- וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וַיְצַ֣ו יְהֹושֻׁ֡עַ אֶת־הַהֹלְכִים֩ לִכְתֹּ֨ב אֶת־הָאָ֜רֶץ לֵאמֹ֗ר לְ֠כוּ וְהִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ בָאָ֜רֶץ וְכִתְב֤וּ אֹותָּהּ֙ וְשׁ֣וּבוּ אֵלַ֔י וּ֠פֹה אַשְׁלִ֨יךְ לָכֶ֥ם גֹּורָ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃ (Joshua 18:8)
And the men arose and went, and Yehoshua commanded those going to describe the land, saying, “Go and walk through the land and write it, and return to me, and here I will cast lots for you before YHWH in Shiloh.”
Introduction: Mobilizing the Tribal Surveyors
In this verse, Yehoshua instructs a group of men to map the land of Yisraʾel in preparation for its distribution. The sequence of verbs—arise, go, walk, write, return, and cast lots—forms a dynamic chain of imperatives and narrative verbs that capture obedient, purposeful action. A closer look at the binyanim reveals how the text moves between direct commands and formal narrative, each binyan providing shades of force, agency, and structure.
Major Verbs and Their Binyanim
Let’s examine the major verbs, each in a different binyan:
| Verb | Root | Binyan | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיָּקֻמוּ | קום | Qal (Passive) | Wayyiqtol 3mp | Men arose—transition to action |
| וַיֵּלֵכוּ | הלך | Qal | Wayyiqtol 3mp | Men departed—movement initiation |
| וַיְצַו | צוה | Piel | Wayyiqtol 3ms | He commanded—causative and intensified |
| לִכְתֹּב | כתב | Qal | Infinitive construct | To write—purpose of journey |
| הִתְהַלְּכוּ | הלך | Hitpael | Imperative 2mp | Walk about—reflexive and intensive exploration |
| כִתְבוּ | כתב | Qal | Imperative 2mp | Write—command to document |
| שׁוּבוּ | שׁוב | Qal | Imperative 2mp | Return—final step before allotment |
| אַשְׁלִיךְ | שלך | Hifil | Imperfect 1cs (cohortative nuance) | I will cast—causative, performative role |
Deep Dive into Selected Binyanim
Piel: וַיְצַו (He commanded)
- The Piel binyan often expresses intensity or causation.
- Here, it emphasizes Yehoshua’s authoritative role as leader.
- The command isn’t a suggestion; it’s an imperative with urgency.
Hitpael: הִתְהַלְּכוּ (Walk about)
- Reflexive or iterative, Hitpael adds nuance to motion.
- Not just “go,” but move about thoroughly—explore, examine.
- This verb adds depth to the task: not mechanical surveying but active, thoughtful movement through the land.
Hifil: אַשְׁלִיךְ (I will cast)
- The Hifil binyan expresses causation.
- Yehoshua will not just observe the lot being cast; he will actively cause it.
- It underscores his mediating role “before YHWH”—the act carries religious and judicial weight.
Imperative Chain and Flow
The string of imperatives—לְכוּ, הִתְהַלְּכוּ, כִתְבוּ, שׁוּבוּ—reflects a progressive delegation of sacred responsibility:
- לכוּ — Take initiative
- הִתְהַלְּכוּ — Investigate and explore with diligence
- כִתְבוּ — Record with precision
- שׁוּבוּ — Complete the mission
This syntactic rhythm aligns with the binyanim: Hitpael intensifies movement, while Qal imperatives drive clear action.
Final Reflections: Grammar with a Mission
This verse exemplifies how Hebrew verbal stems (binyanim) not only convey action but nuance intent, tone, and communal function. From Yehoshua’s Piel command to the men’s Qal movements and the intense Hitpael exploration, the language flows with leadership and purpose.
The binyanim anchor the verse in administrative, spiritual, and narrative order—turning ordinary surveying into covenantal fulfillment. Just as the land is to be divided, the verbs are also distributed—each with its task, each carrying weight.
These verbal choices transform a procedural assignment into a sacred act of obedience and trust in YHWH’s presence in Shiloh.
