Joshua 18 8

Joshua 18:8 kjv

And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.

Joshua 18:8 nkjv

Then the men arose to go away; and Joshua charged those who went to survey the land, saying, "Go, walk through the land, survey it, and come back to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD in Shiloh."

Joshua 18:8 niv

As the men started on their way to map out the land, Joshua instructed them, "Go and make a survey of the land and write a description of it. Then return to me, and I will cast lots for you here at Shiloh in the presence of the LORD."

Joshua 18:8 esv

So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, "Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD in Shiloh."

Joshua 18:8 nlt

As the men started on their way to map out the land, Joshua commanded them, "Go and explore the land and write a description of it. Then return to me, and I will assign the land to the tribes by casting sacred lots here in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh."

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 8 Meaning

Joshua 18:8 details the command given by Joshua to the representatives sent out from the remaining seven tribes of Israel. They were instructed to go and meticulously survey the land that had not yet been allotted. Upon their return to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was set up, Joshua would then cast lots before the Lord to divinely determine the inheritance portions for each tribe, ensuring an impartial and God-ordained division.

Joshua 18 8 Context

Joshua chapter 18 records the division of the remaining tribal inheritances in the land of Canaan. Chapters 14-17 had described the territories allotted to Judah, Ephraim, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. However, seven tribes still remained without a formal inheritance (Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan). The people of Israel, having mostly conquered the land, displayed a significant lack of initiative or lethargy in taking full possession of their God-promised inheritance (Josh 18:3). To rectify this, Joshua challenged them and commanded the selection of three men from each of these seven tribes. This verse, Joshua 18:8, details Joshua's precise instructions to these men for how to carry out the critical task of surveying. It underlines Shiloh's newfound importance as the religious and administrative hub, where the Tabernacle was now set up, making it the proper place for seeking the Lord's will in the land division.

Joshua 18 8 Word analysis

• So the men arose and went: This phrase (וַיָּקֻמוּ וַיֵּלֵכוּ, wayyāqūmū wayyēlēḵū) is a common Hebrew idiom indicating immediate and decisive action in response to a command. It signifies the men's prompt obedience to Joshua's directive, highlighting their readiness to undertake the demanding task.
• and Joshua commanded: "Joshua" (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) means "The LORD is salvation" or "The LORD saves." His leadership and authority as God's chosen successor to Moses were paramount in the nation's operations, particularly in executing God's plan for land distribution. His command was an extension of divine will.
• those who went to survey the land: The verb "survey" here implies careful observation and description. It was not merely looking, but meticulously documenting the land's features for the purpose of equitable division. This action required diligence and accuracy.
• saying, 'Go, walk through the land': This command emphasizes active exploration and direct engagement with the territory. It's a directive for comprehensive on-the-ground assessment, ensuring they miss no detail that would be relevant to future division. The Hebrew term halakh (הָלַךְ) implies active movement.
• 'and make a survey of it': The Hebrew verb used here, katav (כָּתַב), literally means "to write" or "to describe." This indicates the need for a detailed written account or description of the land's features, towns, boundaries, and resources, which would then be used for division. This was a professional-level task.
• 'and come back to me': This shows accountability. The surveyors were not to act independently but were commissioned with a specific report to deliver back to the designated authority, Joshua, who was acting under divine guidance.
• 'and I will cast lots for you here': The phrase "cast lots" (הִפִּיל גּוֹרָל, hippil goral, literally "to cause the lot to fall") refers to a specific, biblically sanctioned method for discerning divine will and making important decisions. It eliminated human bias, partiality, or disputes, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty in determining each tribe's inheritance. It asserts that the land's allocation was divinely ordained, not by human preference.
• 'before the LORD': This phrase (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lipnei Yahweh) denotes a sacred act performed in the immediate presence of God, specifically before the Tabernacle where His presence was uniquely manifested. It underscored the solemnity and divine sanction of the land distribution process. The outcome of the lots was thus understood as God's own decision.
• 'in Shiloh': Shiloh had become the central sanctuary and rallying point for Israel (Josh 18:1), where the Tabernacle, housing the Ark of the Covenant, was now erected. Performing the lot-casting here reinforced the spiritual authority and the direct involvement of the divine in the affairs of Israel, particularly in the sacred matter of their inherited land. Shiloh's significance lay in its being the chosen place for God's dwelling among His people at that time.

Words-group analysis:

• "So the men arose and went; and Joshua commanded those who went": This highlights a divine-human partnership. The people obey, but they do so under the clear, authoritative leadership of Joshua, who is acting as God's appointed leader. Their action is a response to divine initiative channeled through Joshua.
• "to survey the land, saying, 'Go, walk through the land, and make a survey of it, and come back to me'": This detailed instruction emphasizes preparation, diligence, and accountability. The land was not to be divided hastily or haphazardly, but through careful observation and documentation. This shows God's precision and order even in mundane tasks. It also subtly rebukes the previous tribal apathy, demanding concrete action.
• "and I will cast lots for you here before the LORD in Shiloh": This culminating phrase clearly delineates the process: human effort in surveying, followed by divine determination through lots, all carried out in the sacred space where God's presence dwelt. It assures the people that the outcome would be impartial and directly sanctioned by God, validating their inheritances as truly divinely appointed. This setup guarded against potential inter-tribal strife over land.

Joshua 18 8 Bonus section

The "survey" undertaken by these men was a remarkable feat for the time. Unlike modern surveying with instruments and established cartography, this would have involved meticulous traversing, observation, and descriptive reporting, possibly supplemented with sketches or simple topographical notes to "write" (כָּתַב, katav) a description. This ancient surveying provided the raw data for equitable land division among large populations, considering factors like terrain, water sources, and existing settlements. The land, though promised by God, still required human effort and logistical planning for its orderly occupation and fair distribution. This historical act foreshadows the Christian truth that while salvation and spiritual inheritance are by grace through faith, there is also a call to diligence, faith-filled obedience, and wisdom in living out our Christian walk.

Joshua 18 8 Commentary

Joshua 18:8 provides a crucial glimpse into the method of land distribution in ancient Israel, emphasizing both human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Faced with the lethargy of several tribes, Joshua wisely initiates a structured process. He commands an active survey of the remaining land, highlighting the necessity for diligence, thoroughness, and written documentation. This human effort was foundational, requiring detailed observation and a precise account of the territories.

However, the human effort was not the final word. The ultimate decision-making power rested with God. The practice of "casting lots" was a deeply significant method in Israel, recognized as a means for God to reveal His will, thereby removing human favoritism or disputes (Prov 16:33). By performing this sacred act "before the LORD in Shiloh," Joshua affirmed that the land belonged to God and that He alone had the authority to apportion it to His people. Shiloh, as the location of the Tabernacle, served as the consecrated place where God's presence resided, reinforcing the divine sanction of the division.

This verse teaches us the interplay between divine command, human obedience, and trust in God's ultimate provision. While human diligence in preparing and reporting is essential, the outcome—especially concerning "inheritance"—is ultimately orchestrated by God. It assures the tribes that their portions were not arbitrary but divinely assigned. Practically, it teaches that careful preparation and reliance on divine guidance are critical in receiving what God has purposed.