Joshua 18

CHAPTER 18

Division of the Rest of the Land (18:1–10)

1–2 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh. The “whole assembly” consisted mainly of the seven remaining tribes who had not yet taken possession of their tribal allotments. They met at Shiloh, a town in the center of the promised land, to which they had brought the Tent of Meeting—the tabernacle (Exodus 26:137)—in which the ark of the Testimony was kept (Exodus 25:10–22). The moving of the ark and the tabernacle from Gilgal (the Israelites’ first encampment just within the promised land) to Shiloh⁶⁴ (in the center of the land) symbolized the completion of the Israelites’ national conquest of Canaan. Canaan had been brought under their control (verse 1). However, large portions of it were yet to be possessed. God, through Joshua’s leadership, had given the entire land to the Israelites (verse 3), but seven of the tribes had yet to take possession of their inheritance (see Joshua 13:17 and comment). Joshua’s role in leading the overall conquest of Canaan was nearing its end; now it was the responsibility of each tribe to complete the job—to take possession of its own tribal allotment.

3–10 Joshua rebuked the seven tribes for their delay in taking the remaining territory that God had already given to Israel. The allotments for Judah and for the house of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) would remain unchanged. The Levites were not involved (verse 7) because they were not allotted any land (Joshua 13:14). But the seven tribes needed to take action. Three men from each tribe were to be sent out to survey the land yet to be allotted. When the men returned, Joshua would cast lots to determine which portion of land should go to each tribe; the lots would be cast in the presence of the LORD (verse 8)—that is, near the ark, the Lord’s symbolic throne. It was the Lord who would determine the outcome of the lots.

Allotment for Benjamin (18:11–28)

11–28 In this section, the boundaries of Benjamin’s allotment are outlined (verses 11–20), and the towns within the allotment are listed (verses 21–28).