Joshua 18 Study Notes: Shiloh, the Survey, and Benjamin
Israel gathers at Shiloh and pitches the tabernacle, and Joshua rebukes seven tribes for delaying to claim their land. Tribal representatives survey and record the land in seven parts, Joshua casts lots before the LORD, and Benjamin receives the first portion between Judah and Joseph.
General
Where did Benjamin's allotted territory lie, according to 18:11?
Answer: Between the Judah tribe's land and Joseph's
The first of the seven lots came up for Benjamin, and its land lay between Judah's territory and the territory of the Joseph tribes (18:11). Judah kept its southern land and the Joseph tribes their northern land (18:5), so Benjamin sat in between. Benjamin and Joseph were full brothers, the two sons of Rachel (Genesis 35:24), and Moses had blessed Benjamin as the LORD's beloved who would live securely (Deuteronomy 33:12). Land inside Judah's territory went to Simeon (19:1), and land east of the Jordan to Reuben and Gad.
- Joshua 18:11 (BSB)“The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:”Benjamin receives the first lot, a territory lying between Judah and Joseph.
- Genesis 35:24 (BSB)“The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.”Joseph and Benjamin were the two sons of Rachel.
- Deuteronomy 33:12 (BSB)“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.””Moses blessed Benjamin as the beloved of the LORD who would rest secure.
Theological
How does 18:11 locate the territory of Benjamin, the first of the seven lots?
Answer: Between the Judah tribe's land and Joseph's
Benjamin's lot, the first of the seven, falls between Judah and Joseph (18:11), the two blocks that remained in place to the south and north (18:5). The placement sets Rachel's younger son beside the descendants of her elder son Joseph (Genesis 35:24), and Moses had blessed Benjamin as the LORD's beloved, dwelling secure (Deuteronomy 33:12). Simeon's portion inside Judah (19:1) and the eastern tribes' holdings are distinct arrangements.
- Joshua 18:11 (BSB)“The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:”Benjamin receives the first lot, a territory lying between Judah and Joseph.
- Genesis 35:24 (BSB)“The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.”Joseph and Benjamin were the two sons of Rachel.
- Deuteronomy 33:12 (BSB)“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.””Moses blessed Benjamin as the beloved of the LORD who would rest secure.
General
True or False: When Joshua spoke at Shiloh, Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh were still waiting for their land.
Answer: False
This is false. Joshua reminds Israel that Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh already held the eastern land Moses had granted them across the river (18:7). Moses had given these tribes the former kingdoms of Sihon and Og (Numbers 32:33), and Joshua 13:8 records the same grant. Their fighting men had crossed over to help their brothers, with the promise that they could go back to their eastern land once the other tribes had rest (Joshua 1:15). That is why only seven tribes were still waiting.
- Joshua 18:7 (BSB)“The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.””Joshua notes that Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh already have the land Moses gave them east of the Jordan.
- Numbers 32:33 (BSB)“So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them.”Moses gave the eastern kingdoms of Sihon and Og to Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh.
- Joshua 13:8 (BSB)“The other half of Manasseh, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, had received the inheritance Moses had given them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had assigned to them:”Joshua 13 records that these tribes had received what Moses gave them east of the Jordan.
- Joshua 1:15 (BSB)“until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.””These tribes were to return to their land east of the Jordan once their brothers had rest.
Theological
True or False: At the time of 18:7, the Transjordan tribes were still without their inheritance.
Answer: False
This is false. Joshua explicitly excludes Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh from the remaining distribution because Moses had already given them their inheritance east of the Jordan (18:7). That grant of Sihon's and Og's kingdoms is recorded in Numbers 32:33 and restated in Joshua 13:8, and their warriors' service west of the Jordan was conditioned on returning home once their brothers had rest (Joshua 1:15). The arithmetic of the chapter follows: seven tribes remain.
- Joshua 18:7 (BSB)“The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.””Joshua notes that Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh already have the land Moses gave them east of the Jordan.
- Numbers 32:33 (BSB)“So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them.”Moses gave the eastern kingdoms of Sihon and Og to Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh.
- Joshua 13:8 (BSB)“The other half of Manasseh, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, had received the inheritance Moses had given them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had assigned to them:”Joshua 13 records that these tribes had received what Moses gave them east of the Jordan.
