These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.

JOSHUA 19:51KJV
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Joshua 19:51 (KJV)

What does Joshua 19:51 mean?

Joshua 19:51 describes how Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of Israel finished dividing the land of Canaan among the tribes by casting lots at Shiloh, in front of the tabernacle, as a final step in settling the Israelites in their promised land. This verse marks the completion of the process of assigning inheritances to each tribe, overseen by both religious and tribal leaders.

The verse takes place at Shiloh, where the Israelites had set up the tabernacle (the central place of worship). Eleazar the priest and Joshua, along with the heads of the tribes, are the main figures responsible for distributing the land. The process was done "before the LORD," emphasizing that the division was carried out with a sense of accountability to God and in a public, transparent way.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:51

  • "inheritances" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word refers to the portions of land given to each tribe. It highlights that the land was not just property, but a lasting gift or heritage from God.
  • "by lot" (גּוֹרָל, goral): Casting lots was a way to make decisions that left the outcome to God, showing that the distribution was not based on human preference or power.
  • "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel): The tabernacle was the sacred tent where God's presence was believed to dwell, emphasizing the religious significance of the event.
  • "end" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means to bring something to completion, underlining that the process of dividing the land was now fully finished.

Why Joshua 19:51 matters

  • Joshua 19:51 clarifies that the land division was a careful, communal process involving both spiritual and tribal leadership, not just a decision by one person.
  • The verse shows that the distribution was done openly and with reference to God’s presence, reinforcing the idea that the land was a divine gift, not merely a political arrangement.
  • This verse marks a turning point in Israel’s history, as it closes the section about conquering and settling the land, and signals the beginning of life in the promised land for each tribe.