The text specifically mentions "nine and one-half tribes," which might seem like an odd detail, but it highlights how the tribe of Manasseh was divided, with half already settled east of the Jordan. This division, established by Moses, was now being formally recognized and accounted for in the land distribution process.
Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes. For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After conquering Canaan, Joshua and the elders are now tasked with dividing the promised land among the tribes. This verse highlights that the distribution wasn't arbitrary but determined by casting lots, a method ordained by God through Moses. This practice ensured fairness and prevented disputes as they claimed their inheritance in the land.
Ever feel like life's circumstances are just random chance? The way the land of Canaan was divided tells a different story.
The inheritance of the land was distributed by lot. This wasn't just a game of chance; it was a deliberate act of God's providence.
God's Sovereign Hand
The text emphasizes that the distribution was as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses. This means God ordained this method, using the casting of lots to assign territory.
Preventing Strife and Confirming Promises
Why use lots?
A Spiritual Parallel
Just as the Israelites received their physical inheritance by lot, our spiritual inheritance in Christ is also a gift from God, not earned by our own striving. The way the land was divided points to a divine plan and ultimate ownership.
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Why were there nine and a half tribes mentioned specifically here? It’s all about how the tribes were counted and how their inheritance worked.
Joshua 14:2 mentions 'the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.' This detail is crucial for understanding the tribal structure and how the land was divided.
Accounting for Joseph's Sons
Jacob, in his final blessings, elevated Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to the status of tribes. This meant that instead of one tribe of Joseph, there were effectively two.
The Double Portion
When Jacob blessed Joseph, he declared, 'your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt... shall be mine, along with Reuben and Simeon' (Genesis 48:5). This elevated them to the same standing as the firstborn sons, granting them a distinct tribal inheritance.
The Levites' Special Case
Because Joseph's descendants were counted as two tribes, and the land was to be divided among twelve portions, the tribe of Levi was not assigned a specific territorial inheritance like the others. Instead, the Levites were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes' territories, as God Himself was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20).
Two and a Half Across the Jordan
Furthermore, two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan River before the division of Canaan (Numbers 32). This is why the focus here is on the remaining nine and a half tribes receiving their portions within the promised land of Canaan.
Understand the original words
goral · Hebrew Noun
A customary practice in the Ancient Near East used to determine divine will in making decisions or distributing property, showing that the outcome was directed by God rather than human chance.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, the I AM, who keeps His covenant promises and is the supreme authority over the nation and the land.
Mosheh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The prophet, deliverer, and mediator of the Old Covenant through whom God delivered the Law and the instructions for the conquest and division of Canaan.
Levi · Hebrew Proper Noun/Noun
The priestly tribe of Israel set apart for service to God at the Tabernacle; they were denied a territorial tribal inheritance to signify that the Lord Himself was their portion and inheritance.
The casting of lots for land inheritance wasn't just a random draw; it was a divinely ordained method to ensure fairness and prevent disputes, while also confirming God's promises made through Jacob and Moses centuries earlier. This act solidified the Israelites' claim to the land and established the structure for their nation.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, the Israelites are led out of Egypt by Moses, beginning their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Death and Joshua's Succession
Moses dies after leading the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. Joshua is appointed as his successor to lead them into the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Joshua leads the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan, starting with the crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Instructions for Inheritance
Before his death, Moses gives instructions for dividing the land of Canaan among the tribes, including the division of territory east of the Jordan for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Distribution of Canaan by Lot
Joshua, along with Eleazar the priest and tribal leaders, oversees the casting of lots to determine the inheritance for the remaining nine and a half tribes in the land of Canaan.
c. 1399 BC
Caleb's Request for Hebron
Caleb, one of the original spies who trusted God, requests his promised inheritance of the challenging hill country of Hebron, demonstrating faith and courage.
c. 1399 BC
Division of Land Completed
The process of dividing the land of Canaan among the tribes is completed, establishing their territories and setting the stage for settlement and future governance.
This passage directly explains the basis for the division of the land by lot, emphasizing that the inheritance was determined by the number of names recorded in the census, which is the command Moses was given.
Genesis 49:1-28Jacob's prophetic blessings on his sons before his death foretold aspects of their future inheritance and character, which the distribution by lot remarkably fulfilled, showing God's foreknowledge and guiding hand.
Joshua 18:1-10This passage describes the continuation of the land division process, highlighting that after the initial lots were cast for some tribes, the remaining tribes were also assigned their portions by lot, underscoring the divine order in this process.
Proverbs 16:33This proverb states, 'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every determination is from the LORD,' reflecting the theological understanding that even seemingly random chance is under God's sovereign control, as seen in the land's distribution.
Joshua 14:6-15Caleb's request for his inheritance illustrates a specific instance within the broader land distribution, showing how God's promises, made through Moses, were honored and fulfilled, even for a challenging inheritance, based on faithfulness.
calvinJoshua 14:1-15: "And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them."
- And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for…
gillJoshua 14:2: "By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe."
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 divi…
The text specifically mentions "nine and one-half tribes," which might seem like an odd detail, but it highlights how the tribe of Manasseh was divided, with half already settled east of the Jordan. This division, established by Moses, was now being formally recognized and accounted for in the land distribution process.
After conquering Canaan, Joshua and the elders are now tasked with dividing the promised land among the tribes. This verse highlights that the distribution wasn't arbitrary but determined by casting lots, a method ordained by God through Moses. This practice ensured fairness and prevented disputes as they claimed their inheritance in the land.
After conquering Canaan, Joshua and the elders are now tasked with dividing the promised land among the tribes. This verse highlights that the distribution wasn't arbitrary but determined by casting lots, a method ordained by God through Moses. This practice ensured fairness and prevented disputes as they claimed their inheritance in the land.
"Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes. For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inherita…" — The text specifically mentions "nine and one-half tribes," which might seem like an odd detail, but it highlights how the tribe of Manasseh was divided, with half already settled east of the Jordan.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
