“And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.”
This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Joshua that describes the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. After the conquest of Jericho and Ai, Joshua led the Israelites in the distribution of the land as instructed by God.
In Joshua 18:11, we see that it is now the turn of the tribe of Benjamin to receive their allotment of land. The allocation of land was done by casting lots, which was a method of determining God’s decision in various matters. The land was divided according to the size and needs of each tribe.
The verse states that the lot of the tribe of Benjamin “came up according to their families.” This means that the land allocation was based on the individual families within the tribe of Benjamin. Each family within the tribe received a portion of the land that was appropriate for their size and needs.
The verse further mentions that the coast or boundary of Benjamin’s allotted land was situated between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. This indicates the geographical location of Benjamin’s territory in relation to the territories of the tribes of Judah and Joseph. The tribe of Judah received its inheritance to the south, while the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (part of Joseph’s lineage) received their portions to the north and west.
The distribution of the land among the tribes was a significant event as it marked the fulfillment of God’s promise to the Israelites. Each tribe received its portion of the Promised Land, ensuring that the Israelites could settle in their respective territories and establish a homeland.
Overall:Joshua 18:11 highlights the systematic division of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel, with the focus in this verse specifically on the tribe of Benjamin. This process allowed for the establishment of order and the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people.
