, entrusted with fulfilling the covenant promise of land distribution (Num 27:18-23, Deut 3:28, Josh 1:6).

• cast lots: גּוֹרָל (goral), specifically, "to cause to fall" or "throw" the lot, indicating a divinely guided process rather than human decision-making. In ancient Israel, casting lots was a legitimate method for discerning God's will (Prov 16:33) for various decisions, including land division (Num 26:55), assigning duties (1 Chr 24:31, 25:8), or identifying culprits (Josh 7:16-18, 1 Sam 14:41-42). It contrasts with pagan forms of divination, as it was performed "before the Lord," indicating submission to divine sovereignty.

• for them: This refers to the seven tribes yet to receive their inheritance: Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.

• in Shiloh: בְּשִׁלֹה (b'shiloh). Shiloh became the central worship site and tabernacle location after Gilgal (Josh 18:1). Its selection underscores the religious significance of the land division process. The tabernacle's presence implies that all decisions related to the inheritance were conducted under God's direct observation and approval. It was a holy place, confirming the sacred nature of the act.

• before the Lord: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lifnei YHWH). This phrase indicates the presence of the ark of the covenant or the tabernacle, signifying God's direct presence and supervision. It ensures that the process was not arbitrary but an act of seeking and submitting to divine will, preventing dispute or favoritism. This polemicizes against any human claims to territory and against pagan notions of chance or capricious deities.

• and there Joshua divided: וַיְחַלֵּק (vayichalek), meaning "to divide," "to apportion." Joshua is the instrument, but the division itself is understood to be divinely ordained through the lot. His act seals the sacred distribution.

• the land: הָאָרֶץ (ha'aretz). Refers to the remaining unconquered or unallotted territory within Canaan, promised by God.

• among the children of Israel: Refers to the entire collective nation, ensuring each tribal and clan entity would receive their due portion, reinforcing their identity and future responsibilities.

• according to their divisions: לְמַחְלְקֹתָם (le'machlekotham), meaning "according to their allotments," "sections," or "portions." This highlights that the land was divided systematically, considering the various internal subdivisions and clans within each tribe (Num 26:54: "to the larger group give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller group a smaller inheritance; each is to be given its inheritance according to its numbered men."). It ensured order and adherence to prior census numbers (Num 26) or pre-agreed arrangements, confirming equitable distribution.

• "And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord": This phrase establishes the divine sanction and sacred context of the land distribution. Shiloh, with the tabernacle, serves as the spiritual hub where God's will is formally discerned through the casting of lots. It conveys divine participation and legitimization.

• "and there Joshua divided the land among the children of Israel according to their divisions": This highlights the implementation phase of the divine decision. Joshua acts as the human administrator, carrying out the exact specifications indicated by the lots, thereby formalizing the tribal boundaries and ensuring that the land, a gift from God, is settled in an orderly fashion in accordance with each tribe's proportional size or existing internal structures.

Joshua 18 10 Bonus section

The importance of Shiloh in this verse is not merely geographical but theological. Before Jerusalem became the central place of worship under David, Shiloh served as the religious and administrative heart of Israel for several centuries (1 Sam 1:3). Its choice for the final land distribution signifies that the entire process of inheriting the land was consecrated and carried out in the presence of God Himself, symbolizing that the land belongs to God and is given to Israel by His gracious hand. The mention of "their divisions" also subtly hints at the established clanic structures, reinforcing the idea that God respects the unique identities and needs within the larger Israelite community. This meticulous, divinely guided division laid the foundational framework for the tribal organization that characterized Israel's existence for generations to come.

Joshua 18 10 Commentary

Joshua 18:10 captures the divine faithfulness and orderly leadership involved in Israel's settlement of Canaan. The act of "casting lots" underscored the Israelites' dependence on God for the precise allocation of their inheritance, moving beyond human strategic considerations to embrace God's sovereign decision (Prov 16:33). Conducting this sacred process "in Shiloh before the Lord" reinforced that the land was a covenantal gift, not merely a conquered territory, and its distribution was an act of divine provision supervised directly by God's presence at the tabernacle. Joshua, as God's chosen leader, facilitated this divine will, demonstrating obedience and fulfilling the promise given to Moses (Josh 1:6). The final phrase, "according to their divisions," highlights a methodical approach that ensured fairness based on established tribal and family structures, preventing conflict and promoting unity. This verse demonstrates a perfect blend of divine providence and human administration, setting the stage for each tribe to possess its specific, God-ordained inheritance within the Promised Land.