Numbers 26:56

KJV

According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

KJV (with Strong's)

According {H6310} to the lot {H1486} shall the possession {H5159} thereof be divided {H2505} between many {H7227} and few {H4592}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but the inheritance is to be parceled out by lot between the families with more and those with fewer."

Berean Standard Bible

Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

American Standard Version

According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:56 delivers a crucial divine directive regarding the distribution of the Promised Land, stipulating that the inheritance for each tribe would be apportioned "according to the lot." This instruction, given during the second census of Israel, underscored God's absolute sovereignty in determining the specific territorial boundaries while simultaneously ensuring practical equity in land size based on tribal population, thereby meticulously fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to Abraham's descendants as they prepared to enter Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), a chapter dedicated to the second census of the Israelite nation, taken on the plains of Moab just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This census counts the new generation, those twenty years old and upward, eligible for military service and, critically, for receiving an inheritance. The immediate preceding verses, [Numbers 26:52-55](/numbers/26-52-55 "Numbers 26:52-55 - Principles for Land Division"), lay the foundational principle for land distribution: "To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. To the more you shall give more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give less inheritance; to everyone according to those who were numbered of them shall his inheritance be given." Verse [Numbers 26:56](/numbers/26-56 "Numbers 26:56 - Division by Lot") then specifies the *method*—the casting of lots—by which this division would occur, adding the essential element of divine oversight to the specific allocation of territories. This precise instruction sets the stage for the detailed land divisions elaborated later in the book of [Joshua](/joshua/14 "Joshua 14 - Division of the Land").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the casting of lots (Hebrew: *goral*) was a deeply significant and sacred practice, fundamentally distinct from modern concepts of randomness or gambling. It was universally understood as a divinely ordained means by which God's will was revealed, particularly in matters of supreme importance such as judicial decisions, the selection of individuals for specific tasks (e.g., [1 Samuel 10:20-21](/1_samuel/10-20-21 "1 Samuel 10:20-21 - Saul Chosen by Lot")), or, as in this context, the division of the Promised Land. The prevailing belief was encapsulated in [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord's Sovereignty in Casting Lots"): "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." This practice ensured that the allocation of the Promised Land was not perceived as a mere human arrangement, susceptible to disputes, favoritism, or political maneuvering, but as a direct divine decree. This divinely sanctioned process legitimized the tribal boundaries, provided a stable basis for future peace and order, and cemented the land's status as a sacred inheritance from God. The census itself was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, often conducted for military purposes and taxation, but here it served the unique purpose of preparing for the land's equitable distribution, ensuring that God's promise of an inheritance was meticulously fulfilled for each family and tribe.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:56 illuminates several crucial themes. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance** is paramount; the explicit use of the lot emphasizes that God, not human strategy or preference, ultimately determined the specific geographical location of each tribe's inheritance. This powerfully reinforces the truth that Israel's possession of the land was a gracious gift from God, not a conquest achieved solely by their own might. Secondly, **Justice and Equity in Distribution** is clearly evident in the combination of the lot with the census results. While the lot determined *where* a tribe settled, the preceding verses and the phrase "between many and few" in verse 56 confirm that the *size* of the inheritance was proportional to the tribe's population. This ensured fairness, preventing larger tribes from being constrained by insufficient land and smaller tribes from inheriting more than they could manage, reflecting God's meticulous concern for the well-being and sustainability of His people. Finally, this verse profoundly underscores the **Fulfillment of God's Covenant Promise**. The land was central to God's covenant with Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")), and the meticulous instructions for its division demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition, providing a tangible, permanent inheritance for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **According (Hebrew, _peh'_ H6310):** This word (פֶּה), often meaning "mouth," here functions adverbially with a preposition to signify "according to" or "by the command of." In this context, it emphasizes that the division of the land was not a random or arbitrary act but was to be carried out precisely *in accordance with* the method prescribed—the lot. It underscores the authoritative and binding nature of the instruction, indicating that the process was to be followed exactly as divinely mandated.
* **Lot (Hebrew, _gôwrâl'_ H1486):** The term (גּוֹרָל) refers to a small object, typically a pebble or piece of wood, used for making decisions or allocations. While it implies an element of chance in human perception, in the biblical worldview, the casting of the *goral* was a sacred act, understood as a direct means of discerning and revealing God's will. Its use in land distribution elevated the process from a mere administrative task to a divinely ordained act, ensuring impartiality and confirming that the inheritance was God's direct provision and allocation.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_ H5159):** This word (נַחֲלָה) signifies an inheritance, a possession, or an allotted portion. It carries the strong connotation of something received as a permanent, inalienable right, often passed down through generations. In the context of the Promised Land, it emphasizes the lasting and secure nature of God's gift, forming the foundational identity and future for the Israelite tribes. It speaks to the idea of a patrimony, something securely held and transmitted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"According to the lot":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the primary, divinely sanctioned method for determining the specific geographical location of each tribe's inheritance. It signifies that the precise "where" of the land division would be left to a process understood as being directly guided by God. This was not a random draw but a sacred act intended to reveal God's specific will for each tribal territory, ensuring impartiality and preventing human manipulation or favoritism in the allocation of prime land.
* **"shall the possession thereof be divided":** This clause indicates the action to be taken—the partitioning of the land (the "possession" or "inheritance"). The passive voice ("shall...be divided") subtly implies that the division is not merely a human endeavor but is subject to a higher authority, aligning with the understanding that the lot reveals God's directive. It underscores the practical outcome of the census and the lot: the physical apportionment of the land among the tribes, making tangible God's promise.
* **"between many and few":** This crucial concluding phrase clarifies that while the *location* was determined by lot, the *size* of the land allocated to each tribe would be strictly proportional to its population. "Many" refers to tribes with a larger number of registered men (as per the census), who would receive a larger share of land, and "few" refers to tribes with smaller populations, who would receive a proportionately smaller share. This principle ensured equity and sustainability, preventing overpopulation in small territories or underutilization of vast ones, thereby balancing divine guidance with practical justice and wise stewardship of resources.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:56 primarily employs **Prescriptive Language** and **Juxtaposition** as key literary devices, while also implicitly using **Symbolism**. The verse functions as a direct command or instruction, characteristic of **Prescriptive Language**, emphasizing the divine authority behind the land division. This is not a suggestion but a clear mandate from God, underscoring the sacred and binding nature of the inheritance process. The phrase "between many and few" utilizes **Juxtaposition**, directly contrasting the two population groups to highlight the principle of proportional distribution, ensuring fairness and equity in the allocation of land size. Furthermore, the "lot" itself serves as a powerful **Symbolism** of divine will and impartial judgment, transforming a seemingly random act into a visible manifestation of God's direct involvement in the foundational establishment of Israel in the Promised Land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:56 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people, demonstrating His commitment to fulfilling His promises with both divine wisdom and practical justice. The combination of the lot and population-based distribution reveals a God who is sovereign over all circumstances, yet also deeply concerned with fairness and provision for every individual and family within the community. This method ensured that the land, the very foundation of their national identity and future, was received as a direct gift from God, fostering a sense of divine ownership and stewardship rather than human entitlement. It teaches us that God's plans, even when seemingly reliant on "chance" (like the lot), are ultimately guided by His perfect will and designed for the flourishing of His people, establishing a pattern of divine order and provision.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")
* [Joshua 14:1-2](/joshua/14-1-2 "Joshua 14:1-2 - Division of the Land by Lot")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalms/78-55 "Psalm 78:55 - God Allots the Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:56 offers timeless principles for believers today, reminding us that God is a God of order, justice, and divine provision, even in seemingly complex or uncertain situations. Just as He meticulously planned the inheritance for each Israelite tribe, so too does He orchestrate the details of our lives, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled and our needs are met. This verse encourages us to embrace a posture of deep trust, recognizing that even when circumstances feel beyond our control or appear to be determined by "chance," God's sovereign hand is actively at work, guiding and providing. It calls us to seek His wisdom in our own "divisions" and decisions, whether in career, relationships, or personal callings, trusting that His method, though sometimes mysterious to our limited understanding, is always perfect and just, ultimately leading us to our true and lasting inheritance in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the ancient Israelite understanding of the "lot" challenge or affirm your contemporary understanding of God's sovereignty in your own life and in world events?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust God's "division" or provision, even when the outcome seems uncertain or counter-intuitive?**
* **How can the balance of divine guidance and practical equity demonstrated in this verse inform your approach to justice, fairness, and stewardship within your community or personal interactions?**

