Joshua 14:2
New International Version
Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

New Living Translation
These nine and a half tribes received their grants of land by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD’s command through Moses.

English Standard Version
Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.

Berean Standard Bible
Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

King James Bible
By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

New King James Version
Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

New American Standard Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, just as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

NASB 1995
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

NASB 1977
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

Legacy Standard Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

Amplified Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD had commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

Christian Standard Bible
Their inheritance was by lot as the LORD commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their inheritance was by lot as the LORD commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes,

American Standard Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.

English Revised Version
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The land inherited by the nine-and-a-half tribes was determined by drawing lots as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Good News Translation
As the LORD had commanded Moses, the territories of the nine and one-half tribes west of the Jordan were determined by drawing lots.

International Standard Version
by lot, just as the LORD commanded through Moses for the nine tribes and the half-tribe,

Majority Standard Bible
Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

NET Bible
The land assignments to the nine-and-a-half tribes were made by drawing lots, as the LORD had instructed Moses.

New Heart English Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, to give to the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.

Webster's Bible Translation
By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.

World English Bible
by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
their inheritance [is] by lot, as YHWH commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe;

Young's Literal Translation
by lot is their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine of the tribes, and the half of the tribe;

Smith's Literal Translation
By lot their inheritance as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half tribe.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Dividing all by lot, as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses, to the nine tribes, and the half tribe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
dividing all by lot, just as the Lord had instructed by the hand of Moses, to the nine tribes and to the one half tribe.

New American Bible
their heritage by lot, as the LORD had commanded through Moses concerning the remaining nine and a half tribes.

New Revised Standard Version
Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
By lot was their inheritance divided, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, to be given to the nine tribes and to the half tribe.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the lot of their inheritance, just as LORD JEHOVAH commanded by the hand of Moshe to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They inherited according to their lots, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Joshua to the nine tribes and the half tribe, on the other side of Jordan.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Land Division West of the Jordan
1Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. 2Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. 3For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites.…

Cross References
Numbers 26:52-56
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. / Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. ...

Numbers 34:13-29
So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. / For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance. / These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.” ...

Deuteronomy 19:2-10
then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities. / Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: ...

Numbers 33:54
And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.

Ezekiel 47:13-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance.

Numbers 27:1-11
Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached / the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, / “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. ...

Deuteronomy 1:38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. / The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Hebrews 4:8
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Hebrews 11:30-31
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. / By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.


Treasury of Scripture

By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

Numbers 26:55,56
Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit…

Numbers 33:54
And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.

Numbers 34:13
And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:

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Assigned Commanded Decision Half Half-Tribe Hand Heritage Inheritance Inheritances Lot Moses Nine One-Half Orders Tribe Tribes
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Assigned Commanded Decision Half Half-Tribe Hand Heritage Inheritance Inheritances Lot Moses Nine One-Half Orders Tribe Tribes
Joshua 14
1. The nine tribes and a half are to have their inheritance by lot
6. Caleb by privilege obtains Hebron














Their inheritance
The term "inheritance" in this context refers to the land that the Israelites were to receive as their permanent possession. In Hebrew, the word is "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which signifies a heritage or possession passed down through generations. This concept of inheritance is deeply rooted in the covenantal promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to His people. It also underscores the idea that the land is not merely a possession but a divine gift, a sacred trust to be stewarded according to God's laws.

was assigned by lot
The use of "lot" (Hebrew: "גוֹרָל" - goral) in the distribution of the land indicates a process that was believed to be guided by divine providence. Casting lots was a common practice in ancient Israel for making decisions, reflecting a belief that God controlled the outcome. This method ensured that the division of the land was impartial and divinely ordained, removing human bias and emphasizing God's sovereignty in the allocation of the land.

for the nine and a half tribes
This phrase refers to the tribes of Israel that were to receive their inheritance west of the Jordan River. Historically, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. The "nine and a half tribes" thus highlights the continuation of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Israel. It also reflects the unity and diversity within the nation, as each tribe received a portion of the land according to God's plan.

as the LORD had commanded
The phrase underscores the divine authority behind the distribution of the land. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is "צִוָּה" (tzivah), which conveys a sense of authoritative instruction. This highlights the obedience of the Israelites to God's directives, as well as the role of God as the ultimate lawgiver and leader of His people. It serves as a reminder that the land distribution was not a human decision but a fulfillment of God's command.

through Moses
Moses, as the servant of the LORD, was the mediator of God's commands to the people of Israel. This phrase emphasizes the continuity of God's plan from the time of Moses to the leadership of Joshua. It reflects the faithfulness of Moses in conveying God's instructions and the importance of adhering to the divine plan. Moses' role as a prophet and leader is affirmed, showing that the inheritance of the land was part of the larger narrative of God's redemptive history for His people.

(2) By lot . . . as the Lord commanded . . . Moses.--See Numbers 26:52-56; Numbers 34:17-29.

The nine tribes, and for the half tribe; and (3) For Moses had given; and (4) For the children of Joseph were two tribes.--The argument of these verses can only mean that the tribal inheritances were to be twelve in number, and therefore the Levites were excluded from any distinct territorial position, for the children of Joseph were to be two tribes. Of Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob had said to Joseph, "as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine:" i.e., though grandsons, they shall count as sons of Jacob, and each one shall be the head of a tribe. Thus there are two ways of counting Jacob's sons, each making twelve; and these two seem to be recognised as distinct in Exodus 28. There we are told that the high priest should bear the names of the children of Israel on his shoulders according to their birth (i.e., Joseph being counted as well as Levi, but not Ephraim and Manasseh). On his breastplate he must have them according to the twelve tribes (i.e., Ephraim and Manasseh being specified, but Joseph and Levi left out). Both ways of reckoning were necessary in order that the complete Israel might be represented by the high priest. And in each way the number twelve was preserved and emphasised, as it is evidently intended to be in this place,

Verse 2. - By lot was their inheritance. The commentators, following the Rabbis, have amused themselves by speculations how the lot was taken. The question is of no great practical importance; but no doubt the contrivance was a very primitive one, as the word גורָל a small pebble, used here, seems to imply. What is of more importance is the fact that the distribution of territory was the result of no one's caprice, or ambition, or intrigue. The whole matter was referred to God, and the leader of the Israelitish hosts and the high priest presided over the ceremony. It was a common belief among the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, that the use of the lot was to refer the matter to a Divine decision. So we read in the Proverbs, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33; cf. 18:18). It is a strong evidence for the truth of this narrative that we read of no conflicts between the various tribes respecting the division of territory. Jealousies sprung up between the tribes, as the narratives in Judges 8, 9, 12; 2 Samuel 19:43, are sufficient to show. But in no one case was there any complaint of unfairness, any attempt to disturb the territorial arrangement made at the time of the original settlement in Palestine. There can be little doubt that Keil is right in supposing this original division to have been in outline merely. It is obvious from the onward course of the narrative (especially ch. 18.) that no very minute accuracy in detail could possibly have been arrived at. The country was roughly mapped out at first, and the complete adjustment of boundaries was a matter which would naturally be put off until the land were actually in possession.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their inheritance
נַחֲלָתָ֑ם (na·ḥă·lā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

was assigned by lot
בְּגוֹרַ֖ל (bə·ḡō·w·ral)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

for the nine
לְתִשְׁעַ֥ת (lə·ṯiš·‘aṯ)
Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8672: Nine, ninth

and a half
וַחֲצִ֥י (wa·ḥă·ṣî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

tribes,
הַמַּטּ֖וֹת (ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had commanded
צִוָּ֤ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

through
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT History: Joshua 14:2 By the lot of their inheritance as (Josh. Jos)
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