Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me. New Living Translation Select three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to explore the land and map it out. They will then return to me with a written report of their proposed divisions of their new homeland. English Standard Version Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. Berean Standard Bible Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me Berean Literal Bible Appoint from among you⁺ three men for the tribe, and I will send them, and they shall rise and go through the land and survey it according to their inheritance, and they shall come to me. King James Bible Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe so that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me. NASB 1995 “Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me. NASB 1977 “Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me. Legacy Standard Bible Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me. Amplified Bible Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe so that I may send them, and that they may go through the land and write a description of it with regard to their [tribal] inheritance; then they shall return to me. Berean Annotated Bible Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me Christian Standard Bible Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe, and I will send them out. They are to go and survey the land, write a description of it for the purpose of their inheritance, and return to me. Holman Christian Standard Bible Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe, and I will send them out. They are to go and survey the land, write a description of it for the purpose of their inheritance, and return to me. American Standard Version Appoint for you three men of each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall arise, and walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance; and they shall come unto me. English Revised Version Appoint for you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall arise, and walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance; and they shall come unto me. GOD'S WORD® Translation Choose three men from each tribe, and I will send them out. They will survey the land and write a description of it which shows [the borders of] their inheritance. Then they will come back to me. Good News Translation Let me have three men from each tribe. I will send them out over the whole country to map out the territory that they would like to have as their possession. Then they are to come back to me. International Standard Version Appoint three men from each tribe and I'll send them. They'll begin to go through the land and record a description of it, categorized according to their inheritance, and then they'll report back to me. NET Bible Pick three men from each tribe. I will send them out to walk through the land and make a map of it for me. New Heart English Bible Appoint for you three men of each tribe. I will send them, and they shall arise, walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance; and they shall come to me. Webster's Bible Translation Select from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them, and they shall come again to me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAppoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me World English Bible Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe. I will send them, and they shall arise, walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance; then they shall come to me. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionGive three men from you for [each] tribe, and I send them, and they rise and go up and down through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance, and come to me, Berean Literal Bible Appoint from among you⁺ three men for the tribe, and I will send them, and they shall rise and go through the land and survey it according to their inheritance, and they shall come to me. Young's Literal Translation Give for you three men for a tribe, and I send them, and they rise and go up and down through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance, and come in unto me, Smith's Literal Translation Give to you three men for a tribe, and I will send them, and they shall rise and shall go through the land, and they shall write it according to their inheritance, and they shall come to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleChoose of every tribe three men, that I may send them, and they may go and compass the land, and mark it out according to the number of each multitude: and bring back to me what they have marked out. Catholic Public Domain Version Select three men from each tribe, so that I may send them, and they may go forth and circle through the land, and may describe it according to the number of each multitude, and may bring back to me what they have written down. New American Bible Choose three representatives from each of your tribes; I will send them to go throughout the land and describe it for purposes of acquiring their heritage. When they return to me New Revised Standard Version Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may begin to go throughout the land, writing a description of it with a view to their inheritances. Then come back to me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleChoose for yourselves three men from each tribe; and I will send them, and they shall rise and go through the land, and survey and describe it according to their inheritance; and they shall come again to me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Choose for you three men from each tribe and I shall send them and they shall stand and they shall walk in the land and they shall map it corresponding to their inheritance and they shall come to me OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Appoint for you three men for each tribe; and I will send them, and they shall arise, and walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance; and they shall come unto me. Brenton Septuagint Translation Appoint of yourselves three men of each tribe, and let them rise up and go through the land, and let them describe it before me, as it will be proper to divide it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Remainder Divided…3So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? 4Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me 5and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north.… Cross References Appoint three men from each tribe, Numbers 13:2 “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” Numbers 34:17-18 “These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. / Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. and I will send them out to survey the land Numbers 13:17-21 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. / See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. / Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? … Judges 18:2 So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Numbers 26:52-56 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. / Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. … Numbers 33:54 And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers. Joshua 13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you. Then they will return to me Numbers 13:25-27 After forty days the men returned from spying out the land, / and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. / And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit! Joshua 2:22-24 So the spies went out into the hill country and stayed there three days, until their pursuers had returned without finding them, having searched all along the road. / Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them. / “The LORD has surely delivered the entire land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of us.” Numbers 34:16-29 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. / Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. … Numbers 13:1-3 And the LORD said to Moses, / “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” / So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, Deuteronomy 1:22-23 Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe. Numbers 32:28-29 So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the family leaders of the tribes of Israel. / And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession. Numbers 34:1-15 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries: / Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, … Deuteronomy 3:18-20 At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. / But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, / until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.” Numbers 32:2-5 So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, / which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, are suitable for livestock—and your servants have livestock.” … Treasury of Scripture Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. three Joshua 18:3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you? Joshua 3:12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. Joshua 4:2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, describe Joshua 18:6,9 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God… Jump to Previous Appoint Arise Describe Description Distribution Heritage Inheritance Inheritances Provide Record Rise Select Survey Three Tribe View Walk Write Writing YourselvesJump to Next Appoint Arise Describe Description Distribution Heritage Inheritance Inheritances Provide Record Rise Select Survey Three Tribe View Walk Write Writing YourselvesJoshua 18 1. The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh2. The remainder of the land is described, and divided into seven parts 10. Joshua distributes it by lot 11. The lot and border of Benjamin 21. Their cities Appoint three men from each tribe In this directive, Joshua is organizing a systematic approach to dividing the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. The number three may symbolize completeness and thoroughness, ensuring a balanced representation from each tribe. This method reflects the importance of order and fairness in the distribution of the land, which was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7). The appointment of representatives from each tribe underscores the communal and participatory nature of this task, emphasizing unity and shared responsibility. and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each Then they will return to me Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and overseeing its division among the tribes. 2. Israelite Tribes The twelve tribes of Israel, each of which is to receive a portion of the Promised Land as their inheritance. 3. Surveyors Three men from each tribe chosen to survey and map the land, ensuring a fair and accurate division according to God's promise. 4. Promised Land The land of Canaan, promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to be divided among the tribes of Israel. 5. Shiloh The place where the Israelites gathered and where the tabernacle was set up, serving as a central location for the division of the land. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsThe Israelites were to follow God's specific instructions for dividing the land, highlighting the importance of obedience in receiving God's promises. Unity and Cooperation The selection of three men from each tribe emphasizes the need for unity and cooperation among the tribes in fulfilling God's plan. Faith in God's Provision The division of the land according to God's promise serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and provision for His people. Stewardship and Responsibility The task of surveying the land required diligence and accuracy, teaching us about the importance of stewardship in our responsibilities. Trust in God's Timing The process of dividing the land was methodical and required patience, reminding us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 18:4?2. How does Joshua 18:4 emphasize the importance of organized leadership in God's plan? 3. What qualities should the "three men from each tribe" possess for their task? 4. How does Joshua 18:4 connect with the division of land in Numbers 34? 