Joshua 18 The Division of the Land

1 Division of the Rest of the Land
The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control,

2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.

3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?

4 Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me.

5 You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the house of Joseph in its territory on the north.

6 After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the Lord our God.

7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the Lord is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses the servant of the Lord gave it to them.”

8 As the men started on their way to map out the land, Joshua instructed them, “Go and make a survey of the land and write a description of it. Then return to me, and I will cast lots for you here at Shiloh in the presence of the Lord.”

9 So the men left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll, town by town, in seven parts, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

10 Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions.

11 Allotment for Benjamin
The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

12 On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan, passed the northern slope of Jericho and headed west into the hill country, coming out at the desert of Beth Aven.

13 From there it crossed to the south slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth Addar on the hill south of Lower Beth Horon.

14 From the hill facing Beth Horon on the south the boundary turned south along the western side and came out at Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a town of the people of Judah. This was the western side.

15 The southern side began at the outskirts of Kiriath Jearim on the west, and the boundary came out at the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.

16 The boundary went down to the foot of the hill facing the Valley of Ben Hinnom, north of the Valley of Rephaim. It continued down the Hinnom Valley along the southern slope of the Jebusite city and so to En Rogel.

17 It then curved north, went to En Shemesh, continued to Geliloth, which faces the Pass of Adummim, and ran down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.

18 It continued to the northern slope of Beth Arabah and on down into the Arabah.

19 It then went to the northern slope of Beth Hoglah and came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan in the south. This was the southern boundary.

20 The Jordan formed the boundary on the eastern side.
These were the boundaries that marked out the inheritance of the clans of Benjamin on all sides.

21 The tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, had the following cities:
Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,

22 Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,

23 Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,

24 Kephar Ammoni, Ophni and Geba—twelve towns and their villages.

25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,

26 Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,

27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,

28 Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath—fourteen towns and their villages.
This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans.

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Analysis of Joshua Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of the Book of Joshua is a poignant segment in the narrative of Israel’s conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The chapter is notable for its administrative details and how the remaining seven tribes receive their inheritance. This groundbreaking moment emphasizes themes such as the importance of divine guidance, communal responsibility, and the role of unity and leadership in fulfilling God’s promises.

Summary of Joshua Chapter 18

The chapter begins by noting that the entire congregation of the children of Israel assembled at Shiloh, where they set up the Tabernacle of Meeting. After this, Joshua chastises the seven remaining tribes for their procrastination in taking possession of the land. Joshua then sends out men to survey the land and divide it into seven parts. They return with their findings, and Joshua casts lots before the Lord to determine their inheritances, beginning with the tribe of Benjamin.

Setting Up the Tabernacle at Shiloh (Verses 1-2)

The chapter opens with the Israelites assembling at Shiloh, where they set up the Tabernacle of Meeting. Shiloh thus becomes the central place of worship and governance. It marks a significant shift from the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The establishment of the Tabernacle at Shiloh aligns with God’s instructions in Deuteronomy 12:11, pointing to a centralized place for worship and sacrifice.

“Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.” – Joshua 18:1

This event signifies that the conquest phase is largely complete and they are now in a period of consolidation and settlement. It also symbolizes a transition from temporary to permanent worship, showing a deeper commitment to their covenant with God. The Tabernacle’s establishment signifies that God’s presence is settled among His people.

Joshua’s Rebuke and Delegation (Verses 3-9)

Joshua challenges the Israelites for their complacency. The verse indicates a sense of urgency and responsibility on Joshua’s part to ensure the people do not fall into apathy.

“Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: ‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?'” – Joshua 18:3

The following verses detail Joshua’s plan to address this issue by sending three men from each of the seven tribes to survey the land and give a written description. This delegation is a practical step toward ensuring an organized and fair division of the land.

The instruction to “[describe] it according to their inheritance” in verse 4 shows a methodical approach to dividing the land. This action also illustrates a communal effort in fulfilling God’s promise, as the remaining tribes actively participate in claiming their inheritance:

“And they shall divide it into seven parts; Judah shall remain in their territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory on the north.” – Joshua 18:5

Joshua’s method of assigning responsibilities in verse 8 demonstrates effective leadership. It shows that while divine promises are guaranteed, human effort is still required to actualize those promises. The emphasis on a written description of the land reflects the importance of clarity and record-keeping in the distribution process.

Division by Lot (Verses 10-11)

Upon the return of the surveyors, Joshua casts lots before the Lord at Shiloh to distribute the land. This method underscores reliance on divine providence rather than human judgment in allotting the inheritances.

“Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.” – Joshua 18:10

Casting lots was a common biblical practice for making decisions (Proverbs 16:33) and it ensured that the distribution was seen as fair and directed by God’s will, rather than susceptible to human manipulation. Each tribe’s lot was perceived as God’s ordained plan for their inheritance, reinforcing the divine oversight in Israel’s settlement.

The Territory of Benjamin (Verses 12-28)

The chapter concludes with a detailed description of the territorial boundaries for the tribe of Benjamin. These verses are rich with geographical markers and provide insight into the meticulous nature of tribal boundaries during this period.

“Now the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot came out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.” – Joshua 18:11

This placement, between Judah and Joseph, strategically positions Benjamin in a politically and economically advantageous location. It indicates a divinely orchestrated plan for harmony and cooperation among the tribes. The specific delineation of boundaries (verses 12-20) and the enumeration of cities (verses 21-28) reflect a detailed and organized approach to settlement, emphasizing the importance of order, community, and stewardship over their allotted inheritance.

Theological and Ethical Insights

Divine Human Partnership: The chapter underscores a harmonious balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God had promised the land to Israel, the people were required to take action—surveying, reporting, and finally occupying their inheritance.
Unity and Community: The gathering at Shiloh and collective participation in dividing the land highlights the importance of communal unity in fulfilling divine purposes. This unity is crucial for maintaining peace and ensuring fair distribution among the tribes.
Effective Leadership: Joshua’s proactive leadership demonstrates the importance of decisiveness and delegation. His insistence on a detailed land survey before casting lots shows a blend of wisdom and trust in divine guidance.
Record-Keeping and Order: The detailed recording of boundaries and cities points to the value placed on clear, organized record-keeping. This practice would help prevent future disputes and ensure each tribe’s inheritance was respected.

Conclusion

Joshua Chapter 18 reveals the intricate and divinely guided process of settling the Promised Land, demonstrating a blend of human initiative and divine regulation. The centrality of worship at Shiloh, the leadership of Joshua, and the communal effort in surveying and dividing the land all highlight the broader narrative’s themes of obedience, unity, and divine providence. This chapter not only provides historical insights but also offers substantial theological reflections on the importance of faith-informed action, communal responsibility, and orderly stewardship in journeying toward fulfilling God’s promises.

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Understanding the Key Messages in Joshua 18: Insights and Explanation

Chapter 18 of Joshua narrates the division of the land among the remaining seven tribes of Israel. The process involved setting up boundaries for each tribe and appointing leaders to oversee the allocation. The tribe of Benjamin receives its inheritance, but some of the tribes are criticized for their delay in possessing their allotted land.

Notes

This chapter highlights the organization and distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, showing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise.