King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:4 Mean?

Joshua 18:4 in the King James Version says “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, an... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.

Joshua 18:4 · KJV


Context

2

And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.

3

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?

4

Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.

5

And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.

6

Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Give out from among you three men for each tribe—Joshua initiates a systematic land survey, requiring each tribe to send representatives (Hebrew anashim, אֲנָשִׁים, 'men of standing'). The command describe it according to the inheritance uses katav (כָּתַב, 'to write/inscribe'), indicating a formal written survey. This anticipates property rights and covenant boundaries.

This reflects godly order: inheritance isn't random but deliberate, documented, and fair. The survey establishes legal ownership—a principle underlying biblical land theology. Every tribe participates, ensuring transparency and accountability. God's gifts require responsible stewardship and proper administration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This survey occurred at Shiloh circa 1400 BC, after initial conquest but before full settlement. Ancient Near Eastern land grants required surveys and written records. The seven remaining tribes (besides Judah and Joseph) needed territory allocated by lot before the LORD.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's careful ordering of inheritance challenge chaotic or lazy approaches to spiritual blessings?
  2. What areas of your life need better documentation and accountability before God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הָב֥וּ1 of 15

Give out

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

לָכֶ֛ם2 of 15
H0
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה3 of 15

from among you three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים4 of 15
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לַשָּׁ֑בֶט5 of 15

for each tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

וְאֶשְׁלָחֵ֗ם6 of 15

and I will send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְיָקֻ֜מוּ7 of 15

them and they shall rise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וְיִֽתְהַלְּכ֥וּ8 of 15

and go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בָאָ֛רֶץ9 of 15

through the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְיִכְתְּב֥וּ10 of 15

and describe

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

אוֹתָ֛הּ11 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְפִ֥י12 of 15

it according

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

נַֽחֲלָתָ֖ם13 of 15

to the inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

וְיָבֹ֥אוּ14 of 15

of them and they shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלָֽי׃15 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 18:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 18:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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