- Joshua 1:15 (BSB)“until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.””These tribes were to return to their land east of the Jordan once their brothers had rest.
General
True or False: Jerusalem, then called Jebus, appears in the list of Benjamin's cities.
Answer: True
This is true. Benjamin's second list of cities includes Jebus, which the text identifies as Jerusalem (18:28). The city stood right on the line between Judah and Benjamin, and neither tribe drove out the Jebusites who lived there: Judah could not (15:63), and Benjamin failed as well (Judges 1:21). The Jebusites were still there in King David's day, when he captured the stronghold of Zion, which became David's city (2 Samuel 5:6-7).
- Joshua 18:28 (BSB)“Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.”Jebus, identified as Jerusalem, is listed among Benjamin's cities.
- Joshua 15:63 (BSB)“But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.”Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”Benjamin also failed to drive out the Jebusites of Jerusalem.
- 2 Samuel 5:6-7 (BSB)“Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).”David later captured the fortress of Zion from the Jebusites.
Theological
True or False: Benjamin's city list includes Jebus, identified in the text as Jerusalem.
Answer: True
This is true. Jebus, glossed as Jerusalem, appears in Benjamin's second group of cities (18:28). Situated on the Judah-Benjamin border, the city remained Jebusite: Judah could not dispossess its inhabitants (15:63), nor did Benjamin (Judges 1:21). The Jebusites still held its stronghold when David captured Zion (2 Samuel 5:6-7), an example of the gap between the allotment and full possession.
- Joshua 18:28 (BSB)“Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.”Jebus, identified as Jerusalem, is listed among Benjamin's cities.
- Joshua 15:63 (BSB)“But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.”Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”Benjamin also failed to drive out the Jebusites of Jerusalem.
- 2 Samuel 5:6-7 (BSB)“Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).”David later captured the fortress of Zion from the Jebusites.
General
According to 18:7, why did the Levites receive no portion of land?
Answer: Their portion was serving the LORD as His priests
The Levites were the tribe set apart to serve at God's tent, with the priests coming from Aaron's family. Joshua explains that they have no portion of land among the tribes, because serving as the LORD's priests is their inheritance (18:7). The book describes Levi's share in several complementary ways: the offerings made to the LORD (13:14), and the LORD Himself (13:33). God had told Aaron the same thing, that He was Aaron's portion (Numbers 18:20). Levi was not overlooked; their share was nearness to God and His service, and they would later receive towns to live in among the other tribes (chapter 21).
- Joshua 18:7 (BSB)“The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.””Joshua explains that the Levites receive no portion because the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance.
- Joshua 13:14 (BSB)“To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.”Here the food offerings to the LORD are named as Levi's inheritance.
- Joshua 13:33 (BSB)“To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.”Here the LORD Himself is named as Levi's inheritance.
- Numbers 18:20 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.”God told Aaron that He Himself was Aaron's portion and inheritance.
Theological
What reason does 18:7 give for the Levites having no territorial portion?
Answer: Their portion was serving the LORD as His priests
Joshua states that the Levites receive no tribal portion because the LORD's priesthood is their inheritance (18:7). Joshua 13 frames the same reality two other ways: the LORD's food offerings are their inheritance (13:14), and the LORD God of Israel Himself is their inheritance (13:33), echoing God's word to Aaron that He is his portion among Israel (Numbers 18:20). Levi's lack of land is not deprivation but consecration to God's service; the tribe will receive cities among the others in chapter 21.
- Joshua 18:7 (BSB)“The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.””Joshua explains that the Levites receive no portion because the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance.
- Joshua 13:14 (BSB)“To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.”Here the food offerings to the LORD are named as Levi's inheritance.
- Joshua 13:33 (BSB)“To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.”Here the LORD Himself is named as Levi's inheritance.
- Numbers 18:20 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.”God told Aaron that He Himself was Aaron's portion and inheritance.
General
How was each of the seven remaining tribes' portion decided (18:6, 10)?
Answer: By lots that Joshua cast at Shiloh before God
Once the survey was done, Joshua drew lots for the tribes at Shiloh in God's presence and handed out the land division by division (18:10). Casting lots was a way of drawing to make a decision. This was not left to chance: Proverbs teaches that although the lot is thrown, every decision it gives comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33). God had commanded through Moses that the land be assigned by lot (Numbers 26:55-56; Numbers 34:13). So each tribe's portion was assigned by God Himself, not by human choice or rivalry.
