Psalm 16/Notes/Lexical.v. 5.347944

• The language in vv. 5–6 evokes the scene of dividing up land to possess. Many of the words in these verses, including "treasured possession" (חֵלֶק), "lot" (גּוֹרָל), "ropes" (חֲבָלִים), and "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה), belong to this contextual domain. E.g., "Be sure that the land is distributed (יֵחָלֵק) by lot (בְּגוֹרָל). What each group inherits (יִנְחָלוּ) will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. Each inheritance (נַחֲלָתוֹ) is to be distributed (תֵּחָלֵק) by lot (הַגּוֹרָל) among the larger and smaller groups” (Num 26:55–56, NIV); "The inheritance of (נַחֲלַת) the Simeonites was taken from the share (חֶבֶל, lit.: 'rope') of Judah, because Judah’s portion (חֵלֶק) was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah" (Josh 19:9, NIV). Some modern English translations make the reference to land explicit. E.g., "It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land" (v. 6, NET; "Delightful country has fallen to my lot; lovely indeed is my estate" (v. 6, NJPS).