The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes the tribe of Naphtali twice, "for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali," highlighting a remarkable emphasis within the distribution of the promised land. This repetition isn't just a linguistic quirk; it underscores how God's plan for inheritance, even through seemingly random lots, was meticulously arranged for each distinct family group within the tribe.
The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of the detailed account of how the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots. Following the inheritance of Issachar and Asher, this verse marks the allocation of land to the tribe of Naphtali, specifying it was determined by lot and assigned to their family groups. The subsequent verses then describe the boundaries and cities belonging to Naphtali's inheritance.
In a world often driven by chance, the ancient Israelites understood that even the casting of lots was a divine act. How does this perspective shift how we view our own 'assigned' places?
The distribution of the Promised Land wasn't left to human planning or tribal negotiation alone. The text emphasizes that the lots were cast 'before the LORD' (Joshua 19:51). This signifies that God Himself was actively directing where each tribe would settle. Even though Naphtali was the son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, and perhaps not as prominent as other sons, his descendants received their inheritance through this divine allocation. It underscores that God's purposes and distributions are not always predictable by human standards of importance or birth order, but are sovereignly determined.
Every inheritance has borders. What can the specific geographical descriptions of Naphtali's land teach us about order and God's provision?
The text provides detailed geographical boundaries for Naphtali's inheritance, mentioning specific locations and landmarks. While some cities named are now difficult to pinpoint precisely, the description serves a crucial purpose: it marks the definitive territory God assigned to the tribe. These established borders were not just lines on a map; they represented a secure place of belonging and provision, free from constant dispute with neighboring tribes. This orderliness was essential for the nation's stability and peace within the Promised Land.
Understand the original words
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goral · Hebrew Noun
A formal method of determining God's will; often used in the Old Testament to divide the Promised Land among the tribes, emphasizing that the distribution was under God’s sovereign control.
The casting of lots for Naphtali, as for all the tribes, underscores God's sovereign hand in assigning their inheritance in the Promised Land, even amidst the chaos and challenges of conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan completed
Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. This sets the stage for the distribution of land.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Division of the Land by Lot
The land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots, ensuring each tribe receives an inheritance.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua receives his inheritance
After all the tribes have received their portions, Joshua is granted the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim as his own inheritance, a reward for his service.
Post-Conquest Period
Tribes establish their territories
Following the distribution, each tribe begins the process of settling and fully possessing the territories allocated to them through the lots.
This verse offers a prophetic blessing on Naphtali, describing him as 'a doe set free' who 'utters beautiful words,' hinting at the grace and potential within this tribe even before their inheritance was physically assigned.
Numbers 2:29This passage shows Naphtali's assigned place in the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey, setting the stage for their tribal identity and geographical positioning that would later be confirmed by the lot.
Judges 4:6This verse highlights Deborah calling for Barak from Kedesh in Naphtali, demonstrating the strategic and significant location of Naphtali's territory in the history of Israel's deliverance.
Matthew 4:13-16This New Testament passage shows Jesus fulfilling prophecy by moving to Capernaum in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, illuminating how this very land, once assigned by lot, became a central stage for the Messiah's ministry.
calvinJoshua 19:32-51: "The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families."
And then the coast turns westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.
Postea revertitur terminus ad mare ad Aznoth-thabor: et progreditur illinc in Huccoc, et pervenit ad Zabulon a meridie, et ad Aser pervenit…
gillJoshua 19:32: "The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families."
The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali,.... The tribe of Naphtali, and directed what should be the inheritance of this tribe: even for the children of Naphtali, according to their families; which was to be divided among them, according to the number of their, families.
The verse emphasizes the tribe of Naphtali twice, "for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali," highlighting a remarkable emphasis within the distribution of the promised land. This repetition isn't just a linguistic quirk; it underscores how God's plan for inheritance, even through seemingly random lots, was meticulously arranged for each distinct family group within the tribe.
This passage is part of the detailed account of how the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots. Following the inheritance of Issachar and Asher, this verse marks the allocation of land to the tribe of Naphtali, specifying it was determined by lot and assigned to their family groups. The subsequent verses then describe the boundaries and cities belonging to Naphtali's inheritance.
This passage is part of the detailed account of how the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots. Following the inheritance of Issachar and Asher, this verse marks the allocation of land to the tribe of Naphtali, specifying it was determined by lot and assigned to their family groups. The subsequent verses then describe the boundaries and cities belonging to Naphtali's inheritance.
"The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans." — The verse emphasizes the tribe of Naphtali twice, "for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali," highlighting a remarkable emphasis within the distribution of the promised land. This repet…
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Last reviewed October 2026