Numbers 26:55-56
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The verse emphasizes that even though land portions were to be based on tribe size, the exact location of each tribe's inheritance was determined by lot. This ensured that the final placement was seen as a direct divine appointment, removing grounds for envy or dispute between the tribes.
But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a devastating plague and a census of all adult males, God instructs Moses on how the land of Canaan will be divided among the tribes. This division is meant to be fair, with larger tribes receiving more land and smaller tribes receiving less, all based on their numbers. The specific portion each tribe receives, however, will be determined by lot to ensure divine oversight and prevent disputes.
Ever wondered how a whole nation gets assigned their land? It wasn't random chance, but a divinely ordained system that ensured fairness and acknowledged God's ultimate ownership.
The division of the Promised Land, as outlined in Numbers 26:55, wasn't left to human preference or power. While the size of the inheritance was determined by the tribe's population (Numbers 26:54), the specific location was decided by lot.
This practice served several crucial purposes:
Why did the inheritance go by tribe, not just individual? This highlights a key aspect of ancient Israelite society and God's covenant relationship with them.
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Numbers 26:55 emphasizes that the inheritance was given "according to the names of the tribes of their fathers." This wasn't just about assigning land; it was about affirming identity and covenant.
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.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the portion of land or property allotted to a tribe or family as their permanent possession. In the context of Israel, it is a covenantal gift from God, symbolizing His provision and their identity as His people.
goral · Hebrew Noun
A method used in the Old Testament to determine God's will in dividing land or making decisions. It involved casting objects to reveal divine guidance, trusting that God sovereignly controls the outcome.
The instruction for dividing the land by lot emphasizes that inheritance is a divine gift, assigned not by human merit or power, but by God's sovereign will and measured by the census of His people after a generation's judgment.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, beginning their journey to the Promised Land. This event marks the start of a generation that would be numbered and counted.
c. 1406 BC
Census in the Wilderness
The first census is taken in the wilderness of Sinai shortly after the Exodus. This established the initial tribal rolls and population counts.
c. 1406-1367 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
Due to disobedience, the Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The generation that left Egypt, except for Joshua and Caleb, perishes during this time, leading to a drastic demographic shift.
c. 1367 BC— this verse
Second Census in Moab
A second census is conducted in the plains of Moab, shortly before entering the Promised Land. This census is crucial for determining land inheritance based on remaining population numbers.
c. 1367 BC
Division of Land by Lot
The land of Canaan is to be divided among the tribes by lot, ensuring a divinely ordained and impartial distribution according to tribal size and ancestral names.
c. 1367 BC
Settlement in the Promised Land
The Israelites begin to conquer and settle in Canaan, with the land division finalized according to the lots cast and the established tribal inheritances.
This verse parallels the distribution of land by lot in Numbers, highlighting how Joshua fulfilled God's promise by giving the Israelites their inheritance after the conquest.
Proverbs 16:33This proverb reflects the principle in Numbers 26:55 that while lots were cast (a human action), the ultimate outcome was understood to be guided by the Lord, emphasizing divine sovereignty in the distribution.
Acts 1:26The casting of lots to choose Matthias as an apostle mirrors the ancient practice of using lots for significant decisions, showing how this method was seen as a way to discern God's will for appointments and divisions.
1 Chronicles 26:26This passage shows the Levitical families in charge of temple treasures being appointed through a similar process of accounting and stewardship, reflecting an orderly division of responsibilities.
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…
The verse emphasizes that even though land portions were to be based on tribe size, the exact location of each tribe's inheritance was determined by lot. This ensured that the final placement was seen as a direct divine appointment, removing grounds for envy or dispute between the tribes.
Following a devastating plague and a census of all adult males, God instructs Moses on how the land of Canaan will be divided among the tribes. This division is meant to be fair, with larger tribes receiving more land and smaller tribes receiving less, all based on their numbers. The specific portion each tribe receives, however, will be determined by lot to ensure divine oversight and prevent disputes.
Following a devastating plague and a census of all adult males, God instructs Moses on how the land of Canaan will be divided among the tribes. This division is meant to be fair, with larger tribes receiving more land and smaller tribes receiving less, all based on their numbers. The specific portion each tribe receives, however, will be determined by lot to ensure divine oversight and prevent disputes.
"But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller.”" — The verse emphasizes that even though land portions were to be based on tribe size, the exact location of each tribe's inheritance was determined by lot. This ensured that the final placement was s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
