Joshua 19 17

Joshua 19:17 kjv

And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

Joshua 19:17 nkjv

The fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

Joshua 19:17 niv

The fourth lot came out for Issachar according to its clans.

Joshua 19:17 esv

The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the people of Issachar, according to their clans.

Joshua 19:17 nlt

The fourth allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Issachar.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 17 Meaning

This verse succinctly records the divinely-appointed allocation of the fifth portion of the land of Canaan, acquired by lot, to the tribe of Asher. It highlights the systematic and God-ordained division of the promised inheritance among the Israelite tribes, ensuring each tribal unit, subdivided into its constituent families, received its designated territory. This was part of God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises to His people.

Joshua 19 17 Context

Joshua chapter 19 describes the final distributions of land to the remaining Israelite tribes, specifically Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, as well as Joshua's own inheritance. After the central land divisions for Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (chapters 15-17) and the seven remaining tribes being allotted land after a survey (chapter 18), chapter 19 concludes this crucial stage of establishing Israel in the Promised Land. Verse 17 itself focuses on the orderly process, stating the outcome of the fifth lot being assigned to the tribe of Asher. Historically, this event signifies the tangible fulfillment of God's centuries-old promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. It marks the transition of the Israelites from nomadic wanderers and conquering armies to settled tribes, each with its own demarcated territory.

Joshua 19 17 Word analysis

• And (וַיֵּצֵא - wayyēṣē’): Connects this verse to the ongoing narrative of land distribution. It indicates a continuation of the previously mentioned land allocations. This simple conjunction implies an orderly, sequential process.
• the fifth (הַחֲמִישִׁי - haḥămīšī): Refers to the order in which the lots for the remaining seven tribes were drawn after the initial distributions. This precise numbering underlines the methodical and organized nature of the land allocation under divine oversight.
• lot (הַגּוֹרָל - haggōrāl): From the Hebrew word gôrāl. It refers to a divinely guided selection or apportionment, typically through drawing objects, seen as revealing God's will (e.g., Urim and Thummim, or casting sticks/stones). The use of the lot signified that the allocation was not by human arbitrary decision, but by divine sovereignty, removing potential disputes and affirming God's hand in every tribal boundary.
• came out (וַיֵּצֵא - wayyēṣē’): Literally "and it went out." This phrase signifies the result of the casting of lots. It conveys the decisive and clear outcome, suggesting a divine decree being revealed rather than a mere chance event.
• for the tribe of Asher (לְמַטֵּה אָשֵׁר - ləmaṭṭēh ’āšēr):
  • Tribe (מַטֶּה - maṭṭeh): Denotes a rod, staff, or branch, by extension, a tribal division. It represents a collective group sharing common ancestry.
  • Asher (אָשֵׁר - ’āšēr): Means "happy" or "blessed" (Gen 30:13), reflecting Leah's joy at his birth. This tribe's inheritance was located in a fertile coastal area, fitting their blessed name, though they faced challenges in dispossessing its inhabitants (Judg 1:31).
• according to their clans (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - ləmišpəḥōṯām):
  • Clans (מִשְׁפָּחָה - mišpāḥāh): Refers to a subdivision within a tribe, based on an extended family or lineage. This detail emphasizes that the land was not merely given to the tribe as a whole, but carefully allocated down to its internal family units. This meticulous distribution ensured equity, upheld the importance of individual family inheritance, and provided a basis for maintaining a stable society.
• Word-group Analysis:
  • "The fifth lot came out": This phrase highlights the systematic, non-human method of land division guided by divine revelation. It points to God's detailed supervision over the distribution of His promised inheritance. The sequence (fifth) underscores the methodical unfolding of God's plan.
  • "for the tribe of Asher according to their clans": This group of words emphasizes both the tribal identity and the meticulous sub-division of the inheritance. It underscores the foundational structure of Israelite society, where land rights were tied to lineage and family. This detail was critical for ensuring future generations' understanding of their land's boundaries and for preserving their unique heritage and identity within God's chosen people.

Joshua 19 17 Bonus section

While Asher was allotted fertile territory and the initial blessing implied prosperity, the later narrative in Judges 1:31-32 reveals their failure to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants in their territory, highlighting the interplay between divine promise/provision and human obedience/failure. The detailed boundary descriptions (following verse 17) served as their deed of ownership and divine mandate, but practical challenges arose. The existence of a prophetess named Anna from the tribe of Asher centuries later (Luke 2:36) indicates the continuity of the tribal lineage and God's sustained attention to His people throughout history, regardless of past struggles.

Joshua 19 17 Commentary

Joshua 19:17, while seemingly a simple statement of fact, holds profound theological and historical significance within the narrative of God's faithfulness to Israel. It marks the allocation of territory to the tribe of Asher, representing one more step in the meticulous fulfillment of God's centuries-old promises regarding the land of Canaan.

The casting of "lots" was not a random act, but a divinely ordained process, indicating God's direct involvement in distributing the land. This method removed human favoritism and demonstrated God's sovereign control over every aspect of His people's inheritance. It signified that the land was truly a gift from Him, rather than a spoil of war. The divine sanction behind the boundaries meant they were not to be tampered with (Deut 19:14, Prov 22:28).

Furthermore, the phrase "according to their clans" emphasizes the meticulous and equitable distribution within the tribe. It signifies that the inheritance was detailed down to the extended family level, preserving ancestral land rights and ensuring a stable and just societal structure. This prevented land hoarding and protected the common Israelite family's access to their divinely granted portion, reflecting God's care for every part of His people. This administrative detail reveals the careful order and wisdom established by God through His appointed leaders, Joshua and Eleazar.

The entire process recorded in Joshua, including this specific verse, serves as a powerful testament to God's unfailing commitment to His covenant. Every tribe, every family, was accounted for, receiving a piece of the fulfillment of God's promise.