Topical Bible: Holy Land: Divided by Lot

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Topical Encyclopedia

The division of the Holy Land by lot is a significant event in the biblical narrative, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Joshua, where the land of Canaan is apportioned among the twelve tribes of Israel following their exodus from Egypt and subsequent conquest of the land under Joshua's leadership.

Biblical Context

The division of the land is rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, where He promised to give his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8). This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, and it becomes a central theme in the narrative of the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.

Process of Division

The division of the land is described in detail in Joshua chapters 13 through 21. After the conquest of Canaan, the land was distributed among the tribes of Israel by casting lots, a method believed to reflect God's sovereign will. Joshua 14:2 states, "Their inheritance was assigned by lot to the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses."

The use of lots ensured that the division was perceived as fair and divinely ordained, minimizing disputes among the tribes. The casting of lots was conducted at Shiloh, in the presence of the LORD, as described in Joshua 18:10: "Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions."

Tribal Allotments

Each tribe received a specific portion of the land, with the size and location of each allotment corresponding to the tribe's needs and population. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River, as per the agreement with Moses (Numbers 32:33).

The remaining nine and a half tribes received their inheritance west of the Jordan. Notably, the tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance, as their role was to serve as priests and caretakers of the Tabernacle. Instead, they were given cities to dwell in, scattered throughout the other tribes' territories (Joshua 21:1-42).

Significance

The division of the Holy Land by lot is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It underscores the importance of obedience and trust in God's plan, as the Israelites were reminded that the land was a gift from God, contingent upon their faithfulness to His covenant.

The division also established a sense of identity and belonging among the tribes, each with its own territory and responsibilities. This event laid the foundation for the future development of the nation of Israel, as each tribe settled into its allotted inheritance, contributing to the collective identity and unity of the people as God's chosen nation.

Key Verses

· Joshua 14:2 : "Their inheritance was assigned by lot to the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses."
· Joshua 18:10 : "Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions."
· Numbers 32:33 : "So Moses gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land with its cities and the territory surrounding them."

The division of the Holy Land by lot remains a pivotal moment in biblical history, symbolizing divine providence and the establishment of Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 34:16-29
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 13:7-14
Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Historical Books.
... We only know that they were prophetical men, who wrote under the illumination and
guidance of the Holy Spirit. I. JOSHUA. ... When the land was divided by lot ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Jerusalem
... Nevertheless, the city was divided between the tribe of Judah ... it for the sake of
the holy things: nor ... priests nourish cocks throughout the whole land of Israel ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

The General Service of the Holy Fathers, in Remembrance of ...
... And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by ... Fathers in 6. The work
of the holy and ecumenical ... of the sea as if upon dry land, Israel, seeing ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v1 the general service.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... Sky, land, and sea are then ransacked for illustrations ... is with ten thousands of
his holy ones.' Even ... the precursors of the gnostics, who divided mankind into ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

The Importance of a Choice
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... of the two great classes into which men are
divided,"Abram, the ... Why should he, who has God's promise that all the land is his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the importance of a choice.htm

Smith -- Assurance in God
... of "The Historical Geography of the Holy Land," "Jerusalem, the ... the saints that are
in the land, "the excellent ... was to him, and the Church is divided into many ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/smith assurance in god.htm

The First Kings.
... Matri was taken; and, finally, the lot fell upon ... engaged in civil strife, and became
divided, rival kingdoms. ... worthy of a visit by travellers in the Holy Land. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Holy Song from Happy Saints
... to be members of a church divided against itself ... infidelity rampant, superstition
stalking through the land, the old ... tends to repel seekers, but the holy joy of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/holy song from happy saints.htm

His Arrival in his Native Land and the virtues Practised There ...
... for him, and began his journey toward his native land. ... set out on their way to Rome,
divided into three ... was admitted to an audience with the Holy Father, and ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter viii his arrival in.htm

Funeral Oration on Meletius .
... us to congratulate ourselves on our Father's happy lot. ... he may set foot upon that
holy land where there ... Catholics of Antioch had been divided, between Meletius ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/funeral oration on meletius.htm