Joshua 24:28 — Word Study
WLCוַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אֶת־ הָעָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ פ
BSAThen JoshuaYᵉhôwshûwaʻ [the leader, Yahweh is salvation] sent the peopleʻam [dismissed, let depart, a nation, a group of individuals] awayshâlach▸ eachʼîysh [every man, individually] to his own inheritancenachălâh [personal, inherited, property, heritage, something passed down]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח | and he sent away | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ | Joshua | Noun proper masculine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הָעָ֔ם | the people | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אִ֖ישׁ | everyone | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ פ | to own inheritance his | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance. |
| KJV | So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance. |
| ASV | So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance. |
| YLT | And Joshua sendeth the people away, each to his inheritance. |
| WEB | So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance. |
| BBE | Then Joshua let the people go away, every man to his heritage. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of אִישׁ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate phrase that specifies the destination of the people.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיְהֹושֻׁעַ
verbשָׁלַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 24:28
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Joshua's Farewell Addressgenerated
Joshua 24:28 describes the moment when Joshua, having gathered the Israelites, sends them back to their respective inheritances after reaffirming their covenant with God. This act signifies the conclusion of his leadership and the beginning of their responsibilities in the Promised Land. It reflects a transition from leadership to individual stewardship over the land allotted to each tribe.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 2:6 | After Joshua had dismissed the people, the Israelites went out to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נַחֲלָה, naḥaláhgenerated
The Hebrew word נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to inheritance, encompassing the concepts of property, heritage, and something passed down through generations. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit, highlighting its significance in the context of land and familial legacy.
In this verse, it emphasizes the personal aspect of inheritance, as each individual receives their own portion, which is a foundational concept in the distribution of land among the tribes of Israel.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb governing the verse is וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח, he sent away, with a noun phrase as the subject (יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙, Joshua) and a noun phrase object (הָעָ֔ם, the people). This structure emphasizes Joshua's action as the focal point of the sentence.
The sentence follows a straightforward order, placing the subject first, followed by the action and then the recipients, which is typical in Hebrew prose.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח as ἀπέστειλεν (apestēlen), meaning 'he sent away.' This choice maintains the action of sending but does not carry the same connotation of inheritance as the Hebrew.
The Greek word αὐτοῦ is used for נַחֲלָה, which translates to 'his own' and emphasizes personal ownership in the context of inheritance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 24:28 tells us that Joshua sent the people away, each to their own inheritance. This shows how the land was divided among the tribes of Israel, and each person had their own portion to take care of.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that each individual or family received a specific portion of land that was theirs to manage and cultivate, reflecting their heritage and God's promise.
Joshua was the leader who succeeded Moses and guided the Israelites into the Promised Land, ensuring they received their inheritance as God had promised.
Inheritance in the Bible often symbolizes God's promises and blessings, and this verse illustrates the fulfillment of those promises to the Israelites.
We learn about the importance of stewardship and personal responsibility in managing what God has given us.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does my own inheritance look like in my life, and how do I manage it?
- In what ways can I be a good steward of what has been given to me?
- How does understanding my inheritance in faith change my perspective on my responsibilities?
- What lessons can I take from Joshua's leadership and apply to my own life?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 24:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSo Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
Read John Gill on Joshua 24 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 24 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJoshua 24:28 So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.Ver. 28. So Joshua let the people depart.] With their hearts full of joy at the covenant. "For they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire," as 2 Chronicles 15:15.
Read John Trapp on Joshua 24 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28-31) So Joshua let the people depart . . .—This passage is recited in Judges 2:6-9.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Joshua 24 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. So Joshua] After this verse the Septuagint insert Joshua 24:31.
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. let the people depart] On the breaking up of this august assembly every man returned to the lot of his inheritance in the newly acquired and goodly Land of Promise. For the section to Joshua 24:31 comp. Judges 2:6-10. “Nothing can be conceived more impressive or more sublime than the circumstances of this last public interview of the aged Leader with the people whom he had put in possession of the goodly land of Canaan, and who had so often followed him in his victorious path. In the midst of the elders, the chiefs, and magistrates of Israel; surrounded by a respectful people, formerly bondsmen of Pharaoh, but now in possession of a rich and beautiful country, and the sole survivors of…
Read Cambridge on Joshua 24 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible26. Joshua wrote these words — A description of all that occurred at Shechem in this solemn renewal of the covenant.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
When Joshua dismissed the people, they went to their allotted portions of land.
Tyndale line
So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance.
So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance.
