Joshua Chapter 18 · Verse 8
And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ
arose
H6965
וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ
arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 25
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
And the men
H582
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
And the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
H1980
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
H1980
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְכִתְב֤וּ
and describe
H3789
וְכִתְב֤וּ
and describe
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
8 of 25
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
H1980
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
H1980
וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
and walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְכִתְב֤וּ
and describe
H3789
וְכִתְב֤וּ
and describe
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
15 of 25
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אוֹתָהּ֙
H853
אוֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְשׁ֣וּבוּ
it and come again
H7725
וְשׁ֣וּבוּ
it and come again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
17 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַשְׁלִ֨יךְ
to me that I may here cast
H7993
אַשְׁלִ֨יךְ
to me that I may here cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
20 of 25
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
גּוֹרָ֛ל
lots
H1486
גּוֹרָ֛ל
lots
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
לִפְנֵ֥י
for you before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
for you before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
23 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Shiloh, centrally located in Ephraim, served as Israel's religious center for over 300 years until destroyed circa 1050 BC (Jeremiah 7:12). This survey mission took weeks, traversing hostile territory to map unconquered lands for future tribal settlement.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual task has God given you that requires personal experience rather than theoretical knowledge?
- How does reporting 'before the LORD' (in His presence) change the quality of your work?
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land—The verb halak (הָלַךְ, 'walk/go throughout') implies thorough inspection, not casual observation. They must describe it (katav, write it down) with precision. This commission requires personal experience: they cannot report secondhand knowledge.
That I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh establishes Shiloh as Israel's worship center. The tabernacle resided there (18:1), making it the covenant nation's spiritual capital. Their work would enable sacred allocation at God's dwelling place.