Definition: And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came [again] to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Joshua 18:9. It’s a really important part of the story of the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it tells us that after they conquered the land, the Israelites used a detailed map to divide it into seven sections. Here's a more detailed explanation: "And the men went and passed through the land..." : This refers to the Israelites’ soldiers who were leading the conquest. They were moving across the territory now known as Israel. "...and described it by cities into seven parts in a book..." : This is where it gets interesting. The leaders (likely Joshua) meticulously mapped out the land, marking each city and its surrounding area. They created a detailed chart of the land’s geography. "...and came [again] to Joshua to the host at Shiloh." : This is crucial. After creating this map, they returned to Joshua, who was leading the Israelites in a large military parade (the “host”). They brought the map with them and showed it to Joshua so he could see exactly where they were going. In essence, it’s a record of a very precise and organized planning process for conquering and surveying the land. Why is this important? This passage shows that the Israelites weren't just rushing around randomly. They took time to carefully plan their movements and understand the landscape. It highlights a level of organization and detail that was significant during the conquest. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible (like the importance of planning)? Give you a slightly different perspective on its meaning?