King James Version

What Does Joshua 18:8 Mean?

Joshua 18:8 in the King James Version says “And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through th... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.

Joshua 18:8 · KJV


Context

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.

7

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.

8

And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.

9

And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.

10

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land—The verb halak (הָלַךְ, 'walk/go throughout') implies thorough inspection, not casual observation. They must describe it (katav, write it down) with precision. This commission requires personal experience: they cannot report secondhand knowledge.

That I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh establishes Shiloh as Israel's worship center. The tabernacle resided there (18:1), making it the covenant nation's spiritual capital. Their work would enable sacred allocation at God's dwelling place.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Shiloh, centrally located in Ephraim, served as Israel's religious center for over 300 years until destroyed circa 1050 BC (Jeremiah 7:12). This survey mission took weeks, traversing hostile territory to map unconquered lands for future tribal settlement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual task has God given you that requires personal experience rather than theoretical knowledge?
  2. How does reporting 'before the LORD' (in His presence) change the quality of your work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ1 of 25

arose

H6965

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

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים2 of 25

And the men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ3 of 25

and walk

H1980

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

וַיְצַ֣ו4 of 25

charged

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ5 of 25

and Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶת6 of 25
H853

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

וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ7 of 25

and walk

H1980

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

וְכִתְב֤וּ8 of 25

and describe

H3789

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

אֶת9 of 25
H853

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

בָאָ֜רֶץ10 of 25

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֵאמֹ֗ר11 of 25

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ12 of 25

and walk

H1980

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

וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ13 of 25

and walk

H1980

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

בָאָ֜רֶץ14 of 25

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְכִתְב֤וּ15 of 25

and describe

H3789

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

אוֹתָהּ֙16 of 25
H853

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

וְשׁ֣וּבוּ17 of 25

it and come again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלַ֔י18 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּ֠פֹה19 of 25
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

אַשְׁלִ֨יךְ20 of 25

to me that I may here cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

לָכֶ֥ם21 of 25
H0
גּוֹרָ֛ל22 of 25

lots

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

לִפְנֵ֥י23 of 25

for you before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה24 of 25

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃25 of 25

in Shiloh

H7887

shiloh, a place in palestine


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 18:8 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 18:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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