- Joshua 18:10 (BSB)“And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.”Joshua casts lots before the LORD at Shiloh and distributes the land.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The lot may be cast, but every decision it gives comes from the LORD.
- Numbers 26:55-56 (BSB)“Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.””The LORD had commanded that the land be divided by lot.
- Numbers 34:13 (BSB)“So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.”Moses commanded Israel to apportion the land by lot as the LORD had ordered.
Theological
By what means were the seven remaining portions assigned in 18:6, 10?
Answer: By lots that Joshua cast at Shiloh before God
Joshua draws lots for the tribes at Shiloh in God's presence and distributes the land division by division (18:10). The lot was the divinely appointed method (Numbers 26:55-56; Numbers 34:13), and Scripture interprets its outcome as God's own decision: whatever the throw, its every verdict comes from God (Proverbs 16:33). The allotment is thus an exercise of God's providence, His sovereign rule over even apparently random events, assigning each tribe its place apart from human merit or rivalry.
- Joshua 18:10 (BSB)“And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.”Joshua casts lots before the LORD at Shiloh and distributes the land.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The lot may be cast, but every decision it gives comes from the LORD.
- Numbers 26:55-56 (BSB)“Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.””The LORD had commanded that the land be divided by lot.
- Numbers 34:13 (BSB)“So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.”Moses commanded Israel to apportion the land by lot as the LORD had ordered.
General
What did Joshua rebuke the seven remaining tribes for in 18:3?
Answer: Being slow to take hold of the land God had given
The land had been subdued, yet seven tribes still had no inheritance (18:2). Joshua asked them how long they would keep putting off going in to take over the land their fathers' God had already given them (18:3). The land was God's gift, but they still had to go and take hold of it. Moses had said the same thing a generation earlier, urging Israel to go up and possess it without fear (Deuteronomy 1:21), and God had promised Joshua every place they would set foot on (Joshua 1:3). The complaint about too little land belongs to the Joseph tribes in chapter 17, not to these seven.
- Joshua 18:2-3 (BSB)“there were still seven tribes of Israel who had not yet received their inheritance. So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”Seven tribes are still without land, and Joshua asks how long they will delay.
- Deuteronomy 1:21 (BSB)“See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses had urged Israel to go up and possess the land without fear.
- Joshua 1:3 (BSB)“I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses.”God had promised to give Israel every place they set foot on.
- Joshua 23:5 (BSB)“The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.”Joshua later promises that the LORD will drive out the nations that remain.
Theological
What does Joshua's question in 18:3 charge the seven tribes with?
Answer: Being slow to take hold of the land God had given
Though the land lay subdued, seven tribes remained without an inheritance (18:2), and Joshua confronts their delay: how long will they neglect to enter and possess what their fathers' God has given (18:3)? Gift and responsibility stand together. The land is given, as Joshua 1:3 promised, yet it must be taken in faith, as Moses had urged in Deuteronomy 1:21. The book later adds the LORD's promise to expel the nations still remaining (23:5). The Joseph tribes' grievance in 17:14-18 is a different episode.
- Joshua 18:2-3 (BSB)“there were still seven tribes of Israel who had not yet received their inheritance. So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”Seven tribes are still without land, and Joshua asks how long they will delay.
- Deuteronomy 1:21 (BSB)“See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses had urged Israel to go up and possess the land without fear.
- Joshua 1:3 (BSB)“I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses.”God had promised to give Israel every place they set foot on.
- Joshua 23:5 (BSB)“The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.”Joshua later promises that the LORD will drive out the nations that remain.
General
What task did Joshua give the three men chosen from each tribe (18:4-9)?
Answer: To walk the land and describe it in seven parts
Joshua had each tribe appoint three men and sent them out to travel through the land and write a description of it, dividing it into seven portions (18:4-6). Judah would keep its southern land and the Joseph tribes their northern land. The men went through the land, recorded it town by town in seven parts in a written document, and brought it back to Joshua at Shiloh (18:8-9). This fit the LORD's earlier instructions that leaders from every tribe take part in sharing out the land (Numbers 34:18) and that the shares suit each tribe's size (Numbers 26:54). Spying out enemy defenses belongs to earlier episodes, not this survey.
