SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:2
Por suerte se les dio su heredad, como el SEÑOR lo había mandado por Moisés, que diese a las nueve tribus y a la media tribu.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:2
Verse 2. By lot was their inheritance] Concerning the meaning and use of the lot, see the note on Num. xxxvi. 55; and concerning the manner of casting lots in the case of the scapegoat, see the note on Lev. xvi. 8, 9. On this subject Dr. Dodd has selected some good observations from Calmet and Masius, which I here borrow: "Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe, we readily discern an admirable proof of his wisdom in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses were prevented; and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those who were to be appointed to distribute to them the conquered countries in the land of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the Divinity of the Jewish religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot exactly in the spot which Jacob and Moses had foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both those predictions and that lot.
The event justified the truth of the promises. The more singular it was, the more clearly we discern the finger of God in it. The portion, says Masius, fell to each tribe just as Jacob had declared two hundred and fifty years before in the last moments of his life, and Moses, immediately before his death; for to the tribe of JUDAH fell a country abounding in vineyards and pastures; to ZEBULUN and ISSACHAR, seacoasts; in that of ASHER was plenty of oil, wheat, and metals; that of BENJAMIN, near to the temple, was, in a manner, between the shoulders of the Deity; EPHRAIM and MANASSEH were distinguished with a territory blessed in a peculiar manner by Heaven; the land of NAPHTALI extended from the west to the south of the tribe of Judah. Since therefore the lot so well corresponded to these predictions, would it not be insolence and stupidity in the highest degree, not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the word of Jacob and Moses, the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event?" How the lot was cast in this case cannot be particularly determined. It is probable, 1. That the land was geographically divided into ten portions. 2. That each portion was called by a particular name. 3. That the name of each portion was written on a separate slip of parchment, wood, &c. 4. That the names of the claimants were also written on so many slips. 5. The names of the portions, and of the tribes, were put into separate vessels. 6. Joshua, for example, put his hand into the vessel containing the names of the tribes, and took out one slip; while Eleazar took out one from the other vessel, in which the names of the portions were put. 7. The name drawn, and the portion drawn, being read, it was immediately discerned what the district was which God had designed for such a tribe. This appears to be the most easy way to determine such a business.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. By lot [was] their inheritance , etc.] Every tribe had its part and portion assigned to it, by the casting of lots; which was done to prevent any future quarrels, animosities and strifes among the tribes, the disposition being of the Lord; and to show the exact agreement between the lot and the divine predictions by Jacob and Moses; and to make it appear that the division of the land was not owing to the private combination of the above men, and their private settlement of it; but to the providence of God, the directors of the lot; their chief business was to see that the lot was executed in a faithful manner, and that every tribe had its allotment according to it. In this Canaan was a type of the heavenly inheritance, which the saints obtain by lot, in and through Christ, the antitypical Joshua, ( Ephesians 1:11); as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses , ( Numbers 26:55,56); for the nine tribes, and [for] the half tribe ; (see Joshua 13:7); the reason why this number of them is particularly mentioned follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have bee subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might no go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great myster of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?
Original Hebrew
בגורל 1486 נחלתם 5159 כאשׁר 834 צוה 6680 יהוה 3068 ביד 3027 משׁה 4872 לתשׁעת 8672 המטות 4294 וחצי 2677 המטה׃ 4294
