Joshua 19 24

Joshua 19:24 kjv

And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Joshua 19:24 nkjv

The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Joshua 19:24 niv

The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher according to its clans.

Joshua 19:24 esv

The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans.

Joshua 19:24 nlt

The fifth allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Asher.

Joshua 19 verses

Joshua 19 24 Meaning

This verse simply states that the fifth lot drawn in the land distribution process was assigned to the tribe of Asher. This allotment was not a random outcome but a divinely guided designation for their portion of the Promised Land, which was then further subdivided among the specific families or clans within the tribe of Asher. It highlights the meticulous and orderly fulfillment of God's covenant promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.

Joshua 19 24 Context

Joshua 19:24 is situated within the latter half of the book of Joshua (chapters 13-21), which details the intricate and comprehensive division of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel. This particular verse concerns the fifth of the subsequent seven allotments made after the primary territories were given to Judah, Ephraim, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Chapter 19 specifically delineates the portions for Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. The casting of lots was central to this process, viewed as a divine method for impartially and justly distributing the land, thereby fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) that their descendants would inherit this specific territory. Historically, this event solidified Israel's identity as a settled people in their God-given homeland, laying the socio-economic and religious foundation for their future as a nation. It contrasts with pagan conquests where land was seized purely by human force, underscoring Yahweh's sovereign authority over the earth and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Joshua 19 24 Word analysis

• And (וְ – ve): A conjunction, connecting this allocation to the ongoing narrative of land distribution. It signifies continuity and sequential progression within the overall process.
• the fifth (הַחֲמִישִׁי – ha-chamishi): An ordinal number, explicitly marking Asher's lot as the fifth one drawn in this specific phase of allocation. It emphasizes the orderly, step-by-step nature of the divinely guided process, not a haphazard assignment.
• lot (גּוֹרָל – goral): In ancient Israel, casting lots was a common method believed to determine the divine will or resolve disputes, as seen in Prov 16:33. This was not a gamble or random chance, but an act of faith to discern God's allocation for the tribes. The use of lots affirmed God's sovereign control over the land's distribution, rather than it being subject to human preference, negotiation, or military might.
• came out (יָצָא – yatza): Literally "went out" or "appeared." This verb signifies the outcome of the lot-casting process. It implies a divinely revealed result, showing that the specific land portion assigned to Asher was indeed God's intended choice for them.
• for the tribe (לְמַטֵּה – l'mat'teh): The preposition le- "for" or "to" indicates the recipient. Matteh refers to a "tribe" or "rod/staff," signifying the organizational unit of Israel. It underlines the importance of tribal identity and structure in Israelite society and the meticulous division according to these established units.
• of Asher (אָשֵׁר – Asher): One of the twelve sons of Jacob, through Zilpah (Leah's maidservant). His name means "happy" or "blessed" (Gen 30:13). The land given to Asher was renowned for its fertility and abundance (Gen 49:20; Deut 33:24-25), reflecting the prophetic blessings associated with his name and future. His tribal territory was primarily located in the fertile coastal plain and lower Galilee.
• according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם – l'mishp'chohtam): Mishpachah denotes a "family" or "clan" – a major subdivision within a tribe. This phrase indicates that after the tribal land was allotted, it was then to be meticulously further distributed within Asher's tribe based on their existing family/clan units. This principle ensured equity and prevented internal disputes, emphasizing an ordered and just allocation down to the household level within the Israelite societal structure.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the fifth lot came out": This phrase establishes the sequential and divinely orchestrated nature of the land distribution. It underscores that God was systematically fulfilling His promise of inheritance, guiding each successive allotment through the drawing of lots, confirming His oversight of the process.
• "for the tribe of Asher": This precisely identifies the specific beneficiary of this particular divine land allocation. It highlights the direct fulfillment of prophecy and covenant with this particular lineage of Israel, ensuring each tribe received its designated inheritance as part of the unified nation.
• "according to their families": This final phrase specifies the precise internal division method. It conveys that the distribution was not only tribal but further delineated to specific family or clan units, demonstrating a comprehensive and just system of apportionment designed to secure inheritance rights for all generations within the tribal structure.

Joshua 19 24 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of the land division in Joshua stands as a strong polemic against the arbitrary nature of conquest in pagan societies. It demonstrates that Israel's possession of Canaan was not through mere military might, but through the divine right and specific grant of Yahweh, their God, who ordered all things for His people.
• While Joshua 19:24 describes a physical land inheritance, its themes foreshadow the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament. Just as each tribe received its specific portion, so too does every believer receive a unique spiritual inheritance in Christ, an eternal, imperishable possession (1 Pet 1:4).
• Asher's territory, despite being formally allotted, remained a place of struggle as they did not fully dislodge the inhabitants of their coastal cities like Acco and Sidon (Judges 1:31). This highlights the theological point that while God gives the inheritance, its full possession often requires continued obedience, faith, and effort.
• The system of land inheritance was vital for Israelite economic and social stability. It prevented the formation of large landless classes and ensured a generational stake in the promised land, aligning with God's design for their agrarian society.

Joshua 19 24 Commentary

Joshua 19:24, while seemingly a simple statement of fact, reveals profound theological truths about God's faithfulness, meticulousness, and justice. It exemplifies the orderly fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel concerning the Promised Land. The casting of lots was not a matter of chance but a clear demonstration of divine sovereignty, affirming that the land was God's to give and that He justly determined each tribe's portion. For Asher, this meant the reception of their God-ordained territory, rich in resources, despite the challenges they later faced in fully conquering parts of it (Judges 1:31-32). The internal division "according to their families" reflects the care for the individual and the emphasis on inherited identity within God's ordered community, ensuring every household had a secure claim to the inheritance. This structured inheritance under divine guidance provided a foundational security for Israel, underpinning their national and spiritual identity as the people whom God had uniquely blessed with a land of their own.