5. How can we apply the principle of delegation from Joshua 18:4 today? 6. Why is it important to "survey the land" before making decisions in life? 7. What is the significance of Joshua 18:4 in the division of the Promised Land? 8. How does Joshua 18:4 reflect God's plan for the Israelites? 9. Why were three men chosen from each tribe in Joshua 18:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 18? 11. Joshua 18:4 – How likely is it that ancient Israelites had the means and literacy to survey and record the land so precisely? 12. Genesis 48 - How does the inclusion of Ephraim and Manasseh as tribes align with the tribal lists elsewhere in the Bible, and does it create any contradictions? 13. Numbers 3:15 – Is it realistic to gather and count every male from one month old and upward in a nomadic environment? 14. Joshua 4:18: Does the river's instantaneous return defy known natural processes, suggesting a contradiction with scientific norms? What Does Joshua 18:4 Mean Appoint three men from each tribe- Joshua calls for three representatives from each of the seven remaining tribes so that every clan has a voice in the process. This keeps the distribution transparent and communal (Deuteronomy 1:13). - The number three provides credible testimony: “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15). - Involving the tribes themselves moves them from passivity to participation; Israel cannot settle the land by spectating (compare Judges 18:9–10). And I will send them out - Joshua, God-appointed leader (Numbers 27:18–20), acts with delegated authority: “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5). - Being “sent” turns ordinary men into servants on mission, echoing later patterns of commissioning (Mark 6:7; Acts 13:3). - Obedience precedes blessing. Remaining camped at Shiloh without action would delay inheritance (Joshua 18:3). To survey the land - Practical wisdom and faith meet: they must see what God has already given (Numbers 13:17–18, but this time without fear). - Thoroughness honors God. “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field” (Proverbs 24:27). - Accurate knowledge prevents later disputes (Joshua 19:47; Proverbs 15:22). And map it out, according to the inheritance of each - Mapping ensures equity; every tribe receives land “by lot according to their families” (Numbers 26:55). - Boundaries matter. “He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:26). - The record becomes a covenant document that future generations can consult (Joshua 21:2). Then they will return to me - Accountability: the surveyors must report back so Joshua can cast lots “before the LORD” (Joshua 18:10). - Orderly completion reflects God’s character. Jesus likewise required reports from entrusted servants (Luke 19:15). - Returning to leadership guards against tribal self-interest and keeps unity central (Ephesians 4:3). summary Joshua 18:4 shows God guiding His people into promise with order, representation, diligence, fairness, and accountability. By appointing qualified men, sending them on mission, requiring an accurate survey, securing just boundaries, and calling for a faithful report, the verse models how God’s gifts are received responsibly and in community—principles that still shape faithful stewardship today. Verse 4. - Give out from among you. Calvin enlarges much upon the boldness of these twenty-one men in venturing upon the task of the survey, rightly supposing that the difficulty of the task was enhanced by the number who undertook it (see note on Joshua 14:12). And here it is impossible to come to any other conclusion than that the twenty-one commissioners went together, for the object of their selection was to obviate complaints of a kind which, as we have already seen, the Israelites were not slow to make (see Joshua 17:14-18). But the Israelites had inspired quite sufficient awe into the inhabitants of the land to make such a general survey by no means a difficult task. Nor is it probable that the commissioners were unprovided with an escort. Three men for each tribe. Literally, for the tribe. This selection, which was intended to secure an impartial description of the country, would render impossible all future complaints, since the boundaries would be settled according to reports sent in by the representatives of each tribe.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Appointהָב֥וּ (hā·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3051: To give, to put, imperatively, come three שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה (šə·lō·šāh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice men אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person from each tribe, לַשָּׁ֑בֶט (laš·šā·ḇeṭ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe and I will send them out וְאֶשְׁלָחֵ֗ם (wə·’eš·lā·ḥêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out to survey וְיִֽתְהַלְּכ֥וּ (wə·yiṯ·hal·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk the land בָאָ֛רֶץ (ḇā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land and map it out, וְיִכְתְּב֥וּ (wə·yiḵ·tə·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3789: To grave, to write according to לְפִ֥י (lə·p̄î) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to the inheritance of each. נַֽחֲלָתָ֖ם (na·ḥă·lā·ṯām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion Then they will return וְיָבֹ֥אוּ (wə·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to me אֵלָֽי׃ (’ê·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links Joshua 18:4 NIVJoshua 18:4 NLT Joshua 18:4 ESV Joshua 18:4 NASB Joshua 18:4 KJV Joshua 18:4 BibleApps.com Joshua 18:4 Biblia Paralela Joshua 18:4 Chinese Bible Joshua 18:4 French Bible Joshua 18:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 18:4 Appoint for you three men of each (Josh. 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