Judges 2:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Joshua {H3091} had let the people {H5971} go {H7971}, the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} went {H3212} every man {H376} unto his inheritance {H5159} to possess {H3423} the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Y'hoshua had sent the people away, the people of Isra'el had gone each one to his assigned property in order to take possession of the land.

Berean Standard Bible

After Joshua had dismissed the people, the Israelites went out to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance.

American Standard Version

Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:6 marks a crucial transition point in Israel's history, immediately following the death of Joshua and the generation that witnessed the Exodus and initial conquest. It describes the orderly dispersion of the Israelite tribes, with each family heading to their divinely allotted inheritance to actively possess the land. This verse signals the shift from a unified military campaign under a central leader to a period of decentralized tribal responsibility, setting the stage for the challenges, failures, and cycles of apostasy that characterize the remainder of the Book of Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:6 serves as a pivotal bridge between the Book of Joshua and the subsequent narrative of Judges. It directly follows Joshua’s final charge to the people and his death, as recorded in [Joshua 24:28-31](/joshua/24-28 "Joshua's Final Charge and Death"). The verse functions as a concluding summary of the successful initial phase of the conquest and land distribution, while simultaneously introducing the new era of individual tribal responsibility. It sets the stage for the repeated cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance that define the period of the judges, establishing the premise that the Israelites were now left to their own devices to complete the task of dispossessing the inhabitants and fully occupying their inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse places Israel in the immediate post-conquest period, likely around the late 13th or early 12th century BCE, a time characterized by tribal societies and a lack of centralized political authority. The concept of "inheritance" (Hebrew: _nachalah_) was profoundly significant, referring to the divinely apportioned land given to each tribe and family, which formed the basis of their identity, economy, and covenant relationship with God. The command "to possess the land" was not merely about occupying empty territory but involved actively dispossessing the existing Canaanite inhabitants, a task that was both a military and spiritual mandate. Failure to do so, as the subsequent chapters reveal, would lead to cultural and religious syncretism, a direct violation of God's covenant commands.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 2:6 encapsulates several foundational themes that resonate throughout the Old Testament and particularly within the Book of Judges. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **transition and decentralization**, moving from the unified leadership of Moses and Joshua to a fragmented tribal system where each unit was responsible for its own territory. Secondly, the verse underscores the **divine mandate to possess the land**, a core promise from God to Abraham and his descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). This possession was conditional upon obedience and faithfulness, a theme that becomes tragically prominent in the failures documented in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Partial Conquest and Failure"). Lastly, the verse introduces the crucial theme of **individual and corporate responsibility** within the covenant. While God had delivered the land, the ongoing task of securing and purifying it now rested on the shoulders of each Israelite, a responsibility they largely failed to uphold, leading to the cycles of judgment and mercy that define the era.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **let...go (Hebrew, _shalach_):** This verb signifies a formal dismissal or sending away. In this context, it marks the completion of Joshua's direct leadership over the unified nation for the purpose of conquest and land distribution. The people are now "sent forth" to act independently within their allotted territories, underscoring the shift from a centralized command structure to decentralized tribal responsibility.
* **inheritance (Hebrew, _nachalah_):** More than just a piece of property, _nachalah_ refers to a divinely apportioned, inalienable possession or heritage. For Israel, the land was their tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness and their identity as His people. To go "unto his inheritance" means to settle into the specific territory God had promised and allotted to each tribe and family, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise and the establishment of Israel in the land.
* **to possess (Hebrew, _yarash_):** This verb is crucial and multifaceted, meaning "to inherit," "to take possession of," or "to dispossess." It implies an active, often forceful, taking of ownership by driving out previous inhabitants. It is not merely about occupying an empty space but about asserting dominion and fulfilling the divine command to purge the land of its idolatrous inhabitants (cf. [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Command to Dispossess")). The failure to fully _yarash_ the land, as seen in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Failure to Dispossess"), becomes the root cause of Israel's subsequent troubles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Joshua had let the people go":** This clause marks the formal conclusion of Joshua's leadership in a unified military capacity. Having led the people through the initial conquest and the intricate process of land distribution, Joshua, as God's appointed leader, now releases them from the collective military campaign. This signifies a transition from a period of national unity under a single commander to a new phase where each tribe and family would be responsible for their own specific territory.
* **"the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance":** This phrase emphasizes the dispersion of the tribes and the individual nature of the next phase. "Every man" highlights the personal and familial responsibility now placed upon each Israelite to settle and secure their allotted portion of the land. It speaks to the orderly and purposeful movement of the people to their designated territories, fulfilling the promises of God regarding their future dwelling.
* **"to possess the land":** This final phrase articulates the ongoing divine mandate and the primary purpose of their dispersion. "To possess" implies not just occupying the land but actively taking full ownership, which included driving out the remaining Canaanite inhabitants and establishing a society fully dedicated to Yahweh. This was the ultimate goal of the Exodus and the conquest, and it remained the unfinished task for the individual tribes.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Transition**, as the verse explicitly functions as a bridge between the era of Joshua's unified leadership and the fragmented period of the Judges. It marks a narrative shift from the triumph of conquest to the challenges of settlement. Furthermore, the phrase "to possess the land" acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**. While presented as a completed action, the subsequent chapters of Judges reveal the tragic failure of Israel to fully "possess" the land by dispossessing its inhabitants, thereby foreshadowing the cycles of apostasy and oppression that will follow. The verse also utilizes **Repetition** of the theme of land possession, echoing the divine command given throughout the Pentateuch and Joshua, thereby reinforcing its central importance to Israel's covenant identity and destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:6 is deeply rooted in the theological framework of the Old Testament, particularly the concept of God's covenant faithfulness and Israel's reciprocal obligation. The "inheritance" of the land is a direct fulfillment of God's unconditional promise to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham"); [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding Land")). However, the *possession* of that land was always conditional upon Israel's obedience to the Mosaic Covenant, especially the command to dispossess the Canaanites and avoid their idolatry (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Destroy Idolatry")). This verse, therefore, highlights the tension between God's gracious provision and humanity's responsibility. It sets the stage for the tragic narrative of Judges, where Israel's failure to fully "possess the land" by eradicating idolatry leads directly to their spiritual and political decline, demonstrating that incomplete obedience inevitably leads to compromise and suffering.

