And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.

JOSHUA 18:5KJV
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Joshua 18:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 18:5 mean?

Joshua 18:5 describes how the land of Canaan was to be divided into seven portions among the remaining Israelite tribes, with the tribe of Judah staying in the south and the descendants of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) remaining in the north. This verse sets the boundaries for the rest of the tribes as they receive their inheritance.

Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is instructing representatives from the tribes about how to fairly distribute the land after the conquest of Canaan. The verse clarifies that Judah and Joseph already have their territories, so the remaining land will be split into seven parts for the other tribes. This organization helps ensure an orderly and equitable division among all the people.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 18:5

  • "Divide" (חָלַק, ḥālaq): This word means to portion out or distribute. Its use here emphasizes the intentional and fair process of assigning land.
  • "Seven" (שֶׁבַע, shevaʿ): The number seven often represents completeness in the Hebrew Bible, suggesting the division is thorough and covers all that remains.
  • "Parts" (חֵלֶק, ḥēleq): This term means a share or portion, highlighting that each tribe will receive a specific, allotted section.
  • "Abide" (עָמַד, ʿāmad): Used for both Judah and Joseph, this word means to stand or remain, indicating their established positions in the land.
  • "Coast" (גְּבוּל, gĕvul): This word refers to a border or boundary, making clear that each tribe’s area is defined and set apart from the others.

Why Joshua 18:5 matters

  • Joshua 18:5 clarifies that the tribes of Judah and Joseph already have their land, so the remaining tribes are not competing with them for territory.
  • The verse shows the careful and organized approach Joshua uses to prevent disputes and ensure fairness as Israel settles in Canaan.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the following passages, where the actual division and assignment of land to each tribe are described in detail.

Where else these words appear

“parts” Hebrew H2506 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • 1 Samuel 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

“divide” 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.

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
  • Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: