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⇱ Joshua 18:11 The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

Bible > Joshua > Chapter 18 > Verse 11
◄ Joshua 18:11 ►
New International Version
The first lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin according to its clans. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

New Living Translation
The first allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. It lay between the territory assigned to the tribes of Judah and Joseph.

English Standard Version
The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to its clans came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph.

Berean Standard Bible
The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot came out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

New American Standard Bible
Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

NASB 1995
Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

NASB 1977
Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

Amplified Bible
Now the lot (allotment) of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot fell between [the tribes of] the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

Christian Standard Bible
The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin’s descendants by their clans, and their allotted territory lay between Judah’s descendants and Joseph’s descendants.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin’s descendants by their clans, and their allotted territory lay between Judah’s descendants and Joseph’s descendants.

American Standard Version
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Contemporary English Version
Benjamin was the first tribe chosen to receive land. The region for its clans lay between the Judah tribe on the south and the Joseph tribes on the north.

English Revised Version
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The lot was drawn for the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Their territory lies between Judah's and Joseph's.

Good News Translation
The territory belonging to the families of the tribe of Benjamin was the first to be assigned. Their land lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph.

International Standard Version
The allotment of the tribe of the descendants of Benjamin came up according to their families, and their territorial allotment fell between the descendants of Judah and the descendants of Joseph.

NET Bible
The first lot belonged to the tribe of Benjamin by its clans. Their allotted territory was between Judah and Joseph.

New Heart English Bible
The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin came up according to their families. The border of their lot went out between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the border of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:

World English Bible
The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families. The border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a lot goes up [for] the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, for their families; and the border of their lot goes out between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

Young's Literal Translation
And a lot goeth up for the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, for their families; and the border of their lot goeth out between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the lot of the tribe of Benjamin will come up according to their families: and the bound of their lot will come forth between the sons of Judah and between the sons of Joseph.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And first came up the lot of the children of Benjamin by their families, to possess the land between the children of Juda, and the children of Joseph.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the first lot went to the sons of Benjamin, by their families, so that they would possess the land between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

New American Bible
One lot fell to the tribe of Benjaminites by their clans. The territory allotted them lay between the descendants of Judah and those of Joseph.

New Revised Standard Version
The lot of the tribe of Benjamin according to its families came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Joseph.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the lot of the tribe of Benjamin came up according to their families; and the territory of their inheritance came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up for their families, and the border of their inheritance went out between the children of Yehuda and the children of Yoseph
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families; and the border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the lot of the tribe of Benjamin came forth first according to their families: and the borders of their lot came forth between the children of Juda and the children of Joseph.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Benjamin's Inheritance
11The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph: 12On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:27
Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”

Deuteronomy 33:12
Concerning Benjamin he said: “May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.”

Judges 5:14
Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun.

Judges 20:14-17
And from their cities they came together at Gibeah to go out and fight against the Israelites. / On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah. / Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing. ...

1 Samuel 9:1-2
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Samuel 10:20-21
Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

1 Samuel 13:2
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

1 Samuel 14:47-48
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

2 Samuel 2:8-9
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.

2 Samuel 3:19
Abner also spoke to the Benjamites. Then he went to Hebron to tell David all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.

1 Kings 12:21
And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon.

1 Chronicles 7:6
The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.

1 Chronicles 8:1-2
Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, / Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

1 Chronicles 12:29
From Benjamin, the kinsmen of Saul: 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to the house of Saul up to that time.

Psalm 68:27
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.


Joshua 15:1-8
This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast…

Joshua 16:1-10
And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel, …

Deuteronomy 10:1-22
At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood…

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Joshua 18
1. The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh
2. The remainder of the land is described, and divided into seven parts
10. Joshua distributes it by lot
11. The lot and border of Benjamin
21. Their cities














The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.
The casting of lots was a common biblical method for determining God's will, seen in Leviticus 16:8 and Acts 1:26. The tribe of Benjamin, named after Jacob's youngest son, held a significant position among the tribes of Israel. Benjamin was the only son born in the Promised Land, and his tribe was known for its warriors (Judges 20:16). The allocation of land by lot underscores the divine sovereignty in the distribution of the land, as God had promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Benjamin's territory would later become strategically important, as it included Jerusalem, the future capital of Israel.

Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:
Geographically, Benjamin's land was a buffer zone between the powerful tribes of Judah to the south and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) to the north. This location was significant for several reasons. It placed Benjamin at the crossroads of major trade routes, contributing to its economic and military importance. Historically, this central position also meant that Benjamin often played a pivotal role in the political dynamics of Israel, as seen in the stories of King Saul, a Benjamite, and the later division of the kingdom (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 1 Kings 12:21). Theologically, the placement of Benjamin between Judah and Joseph can be seen as a type of Christ, who unites the divided people of God, as Benjamin's territory would later include Jerusalem, the city of peace and the site of the temple, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin is the progenitor of the tribe that bears his name. The tribe of Benjamin is known for its warriors and plays a significant role in Israel's history.

2. Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe of Judah is significant as it is the lineage from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ come.

3. Joseph
Represented by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph was one of Jacob's sons, and his account is pivotal in the latter part of Genesis. His descendants received a double portion of inheritance in the Promised Land.

4. Allotment of Land
This event marks the distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

5. Shiloh
The location where the Israelites gathered to distribute the land. It served as a religious center for Israel before the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment
The allotment of land to the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Reflect on how God has been faithful in your life.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ
Just as the tribes had distinct roles and territories, the body of Christ is diverse yet unified. Consider how your unique gifts contribute to the church.

The Importance of Heritage and Legacy
The tribes' inheritances were tied to their ancestors. Reflect on the spiritual heritage you are building for future generations.

