What does Numbers 26:55 mean?
"Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit." - Numbers 26:55

Numbers 26:55 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit." This verse comes from the Book of Numbers, which is the fourth book of the Old Testament. The Book of Numbers is primarily concerned with the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, and it contains a lot of information about the organization and structure of the Israelite community, including the division of the land among the tribes.
In this verse, the Lord is speaking to Moses and Eleazar the priest, instructing them about how the land of Canaan is to be divided among the Israelite tribes. The phrase "the land shall be divided by lot" refers to the method by which the land was to be allocated to each tribe. The process of casting lots was a common practice in ancient Israel, and it was used to determine God's will in matters of uncertainty or dispute. In this case, the land of Canaan was divided by lot to ensure that the allocation was fair and impartial, and that it reflected God's divine will.
The verse goes on to explain that the land is to be divided "according to the names of the tribes of their fathers," which means that each tribe will receive a portion of the land based on their ancestral lineage. This reflects the importance of tribal identity and inheritance in ancient Israelite society. Each tribe had a specific territory that was passed down through generations, and it was closely linked to the tribe's history, culture, and traditions. The allocation of the land according to tribal inheritance was a way of preserving the identity and heritage of each tribe within the larger community of Israel.
The themes of land, inheritance, and divine providence are central to this verse and to the broader narrative of the Book of Numbers. The division of the land of Canaan among the tribes was a crucial aspect of the Israelites' journey and settlement in the promised land. It symbolized God's fulfillment of his promise to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it represented the establishment of the Israelite community as a nation with a permanent homeland. The process of casting lots to divide the land also underscored the Israelites' belief in God's sovereignty and his guidance in every aspect of their lives, including the allocation of territory.
Furthermore, the verse reveals the importance of tribal identity and solidarity within the Israelite community. The allocation of land according to the names of the tribes of their fathers was a way of maintaining the cohesion and unity of the twelve tribes, even as they settled in different parts of the land. Each tribe had its own distinct territory, but they were all part of a larger whole, bound together by their common ancestry and faith in the one true God. This emphasis on tribal heritage and unity reinforced the Israelites' sense of national identity and purpose.
In conclusion, Numbers 26:55 is a verse that speaks to the themes of divine providence, tribal inheritance, and community solidarity within the context of the Israelites' settlement in the promised land. It highlights the role of God in guiding the allocation of the land and ensuring that it reflects his will, as well as the significance of tribal identity and unity in the Israelite community. As such, it holds a key place in the larger narrative of the Book of Numbers and the overarching story of the Israelites' journey and establishment as a nation.
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Numbers 26:55 - "Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit."
"Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit." - Numbers 26:55
Numbers 7:55 - "His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:"
Matthew 26:55 - "In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me."
Numbers 11:16-26
Numbers 26:8 - "And the sons of Pallu; Eliab."
Numbers 26:26 - "¶ Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites."
Numbers 26:46 - "And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah."
Numbers 26:11 - "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."
Numbers 33:26 - "And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath."
Israelites taking census in Numbers 26
Numbers 26:52 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 26:36 - "And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites."
Numbers 26:53 - "Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names."
Numbers 26:39 - "Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites."
Numbers 26:31 - "And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:"
Numbers 26:6 - "Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites."
Numbers 26:49 - "Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites."
Numbers 26:24 - "Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites."
Numbers 26:17 - "Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites."
Numbers 26:13 - "Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites."
Numbers 33:55 - "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."
Numbers 26:32 - "And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites."
Numbers 26:16 - "Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:"
Numbers 7:26 - "One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:"
Numbers 26:60 - "And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."
Numbers 26:14 - "These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred."
Numbers 26:28 - "¶ The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim."
Numbers 14:26 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,"
Numbers 34:26 - "And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan."