Joshua 24:28

KJV

So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Joshua {H3091} let the people {H5971} depart {H7971}, every man {H376} unto his inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Y'hoshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.

American Standard Version

So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:28 serves as the formal conclusion to a pivotal covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, solemnly reaffirmed their commitment to the Lord. This verse marks the moment of dispersion, as Joshua dismisses the gathered tribes, allowing each family to return to their divinely allotted territories. It symbolizes the transition from a period of unified conquest and spiritual consolidation to one of individual and tribal responsibility in stewarding the land God had promised and faithfully delivered, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent era of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 24:28 functions as the concluding action of Joshua's final, monumental address and covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem. The preceding verses ([Joshua 24:1-27](/joshua/24-1-27 "Joshua 24:1-27 - Joshua's Farewell Address and Covenant Renewal")) meticulously detail Joshua's powerful recounting of God's unwavering faithfulness from the call of Abraham to their present settlement in Canaan. This historical review culminates in Joshua's impassioned challenge to the people to "choose this day whom you will serve" ([Joshua 24:15](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - Choose Whom You Will Serve")). The people's solemn vow to serve the Lord is then recorded, followed by Joshua establishing a covenant and setting up a large stone as a tangible witness to their promise. This verse, therefore, represents the formal disbanding of this significant national assembly, allowing the people to return to their homes and begin living out the terms of the renewed covenant within their respective tribal allotments. It immediately precedes the account of Joshua's death and burial ([Joshua 24:29-30](/joshua/24-29-30 "Joshua 24:29-30 - Death and Burial of Joshua")), effectively marking the end of his leadership and the era of unified conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Joshua 24 are situated at the close of the conquest period, likely dating to the late 13th or early 12th century BCE. The assembly at Shechem held immense historical and cultural significance for Israel. It was the first place Abraham built an altar to the Lord upon entering Canaan ([Genesis 12:6-7](/genesis/12-6-7 "Genesis 12:6-7 - Abraham's Altar at Shechem")), and where Jacob buried the foreign gods of his household ([Genesis 35:4](/genesis/35-4 "Genesis 35:4 - Jacob Buries Foreign Gods at Shechem")). Such national assemblies were crucial for reinforcing tribal unity, reiterating the Mosaic covenant, and ensuring continued adherence to divine law as the nation transitioned from a nomadic, conquering force to a settled agricultural society. The concept of "inheritance" (Hebrew: *nachalah*) was central to Israelite identity and law, signifying not merely land ownership but a divinely allotted, inalienable family possession passed down through generations, ensuring tribal boundaries, economic stability, and a perpetual connection to God's promise.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several pivotal themes woven throughout the Book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the **Fulfillment of God's Promises**, particularly the ancient covenantal pledge of land to Abraham's descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"), [Exodus 6:8](/exodus/6-8 "Exodus 6:8 - God's Covenant Promise to Israel")). The people's departure to their "inheritance" signifies the tangible realization of this divine pledge, demonstrating God's faithfulness. Another key theme is **Transition and Settlement**, marking the profound shift from the unified, centralized military leadership of Joshua to a more decentralized tribal existence, where each tribe was now responsible for its own territory. This also highlights the theme of **Rest**, as the nation finally enters a period of relative peace and settlement after decades of wandering and years of conquest (cf. [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - The Land Rests from War")). Finally, it emphasizes **Individual and Tribal Responsibility**, as each family and tribe was now tasked with stewarding their God-given land and upholding the covenant within their specific boundaries, laying the groundwork for the challenges and triumphs of the Judges period.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Depart (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This verb (H7971), frequently translated as "send away," "let go," or "dismiss," indicates a formal and authoritative act of releasing or disbanding. In this context, Joshua's action signifies the official conclusion of the national assembly and the covenant renewal ceremony. It implies a purposeful and ordered release, not a chaotic dispersal, marking the transition from a unified gathering to the individual and corporate responsibilities of settled life in the land.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This crucial term (H5159) refers to a possession, heritage, or allotted portion, specifically land received as a gift or by divine distribution. It carries profound theological weight, emphasizing that the land was not merely conquered by human might but was a divinely granted, permanent possession, a fulfillment of God's covenant promises. It underscores God's faithfulness and the inalienable nature of the tribal allotments, which were foundational to Israel's social, economic, and spiritual structure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Joshua let the people depart":** This clause highlights Joshua's role as the divinely appointed leader, exercising his final administrative authority to formally conclude the momentous assembly at Shechem. His action signifies the completion of the covenant renewal ceremony and the administrative act of releasing the unified nation, now spiritually reaffirmed, to return to their respective homes. It marks the end of a significant public gathering and the beginning of a new phase of life, where the covenant's implications would be lived out in daily existence.
* **"every man unto his inheritance":** This phrase emphasizes the individual and tribal nature of the settlement. Following the general conquest and the meticulous division of the land by lot, each family and tribe had a specific, divinely allotted portion. This return to "his inheritance" signifies the tangible actualization of God's promise of land, transforming a nomadic or conquering people into settled inhabitants. It profoundly underlines the personal responsibility now placed upon each Israelite to steward their land, cultivate it, and live in accordance with the renewed covenant within their specific, God-given boundaries.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 24:28 employs **Resolution** and a subtle form of **Anticlimax** as literary devices. It provides a sense of **Resolution** to the grand narrative of conquest and initial settlement, as the people are finally dismissed to inhabit the land they fought for, fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham. This act brings the climactic covenant renewal to a practical and definitive close. However, the verse also carries an element of **Anticlimax** when viewed from the perspective of the unified, miraculous events of the Exodus and conquest. The grand, collective narrative of God's mighty acts and the dramatic assembly at Shechem gives way to the seemingly mundane, individual reality of settling into daily life. This transition, marked by the verse's simple declarative nature, subtly foreshadows the challenges of the Judges period, where the absence of strong, unified leadership would lead to tribal disunity and spiritual decline, despite each person being in their "inheritance." The verse's understated simplicity thus belies the profound shift it represents, moving from a period of divine intervention and unified national action to one of human responsibility and potential failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:28 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God in bringing His covenant promises to fruition. The dispersion of the people to their "inheritance" is the tangible manifestation of centuries of divine promises, from Abraham's initial call to the Exodus generation's hope for a land flowing with milk and honey. It underscores that God is not only a God of grand, miraculous deliverance but also a God who meticulously fulfills His word, down to the individual family's dwelling place. This act of settling into the land represents a divine "rest" from the arduous journey and warfare, a picture of the peace and security found in God's provision. It also highlights the principle of stewardship: the land was a gift, not merely a conquest, and its possession came with the profound responsibility to live righteously within it, upholding the covenant in every aspect of daily life.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 12:10](/deuteronomy/12-10 "Deuteronomy 12:10 - Rest and Inheritance in the Land")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalms/78-55 "Psalm 78:55 - God's Allotment of Inheritance to Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:28 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. Just as ancient Israel entered their physical inheritance, we, too, have been brought into a rich spiritual inheritance through Christ. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is utterly faithful to His promises, and He brings us into a place of spiritual rest and abundant provision. However, entering our "inheritance" is not the end of our journey; rather, it marks the beginning of a new phase of profound responsibility. Each of us is called to diligently steward the unique gifts, talents, resources, and spheres of influence God has graciously given us—our spiritual "inheritance"—for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This requires diligent effort, unwavering faithfulness to our covenant with God, and a deep commitment to living out our faith authentically in our daily lives, within our unique "allotments" or callings. We are not merely passive consumers of God's blessings but active, responsible participants in His divine purposes, tasked with cultivating the spiritual ground He has entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "inheritance" (spiritual gifts, callings, relationships, resources) has God specifically entrusted to you, and how are you actively stewarding it for His glory and the good of others?**
* **How does the concept of God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel encourage and strengthen your faith in areas where you are currently waiting on God's provision or timing?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to "depart unto your inheritance" in a spiritual sense, moving from a collective experience of faith to embracing and living out your individual responsibility within the body of Christ?**
* **In what specific ways might you be tempted to neglect, misuse, or fail to fully occupy your spiritual "inheritance," and what practical steps can you take to guard against these temptations and live more fully into God's calling?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the people returning to their "inheritance" after the covenant renewal?**

