Joshua 18

1. Shiloh.** Shiloh was situated in the very heart of the land, about twenty miles north of Jerusalem, and was therefore well adapted for the site of the Tabernacle, which remained there more than four hundred years (1 Sam. iv. 1-11); but was afterwards placed at Gibeon (1 Chron. xxi. 29).

the tabernacle of the congregation. “Tent of meeting” (R.V.). This appears to have been done as soon as the Ephraimites, in the midst of whom it was placed, had received their inheritance.

3. How long are ye slack? The wealth they had acquired from the conquered Canaanites, and the strength of the remainder, probably combined to hinder their settlement.

4. I will send them. It is probable that some survey had been made previously to the allotment of the portions to the before-mentioned tribes; but it had not been sufficiently exact. The persons now employed were therefore to make a complete measurement of the country, in order that the land might be divided into seven parts, for the tribes which were yet unprovided for. After this survey, it appeared that Judah’s part was disproportionately large; therefore a portion for another tribe was taken out of it, which, on being put anew to the lot, fell to Simeon (xix. 1-9), and another portion, which fell to Dan (xix. 40-46).

5 on the north. That is, north of Shiloh.

6 before the Lord our God. i.e., before the tabernacle in which Jehovah manifested His presence to the people. The lot, when thus cast in the presence of the Lord, acquired, of course, an indisputable validity. Moses had already indicated the position of the tribes (Deut. xxxiii.), and the “lot” cast by Joshua confirms the appointment.

9 by cities. i.e., the cities with their cultivated districts.