- Joshua 18:4-6 (BSB)“Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north. When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God.”Joshua orders three men from each tribe to survey the land and divide it into seven portions for the lot.
- Joshua 18:8-9 (BSB)“As the men got up to go out, Joshua commanded them to map out the land, saying, “Go and survey the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will cast lots for you here in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD.” So the men departed and went throughout the land, mapping it city by city into seven portions. Then they returned with the document to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh.”The men survey the land city by city and bring the written record to Joshua at Shiloh.
- Numbers 34:18 (BSB)“Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.”The LORD had ordered that a leader from each tribe help distribute the land.
- Numbers 26:54 (BSB)“Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.”The land was to be shared out in proportion to each tribe's size.
Theological
What commission did Joshua give the three representatives from each tribe in 18:4-9?
Answer: To walk the land and describe it in seven parts
Joshua commissions three representatives per tribe to traverse the land and set it down in writing in seven portions, with Judah and Joseph remaining in their southern and northern holdings (18:4-6). They complete the task city by city and return their written record to Joshua at Shiloh (18:8-9). The procedure reflects the Mosaic instructions: tribal leaders share in the distribution (Numbers 34:18), and the shares are proportioned to tribal size (Numbers 26:54). The survey prepares the land for the lot, while the decision itself is left to the LORD.
- Joshua 18:4-6 (BSB)“Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north. When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God.”Joshua orders three men from each tribe to survey the land and divide it into seven portions for the lot.
- Joshua 18:8-9 (BSB)“As the men got up to go out, Joshua commanded them to map out the land, saying, “Go and survey the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will cast lots for you here in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD.” So the men departed and went throughout the land, mapping it city by city into seven portions. Then they returned with the document to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh.”The men survey the land city by city and bring the written record to Joshua at Shiloh.
- Numbers 34:18 (BSB)“Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.”The LORD had ordered that a leader from each tribe help distribute the land.
- Numbers 26:54 (BSB)“Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.”The land was to be shared out in proportion to each tribe's size.
General
Where did all Israel gather and pitch the Tent of Meeting (18:1)?
Answer: Shiloh
Joshua 18 opens with all Israel gathering at Shiloh and pitching the Tent of Meeting in that place (18:1). The Tent of Meeting, also called the tabernacle, was the portable worship tent where God met with His people. Earlier the camp had been at Gilgal (14:6). Moses had said that once Israel lived in the land, God would choose a place for His Name, where offerings would be brought (Deuteronomy 12:10-11). Later God spoke of Shiloh as the first place where He had caused His Name to dwell (Jeremiah 7:12), and in Samuel's time families still went up to Shiloh to worship (1 Samuel 1:3).
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”Israel gathers at Shiloh and sets up the Tent of Meeting, with the land now subdued.
- Deuteronomy 12:10-11 (BSB)“When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely, then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.”Moses had said that once Israel lived in the land, God would choose a place for His Name.
- Jeremiah 7:12 (BSB)“But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.”God later calls Shiloh the place where He first made a dwelling for His Name.
- 1 Samuel 1:3 (BSB)“Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.”Generations later Israel still went up to Shiloh to worship the LORD.
Theological
At what site did the congregation assemble and pitch the tabernacle in 18:1?
Answer: Shiloh
With the land subdued, the whole congregation assembles at Shiloh and erects the tabernacle in that place (18:1), after the earlier camp at Gilgal (14:6). This anticipates the chosen place for God's Name promised in Deuteronomy 12:10-11. Jeremiah later identifies Shiloh as the first place God caused His Name to dwell (Jeremiah 7:12), and it remains the sanctuary in the days of Eli and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:3). The remaining lots are cast here before the LORD (18:10).
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”Israel gathers at Shiloh and sets up the Tent of Meeting, with the land now subdued.
- Deuteronomy 12:10-11 (BSB)“When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely, then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.”Moses had said that once Israel lived in the land, God would choose a place for His Name.
- Jeremiah 7:12 (BSB)“But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.”God later calls Shiloh the place where He first made a dwelling for His Name.
- 1 Samuel 1:3 (BSB)“Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.”Generations later Israel still went up to Shiloh to worship the LORD.