Division Of The Land Series

October 11, 2025

2 weeks ago we concluded the conquest section of Joshua.

11:23 - So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war.

The remaining chapters are dedicated to the division of the land even though there were large areas of Canaan yet to be conquered:

• All the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites: the territory of the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron – as well as the Avvites

• From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek, the region of the Amorites,

• The area of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

Reuben, Gad and ½ Manasseh received the inheritance that Moses had assigned to them east of the Jordan and the rest of chapter 13 describes the territories that were given to them.

Joshua 13:33 - But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.

The remaining 9 ½ tribes would divide the land by casting lots.

Before the divisions began, Caleb went to Joshua with a request:

“You know the story. I was 40 years old when Moses sent me to explore the land. I brought back a report according to my convictions, but the men who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed Yahweh with all my heart. As a result, Moses swore to me, ‘Because you followed Yahweh, the land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance forever.’ Yahweh has kept me alive these 40 years, just as he promised. And here I am today, 85 years old! I am still strong and just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Give me the hill country that Yahweh promised me. You know the Anakites live there and that their cities are large and fortified, but with Yahweh helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." {Joshua 14:6-12}

Joshua blessed Caleb and granted his request – giving him Hebron as his inheritance. From Hebron, Caleb drove out the 3 descendants of Anak -- Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai. From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).

Then the land had rest from war.

Dividing the Land

• Judah received 112 cities with their villages

Joshua 15:63 - Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites….

• Ephraim:

Joshua 16:10 - They did not dislodge the Canaanites….

• West Manasseh:

At this point the 5 daughters of Zelophehad reminded Joshua that Moses had promised them their father’s inheritance from among the tribe of Manasseh. “So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to Yahweh’s command.”

So far –

• Judah received territory in the South.

• The sons of Joseph {West Manasseh and Ephraim} received territory in the North.

• Reuben, Gad and East Manasseh received territory East of Jordan.

• Levi received no territory.

Joshua 18:1-2 - The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control, but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.

The leaders of the remaining 7 tribes were instructed to survey the land and write a description of it.

After bringing the information back to Joshua, lots were cast to determine which tribe would get which territory:

• Lot 1 - Benjamin: Their territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph – 14 towns and their villages.

• Lot 2 - Simeon: Their territory lay within the territory of Judah – 17 towns and their villages.

• Lot 3 - Zebulon: 12 towns and their villages

• Lot 4 - Issachar: 16 towns and their villages

• Lot 5 - Asher: 22 towns and their villages

• Lot 6 - Naphtali: 19 towns and their villages

• Lot 7 - Dan: 18 towns and their villages were named

Joshua 19:49-51 - When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as Yahweh had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for -- Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there…. And so they finished dividing the land.

Cities of Refuge

Joshua 20:1-6 – Yahweh to Joshua: Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge… for anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally… "When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them… they must not surrender the one accused to the Avenger of Blood... He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled.”