Joshua 19:24

KJV

¶ And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the fifth {H2549} lot {H1486} came out {H3318} for the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Asher {H836} according to their families {H4940}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the descendants of Asher according to their families.

Berean Standard Bible

The fifth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Asher:

American Standard Version

And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 19:24 marks a significant moment in the systematic allocation of the Promised Land, detailing the precise distribution of territory to the tribe of Asher. This verse, part of a meticulous record of tribal inheritances, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to Israel, demonstrating His sovereign hand in establishing His people in the land He had sworn to their ancestors. It highlights the divine order and meticulous care with which God oversees the destiny of His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 19:24 is situated within the latter half of the Book of Joshua (chapters 13-21), which meticulously records the division of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the conquest narratives (chapters 1-12), these chapters detail the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel a land of their own. Specifically, chapters 13-19 describe the individual tribal allotments, with Joshua 19 focusing on the territories assigned to Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. The repeated phrase "the lot came out for..." emphasizes the divinely ordained nature of this distribution, ensuring that each tribe received its designated portion, thereby establishing their identity and future within the land. The preceding verses (Joshua 19:20-23) describe the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar, making Asher's allocation the next in the divinely guided sequence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of the land by "lot" was a culturally significant practice in ancient Israel, not viewed as a random gamble but as a means of discerning divine will. This method, carried out under the leadership of Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the tribal families at Shiloh (cf. [Joshua 14:1](/joshua/14-1 "Joshua 14:1 - Leaders of the Land Division")), underscored the belief that God was actively orchestrating the settlement of His people. Shiloh served as a central religious site, housing the tabernacle, which further sanctified the land distribution process. The meticulous recording of boundaries and cities for each tribe reflects the importance of land ownership as the basis for tribal identity, economic stability, and national security in the ancient Near East. The process ensured an equitable and divinely sanctioned inheritance for each family within their respective tribes, preventing disputes and solidifying their claim to the land promised by God to Abraham (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")).
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 19:24, along with the broader narrative of land distribution, powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, **Divine Providence** is paramount, as the casting of lots was understood to be a direct revelation of God's sovereign will, ensuring fairness and demonstrating His active involvement in Israel's affairs (cf. [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast into the Lap")). Second, the verse underscores the **Fulfillment of Promise**, as the physical inheritance of the land represents the tangible culmination of centuries of divine promises made to the patriarchs (e.g., [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). Third, the concept of **Tribal Inheritance and Identity** is central; each tribe, including Asher, received a distinct and defined territory "according to their families," which established their unique place within the nation of Israel and reinforced their lineage and heritage. This systematic division laid the foundation for Israel's future as a settled nation, organized according to God's precise design.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lot (Hebrew, _goral'_):** The Hebrew word גּוֹרָל (_goral_) refers to a small object (like a pebble or piece of wood) cast or shaken in a container to determine a decision or allocation. In biblical contexts, particularly concerning land distribution, it was not seen as a game of chance but as a divinely appointed method for revealing God's will. The belief was that "the decision is from the Lord" ([Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")). This practice underscores the Israelite conviction that God was intimately involved in the details of their national life, ensuring impartiality and divine sanction for the land assignments.
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpachah'_):** The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּחָה (_mishpachah_) refers to a clan, family, or subdivision of a tribe. Its inclusion here, "according to their families," highlights the meticulous and granular nature of the land distribution. It wasn't just a broad allocation to the tribe, but a precise division that considered the needs and sizes of the constituent families within Asher. This detail emphasizes God's comprehensive care and the orderly structure He established for His people, ensuring every household had a secure inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the fifth lot came out":** This phrase signifies the continuation of the land distribution process, indicating that Asher's inheritance was determined by the same divine method as the preceding tribes. The "fifth lot" places Asher in the sequence of allocations, emphasizing the systematic and orderly nature of God's provision for His people. The outcome of the lot was understood as a direct revelation of God's sovereign will, not mere chance.
* **"for the tribe of the children of Asher":** This specifies the recipient of the fifth lot. Asher, one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob's son Asher, is now formally assigned its territorial inheritance. This particularization highlights the distinct identity and destiny of each tribe within the larger nation of Israel, as God fulfills His promises to each lineage.
* **"according to their families":** This concluding phrase underscores the meticulousness of the land division. The inheritance was not merely for the tribe as a whole but was further subdivided and allocated to the individual families within the tribe of Asher. This ensured that every household had a stake in the Promised Land, reinforcing the familial and communal structure of Israelite society and securing the inheritance for future generations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices that contribute to its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as the phrase "the lot came out for the tribe... according to their families" is a recurring formula throughout Joshua 19 (e.g., [Joshua 19:1](/joshua/19-1 "Joshua 19:1 - Simeon's Lot"), [Joshua 19:10](/joshua/19-10 "Joshua 19:10 - Zebulun's Lot"), [Joshua 19:17](/joshua/19-17 "Joshua 19:17 - Issachar's Lot")). This repetition emphasizes the systematic, orderly, and divinely sanctioned nature of the land distribution, reinforcing the idea that each tribe's inheritance was a deliberate act of God. The text also functions as a **Cataloging** or **Census-style** record, meticulously listing each tribe and its allocation, which lends an air of historical accuracy and divine authority to the narrative. Furthermore, there is an implied **Divine Agency** through the use of the "lot," which is presented not as a random event but as a means through which God's will is revealed and implemented, showcasing His sovereign control over the destiny of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 19:24, while seemingly a dry geographical detail, is profoundly theological. It stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and meticulous order in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises. The division of the land by lot, specifically for each tribe and "according to their families," underscores the belief that God is not a God of chaos but of precision, ensuring that every detail of His plan for Israel's inheritance was divinely ordained. This act solidifies Israel's identity as a settled nation, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His people across generations, from the patriarchal promises to their tangible fulfillment in Canaan. It teaches us that God's promises are not vague aspirations but concrete realities, brought to pass with divine precision and care.
* [Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Divided by Lot")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalm/78-55 "Psalm 78:55 - God's Provision of Inheritance")
* [Micah 2:4-5](/micah/2-4 "Micah 2:4-5 - The Lord's Allotment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 19:24 invites us to reflect on the nature of God's faithfulness and His meticulous care for His people. Just as the tribe of Asher received its specific, divinely appointed inheritance, so too does God have a precise plan and provision for each of our lives. This passage reminds us that our inheritance, whether spiritual or temporal, is not a matter of chance but of divine design. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He oversees every detail of our lives, just as He meticulously divided the land for Israel. We can find assurance in the fact that the same God who faithfully fulfilled His promises to Asher will also be faithful to His promises to us, providing for our needs and guiding us into the inheritance He has prepared. This should inspire a deep sense of security and gratitude, fostering a life of confident dependence on His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of land division by "lot" in Joshua challenge our modern understanding of chance versus divine providence?**
* **In what ways does God's meticulous care in allocating land to each family, including Asher's, speak to His attention to detail in our own lives?**
* **What "inheritance" (spiritual or otherwise) do you believe God has prepared for you, and how does this passage encourage you to trust in His faithfulness to provide it?**

