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.
2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long [are] ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?
4 Give out from among you three men for [each] tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come [again] to me.
5 And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.
6 Ye shall therefore describe the land [into] seven parts, and bring [the description] hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
7 But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD [is] their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.
8 And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.
9 And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came [again] to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.
10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.
11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.
13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which [is] Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that [lieth] on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
14 And the border was drawn [thence], and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that [lieth] before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which [is] Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this [was] the west quarter.
15 And the south quarter [was] from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:
16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that [lieth] before the valley of the son of Hinnom, [and] which [is] in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,
17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which [is] over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,
18 And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:
19 And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this [was] the south coast.
20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This [was] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.
21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,
22 And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel,
23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,
24 And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:
25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
26 And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which [is] Jerusalem, Gibeath, [and] Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This [is] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
Overview of Joshua Chapter 18
Joshua Chapter 18 details the division of the land among the remaining tribes of Israel after the conquest of Canaan. This chapter emphasizes the importance of the land allocation process and the role of the leaders in guiding the people towards fulfilling God’s promise. It highlights the systematic approach taken by the Israelites to settle in the land and the significance of obedience to God’s commands.
Key Themes
- Divine Guidance: The chapter illustrates how God directs the allocation of land among the tribes.
- Community Participation: The involvement of the leaders and the people in the land distribution process signifies unity and collective responsibility.
- Obedience and Faithfulness: The emphasis on following God’s instructions reflects the importance of faithfulness in the Israelites’ journey.
Structure of the Chapter
- Gathering of the Tribes (Verses 1-3):
The chapter begins with the assembly of the Israelites at Shiloh, where the Tabernacle is located. The leaders are called upon to address the remaining tribes that have yet to receive their inheritance. This highlights the urgency and importance of completing the land distribution.
- Surveying the Land (Verses 4-10):
The leaders are instructed to survey the land and divide it into seven portions. This task requires careful consideration and the guidance of the Lord. The process reflects a systematic approach to land allocation, ensuring fairness and order.
- Distribution of Land (Verses 11-28):
The chapter concludes with the specific allocation of land to the tribe of Benjamin. The detailed description of the borders and cities within Benjamin’s territory emphasizes the significance of each tribe’s inheritance. This section serves as a model for the remaining tribes as they receive their portions.
Significance of Shiloh
Shiloh serves as a central location for the Israelites during this period. It is where the Tabernacle is set up, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. The gathering at Shiloh for the land distribution signifies the importance of worship and community in the process of settling in the Promised Land.
Lessons Learned
- Importance of Leadership: The chapter underscores the role of leaders in guiding their communities and making decisions that align with God’s will.
- Need for Organization: The systematic approach to surveying and dividing the land highlights the necessity of organization in fulfilling communal goals.
- Faith in God’s Promises: The allocation of land reinforces the belief that God fulfills His promises to His people, encouraging them to trust in His plans.
Conclusion
Joshua Chapter 18 serves as a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the transition from conquest to settlement. The careful and deliberate process of land distribution reflects the Israelites’ commitment to obeying God’s commands and the importance of community involvement in achieving collective goals. This chapter not only provides historical context but also imparts valuable lessons on leadership, organization, and faith.
