ALLOTMENT (גּﯴרָל, H1598, lot which is cast; מַחֲלֹ֫קֶת, H4713, share of property), RSV only; KJV, ASV equivalents; lot, division. A share of land, distributed by Lot (q.v.).

The term allotment occurs eight times (RSV) in reference to the allocation of Pal. to the tribes of Israel (Josh 11:22-17:2; Ezek 48:10-13). Such practice stems, not from the land’s originally communal ownership, as is sometimes alleged (IDB, I:85; AIs, 165), but from its divine ownership (Josh 22:19); the human residents were “strangers and sojourners” before God (Lev 25:23). Even as God chose Israel for His inheritance (Exod 19:5; Deut 4:20), so He in turn became the “portion” of His people (Ps 16:5; 73:26). Specifically, He promised to the seed of Abraham the land of Canaan (Gen 13:15; 17:8; cf. Josh 21:43) and then provided for its distribution to their tribes and families (Num 26:53; 33:54). Precise amounts depended upon the size of each group (26:54); but assignments were to be made by lot (vv. 55, 56; cf. Josh 16:1; 17:1), indicative of God’s ultimate control (Prov 16:33; Isa 34:17).

As it developed, Moses before his death simply distributed Trans-Jordan to the two and one half tribes upon their own request (Num 32:33; cf. their borders in Josh 13:15-32); Joshua, however, assisted by Eleazar and the tribal chieftains, subsequently divided W Pal. among the remaining nine and one half tribes by lot, as God had commanded (Josh 11:23; 12:7; 13:7; 14:1, 2; cf. Num 34:13, 16-29). Levi received no land—God’s offerings were their inheritance (Num 18:20; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; cf. their forty-eight cities, assigned by lot, Josh 21; 1 Chron 6:34-81)—but the tribe of Joseph had been divided into the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Josh 14:4). Joshua made final allotments to the seven remaining tribes (18:11-19:48), on the basis of a land survey conducted by a special commission composed of three representatives from each tribe (18:2-10).

No re-allotments are recorded in Scripture. (Ezek 24:6 appears to discuss merely a possible exemption from exile, on the basis of lots.) Lands were not to be sold permanently (Lev 25:23); and alienated properties were subject to redemption within the family (v. 25), and were to revert to their original owners at the Year of Jubilee, q.v. (vv. 8-10). Even upon the default of male heirs, inheritances were to be kept within the family and tribe (Num 27:8-11; 36:7-9). In the face, however, of extortion and conquest (1 Sam 8:14; Isa 5:8; Mic 2:2), the prophets envisioned a future re-allotment (Mic 2:5; E. Kraeling, Comm. on the Prophets, II:211), esp. in Messianic times (Ezek 45:1; 47:22; 48).

Bibliography J. Pedersen, Israel, Its Life and Culture (1926), I:81-96; J. T. E. Renner, A Study of the Word Goral in the OT (1958); AIs, 164-169.