Joshua 18:5
and 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.
They shall divide it into seven portions
This phrase refers to the division of the remaining land among the seven tribes of Israel that had not yet received their inheritance. The Hebrew root for "divide" is "חָלַק" (chalak), which means to apportion or distribute. This division was not merely a logistical task but a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, indicating that this division was divinely ordained and complete in its purpose.

Judah shall remain in its territory in the south
The tribe of Judah had already received its inheritance, which was located in the southern part of the land. The Hebrew word for "remain" is "עָמַד" (amad), meaning to stand or stay. This signifies stability and permanence, reflecting God's promise to Judah. Historically, Judah's territory included Jerusalem, which would later become the political and spiritual center of Israel. This allocation underscores Judah's future prominence and the Messianic lineage that would come from this tribe.

and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north
The "house of Joseph" refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, who had already been allotted land in the northern region. The Hebrew term "בֵּית" (beit) for "house" implies a family or lineage, emphasizing the continuation of Joseph's legacy. The northern territory was fertile and strategically significant, reflecting God's provision and blessing. This allocation also foreshadows the later division of the kingdom into Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom), with Ephraim often representing the northern tribes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, responsible for leading the people into the Promised Land and overseeing the division of the land among the tribes.

2. Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, allotted territory in the southern part of the Promised Land. Known for its future significance as the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would come.

3. House of Joseph
Refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph, who were given territory in the northern part of the Promised Land.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, which the Israelites are in the process of possessing and dividing among the tribes.

5. Shiloh
The place where the Israelites gathered to set up the Tent of Meeting and where the land division was organized.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The division of the land is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Believers can trust in God's promises in their own lives.

Order and Structure in God's Plan
The organized division of the land reflects God's desire for order and structure. This can encourage believers to seek God's guidance in organizing their own lives and communities.

Unity and Diversity Among God's People
While each tribe received a distinct portion, they were all part of one nation under God. This illustrates the unity and diversity within the body of Christ today.

Inheritance and Responsibility
The land was an inheritance, but it also came with the responsibility to steward it well. Believers are called to steward their God-given gifts and resources responsibly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the division of the land among the tribes of Israel demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? Reflect on a promise from God that you have seen fulfilled in your life.

2. In what ways does the organized division of the land encourage us to seek order and structure in our spiritual and daily lives?

3. How can the unity and diversity among the tribes of Israel inspire us to appreciate and work within the diversity of the body of Christ today?

4. What responsibilities come with the inheritance that God has given you, whether spiritual gifts, talents, or resources?

5. How can the account of the land division in Joshua 18:5 encourage us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives, even when it requires patience and faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 49
Jacob's blessings to his sons, including Judah and Joseph, foreshadow the future territories and roles of their descendants.

Numbers 34
Details the boundaries of the Promised Land and the instructions for dividing it among the tribes.

1 Chronicles 5
Chronicles the genealogies and territories of the tribes, including Judah and the house of Joseph.
Joshua's RemonstranceR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Joshua 18:1-28
Religion in the New LandW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 18:1-28
Slack to PossessW. Seaton.Joshua 18:1-28
People
Addar, Ben, Benjamin, Bohan, Ephron, Gad, Gibeon, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Levites, Manasseh, Ophrah, Rekem, Reuben
Places
Adummim, Arabah, Ataroth-addar, Avvim, Beeroth, Beth-arabah, Beth-aven, Bethel, Beth-hoglah, Beth-horon, Emek-keziz, En-rogel, En-shemesh, Ephron, Geba, Geliloth, Gibeah, Gibeon, Haeleph, Irpeel, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kiriath-baal, Kiriath-jearim, Luz, Mizpeh, Mozah, Nephtoah, Ophni, Ophrah, Parah, Ramah, Rekem, Salt Sea, Shiloh, Taralah, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Rephaim, Zela, Zemaraim
Topics
Abide, Border, Borders, Coast, Coasts, Continuing, Divide, Divided, Division, Inside, Joseph, Judah, Limit, North, Portions, Seven, South, Stay, Territory
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 18:5

     4842   north
     7233   Israel, northern kingdom
     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Retiring Before the Sanhedrin's Decree.
(Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) ^D John XI. 47-54. ^d 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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