In the biblical context, "allotments" refer to the distribution or assignment of land, roles, or responsibilities among the people of Israel, as ordained by God. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the narratives concerning the Promised Land and the organization of the Israelite community.

Allotment of the Promised Land

The most significant instance of allotments in the Bible is the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. After the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to apportion the land of Canaan to the tribes. This task was later completed by Joshua, as recorded in the Book of Joshua.

In Joshua 13:7, God instructs Joshua, "Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh." The land was distributed by casting lots, a method believed to reflect divine will, ensuring that each tribe received its rightful inheritance. The Levites, however, were not given a portion of the land as their inheritance was the priesthood and the offerings made to the Lord (Joshua 13:14).

Tribal Allotments

Each tribe received a specific portion of land, with boundaries detailed in the Book of Joshua. For example, Joshua 15:1 states, "Now the allotment for the tribe of the descendants of Judah, clan by clan, extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin in the extreme south." These allotments were not only geographical but also carried spiritual and covenantal significance, as they were seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Cities of Refuge and Levitical Cities

In addition to tribal allotments, certain cities were designated as cities of refuge and Levitical cities. The cities of refuge were established to provide asylum for individuals who committed unintentional manslaughter, as outlined in Numbers 35:6-7: "Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, where a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities."

The Levitical cities were distributed among the tribes to provide for the Levites, who had no inheritance of land. These cities ensured that the Levites could perform their priestly duties throughout Israel.

Spiritual and Theological Implications

The concept of allotments underscores the importance of divine sovereignty and order in the life of Israel. The distribution of land was not merely a practical necessity but a divine ordinance that reinforced the covenant relationship between God and His people. It highlighted God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and established a framework for communal life centered around worship, justice, and obedience to God's law.

Furthermore, the allotments served as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for provision and guidance. The land was a gift from God, and its distribution was a testament to His grace and favor. This understanding fostered a sense of unity and identity among the tribes, as each tribe's inheritance was part of the larger promise to the nation of Israel.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not focus on land allotments, the concept of spiritual inheritance is prevalent. Believers are described as co-heirs with Christ, receiving an eternal inheritance that transcends earthly possessions. This spiritual inheritance is a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and his descendants, now extended to all who are in Christ.

In summary, allotments in the Bible represent God's provision, order, and faithfulness to His people. They serve as a foundational element in the narrative of Israel and offer profound insights into the nature of God's covenantal relationship with humanity.2818. kleronomos -- an heir
... Lot-casting determined land allotments (distribution) related to inheritance, as
well as to "title-deeds, legacy, inheritance, heritable estate" ().]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2818.htm - 7k

Sermon xxvii.
... to God. This impression is strengthened by a view of the very unequal and
indiscriminate allotments of the present life. Here the ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/sermon xxvii.htm

Church and State in New England
... the magistrates as "Nursing Fathers" of the Church, [2l] who were to take "special
note and care of every Church and provide and assign allotments of land for ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... to prove that men are not dealt with in this world according to their character;
that the distinction is not observed in the allotments of Providence. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

The Bad Squire
... 'You may tire of the jail and the workhouse, And take to allotments and schools,
But you've run up a debt that will never Be paid us by penny-club rules. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the bad squire.htm

The Waves of Time
... The great broad field of time is portioned out, like the strips of peasant allotments,
which show a little bit here, with one kind of crop upon it, bordered by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the waves of time.htm

Doctrines of Saturninus and Basilides.
... angels who occupy the lowest heaven, that, namely, which is visible to us, formed
all the things which are in the world, and made allotments among themselves ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv doctrines of saturninus and.htm

Of Querulousness.
... 6. But the highest and most unhappy instance of all is in our behavior toward God,
whose allotments we dispute with the same, or rather greater boldness than ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... which, in the ordinary course of Providence, appear chiefly to determine what the
respective men shall be; and what shall be those allotments which regularly ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/dwight the sovereignty of.htm

The Christian Life
... done in heaven,' still done in the issues and events of all"and done with my cheerful
obedience and thankful acceptance of its commands and allotments in my ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the christian life.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... The allotments of his providence illustrate the necessity of submission to him;
and the pre-determinations of his will secure the services which he accepts. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Allotments (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Allotments (4 Occurrences). Joshua 11:23 So Joshua
took the whole land, according to all that the LORD ...
/a/allotments.htm - 8k

Allotment (24 Occurrences)

/a/allotment.htm - 14k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... Two tribes and a half had their allotments given them by Moses on the east of the
Jordan (Deuteronomy 3:12-20; Comp. Numbers 1:17-46; Joshua 4:12-13). ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Allots (3 Occurrences)

/a/allots.htm - 7k

Period (43 Occurrences)
... 1. The Canaanites: The different tribes had received their respective allotments
(Judges 1:3), but the actual possession of the territory assigned each still ...
/p/period.htm - 34k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... battle of Actium (31 BC) the colony was reinforced, largely by Italian partisans
of Antony who were dispossessed in order to afford allotments for Octavian's ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

Judges (117 Occurrences)
... 1. The Canaanites: The different tribes had received their respective allotments
(Judges 1:3), but the actual possession of the territory assigned each still ...
/j/judges.htm - 81k

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