Joshua 14:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The historian, having in the foregoing chapter given an account of the disposal of the countries on the other side Jordan, now comes to tell us what they did with the countries in the land of Canaan. They were not conquered to be left desert, a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls, Isa. 34:13. No, the Israelites that had hitherto been closely encamped in a body, and the greatest part of them such as never knew any other way of living, must now disperse themselves to replenish these new... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:2

By lot was their inheritance ,.... Every tribe had its part and portion assigned to it, by the casting of lots; which was done to prevent any future quarrels, animosities and strifes among the tribes, the disposition being of the Lord; and to show the exact agreement between the lot and the divine predictions by Jacob and Moses; and to make it appear that the division of the land was not owing to the private combination of the above men, and their private settlement of it; but to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:2

By lot was their inheritance - Concerning the meaning and use of the lot, see the note on Numbers 26:55 ; and concerning the manner of casting lots in the case of the scapegoat, see the note on Leviticus 16:8 , Leviticus 16:9 . On this subject Dr. Dodd has selected some good observations from Calmet and Masius, which I here borrow: "Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe, we readily... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The allotment of the tribes. This record of the division of the land among the tribes is suggestive of principles that are capable of a wider and more general application, and also of one that is narrower and more individual. Note— I. THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE THAT DETERMINES THE SPHERE AND SURROUNDINGS OF ALL HUMAN LIFE . This is indicated in the division being made by lot. Whatever the form of the lot may have been, its meaning was that the destination of each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 14:2

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 גוֹרָל 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 14:2

Inheritance by lot. While the trans-Jordanic tribes chose their own inheritance, the nine-and-a-half tribes submitted to the distribution by lot, and thus signified their desire to have their possession chosen for them by God. Submission to the lot was a sign of good qualities which we may well imitate, although altered circumstances and fuller light make it our duty to show them in other ways. I. BELIEF IN PROVIDENCE . The Jew believed that God superintended the lot ( Proverbs... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 14:2

By lot - We are not told in what manner the lot was cast. Perhaps two urns were employed, one containing a description of the several districts to be allotted, the other the names of the tribes; and the portion of each tribe would then be determined by a simultaneous drawing from the two urns. Or a drawing might be made by some appointed person, or by a delegate of each tribe from one urn containing the description of the ten inheritances. The lot only determined in a general way the position... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:2

Joshua 14:2. By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded “Though God had sufficiently pointed out,” says Dr. Dodd, “by the predictions of Jacob, when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe; we readily discern an admirable proof of his wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means were prevented the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses; and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

13:1-22:34 DIVISION OF THE LANDAll the land that Israel had conquered was now divided among the twelve tribes. The list of tribal boundaries may not make very interesting reading today, but it was necessary for Israel as a permanent and lawful record to which people could refer if any disagreement arose. It also told the tribes of the enemies that had yet to be destroyed, both within their own tribal areas and in lands round about.Overall plan for the division (13:1-14:5)The area west of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 14:2

By lot. See note on Joshua 14:1 . as = according as, but a special various reading called Sevir, reads "which" the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 . for. Instead of "for", some codices, with one early printed edition, and Syriac, read "to be given to". read more

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