By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

JOSHUA 14:2KJV
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Joshua 14:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 14:2 mean?

Joshua 14:2 explains that the land was divided among the Israelites by casting lots, just as God had instructed Moses to do, specifically for the nine tribes and the half-tribe. This verse highlights that the process of dividing the land was not random but followed God’s command through Moses.

At this point in the book of Joshua, the Israelites are settling in the promised land, and the leaders are distributing territory among the tribes. The “nine tribes and the half tribe” refers to those who would receive land west of the Jordan River, since the other tribes had already received their inheritance east of the river. The use of lots shows that the division was meant to be impartial and guided by God’s will, not human preference.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 14:2

  • “lot” (גּוֹרָל, goral): This word refers to a method like drawing straws or casting dice, used here to show that the distribution was left to God’s decision rather than human negotiation.
  • “inheritance” (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This term means a permanent possession or allotted portion, emphasizing that the land given to each tribe was meant to be theirs by God’s decree.
  • “commanded” (צָוָה, tsavah): This word stresses that the instructions for dividing the land came directly from God, not from human leaders.
  • “hand” (יָד, yad): Used here in the phrase “by the hand of Moses,” it means “through the agency of” or “by means of,” highlighting Moses as God’s chosen instrument for giving these commands.

Why Joshua 14:2 matters

  • Joshua 14:2 clarifies that the land division was not a political or military decision but was carried out exactly as God had ordered, reinforcing the idea of divine oversight.
  • The verse connects back to earlier instructions given through Moses, showing continuity and faithfulness to God’s promises and commands.
  • Understanding the use of lots and the specific mention of the “nine tribes and the half tribe” helps explain why some tribes are not included here—they had already received their land, which is important for following the narrative of Israel’s settlement.

Where else these words appear

“nine” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 34:13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

“half” Hebrew H2677 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.