Joshua 18:6

Seven parts. A written report of the land divided into seven equal parts according to its fairly estimated value was to be brought to Joshua so that he might cast lots for the tribes before the Lord.

Cast lots. See on chs. 7:14; 14:2. The several tribes were not permitted to choose their own portions. The land was to be fairly divided. The directions were, “To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance. . . . Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot” (Num. 26:54, 55). These words imply that there must have been unequal portions of territory for larger and smaller tribes, but that the particular position of each tribe must be settled by the lot, so that “the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord” (Prov. 16:33). We are not told how this rule was carried out in the case of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh, who received their inheritance first. Possibly a sufficient extent of territory was surveyed at first to provide three large allotments. The three tribes might then have cast lots, first between Judah and Joseph for the northern or southern portions, and then between Ephraim and Manasseh for the two sections of the northern territory. Such a method would carry out the instructions of Num. 26.