Joshua 18:6 kjv
Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
Joshua 18:6 nkjv
You shall therefore survey the land in seven parts and bring the survey here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
Joshua 18:6 niv
After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the LORD our God.
Joshua 18:6 esv
And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
Joshua 18:6 nlt
And when you record the seven divisions of the land and bring them to me, I will cast sacred lots in the presence of the LORD our God to assign land to each tribe.
Joshua 18 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | "To your offspring I will give this land..." | God's original promise of land to Abraham. |
| Num 26:55 | "...the land shall be divided by lot; according to the names of the tribes..." | Establishing the method of land distribution. |
| Num 34:13 | "This is the land that you shall divide by lot..." | Further instruction for dividing by lot. |
| Josh 13:7 | "Now therefore, divide this land for an inheritance..." | Initial command to divide the land. |
| Josh 14:1 | "...the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan..." | Introduction to the land distribution process. |
| Josh 19:51 | "These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest... divided by lot..." | Confirming lots as the divine method. |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." | Divine sovereignty over casting lots. |
| Prov 18:18 | "The lot puts an end to quarrels..." | Lots prevent disputes in important matters. |
| 1 Chr 24:5 | "...they divided them by lot, all alike..." | Use of lots for divine appointments/order. |
| Eze 47:13 | "This is the boundary by which you shall divide the land for inheritance." | Future vision of land division. |
| Deut 1:21 | "Behold, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession..." | Command to actively take possession. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "...be strong and very courageous... so that you may prosper..." | Emphasizes courage and obedience for success. |
| Josh 11:15 | "As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua..." | Theme of obedience and continuity of command. |
| Judg 18:9 | "Arise, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land..." | Calls to action, contrasting with sluggishness. |
| Deut 12:5-7 | "...but to the place that the Lord your God will choose... there you shall come..." | Significance of a central sanctuary (Shiloh). |
| 1 Sam 2:28 | "...and to burn incense and wear an ephod before me." | Reference to priestly service "before the Lord". |
| Josh 3:11 | "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over..." | Presence of the Lord in the Ark at Shiloh. |
| Heb 4:9 | "So then, there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God..." | Spiritual fulfillment of the promise of rest. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things..." | God's provision follows seeking His will. |
| Eph 1:11 | "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined..." | Believers' spiritual inheritance in Christ. |
| Col 1:12 | "...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance..." | Spiritual inheritance, rooted in God's grace. |
| 1 Pet 1:4 | "...to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading..." | The eternal, incorruptible spiritual inheritance. |
Joshua 18 verses
Joshua 18 6 Meaning
Joshua 18:6 conveys a direct command from Joshua to the representatives of the seven remaining tribes of Israel. They are instructed to meticulously survey and describe the unconquered and undivided parts of the land of Canaan, organizing this description into seven distinct portions. This documented survey is then to be brought to Joshua, who will, by casting lots before the Lord their God, supernaturally determine each tribe's rightful inheritance, thus ensuring a divine, rather than human, allocation of the promised land. It underscores the dual necessity of human effort and divine sovereignty in possessing God's promises.
Joshua 18 6 Context
Joshua chapter 18 details a critical stage in Israel's settlement of Canaan, focusing on the division of the land among the remaining seven tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. Earlier chapters record the land distribution for Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (Joshua 15-17). Joshua, concerned about the remaining tribes' reluctance or sluggishness to claim their portions, issues a firm rebuke and command (Josh 18:3). He mandates three men from each of the seven tribes to survey the remaining territory and describe it. This action, leading to verse 6, demonstrates the transition from military conquest to civil administration, centered at Shiloh where the tabernacle was located, emphasizing divine guidance in all national matters.
Historically and culturally, land was intrinsically linked to identity, livelihood, and covenant fulfillment in ancient Israel. The division by lot was a widespread practice in the ancient Near East, but in Israel, it served as a mechanism to confirm the divine will, ensuring fair and uncontested distribution under God's ultimate authority, avoiding human favoritism or dispute. This approach subtly pushed against the pagan notion of land distribution based solely on human power or wisdom.
