Bible Strands
Joshua 18:10
And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua acts at Shiloh immediately after the surveyors return with their seven-part land map, preparing to allocate territory to the tribes.
The words — The text highlights גּוֹרָל (goral, "a lot") and וַיְחַלֶּק (va/y.cha.lek, "and he apportioned"), with the latter verb carrying a waw consecutive prefix that grammatically binds the distribution directly to the preceding casting of lots.
The thread — This allocation fulfills the procedural instruction in Joshua 18:6, while the inheritance motif resurfaces in Acts 13:19 and Colossians 1:12.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that territorial division was executed under explicit divine oversight rather than human negotiation, demanding submission to the ordered distribution of covenant promises.
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
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
- Acts 13:19 And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.
- Joshua 18:6 When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God.
- Joshua 18:8 As the men got up to go out, Joshua commanded them to map out the land, saying, “Go and survey the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will cast lots for you here in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD.”
- Joshua 19:51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed by lot to the tribes of Israel at Shiloh before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.
- Psalms 16:5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
- Psalms 47:4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah
- Psalms 61:5 For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance reserved for those who fear Your name.
- Proverbs 18:18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
- Ezekiel 47:22 You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.