The Role of Leadership
The tribe of Benjamin produced significant leaders like King Saul. Consider how God might be calling you to lead in your community or church.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 18:11?

2. How does Joshua 18:11 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

3. What can we learn about God's order from the "lot" for Benjamin?

4. How does the division of land relate to God's covenant with Abraham?

5. How can we trust God's timing in our own life's "allotments"?

6. What role does obedience play in receiving God's promises, as seen in Joshua 18:11?

7. What is the significance of Benjamin's territory in Joshua 18:11 for Israel's history?

8. How does Joshua 18:11 reflect God's promise to the tribes of Israel?

9. Why was the land distribution process important in Joshua 18:11?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 18?

11. What is the Tribe of Benjamin?

12. Who was Benjamin in the Bible?

13. What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?

14. Who are the Sons of Jacob?
What Does Joshua 18:11 Mean
The first lot came up

“The first lot came up…” sets the scene at Shiloh, where Joshua casts lots before the LORD (Joshua 18:8-10).

• The casting of lots underscores God’s sovereign direction (Proverbs 16:33; Acts 1:24-26).

• This “first” lot, after Judah and Joseph had already been settled (Joshua 15–17), signals a fresh phase of distributing the land that God had sworn to give (Genesis 15:18-21; Exodus 6:8).

• By ordering the lots, the LORD affirms that no inheritance is random; every boundary line “has fallen to me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6).

for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin

“…for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.” God addresses families, not just individuals.

• Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob (Genesis 35:18), had survived near extinction (Judges 20-21) but still receives a full inheritance—evidence of grace and covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9).

• Benjamin’s strategic role emerges later: Israel’s first king Saul (1 Samuel 9:21), Mordecai and Esther (Esther 2:5-7), and the apostle Paul (Romans 11:1) all hail from this tribe.

• Clans (“mishpachot”) receive portions, ensuring every household tastes the promise (Numbers 26:55-56).

Their allotted territory

“Their allotted territory…” speaks of tangible land, not mere symbolism.

• The word “allotted” echoes Numbers 34:13, where Moses commands Joshua to divide Canaan “as an inheritance.”

• Land anchors Israel’s worship and witness; altars, cities of refuge, and Levitical towns all require actual geography (Deuteronomy 12:10-11; Joshua 20:1-3).

• God ties spiritual blessing to spatial reality, foreshadowing the New Earth where redeemed people will again dwell securely (Isaiah 65:17-21; Revelation 21:1-3).

lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph

“…lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:” situates Benjamin in a pivotal corridor.

• Judah to the south and Ephraim/Manasseh (Joseph’s sons) to the north form Israel’s political and spiritual backbone (1 Kings 12:20-24).

• Benjamin’s border includes Jerusalem (Joshua 18:28), later David’s capital and the temple’s site—uniting Judah and Benjamin under one throne (2 Samuel 5:6-9; 1 Kings 8:1).

• Being “between” larger tribes makes Benjamin a bridge, not a barrier—mirroring believers called to reconcile (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

summary

Joshua 18:11 records God’s precise, providential gift: by the first lot, Benjamin’s clans receive land nestled between Judah and Joseph. The verse highlights the LORD’s sovereignty in borders, His faithfulness to every family, the concreteness of His promises, and Benjamin’s unique mediating position—threads that weave through redemptive history and encourage believers to trust the boundary-setting goodness of God.

THE INHERITANCE OF BENJAMIN.

(11-28) The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.--It can have been by no accident that their lot came forth "between Judah and Joseph." No wiser method could have been devised to secure an united Israel than thus to make Benjamin the link between the two most powerful and naturally rival tribes. In the story of Joseph, the brethren are reconciled through the mutual affection of Judah and Joseph for Benjamin as their father's youngest and best-loved son.

The position thus given to Benjamin under Joshua was still further developed by circumstances. The tribe was almost exterminated in the time of the judges; the survivors were united in marriage with women of Ephraim and Manasseh (?). On the other hand, the city of Jerusalem, although assigned by Joshua to Benjamin, was first a joint possession of Judah and Benjamin (1Chronicles 8:28; 1Chronicles 8:32; Judges 1:8; Judges 1:21), then the royal city of the kings of the house of Judah. The selection of the first king of Israel from Benjamin, and the ultimate planting of the religious and political centre of all the tribes on the confines of Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem, would have been two masterstrokes of policy if they had been schemes of man's devising. They were really links in the long chain of God's providential dealing with the chosen people.

(12) And their border.--This is first described on the north side, where it coincided with the southern border of Ephraim. Conder draws it from El 'Aujeh (sheet 15), five miles north of Jericho, towards Beth-el (Beitin), perhaps going along the Wady' Aujeh, Beth-el lying within the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:22), and so on to Archi (Joshua 16:2), now Ain 'Arik (near the top of sheet 17), and thence to Ataroth-addar (Ed-Darieh), near Beth-horon the nether (Beit- -r-et-Tahta). This line is from east to west. . . .

Verse 11. - The children of Benjamin. Lying as their inheritance did between that of Ephraim and Judah, the chief places of note on their border have been already mentioned either in ch. 15. or in ch. 16.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The [first] lot
גּוֹרַ֛ל (gō·w·ral)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

came up
וַיַּ֗עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

for the clans
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the tribe
מַטֵּ֥ה (maṭ·ṭêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Benjamin.
בִנְיָמִ֖ן (ḇin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

Their allotted
גּֽוֹרָלָ֔ם (gō·w·rā·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

territory
גְּב֣וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

lay
וַיֵּצֵא֙ (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

between
בֵּ֚ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the [tribes]
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and
וּבֵ֖ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Joseph:
יוֹסֵֽף׃ (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites


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OT History: Joshua 18:11 The lot of the tribe (Josh. Jos)