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.

Where else these words appear

“Nun” Hebrew H5126 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

“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.

“inheritance” Hebrew H5157 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
  • Deuteronomy 19:3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
  • Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

“dividing” 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.