But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the land size was proportional to tribe numbers, the exact location was determined by lot. This divine method, appealing directly to God, ensured fairness and prevented any tribe from feeling cheated by their assigned territory.
But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a devastating plague that claimed many lives, God instructs Moses to conduct a second census of the Israelite tribes. This census, taken just before they enter the Promised Land, determines the size of each tribe's inheritance based on their numbers. The actual distribution of land within Canaan, however, is to be decided by lot, ensuring a divinely guided and fair assignment for each tribe.
How could a land be divided fairly when tribes had vastly different numbers of people? The answer lies in God's intentional method.
In Numbers 26, after a census revealing significant differences in the number of people in each tribe, God instructs Moses on how the Promised Land is to be distributed.
Size Matters
The primary rule for dividing the land was based on population size: 'To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance' (Numbers 26:54). This ensured that the larger tribes received larger portions of land, and smaller tribes received smaller portions. This seems like straightforward fairness, but it was a divine decree meant to establish justice.
The Lot's Role
While the amount of land was determined by population, the specific location and boundaries of that land for each tribe were decided by lot. 'Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot' (Numbers 26:55). This wasn't just a random drawing; it was a way to ensure that the allocation was seen as coming directly from God. It removed any potential for favoritism, envy, or dispute among the tribes, as they could all agree that the outcome was God’s decision. The lots were cast 'according to the names of the tribes of their fathers,' meaning the outcome was tied to their tribal identity and inheritance.
Why did God command a census right before dividing the land? It wasn't just about counting heads; it was about divine faithfulness.
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The census recorded in Numbers 26, occurring after decades of wandering and significant judgment (like the plague mentioned at the beginning of the chapter), serves as a crucial bridge to the inheritance of the Promised Land.
God's Faithfulness Despite Judgment
The generation that came out of Egypt had largely perished in the wilderness due to disobedience. The census reveals that, miraculously, the number of Israelites entering the land was nearly the same as when they left Egypt (Numbers 26:51 and 1:46). This wasn't a matter of luck; it was a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of His people’s sin and His righteous judgment.
Inheritance as a Divine Gift
This new census directly informed the division of the land. The land was to be divided 'according to the number of names' (Numbers 26:53). This meant that those numbered were the ones who would receive the inheritance. It underscored that the land was not earned but a gift from God, distributed according to His grace and His recorded census. It was a tangible sign that God was fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants, providing them with a secure and permanent home.
Understand the original words
gowral · Hebrew Noun
The use of a divine mechanism (such as Urim and Thummim) to discern God’s will in matters of decision or division. It acknowledges God’s sovereign control over human circumstances and prevents human bias.
The instruction to divide the land by lot underscores God's sovereign ownership and His intention to provide a secure inheritance for His people. It assures them that their portions are not arbitrary but divinely appointed, bringing peace and unity as they settle into the land.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, beginning their 40-year journey through the wilderness.
c. 1406 BC
First Census
The first census is taken in the wilderness of Sinai, establishing the number of men eligible for military service.
c. 1405-1367 BC
Wilderness Wandering
The generation that left Egypt dies off in the wilderness due to disobedience, with only Joshua and Caleb surviving to enter the Promised Land.
c. 1367 BC— this verse
Second Census
A second census is taken in the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, just before entering the Promised Land. This census reflects the drastically reduced number of Israelites due to the wilderness wandering, but also shows God's faithfulness in preserving the people.
c. 1367 BC
Division of Land by Lot
The land of Canaan is to be divided among the tribes by lot, ensuring a fair and divinely-ordained distribution based on the census numbers.
c. 1367 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following the division of the land, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer and possess the territory assigned to them.
This passage shows the principle of dividing land by lot being carried out in practice, emphasizing that God's sovereign hand directs the inheritance, just as Numbers 26:55 states.
Proverbs 16:33This verse directly echoes the sentiment of Numbers 26:55, stating that 'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD,' highlighting the divine sovereignty in the distribution.
Acts 1:26This New Testament example demonstrates the continuation of the practice of casting lots to determine God's will, showing how the principle of dividing by lot persisted in God's dealings with His people for important decisions.
1 Samuel 14:41-42This passage illustrates a situation where lots are cast to uncover sin and determine guilt, showing the practical application of lots as a means of seeking divine revelation in matters of justice and order.
bensonNumbers 26:55: "Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit."
Numbers 26:55 . By lot — The quantity of land, it seems, was to be assigned according to the number in each tribe, but the situation was to be determined by lot, both as to the tribes and as to individuals. For instance, it was determined by lot which of the tribes were to inherit in the south, which in the north, &c. But in that quarter where their lot fe…
calvinNumbers 26:1-65: "And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,"
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord:
Filii autem Eliab, Nebuel, Dathan et Abiron: isti sunt Dathan et Abiron majores synagogae qui rixati sunt contra Mosen et…
While the land size was proportional to tribe numbers, the exact location was determined by lot. This divine method, appealing directly to God, ensured fairness and prevented any tribe from feeling cheated by their assigned territory.
Following a devastating plague that claimed many lives, God instructs Moses to conduct a second census of the Israelite tribes. This census, taken just before they enter the Promised Land, determines the size of each tribe's inheritance based on their numbers. The actual distribution of land within Canaan, however, is to be decided by lot, ensuring a divinely guided and fair assignment for each tribe.
Following a devastating plague that claimed many lives, God instructs Moses to conduct a second census of the Israelite tribes. This census, taken just before they enter the Promised Land, determines the size of each tribe's inheritance based on their numbers. The actual distribution of land within Canaan, however, is to be decided by lot, ensuring a divinely guided and fair assignment for each tribe.
"But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit." — While the land size was proportional to tribe numbers, the exact location was determined by lot. This divine method, appealing directly to God, ensured fairness and prevented any tribe from feeling c…
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Last reviewed October 2026