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Read the Bible

New American Standard Bible (1995)

Joshua 14:2

by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Thompson Chain Reference - Inheritance;   Israel;   Israel's Inheritance;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Holy Land;   Jews, the;   Tribes of Israel, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Caleb;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Allotment;   Joshua, the Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Joshua;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Dalmanutha;   Lots;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Caleb;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Conquest of Canaan;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Decision;   Joshua (2);   Joshua, Book of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Lots;   Witchcraft;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Their inheritance was by lot as the Lord commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes,
Hebrew Names Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by Moshe, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
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.
Lexham English Bible
Their inheritance was by lot, just as Yahweh commanded through the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
English Standard Version
Their inheritance was by lot, just as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.
New Century Version
The Lord had commanded Moses long ago how he wanted the people to choose their land. The people of the nine-and-a-half tribes threw lots to decide which land they would receive.
New English Translation
The land assignments to the nine and a half tribes were made by drawing lots, as the Lord had instructed Moses.
Amplified Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD had commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
New American Standard Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, just as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
Geneva Bible (1587)
By the lot of their inheritance, as the Lord had commaunded by the hande of Moses, to giue to the nine tribes, and the halfe tribe.
Legacy Standard Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
Complete Jewish Bible
by lot for them to inherit, as Adonai ordered through Moshe, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
Darby Translation
their inheritance was by lot, as Jehovah had commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and the half tribe.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord had commanded Moses long ago how he wanted the people to choose their land. The people of the nine and a half tribes threw lots to decide which land they would get.
George Lamsa Translation
By lot was their inheritance divided, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, to be given to the nine tribes and to the half tribe.
Good News Translation
As the Lord had commanded Moses, the territories of the nine and one-half tribes west of the Jordan were determined by drawing lots.
Literal Translation
Their inheritance was by lot, as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and the half tribe;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But by lot dyd they deuyde it out amoge them, acordinge as the LORDE comaunded Moses to geue vnto the nyne trybes and ye halfe:
American Standard Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
Bible in Basic English
Their heritage by the Lord's decision, as he gave orders by Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
By lot they receaued their possessions, as the Lord commaunded by the hand of Moyses, to geue vnto the nine tribes, and vnto the halfe tribe.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.--
King James Version (1611)
By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hande of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the halfe tribe.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
They inherited according to their lots, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Joshua to the nine tribes and the half tribe, on the other side of Jordan.
English Revised Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
Berean Standard Bible
Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and departiden alle thingis bi lot, as the Lord comaundide in the hond of Moises, to nyne lynagis and the half lynage.
Young's Literal Translation
by lot [is] their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine of the tribes, and the half of the tribe;
Update Bible Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
Webster's Bible Translation
By lot [was] their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and [for] the half-tribe.
World English Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
New King James Version
Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
New Living Translation
These nine and a half tribes received their grants of land by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the Lord 's command through Moses.
New Life Bible
Their share was decided upon by drawing names, as the Lord told Moses, for the nine families and the half-family group.
New Revised Standard
Their inheritance was by lot, as the Lord had commanded Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
By lot, was their inheritance divided, - as Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses, unto the nine tribes and unto the half tribe.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Dividing all by lot, as the Lord had commanded the hand of Moses, to the nine tribes, and the half tribe.
Revised Standard Version
Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.

Contextual Overview

1 Now these are the territories which the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel apportioned to them for an inheritance, 2 by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.3 For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan; but he did not give an inheritance to the Levites among them. 4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property. 5 Thus the sons of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they divided the land.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

lot: Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob and Moses what portions he designed for each tribe, yet we readily discern an admirable proof of His wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses were prevented; and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those appointed to distribute the conquered lands of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the divinity of the Jewish religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot exactly in the spot where Jacob and Moses foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both the predictions and that lot; and it would be the greatest folly and presumption not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the words of Jacob and Moses; the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event. Numbers 26:55, Numbers 26:56, Numbers 33:54, Numbers 34:13, Psalms 16:5, Psalms 16:6, Proverbs 16:33, Proverbs 18:18, Matthew 25:34

Reciprocal: Numbers 34:14 - General Numbers 36:2 - The Lord commanded Joshua 13:6 - only divide Joshua 15:1 - This then was the lot Joshua 18:6 - that I may cast Joshua 18:8 - that I may here Judges 20:9 - by lot against it 1 Chronicles 6:61 - by lot Ezekiel 45:1 - shall divide by lot

