Joshua 18

In Joshua 18, the Israelites are continuing the division of the Promised Land among the tribes. Although the majority of the land had already been allocated, seven tribes had not yet received their inheritance. Joshua calls upon these tribes to take action, sending surveyors throughout the remaining territories to divide the land for inheritance.

Joshua 18:1 (NKJV)
Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.

The Israelites gather at Shiloh, a central location for worship, where they set up the tabernacle. Shiloh becomes the spiritual and administrative center of Israel, highlighting the importance of worship and God's presence in the midst of the nation. The phrase “the land was subdued” indicates that the conquest of Canaan had progressed significantly, though some territories remained to be settled.

Joshua 18:2-5 (NKJV)
2 But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance.
3 Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?
4 Pick out from among you three men for each tribe, and I will send them; they shall rise and go through the land, survey it according to their inheritance, and come back to me.
5 And they shall divide it into seven parts; Judah shall remain in their territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory on the north.

Seven tribes had not yet received their land inheritance. Joshua challenges their hesitance, reminding them that God had already given them the land. To expedite the process, Joshua commands each tribe to send three men to survey the land and return with a division plan. Judah and the house of Joseph are to remain in their previously allotted territories, signifying that the task was to divide the remaining parts of the land.

Joshua 18:6 (NKJV)
You shall therefore survey the land in seven parts and bring the survey here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the Lord our God.

Joshua emphasizes that after the survey is completed, the land will be divided by casting lots before the Lord. This practice symbolizes God's sovereign role in assigning the land to the tribes, ensuring that the distribution aligns with His will.

Joshua 18:7 (NKJV)
But the Levites have no part among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.

The Levites do not receive a land inheritance, as their role is to serve in the priesthood, and God Himself is considered their inheritance. Meanwhile, the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan, fulfilling promises made through Moses before the Israelites crossed into Canaan.

Joshua 18:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then the men arose to go away; and Joshua charged those who went to survey the land, saying, “Go, walk through the land, survey it, and come back to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the Lord in Shiloh.”
9 So the men went, passed through the land, and wrote the survey in a book in seven parts by cities; and they came to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh.
10 Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.

The surveyors obey Joshua’s command, traveling through the land and documenting the cities and territories in seven parts. Once they return, Joshua casts lots before the Lord in Shiloh, distributing the land among the seven tribes. This process signifies that the division is overseen by God, ensuring a fair and divinely approved allocation of the land.

Joshua 18:11 (NKJV)
Now the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot came out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

The tribe of Benjamin is the first to receive their inheritance. Their territory is located between the lands of Judah and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), placing them in a strategic and central position within Israel. This area will later play a significant role in Israel's history, especially with the city of Jerusalem being nearby.

Joshua 18:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Their border on the north side began at the Jordan, and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up through the mountains westward; it ended at the Wilderness of Beth Aven.
13 The border went over from there toward Luz, to the side of Luz (which is Bethel) southward; and the border descended to Ataroth Addar, near the hill that lies on the south side of Lower Beth Horon.
14 Then the border extended around the west side to the south, from the hill that lies before Beth Horon southward; and it ended at Kirjath Baal (which is Kirjath Jearim), a city of the children of Judah. This was the west side.

The description of Benjamin’s northern and western borders emphasizes the landmarks that define the territory. It includes important locations like Jericho, Bethel, and Beth Horon, which were prominent cities during the conquest and Israel’s later history. This detailed geographical description ensures that the tribe understands the limits of their inheritance.

Joshua 18:15-16 (NKJV)
15 The south side began at the end of Kirjath Jearim, and the border extended on the west and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.
16 Then the border came down to the end of the mountain that lies before the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is in the Valley of the Rephaim on the north, descended to the Valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite city on the south, and descended to En Rogel.

The southern border of Benjamin’s territory includes landmarks such as the Valley of Hinnom and the Jebusite city (later known as Jerusalem). This border brings the tribe of Benjamin into proximity with key areas, setting the stage for future events involving the city of Jerusalem.

Joshua 18:17-20 (NKJV)
17 And it went around from the north, went out to En Shemesh, and extended toward Geliloth, which is before the Ascent of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
18 Then it passed along toward the north side of Arabah, and went down to Arabah.
19 And the border passed along to the north side of Beth Hoglah; then the border ended at the north bay at the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the southern boundary.
20 The Jordan was its border on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, according to its boundaries all around, according to their families.

The remaining borders of Benjamin’s territory are detailed, providing a full description of the land assigned to the tribe. The eastern boundary is the Jordan River, a natural divider. The tribe of Benjamin’s inheritance is thus firmly established, placing them in a central, strategic position within the land of Israel.

Joshua 18:21-28 (NKJV)
21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, according to their families, were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,
22 Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,
23 Avim, Parah, Ophrah,
24 Chephar Haammoni, Ophni, and Gaba: twelve cities with their villages;
25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,
26 Mizpah, Chephirah, Mozah,
27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,
28 Zelah, Eleph, Jebus (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kirjath: fourteen cities with their villages. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

The cities that fall within Benjamin’s inheritance are listed, including significant locations like Jericho and Jerusalem (Jebus). These cities will later play major roles in Israel’s history, particularly Jerusalem as the future capital. Benjamin's proximity to these important cities enhances their significance among the tribes of Israel. The total number of cities is twenty-six, showing that Benjamin's inheritance, though smaller, includes vital regions.