### FAQ
**Why was the land divided by lot instead of by human decision?**

Answer: The division of the land by lot was a crucial practice in ancient Israel, rooted in the belief that it was a means of discerning God's will, not a random game of chance. The Israelites understood that "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" ([Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")). This method ensured impartiality and prevented disputes among the tribes, as the outcome was seen as divinely ordained. It underscored God's sovereignty over the land and His direct involvement in establishing His people in their inheritance, fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). This process, carried out under the spiritual leadership of Eleazar the priest and Joshua, at the tabernacle in Shiloh, further sanctified the distribution as a sacred act of divine provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical land inheritance of Asher and the other tribes in Joshua finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Promised Land, a tangible inheritance for a physical people, foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ, who is the true and ultimate "Promised Land." Just as God meticulously divided the land by lot for each family, so too has He, in Christ, meticulously prepared an eternal inheritance for every believer, not by human effort or chance, but by divine grace. This spiritual inheritance is not a geographical territory but a relationship with God, access to His presence, and participation in His eternal kingdom. Paul speaks of believers being "chosen in him before the foundation of the world" ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ")), and having "obtained an inheritance" in Christ ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The meticulous division of land in Joshua points to the precise and perfect plan of God to bring all things to their culmination in Christ, in whom "all the promises of God find their Yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Our true "rest" and "inheritance" are found not in a physical land, but in the spiritual reality of being "seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")), a far greater and eternal possession than any earthly territory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 2:26

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2:38

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.