Psalms 78:55
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ
He cast out
H1644
וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ
He cast out
Strong's:
H1644
Word #:
1 of 10
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֨ם׀
also before
H6440
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֨ם׀
also before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
גּוֹיִ֗ם
the heathen
H1471
גּוֹיִ֗ם
the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
3 of 10
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם
them and divided
H5307
וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם
them and divided
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
4 of 10
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
נַחֲלָ֑ה
them an inheritance
H5159
נַחֲלָ֑ה
them an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ן
to dwell
H7931
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ן
to dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
7 of 10
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם
in their tents
H168
בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם
in their tents
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
8 of 10
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Historical Context
The conquest and settlement (1406-1390 BC) transformed Israel from nomadic wanderers into a landed nation. Each tribe's inheritance became their identity marker. The 'tents' of conquered Canaanites became Israel's homes—a complete reversal showing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's earlier unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians understand Old Testament conquest narratives in light of Christ's command to love enemies?
- What 'inheritance' has God given you, and how are you stewarding it for His kingdom?
- In what ways does secure dwelling (rest) depend on God's presence rather than merely physical location?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. God actively cast out (garash, גָּרַשׁ)—a forceful expulsion—the Canaanite nations, demonstrating sovereign judgment on their wickedness (Leviticus 18:24-28). This wasn't ethnic cleansing but holy war against idolatry, prefiguring Christ's ultimate conquest of evil at His return.
The phrase divided them an inheritance by line (vaynachalem bechevel nachalah, וַיְנַחֲלֵם בְּחֶבֶל נַחֲלָה) describes the orderly land distribution by lot and measuring line (Joshua 13-21). God gave each tribe its nachalah (נַחֲלָה)—inheritance, permanent possession—fulfilling promises made centuries earlier. This inheritance anticipates believers' eternal inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11).
Made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents emphasizes settlement and rest after wilderness wandering. The verb dwell (shakan, שָׁכַן) shares the root with mishkan (tabernacle)—Israel dwelt in the land while God dwelt among them. True rest comes when God's people inhabit God's place under God's rule.