Joshua 14:1-5

Joshua 14:1-5

[1] And these are the countries which the children  of Israel  inherited  in the land  of Canaan,  which Eleazar  the priest,  and Joshua  the son  of Nun,  and the heads  of the fathers  of the tribes  of the children  of Israel,  distributed for inheritance  [2] By lot  was their inheritance,  as the LORD  commanded  by the hand  of Moses,  for the nine  tribes,  and for the half  tribe.  [3] For Moses  had given  the inheritance  of two  tribes  and an half  tribe  on the other side  Jordan:  but unto the Levites  he gave  none inheritance  among  [4] For the children  of Joseph  were two  tribes,  Manasseh  and Ephraim:  therefore they gave  no part  unto the Levites  in the land,  save cities  to dwell  in, with their suburbs  for their cattle  and for their substance.  [5] As the LORD  commanded  Moses,  so the children  of Israel  did,  and they divided  the land. 

What does Joshua 14:1-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Eleazar the high priest, Joshua , and the heads of the tribes took the leadership in dividing this portion of the land ( Joshua 14:1). These men determined the division of the land by casting lots ( Joshua 14:2; Joshua 18:6). Apparently the casting of lots established the general location of each tribe within Canaan, but the population of that tribe affected the size of each tribe"s inheritance (cf. Numbers 26:52-56). [1]
"The people of God are not called to act on their own initiative and desire, nor to set their own goals. God has set the goals and issues the commands which lead to their achievement." [2]