* [Joshua 24:28](/joshua/24-28 "Joshua's Dismissal of the People")
* [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Command to Dispossess the Inhabitants")
* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Not Because of Your Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:6 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that spiritual victories often lead to a new phase of individual and corporate responsibility. Just as Israel was called to actively "possess the land" they had been given, believers are called to actively "possess" and live out their spiritual inheritance in Christ. This involves more than simply receiving a promise; it demands active engagement in overcoming spiritual strongholds, resisting sin, and living in obedience to God's Word. The subsequent failures of Israel in Judges serve as a stark warning against complacency and partial obedience after initial blessings. We must guard against spiritual apathy, continuing to fight the good fight of faith, not allowing the "inhabitants" of sin or worldly compromise to remain in our lives. Our walk with God is not merely a passive reception of grace but an active, daily pursuit of holiness and faithfulness, both individually and as a community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "land" or spiritual inheritance has God given me that I need to actively "possess" in my life?**
* **Where might I be exhibiting "partial obedience" or complacency in my spiritual walk, similar to Israel's failure to fully dispossess the Canaanites?**
* **How does my individual responsibility contribute to the overall health and faithfulness of my spiritual community?**

### FAQ
**What does "to possess the land" truly mean in this context, and why was it so important?**

Answer: In Judges 2:6, "to possess the land" (Hebrew: _yarash_) means much more than simply occupying the physical territory. It carries the active sense of "to dispossess" or "to drive out" the existing Canaanite inhabitants. This was a crucial part of God's covenant command to Israel, reiterated throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Command to Dispossess")). The importance stemmed from several factors: it was a test of Israel's obedience and faithfulness to God's commands, it was necessary to prevent the spiritual contamination of idolatry and immoral practices prevalent among the Canaanites, and it was essential for Israel to fully establish itself as God's holy nation in the promised land. Their failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants, as detailed in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Partial Conquest"), led directly to the cycles of apostasy and oppression that define the Book of Judges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:6, while describing a historical event of physical land possession, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual inheritance believers receive through Jesus. Just as Joshua led Israel into a physical land, Jesus, whose Greek name is _Iesous_ (Joshua), leads His people into a far greater, eternal inheritance. We are no longer called to dispossess physical enemies from a geographical land, but to actively "possess" the spiritual blessings and victories secured for us in Christ. Our "inheritance" is not a plot of land but "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The command "to possess the land" for Israel prefigures the New Testament call to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" ([Ephesians 4:1](/ephesians/4-1 "Ephesians 4:1 - Walk Worthy of Your Calling")), to "put on the whole armor of God" to stand against spiritual forces ([Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the Whole Armor of God")), and to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" ([Philippians 2:12](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12 - Work Out Your Salvation")). Christ has already secured the victory over sin and death, providing us with the "land" of redemption and new life; our task is to actively live out that reality, overcoming the spiritual "inhabitants" of sin, the flesh, and the devil by faith in Him, thereby truly possessing the spiritual inheritance He has bequeathed to 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

Joshua 24:28

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

Joshua 24:31

And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.

Joshua 22:6

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.