### FAQ

**Why did God use a "lot" to divide the land instead of simply telling them where to go?**

Answer: The use of the "lot" (Hebrew: *goral*) was not a matter of mere chance or randomness in ancient Israelite culture, but a sacred and intentional method for discerning God's will. While God certainly *could* have simply told them where to go, using the lot served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it powerfully underscored God's absolute sovereignty over the land and its distribution, ensuring that the inheritance was perceived as a divine gift, not a human allocation. This prevented favoritism, disputes, and accusations of partiality among the tribes, fostering unity and peace. Secondly, it provided a tangible, verifiable means for the people to witness God's direct involvement in their foundational national act. As [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord's Sovereignty in Casting Lots") states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." This method instilled confidence and legitimacy in the divinely established land boundaries, which were vital for the long-term peace and stability of the nascent nation. It was a visible demonstration that God was meticulously fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham's descendants, providing each tribe with its divinely appointed portion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:56, with its focus on a divinely appointed and meticulously divided inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. While the Israelites received a physical land by lot, believers in Christ receive a spiritual, eternal inheritance not by chance or human merit, but by God's sovereign grace through faith in Jesus. Just as the land was a tangible promise to Abraham's physical descendants, so too is the heavenly inheritance promised to all who are "in Christ," making them spiritual descendants of Abraham ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The meticulous division of the land foreshadows the precise and perfect provision God has made for His children in Christ, who are "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood" ([1 Peter 1:2](/1_peter/1-2 "1 Peter 1:2 - Chosen by God")). Our inheritance is not a geographical plot but a spiritual reality, secured by the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and guaranteed by the [Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - The Holy Spirit as a Guarantee"). This spiritual inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")), far surpassing any earthly possession, and is distributed not by lot, but by the perfect and finished work of Christ, making us [co-heirs with Him](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Co-heirs with Christ") in glory.

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

Romans 11:7

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

1 Corinthians 12:4

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.