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.

JOSHUA 18:10KJV
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Joshua 18:10 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:10 mean?

Joshua 18:10 describes how Joshua, the leader of Israel, used the practice of casting lots at Shiloh in front of the LORD to fairly divide the land among the tribes of Israel according to their assigned portions. This verse shows the formal and public way the land was distributed, emphasizing that the process was done with God’s oversight.

Joshua is acting as the leader after Moses, and the Israelites are now in the land of Canaan. The people have gathered at Shiloh, which has become a central place of worship. Casting lots was a common ancient method for making decisions, seen as a way to let God determine the outcome. This verse highlights the importance of fairness, order, and God’s presence in dividing the promised land among the tribes.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:10

  • "Cast" — שָׁלַךְ (shalakh): This word means to throw or cast, and here it refers to the physical act of casting lots, a method used to make decisions that were believed to reflect God’s will.
  • "Lots" — גּוֹרָל (goral): This word refers to objects used for making decisions by chance, similar to drawing straws or rolling dice. In this context, it shows that the allocation of land was left to God’s direction, not human preference.
  • "Before" — פָּנִים (panim): This word means "face" or "presence," and in this verse it means the lots were cast in the presence of the LORD, emphasizing that the process was done openly and with reverence for God’s authority.
  • "Divided" — חָלַק (chalaq): This word means to divide or distribute, highlighting Joshua’s role in ensuring each tribe received its portion as determined by the lots.

Why Joshua 18:10 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the land was divided by favoritism or human decision; instead, it was done publicly and with God’s involvement.
  • The mention of Shiloh as the location ties this event to the establishment of a central place of worship, which becomes important in Israel’s history.
  • The process described here connects back to earlier promises about the land and shows the fulfillment of God’s word to the Israelites, reinforcing the theme of faithfulness and order in the book of Joshua.

Where else these words appear

“Shiloh” Hebrew H7887 · used in 30 verses

  • Joshua 18:1 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.
  • Judges 21:19 Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

“divisions” Hebrew H4256 · used in 36 verses

  • Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
  • 1 Chronicles 28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

“divided” Hebrew H2505 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
  • Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

“lots” 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.