Numbers 26:55 - Exposition

Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot. This can only be reconciled with the preceding order by assuming that the lot was to determine the situation of the territory, the actual boundaries being left to the discretion of the rulers. Recourse was had as far as possible to the lot in order to refer the matter directly to God, of whose will and gift they held the land (cf. Proverbs 16:33 ; Acts 1:26 ). The lot would also remove any suspicion that the more numerous tribes, such as Judah or Dan, were unfairly favoured ( Numbers 26:56 ).