And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.

JOSHUA 19:17KJV
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Joshua 19:17 (KJV)

What does Joshua 19:17 mean?

Joshua 19:17 marks the point in the land distribution when Issachar’s tribe receives its place. The “fourth lot” identifies Issachar’s turn in the process, and “according to their families” points to the family groups within the tribe.

The narrator describes an outcome rather than recording someone’s speech. Casting lots was a way of making a selection; the verse reports the result as a lot that “came out.”

The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:17

  • “lot” — גּוֹרָל (goral): A lot is an object or means used to make a selection. Here the word refers to the outcome that identifies Issachar’s share.
  • “families” — מִשְׁפָּחוֹת (mishpachot): The word can refer to extended family groups or clans. It suggests groups larger than individual households within Issachar’s tribe.

Why Joshua 19:17 matters

  • The number identifies a turn in the distribution, not a rank of importance. The verse calls Issachar’s lot “the fourth.”
  • The verse introduces Issachar’s territory as a defined place. The following verses name towns and describe its boundary, giving content to the share announced here.

Where else these words appear

“Issachar” Hebrew H3485 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 30:18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
  • Numbers 26:25 These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:1 These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,

“fourth” Hebrew H7243 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
  • 1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

“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.