So Joshua let the people depart, every man to his inheritance.
Then Ioshua let the people depart, euery man vnto his inheritance.
Strictly literal
And Joshua dismissed the people, every man to his inheritance.
And Joshua sendeth the people away, each to his inheritance.
And Joshua sends the people away, each to his inheritance.
And Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
From the Latin
And he sent the people away every one to their own possession.
Simplified
Then Joshua dismissed the people, sending them to their allotted lands.
Then Joshua let the people go away, every man to his heritage.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אֶת־ הָעָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ פ," which translates to, "Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation in this instance, matches five of the six words from the Masoretic Text, indicating a strong agreement in the core message. However, the specific word order and articles used in the Septuagint reflect its own stylistic choices rather than a direct correspondence to the Hebrew text. There are no significant differences in meaning between these witnesses for this verse.
וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ אֶת־ הָעָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ פ
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 24:28
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
The Hebrew word יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (*Yhowshuwa`*) refers to Joshua, the successor of Moses and leader of the Israelites. It encompasses various figures, including a resident of Beth-shemesh, a high priest after the restoration, and a governor of Jerusalem under Josiah. The name means 'Jehovah is salvation' and appears in different contexts throughout the Old Testament.
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, and (later) יֵשׁוּעַ, n.pr.m. (& loc., v. 9 infr.) (י׳ is salvation or י׳ is opulence)
Moses’ successor, son of Nun
a Bethshemite
h.p. after the restoration, son of Jehozadak
governor of Jerusalem under Josiah
head of one of the classes of priests
a Levitical family-name of frequent occurrence
father of a builder at the wall
a Judaite family-name
n.pr.loc. in south of Judah
base
H3091 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, and (later) יֵשׁוּעַ . Moses’ successor, son of Nun
. a Bethshemite
. h. p. after the restoration, son of Jehozadak
. governor of Jerusalem under Josiah
. head of one of the classes of priests
. a Levitical family-name of frequent occurrence
. father of a builder at the wall
. a Judaite family-name
. n. pr. loc. in south of Judah
3091 Yhowshuwa` yeh-ho-shoo'-ah
or Yhowshua {yeh-ho-shoo'-ah}; from 3068 and 3467;
Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish
leader:--Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare 1954, 3442.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 03467
see HEBREW for 01954
see HEBREW for 03442
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (ye.ho.shu.a) — Joshua.
A man of the tribe of Ephraim living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness and Israel before the Monarchy, first mentioned at Exo.17.9;
son of: Nun (H5126); also called Hoshea (KJV: Oshea) at Num.13.8; Jeshua at Neh.8.17;
§ Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation"
1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan
2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it
3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration
4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (ye.ho.shu.a) — Joshua.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.6.14
§ Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation"
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Joshua
Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 (R.V., Joshua).
He was born in Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses’ minister or servant, and accompanied him part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tables (
(saviour, or whose help is Jehovah). His name appears in the various forms of HOSHEAHOSHEA, OSHEA, JEHOSHUA, JESHUA and JESUS. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:27) (B.C. 1530-1420.) He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. (Exodus 17:9) Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent, (Numbers 13:17) to explore the land of Canaan, and one of the two, ch. (Numbers 14:6) who gave an encouraging report of their journey. Moses, shortly before his death, was directed, (
1. The son of Nun, a distinguished leader of the Hebrews, and the successor of Moses. His name at first was Oshea, Nu 13:8,16; and in the New Testament he is called Jesus, Ac 7:45 Heb 4:8. Both the names, Joshua and Jesus, signify savior, deliverer. See JESUS. Joshua led Israel over the Jordan, and took possession of the promised land; he conquered the Canaanites, and then distributed the country among the tribes. He is first mentioned as the leader of Israel against the Amalekites at Rephidim,
Ex 17:8-16. See also Nu 14:6. At the passage over Jordan he was eighty-four years of age; and after about twenty-six years employed…
a savior; a deliverer
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.
אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)
base
H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)
376 'iysh eesh
contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root
meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male
person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and
in such cases frequently not expressed in
translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +
champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,
husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),
him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,
person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.
Compare 802.
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0802
אִישׁ (ish) — man.
: man
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.
: husband
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.
: anyone/someone
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.
נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance
property
portion, share
inheritance
base
H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property
. portion, share
. inheritance
5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'
from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something
inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an
heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or
portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.
Compare 5158.
see HEBREW for 05157
see HEBREW for 05158
נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.
1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage
1a) property
1b) portion, share
1c) inheritance, portion
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms