Isaiah 34:17

“And he hath cast the lot for them, &c.] The Targum adds, “by his word:” and his hand hath divided it unto them by line; the same adds, “by his will.” The allusion is to the dividing of the land of Canaan by lot and line, to the children of Israel, for their inheritance and possession; and in like manner, it is suggested, shall Rome and its territories be distributed to those wild beasts and birds of prey, and everyone shall know and take its proper place and portion: they shall possess it for ever; as their inheritance, allotted and appointed to them: from generation to generation shall they dwell therein: (see Gill on “<233410>Isaiah 34:10”) where Jarchi, out of the Derash, has this note,…”

“cast . . . lot--As conquerors apportion lands by lot, so Jehovah has appointed and marked out ("divided") Edom for the wild beasts (Num 26:55-56; Jos 18:4-6). See on Isa 34:1, introduction there. Next: Isaiah Chapter 35”

“And he hath cast the lot for them - He hath assigned to them the land of Edom to be occupied by them as their portion. This language is taken from the fact that countries were commonly apportioned, particularly among conquerors, by the lot. In this way Judea was divided among the tribes of Israel Numbers 26:55-56. His hand hath divided it unto them by line - He has marked out, as a surveyor does, the land of Edom as the dwelling-place of the beasts of the forest. A land was usually surveyed and divided into proper parts or portions before the lot was cast Joshua 18:4-6. They shall possess it - The wild beasts mentioned in the previous verses. The testimony of all travelers demonstrates that…”

“Divided - He hath divided the land to them, as it were by lot and line, as Canaan was divided among the Israelites. Next: Isaiah Chapter 35”

“he hath cast: Jos 18:8; Psa 78:55; Act 13:19, Act 17:26 they shall: Isa 34:10, Isa 13:20-22 Next: Isaiah Chapter 35”