Numbers 26:56 - According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.”

Generated Verse: Numbers 26:56

What does "Numbers 26:56" mean?


Numbers 26:56, "According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer," refers to how land was to be allocated to the Israelite tribes in the Promised Land after the census. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"According to the lot": The word "lot" here refers to a method of casting lots or drawing names. It was a way to determine allocation seemingly by chance, but in the context of the time, it was understood to be guided by God. This ensured fairness and prevented favoritism.

"Their inheritance": This refers to the land promised to the Israelites by God.

"Divided between the more and the fewer": This is the key part. It means that the amount of land each tribe received was determined by its population size. Tribes with larger populations ("the more") would receive more land, while tribes with smaller populations ("the fewer") would receive less land.

In essence, the verse means: The size of the inheritance (land) for each tribe was to be determined both by the casting of lots and by the tribe's population. The lot would decide the location, and the population would decide the size. This created a system of proportional representation in land ownership.

Why this was important:

Fairness: It ensured that tribes could sustain their populations based on their size. A large tribe needed more land for agriculture, living space, and resources.
Resource Management: It helped ensure that resources were distributed effectively.
Divine Authority: Using the lot was seen as a way of trusting in God's plan and avoiding human bias.

In summary, the verse emphasizes that the land was to be allocated according to both the will of God (determined by the lot) and the practical needs of the tribes (based on their population).

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