Joshua 19:49 kjv
When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:
Joshua 19:49 nkjv
When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun.
Joshua 19:49 niv
When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them,
Joshua 19:49 esv
When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun.
Joshua 19:49 nlt
After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation.
Joshua 19 49 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | "The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land...'" | Promise of land to Abraham's descendants. |
| Gen 15:18 | "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land...'" | Covenantal promise of land. |
| Deut 3:28 | "But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people..." | Moses' instruction to commission Joshua. |
| Deut 12:9-10 | "For you have not as yet come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God gives you." | Land as "rest" and "inheritance." |
| Num 14:30 | "...surely none of you shall come into the land, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun." | Joshua (and Caleb) faithful to enter the land. |
| Num 26:52-56 | "The land shall be divided by lot...to a larger tribe you shall give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller tribe a smaller inheritance..." | Divine command for land distribution by lot. |
| Num 34:16-17 | "The Lord said to Moses, 'These are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.'" | Joshua is appointed alongside Eleazar for distribution. |
| Josh 1:6 | "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land..." | God's charge to Joshua to lead into inheritance. |
| Josh 11:23 | "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said to Moses...And the land had rest from war." | Completion of conquest and rest. |
| Josh 14:1 | "These are the inheritances...which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes...distributed..." | Joint effort in land distribution. |
| Josh 17:4 | "...Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun, saying, 'The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance...'" | Daughters of Zelophehad seek their inheritance. |
| Josh 18:1 | "Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh and set up the tabernacle there. And the land was subdued before them." | Gathering before further land distribution. |
| Josh 21:43-45 | "So the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers...Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made...failed." | Lord's faithfulness in fulfilling promises. |
| 1 Kings 8:56 | "Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised..." | God's promises of rest fulfilled. |
| Ps 16:5-6 | "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance...The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places..." | The Lord as one's inheritance. |
| Psa 78:55 | "He drove out nations...allotted their inheritance by measure, and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents." | God's role in distributing land. |
| Acts 7:45 | "Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers..." | New Testament reference to Joshua (Jesus) and inheritance. |
| Eph 1:11-14 | "...we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him..." | Spiritual inheritance in Christ. |
| Heb 3:18-19 | "...to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not." | Israel's entry into "rest" contrasted with unbelief. |
| Heb 4:8 | "For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day." | Joshua's role as providing initial "rest" compared to greater spiritual rest. |
| Heb 11:8 | "By faith Abraham obeyed...not knowing where he was going...to receive an inheritance." | Abraham's faith anticipating the promised land. |
| 1 Pet 1:4 | "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you." | Heavenly inheritance for believers. |
Joshua 19 verses
Joshua 19 49 Meaning
Joshua 19:49 records the pivotal moment when, upon the completion of the divinely mandated distribution of the land of Canaan to the tribes of Israel, a specific inheritance was finally granted to Joshua, the son of Nun, as his personal possession. This marks the culmination of the land division process and highlights Joshua's unique leadership and selfless service to the people.
Joshua 19 49 Context
Joshua 19:49 falls within the section of the book (Chapters 13-21) that details the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. This specific verse acts as a conclusive statement following the meticulous listings of territories for Reuben, Gad, the half-tribe of Manasseh (already given their inheritance across the Jordan in Chapter 13), and then, in Chapters 14-19, the land given to Caleb (as a special exception for his faithfulness) and the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, the other half of Manasseh, Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. The repeated phrase "by their coasts" throughout these chapters emphasizes the precisely delineated boundaries.
Historically, this period marks Israel's transition from nomadic wandering and military conquest to settled existence as a nation under God. The fulfillment of the land promise, a cornerstone of God's covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:7), was crucial for Israel's identity and its role in redemptive history. This process of land allocation was supervised by Joshua and Eleazar, in accordance with the Law given through Moses (Num 26, 34). The division by lot underscored God's sovereign hand in the distribution, leaving no room for human favoritism or dispute over allocation, asserting a polemic against common ancient Near Eastern practices of a ruler arbitrarily granting land based on whim or power. Joshua, as the leader, is presented as putting the people's needs before his own, waiting until all others had received their allotted portions before he himself received his inheritance.