Cross-References

Genesis 10:19
The territory of the Canaanite extended from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; as you go toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
Genesis 13:10
Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.
Genesis 14:9
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Genesis 14:10
Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.
Genesis 14:20
And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.
Deuteronomy 29:23
'All its land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and in His wrath.'
Deuteronomy 34:3
and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.
1 Samuel 13:18
and another company turned toward Beth-horon, and another company turned toward the border which overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
Isaiah 15:5
My heart cries out for Moab; His fugitives are as far as Zoar and Eglath-shelishiyah, For they go up the ascent of Luhith weeping; Surely on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of distress over their ruin.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

By lot [was] their inheritance,.... Every tribe had its part and portion assigned to it, by the casting of lots; which was done to prevent any future quarrels, animosities and strifes among the tribes, the disposition being of the Lord; and to show the exact agreement between the lot and the divine predictions by Jacob and Moses; and to make it appear that the division of the land was not owing to the private combination of the above men, and their private settlement of it; but to the providence of God, the directors of the lot; their chief business was to see that the lot was executed in a faithful manner, and that every tribe had its allotment according to it. In this Canaan was a type of the heavenly inheritance, which the saints obtain by lot, in and through Christ, the antitypical Joshua, Ephesians 1:11;

as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, Numbers 26:55;

for the nine tribes, and [for] the half tribe; see Joshua 13:7; the reason why this number of them is particularly mentioned follows.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

By lot - We are not told in what manner the lot was cast. Perhaps two urns were employed, one containing a description of the several districts to be allotted, the other the names of the tribes; and the portion of each tribe would then be determined by a simultaneous drawing from the two urns. Or a drawing might be made by some appointed person, or by a delegate of each tribe from one urn containing the description of the ten inheritances. The lot only determined in a general way the position in the country of the particular tribe concerned, whether north or south, etc.; the dimensions of each territory being left to be adjusted subsequently, according to the numbers and wants of the tribe to be provided for. Since the predilections and habits of two tribes and a half were consulted in the apportionment to them of the trans-Jordanic territory Numbers 32:1 there is no objection to the supposition that something of the same kind may have taken place, subject to the divine approval, in the distribution of the lands to the nine and a half other tribes; and the lot would thus be appealed to as finally deciding the matter and foreclosing jealousies and disputes.

It is apparent that the casting of the ten lots did not take place simultaneously. The tribe of Judah had precedence, whether by express appointment or because its lot “came up” first, does not appear. It was, as it seems, only after this tribe had settled upon its domains, that further lots were drawn for Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh. After this a pause, perhaps of some duration, appears to have occurred; the camp was moved from Gilgal to Shiloh; and the further casting of lots for the other seven tribes was proceeded with at the instigation of Joshua (see Joshua 18:10).

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Joshua 14:2. By lot was their inheritance — Concerning the meaning and use of the lot, see the note on Numbers 26:55; and concerning the manner of casting lots in the case of the scapegoat, see the note on Leviticus 16:8-9.

On this subject Dr. Dodd has selected some good observations from Calmet and Masius, which I here borrow: "Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe, we readily discern an admirable proof of his wisdom in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses were prevented; and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those who were to be appointed to distribute to them the conquered countries in the land of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the Divinity of the Jewish religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot exactly in the spot which Jacob and Moses had foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both those predictions and that lot. The event justified the truth of the promises. The more singular it was, the more clearly we discern the finger of God in it. The portion, says Masius, fell to each tribe just as Jacob had declared two hundred and fifty years before in the last moments of his life, and Moses, immediately before his death; for to the tribe of JUDAH fell a country abounding in vineyards and pastures; to ZEBULUN and ISSACHAR, seacoasts; in that of ASHER was plenty of oil, wheat, and metals; that of BENJAMIN, near to the temple, was, in a manner, between the shoulders of the Deity; EPHRAIM and MANASSEH were distinguished with a territory blessed in a peculiar manner by Heaven; the land of NAPHTALI extended from the west to the south of the tribe of Judah. Since therefore the lot so well corresponded to these predictions, would it not be insolence and stupidity in the highest degree, not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the word of Jacob and Moses, the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event?"

How the lot was cast in this case cannot be particularly determined. It is probable,

1. That the land was geographically divided into ten portions.

2. That each portion was called by a particular name. 3. That the name of each portion was written on a separate slip of parchment, wood, c.

4. That the names of the claimants were also written on so many slips.

5. The names of the portions, and of the tribes, were put into separate vessels.

6. Joshua, for example, put his hand into the vessel containing the names of the tribes, and took out one slip while Eleazar took out one from the other vessel, in which the names of the portions were put.

7. The name drawn, and the portion drawn, being read, it was immediately discerned what the district was which God had designed for such a tribe. This appears to be the most easy way to determine such a business.


 
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