“And thou shalt divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer, the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.”
Numbers 26:54 is part of the instructions given to Moses and the children of Israel regarding the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Let’s break down the verse to better understand its meaning.
“And thou shalt divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families…”
This portion emphasizes the method of dividing the land. The division was to be determined by casting lots, which was a common practice in biblical times for making decisions or determining the distribution of land.
“…and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer, the less inheritance…”
This phrase explains that the size of the inheritance would be proportionate to the size of the tribe. The larger tribes would receive a larger portion of land, while the smaller tribes would receive a smaller portion. This allocation was based on the principle of fairness and ensuring that each tribe had an appropriate inheritance.
“…every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth…”
This statement highlights the individual nature of the inheritance. Each person’s portion of land would be determined by where his lot fell. It was not based on personal preference or favoritism but rather on divine guidance through the casting of lots.
“…according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.”
This final phrase underscores the connection between the inheritance and the ancestral tribes. The division of the land would be based on the tribal lineage, ensuring that the inheritance stayed within each tribe’s ancestral heritage.
