Numbers 26 56

Numbers 26:56 kjv

According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

Numbers 26:56 nkjv

According to the lot their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller."

Numbers 26:56 niv

Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups."

Numbers 26:56 esv

Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller."

Numbers 26:56 nlt

Each grant of land must be assigned by lot among the larger and smaller tribal groups."

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 56 Meaning

Numbers 26:56 states the divine method for distributing the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after the second census. It declares that the inheritance will be allocated "according to the lot and the names of the tribes of their fathers." This means the precise portion of land for each tribe would be determined by lot, signifying God's sovereign choice and impartiality, while the tribal identity, defined by the ancestral lineage from Jacob's sons, would determine who received a portion. This ensured that each tribal unit, not individuals, received an inheritance as promised to their patriarchs.

Numbers 26 56 Context

Numbers 26:56 is part of the instructions given after the second census of the Israelites, taken on the plains of Moab before entering the promised land. This census served several critical purposes: it enumerated the new generation that would inherit the land, showing that God had preserved His people despite the previous generation's rebellion; it organized the nation for their upcoming conquest; and it established the basis for land distribution. The verses preceding 26:56 (Num 26:52-55) outline that the land is to be divided "according to the number of names," implying the size of the inheritance should correspond to the size of the tribe, but this specific verse clarifies how that distribution would happen for location and specific boundaries—by lot. Historically, the casting of lots was a common, ancient practice used for making important decisions or distributing property, but in Israel, it was uniquely understood as a means for God to reveal His will and ensure fair, unbiased allocation according to His divine design, reinforcing the covenantal promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land.

Numbers 26 56 Word analysis

• According to the lot (עַל־פִּי הַגּוֹרָל - ʿal-pī haggōrāl):
  • עַל־פִּי (ʿal-pī): "according to the mouth of," indicating authority or direction. Here, "according to the lot."
  • הַגּוֹרָל (haggōrāl): "the lot." This term refers to a device or method used to determine outcomes, often involving pebbles, stones, or pieces of wood thrown into a receptacle and then drawn out. In ancient Israel, casting lots was not seen as a game of chance but as a divinely guided process, where God's will was revealed (Prov 16:33). It ensured impartiality, preventing favoritism or disputes among the tribes regarding their portions. This practice underscored God's sovereignty over the land distribution, reinforcing that the land was a gift from Him. It also implicitly guards against any individual human manipulation or biased allocation.
• and the names (וּבְשֵׁמוֹת - ūḇšēmōṯ):
  • וּ (u-)*: "and," connecting "lot" with "names."
  • בְשֵׁמוֹת (bəšēmōṯ): "in names" or "according to names." "Name" (שֵׁם - shem) represents identity, lineage, and the very existence of a person or group. Here, it refers to the enumeration and identity of the tribal clans (Num 26:53). The land was given to collective tribal units, preserving their distinct identity and ensuring that the promise made to their patriarchal "names" would be fulfilled through their descendants.
• of the tribes (מַטּוֹת - maṭṭōṯ):
  • מַטּוֹת (maṭṭōṯ): "tribes" or "staffs." The Hebrew word matteh often means "staff" or "rod," symbolizing authority or lineage, and by extension, a tribal division. The organization into twelve distinct tribes, rooted in Jacob's sons, was fundamental to Israel's national and religious identity. The land was not for individuals or families in general but specifically for these pre-defined tribal structures, ensuring the continuation of the ancient patriarchal family divisions.
• of their fathers (אֲבֹתָם - ʾaḇōṯām):
  • אֲבֹתָם (ʾaḇōṯām): "their fathers." This explicitly links the current generation to their patriarchal ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and, more immediately, to Jacob's twelve sons, who founded the twelve tribes. This emphasis highlights the covenantal continuity: the land inheritance was not a new entitlement but the fulfillment of long-standing promises made to the "fathers." It grounds their present inheritance firmly in the historical covenant of God.
• they shall inherit (יִנְחָלוּ - yinḥālū):
  • יִנְחָלוּ (yinḥālū): "they shall inherit," "they shall take possession." The verb naḥal signifies taking possession of an inheritance, often a landed property received from an ancestor or as a gift. It implies permanent ownership and a lasting legacy. In the biblical context, "inheriting the land" goes beyond mere physical possession; it signifies dwelling securely in the place God promised and enjoying His covenant blessings (Deut 4:1; 12:10).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "According to the lot and the names...": This pairing establishes the two core principles for land division. The lot provided divine arbitration and eliminated human partiality, while "the names" ensured that the division was based on established tribal identity and lineage, directly fulfilling the covenant. It signifies a blend of divine direction and adherence to the established social-covenantal order.
• "of the tribes of their fathers...": This phrase strongly emphasizes the enduring patriarchal structure and covenantal roots of Israel's inheritance. It ties the present act of land distribution directly to the foundational promises and historical identity of God's people, demonstrating God's faithfulness to generations past. The land was an inheritance to tribes, not an unorganized mass, underscoring collective identity and responsibility.
• "they shall inherit.": This simple declarative statement conveys the certainty of the promise and its impending fulfillment. It encapsulates the long journey from Egypt and the wilderness wanderings, culminating in the possession of the land as God's covenanted gift, a divine legacy passed down.

Numbers 26 56 Bonus section

• This verse stands as a key administrative instruction linking the second census (a numbering of the people ready for inheritance) to the subsequent act of land distribution in Joshua. It bridges the organizational readiness in Numbers with the fulfillment narratives in Joshua.
• The system of land inheritance by tribal lot was designed to prevent the fragmentation or arbitrary selling off of ancestral lands (as later detailed in Num 36 for daughters inheriting and the Year of Jubilee). This ensured tribal integrity and long-term possession.
• The practice of using lots in sacred matters for discerning God's will is observed elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Acts 1:26 for selecting an apostle, Jonah 1:7 to identify the cause of the storm).
• The phrase "names of the tribes of their fathers" also implicitly carries the weight of each tribe's unique characteristics and destiny, often prophetically spoken by Jacob in Genesis 49, adding a deeper layer of meaning to their specific inheritances.
• This method directly opposed any contemporary ancient Near Eastern practices of land distribution based purely on conquest leader's prerogative, king's decree, or might, underscoring God's absolute authority and justice.

Numbers 26 56 Commentary

Numbers 26:56 succinctly describes the twofold, divinely ordained method for allocating the Promised Land to the Israelites. First, the distribution would be "according to the lot," a practice rooted in the belief that God guided the outcome (Prov 16:33). This removed human bias and dispute, ensuring fairness and emphasizing God's sovereignty as the true owner and giver of the land. It wasn't arbitrary chance, but a divine oracle, revealing His perfect will for each tribal territory. Second, the land would be given "and the names of the tribes of their fathers," meaning the twelve established tribal divisions, named after Jacob's sons, would be the recipients. This affirmed the covenantal continuity, assuring that the ancestral promises concerning the land would be fulfilled for their direct descendants organized as tribal units. The passage assures God's meticulous care in fulfilling His word, distributing the land with divine wisdom, justice, and faithfulness to the covenant made with the patriarchs. The principles embedded here reflect the larger biblical theme of divine inheritance, which extends from the physical land of Canaan to the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ.