Joshua 18:8
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?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
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.