Joshua 18 6 Word analysis
- You: Refers to the twenty-one men appointed by Joshua, three from each of the seven remaining tribes (Josh 18:4). This highlights shared responsibility among tribal representatives in a crucial task.
- shall therefore portray: The Hebrew word yath'aru (יתארו) means "to mark out," "to delineate," or "to describe." It implies a precise survey and mapping of the land, demonstrating the need for diligent human effort and careful preparation. This wasn't a casual task but required technical skill and meticulousness.
- the land: Refers specifically to the remaining undivided territory of Canaan, God's promised inheritance to Israel. It represents a tangible fulfillment of centuries of divine promises (Gen 12:7; Gen 15:18).
- in seven portions: This specifies the number of divisions required, directly corresponding to the seven tribes still awaiting their inheritance. It ensures a systematic and equitable approach before the divine decision is made.
- and bring the description here to me: Signifies accountability and submission to Joshua's leadership as the divinely appointed leader. It consolidates the information for a unified decision-making process. "Here" refers to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood, indicating the central authority and spiritual significance of the location.
- that I may cast lots: The Hebrew phrase is asher yapil lachem goral (אֲשֶׁר אַפִּיל לָכֶם גּוֹרָל), meaning "that I may make a lot fall for you" or "that I may assign by lot for you." Casting lots (goral) was an ancient method believed to reveal the divine will, removing human bias and potential conflict (Prov 16:33). This was not a gamble but an act of trust in God's sovereignty over the outcome.
- for you here: The immediate beneficiaries are the seven tribes. The location is Shiloh, underscoring that the division is undertaken in God's sacred presence.
- before the Lord our God: This crucial phrase emphasizes the sacredness and divine authority behind the entire process. It transforms a logistical task into a spiritual act of obedience and worship. The division of land was not merely an administrative procedure but a covenantal act performed under God's direct oversight and blessing.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "You shall therefore portray the land... and bring the description here to me": This phrase combines human responsibility and meticulous work (surveying, documenting) with human accountability to established leadership (Joshua). It highlights the practical, active steps the people must take.
- "that I may cast lots... before the Lord our God": This crucial pairing demonstrates the ultimate reliance on divine sovereignty and wisdom, after human effort. It means that while preparation is human, the final allocation is divine, emphasizing trust in God over human negotiation or dispute. It also signifies the act as a sacred one, performed in God's presence at His dwelling place (Shiloh). This process ensures that the land allocation is not perceived as arbitrary or politically motivated but divinely sanctioned.
Joshua 18 6 Bonus section
The seemingly "sluggish" nature of these seven tribes (mentioned in Josh 18:3) is a subtle yet significant detail. Their hesitancy to claim their promised inheritance stands in stark contrast to the divine command and Joshua's energetic leadership. Joshua's instruction in verse 6 serves as a divine nudge, a reminder that God's promises require active human faith and diligence to be fully realized. While the lot confirmed the divine will, the survey and the willingness to move were entirely dependent on human obedience. This interplay underscores a timeless spiritual truth: God's sovereignty does not negate human responsibility, and human effort is meaningful only when surrendered to divine guidance. The Tabernacle's presence at Shiloh during this process signifies the centrality of God's presence and will in the entire endeavor of inheritance and settlement.
Joshua 18 6 Commentary
Joshua 18:6 captures the blend of human responsibility and divine sovereignty essential for possessing God's promises. Faced with a segment of Israel seemingly content to remain in untaken territory, Joshua spurs them to action. His command to "portray the land" required physical effort, surveying skills, and detailed record-keeping—a testament to human diligence and methodical planning. However, this human effort was not the sole determinant of inheritance. The subsequent act of "casting lots before the Lord our God" firmly places the ultimate decision in God's hands. This sacred practice at Shiloh, where the Tabernacle resided, underscored that every tribal inheritance was a divine allocation, removing grounds for future dispute and affirming God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenantal promise to Israel. It teaches that while God often expects our diligent participation, His sovereign hand orchestrates the final outcome for His people's good and glory.