Joshua 19:51
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
Original Language Analysis
הַנְּחָלֹ֡ת
These are the inheritances
H5159
הַנְּחָלֹ֡ת
These are the inheritances
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִֽחֲל֣וּ
divided for an inheritance
H5157
נִֽחֲל֣וּ
divided for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
4 of 25
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְרָאשֵׁ֣י
and the heads
H7218
וְרָאשֵׁ֣י
and the heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
10 of 25
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָֽאָב֣וֹת
of the fathers
H1
הָֽאָב֣וֹת
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 25
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְמַטּוֹת֩
of the tribes
H4294
לְמַטּוֹת֩
of the tribes
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
12 of 25
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל׀
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל׀
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּגוֹרָ֤ל׀
by lot
H1486
בְּגוֹרָ֤ל׀
by lot
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
15 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)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
17 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
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
פֶּ֖תַח
at the door
H6607
פֶּ֖תַח
at the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
19 of 25
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
אֹ֣הֶל
of the tabernacle
H168
אֹ֣הֶל
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
20 of 25
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וַיְכַלּ֕וּ
So they made an end
H3615
וַיְכַלּ֕וּ
So they made an end
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
22 of 25
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
Cross References
Joshua 18:10And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.Joshua 14:1And 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 to them.Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
Historical Context
This ceremony at Shiloh concluded the land distribution that began at Gilgal (Joshua 14:6). Shiloh remained Israel's religious center until the ark's capture by Philistines circa 1050 BC (1 Samuel 4). This verse memorializes a pivotal moment: Israel transitions from conquest to settlement.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you consecrate everyday responsibilities by doing them 'before the LORD'?
- What does corporate leadership (priest, civil leader, tribal heads) teach about shared authority under God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation—The formal conclusion names the leadership: Eleazar (high priest), Joshua (military/civil leader), and tribal heads (representatives). By lot... before the LORD emphasizes divine allocation, not human favoritism.
At the door of the tabernacle sanctifies the process. Secular tasks (land distribution) become sacred when done 'before the LORD.' This models the Christian life: all work, even mundane, becomes worship when offered to God (Colossians 3:23). So they made an end of dividing the country—mission accomplished.