Bible Strands
Joshua 14:2
Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records the land distribution to the Israelite tribes as Joshua and the tribal heads allocate portions in Canaan. This occurs during the initial settlement phase immediately following Moses' death.
The words — The Hebrew גּוֹרַל (gōrāl) literally means "allotted portion" and refers to the casting of lots used to determine boundaries. נַחֲלָתָם (naḥălātām) translates directly to "their inheritance," specifying the land granted to the nine and a half tribes.
The thread — The method of dividing territory by lot recurs in Numbers 33:54, Numbers 34:13, and Numbers 26:55 as the prescribed mechanism for apportioning the land. Each reference explicitly links the distribution to divine command rather than human planning.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that territorial allocation followed a fixed divine protocol instead of tribal negotiation or military conquest alone. It establishes that the settlement of Canaan was executed under explicit heavenly instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
Cross-references
- Numbers 33:54 And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.
- Numbers 34:13 So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.
- Numbers 26:55 Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.
- Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- Psalms 16:5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
- Proverbs 18:18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.