Joshua 19 49 Word analysis
When they had made an end (וַיְכַלּוּ): From the Hebrew root כָּלָה (kaláh), meaning "to complete, to finish, to accomplish." This word emphasizes the absolute completion of a task. Here, it signifies the culmination of the massive undertaking of dividing the Promised Land according to God's precise instructions. It implies faithfulness and thoroughness in obeying God's command.
of dividing (לְחַלֵּק֙): From the Hebrew root חלק (chaláq), meaning "to divide, to apportion, to distribute." This highlights the specific action being brought to completion—the precise allocation of territories to each tribe by lot, demonstrating God's orderly plan for His people and the fulfillment of His covenantal promise.
the land (הָאָ֜רֶץ): Refers specifically to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham's descendants. This is not just any land but the Promised Land, the stage for God's covenant with Israel and their national identity.
by their coasts (בִּגְבֻלֹתֶ֗יהָ): From the Hebrew גְּבוּל (gevul), meaning "border, boundary, territory." This stresses the distinct, precisely marked territories given to each tribe. It highlights the order and definiteness of the inheritance, avoiding ambiguity and potential for later disputes, reflecting divine precision and justice.
the children of Israel (בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל): A corporate designation for the entire nation. It emphasizes that this was not Joshua's individual decision but a communal action by the people under divine guidance and priestly supervision. This corporate identity underscores their participation in God's covenant and promises.
gave an inheritance (נָתְנ֨וּ נַחֲלָ֤ה):
- gave (נָתְנ֨וּ): From נָתַן (nathan), meaning "to give, to put, to grant." Implies an active decision by the people, in recognition of Joshua's service and status.
- an inheritance (נַחֲלָ֤ה): From נַחֲלָה (naḥălāh), meaning "inheritance, possession, heritage." In the Old Testament, an "inheritance" often carried significant theological weight, representing not merely land but a share in God's blessing and covenant promises. It signifies a secure and lasting possession, frequently tied to generational rights.
to Joshua (לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ): The central figure of the book of Joshua, successor to Moses, and leader of the conquest and land division. His name (Yehoshua) means "Yahweh is salvation" or "The Lord saves," echoing his role in bringing the people into the Promised Land and rest.
the son of Nun (בֶּן־נ֗וּן): Identifies Joshua by his paternal lineage, a common way of identification in biblical texts, affirming his known identity within the community.
among them (בְּתוֹכָֽם): Literally "in their midst." This phrase highlights Joshua's position as part of the community, not as a king set apart or above, but as a leader who remains identified with the people. It subtly contrasts with monarchical structures that would later emerge. His portion was given last, after everyone else's, showing his humility and dedication to the community before himself. This is a model of servant leadership, where the leader's own reward comes only after the needs of the community are met.
Joshua 19 49 Bonus section
The land given to Joshua was Timnath-Serah in the hill country of Ephraim (mentioned in Josh 19:50). The fact that Joshua chose this inheritance, and it was given to him by the "mouth of the Lord" (Josh 19:50), implies both personal choice and divine approval. It suggests a balance of human agency and divine sovereignty in the fulfillment of God's plans. His choosing an inheritance "in the midst of them" (KJV) or "in their midst" (ESV) reinforces his identity as one among his people, not exalted above them as a typical earthly king would be. This particular act served as a final stamp of approval on the completed distribution process, assuring the people that if their leader was satisfied with his own lot, then the process was indeed righteous and complete.
Joshua 19 49 Commentary
Joshua 19:49 serves as a climactic verse within the narratives of the land division, marking the completion of a major covenantal promise by God. It emphasizes divine faithfulness in giving Israel the promised land and Israel's diligence, led by Joshua, in following God's commands for its allocation. The act of "making an end of dividing the land" signals the transition from conquest to settlement and points to the faithfulness of God in providing "rest" for His people in their inheritance.
The distinctive feature of this verse is that Joshua, the esteemed leader who spearheaded the entire conquest and distribution, receives his own inheritance last. This stands as a powerful testament to his character as a humble servant leader, prioritizing the welfare and secure settlement of the entire community before his own personal gain. This action subtly establishes a pattern of selfless leadership within God's people, a stark contrast to the self-serving rulers common in the ancient world, and anticipates the ultimate Servant Leader, Jesus Christ, who came "not to be served but to serve" (Mk 10:45). Joshua's final inheritance underscores the principle that those who faithfully serve God and His people will be surely honored and provided for, though perhaps not immediately or conventionally. His reward came at the appointed time, within the context of God's perfect plan.