Joshua 18:10
and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook that this act of casting lots in Shiloh, "before the LORD," wasn't just a random draw. It was a profound declaration of trust, acknowledging God’s ultimate authority and sovereignty in dividing the land He had promised.
After calling out the tribes' delay in claiming their inheritance, Joshua directs surveyors to map out the remaining territories. This detailed description, gathered by men traveling through the land, allows Joshua to cast lots in Shiloh, the central sanctuary, for the final tribal assignments. The casting of lots before the Lord in this sacred place ensures the division of the land is seen as a divine appointment, completing the promised inheritance for each tribe.
Why was Shiloh chosen as the place to divide the land? It wasn't just a random spot on the map.
The Israelites gathered at Shiloh to cast lots for the remaining tribal portions of the land. This city was significant for several reasons:
Was casting lots just a random gamble? The Bible presents it differently.
While we might think of 'casting lots' as purely a matter of chance, in the biblical context, it was a method for discerning God's will. When the Israelites cast lots:
Understand the original words
chalaq · Hebrew Verb
To divide, allot, or distribute property or territory, often done in a formal or legal manner. Biblically, it emphasizes God’s sovereignty in providing for the needs of His people.
The casting of lots in Shiloh wasn't just a random draw; it was a sacred act performed before the LORD, signifying God's direct involvement in allotting the Promised Land to His people even after the initial conquest.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan completed
Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promise. However, the land is not yet fully divided among the tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Tabernacle established at Shiloh
After the conquest, the Tabernacle is set up in Shiloh, a central location. This marks a new phase of Israelite settlement and organization.
c. 1400 BC
Surveyors map the remaining land
Joshua commissions men to travel throughout the still-undivided territories and meticulously map them, dividing the land into seven parts for the remaining tribes.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Joshua casts lots in Shiloh
Joshua casts lots before the LORD in Shiloh to assign specific territories to the seven remaining tribes, formalizing their inheritance based on divine guidance.
This passage describes the initial division of land by lot after the census in the wilderness, establishing the precedent for how land was to be allocated among the tribes of Israel.
Joshua 14:2This verse highlights Caleb's inheritance received by lot, demonstrating that lot casting was a divinely appointed method for dividing the promised land, reinforcing the legitimacy of Joshua's actions.
1 Samuel 1:3This passage mentions Shiloh as the place where the tabernacle of the LORD was located, underscoring the sacred and divinely-sanctioned nature of the proceedings happening there, including the casting of lots.
Jeremiah 7:12This verse serves as a stark warning about Shiloh's future destruction due to unfaithfulness, contrasting the present moment of divine order and blessing in Joshua with the eventual consequences of sin.
Acts 1:26This New Testament passage shows the disciples casting lots to replace Judas, illustrating that the practice of lot casting continued to be used in significant decisions, even within the early church, to discern God's will.
calvinJoshua 18:1-10: "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them."
Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.
Tradite ex vobis tres viros per tribum, quos mittam: surgentque et ambulabunt per terram, descr…
gillJoshua 18:10: "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."
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord,.... For the seven tribes, as he had for the two tribes and a half at Gilgal; of the manner of casting lots; see Gill on Numbers 26:55 , and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their division: the land that was divided into seven parts, he dis…
It's easy to overlook that this act of casting lots in Shiloh, "before the LORD," wasn't just a random draw. It was a profound declaration of trust, acknowledging God’s ultimate authority and sovereignty in dividing the land He had promised.
After calling out the tribes' delay in claiming their inheritance, Joshua directs surveyors to map out the remaining territories. This detailed description, gathered by men traveling through the land, allows Joshua to cast lots in Shiloh, the central sanctuary, for the final tribal assignments. The casting of lots before the Lord in this sacred place ensures the division of the land is seen as a divine appointment, completing the promised inheritance for each tribe.
After calling out the tribes' delay in claiming their inheritance, Joshua directs surveyors to map out the remaining territories. This detailed description, gathered by men traveling through the land, allows Joshua to cast lots in Shiloh, the central sanctuary, for the final tribal assignments. The casting of lots before the Lord in this sacred place ensures the division of the land is seen as a divine appointment, completing the promised inheritance for each tribe.
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God provided the land, but what was Israel's role in actually taking hold of it?
While Joshua cast lots to assign the land, and this was done under God's watchful eye, the text implies that the people still had a vital role to play. Joshua reproached them for their 'sluggishness' and 'remissness' in not taking possession of the inheritance God had already promised and provided.
"and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion." — It's easy to overlook that this act of casting lots in Shiloh, "before the LORD," wasn't just a random draw. It was a profound declaration of trust, acknowledging God’s ultimate authority and soverei…