Answer: The return to their "inheritance" is profoundly significant because it marks the tangible fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham and his descendants that they would possess the land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). After decades of wandering and years of conquest, this act signifies the transition from a unified, mobile, and warring nation to a settled people, with each family now dwelling securely in their divinely allotted portion. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and establishes the fundamental basis for Israel's tribal and social structure, emphasizing individual and family responsibility within the framework of the covenant.

**Does this verse imply the end of all conflict for Israel?**

Answer: No, Joshua 24:28 does not imply the definitive end of all conflict for Israel. While it marks the conclusion of the major, unified conquest campaigns under Joshua's direct leadership and ushers in a period of relative rest from large-scale warfare (e.g., [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - The Land Rests from War")), the subsequent Book of Judges clearly reveals that the tribes still faced significant challenges. They were tasked with driving out remaining pockets of Canaanites within their specific territories, and they often failed to do so completely, leading to ongoing struggles, oppression, and moral compromises. The verse signifies the *opportunity* for rest and settlement, but the *realization* of complete peace and security was contingent upon their continued obedience to the covenant, which, tragically, was often lacking.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 24:28, with its vivid depiction of Israel entering and settling into their promised land inheritance, profoundly foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ. Just as the physical land was a gift secured by God's power and distributed by His grace, so too is our spiritual inheritance in Christ. We are not merely given a physical place, but an eternal reality: "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Imperishable Inheritance")). This glorious inheritance is secured not by human conquest or effort but by Christ's finished work on the cross, His ultimate, atoning sacrifice as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through Him, we are granted "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and are "chosen in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love" ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ")). The "rest" Israel found in the land points to the greater spiritual rest we find in Christ, who graciously invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for true rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-29](/matthew/11-28-29 "Matthew 11:28-29 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Our "inheritance" in Christ is not a static possession but a dynamic reality, empowering us by the Holy Spirit to live out our faith in the "land" of our daily lives, stewarding the gifts and callings He has given us until we fully enter our eternal dwelling with Him in the new heavens and new earth, where He prepares a place for us ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")).

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

Judges 2:6

¶ And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.