Joshua 18:11

ยถ 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.

And the lot {H1486} of the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} came up {H5927} according to their families {H4940}: and the coast {H1366} of their lot {H1486} came forth {H3318} between the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} and the children {H1121} of Joseph {H3130}.

The lot for the tribe of the descendants of Binyamin came up according to their families. The border of their territory chosen by lot was between the descendants of Y'hudah and the descendants of Yosef.

The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Commentary

Joshua 18:11 marks a pivotal moment in the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes after their conquest. This verse specifically details the allocation of territory to the tribe of Benjamin.

Context

Following the successful conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, the land was to be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel as promised by God. The initial distribution had already occurred for the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (the children of Joseph). However, seven tribes still awaited their inheritance. To ensure an orderly and divinely guided distribution, Joshua instructed a survey team to map out the remaining land into seven parts (as seen in Joshua 18:4-6). After this survey, lots were cast at Shiloh before the Lord, a method believed to reveal God's will. Joshua 18:11 describes the outcome for the tribe of Benjamin, whose lot was the first of these remaining seven to be drawn.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Guidance: The casting of lots (Hebrew: goral, ื’ึผื•ึนืจึธืœ) was not a random act but a sacred practice by which the Israelites sought God's direct guidance in important decisions. This ensured that the land division was seen as God's sovereign allocation, not merely human decision-making.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. Each tribal inheritance, including Benjamin's, was a tangible demonstration of God's covenant loyalty.
  • Strategic Location: Benjamin's assigned territory was uniquely situated "between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph" (primarily Ephraim). This central position was highly significant historically and politically, as it bordered the two most powerful tribal blocs. This location would later become crucial, as it included the strategic city of Jerusalem (though its capture was initially incomplete, as noted in Judges 1:21).
  • Tribal Identity and Inheritance: The detailed description of boundaries reinforced each tribe's distinct identity and their specific portion within the Promised Land, ensuring that each family received its divinely appointed inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

The term "lot" comes from the Hebrew word goral (ื’ึผื•ึนืจึธืœ), which signifies a method of determining divine will, often through casting stones or marked objects. It emphasizes that the outcome was not left to chance but was understood as a direct revelation from God. The word "coast" here, from the Hebrew gevul (ื’ึผึฐื‘ื•ึผืœ), simply means "boundary" or "border," referring to the defined limits of Benjamin's allocated land.

Practical Application and Significance

Joshua 18:11 reminds us of God's meticulous care and faithfulness in keeping His promises. Just as He precisely allocated land to each tribe, so too does He have a specific plan and purpose for each individual and community today. While we no longer cast lots for guidance, the principle remains: seeking God's will through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel is paramount. The strategic positioning of Benjamin's territory, often a point of contention and importance in later Israelite history, highlights how God's initial allocations can have long-lasting implications. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand in our own "inheritance" and circumstances, knowing that His plans are perfect and purposeful.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 13:12 (2 votes)

    ยถ If thou shalt hear [say] in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

  • Joshua 15:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ [This] then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; [even] to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward [was] the uttermost part of the south coast.

  • Joshua 15:8 (2 votes)

    And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same [is] Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that [lieth] before the valley of Hinnom westward, which [is] at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

  • Joshua 16:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,

  • Joshua 16:10 (2 votes)

    And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

  • Deuteronomy 10:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

  • Deuteronomy 10:22 (2 votes)

    Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.