Bava Batra 117b (קיז:) — the Talmud in English

But

Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says:

The land was divided between both the former group and the latter group, in order to fulfill both of these verses ["The land shall be apportioned to these," and "according to the names of the tribes of their fathers"].

“It shall be apportioned to these,” and “according to the names of the tribes of their fathers”].

How so?

If

he was among those who left Egypt,

but not among those who entered the land—for example, Reuben, who left Egypt and died in the wilderness, leaving behind young sons under the age of twenty, who could not receive a portion upon entering the land on their own—

he receives his portion together with those who left Egypt.

And his sons inherit this portion.

But if

he was among those who entered the land

but not among those who left Egypt—for example, Reuben, who fathered sons in Egypt and died, and his sons left Egypt when they were under twenty, but were twenty years old when they entered the land; or in a case where Reuben left Egypt when he was under twenty, died in the wilderness, and left behind sons who were twenty years old—

he receives his portion together with those who entered the land.

And if there were ten sons, they receive ten portions.

And if he was twenty years old

both here and there,

for example, Reuben left Egypt at the age of twenty, fathered sons, and they too entered the land when they were twenty years old—

he receives his portion from both here and there.

That is, if there were ten sons, they receive ten portions for themselves, and one portion on behalf of their father.

Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar adds: the

spies,

although they were among those who left Egypt, did not receive a portion in the land, and

Joshua and Caleb received

their

portion.

The complainers and the assembly of Korah [

below it will be explained that “the complainers” refers to the complainers among the assembly of Korah, namely, the two hundred and fifty men of the assembly of Korah ],

did not have a portion in the land.

They are considered as though they did not exist, and all the tribes received their portions as though the land had been divided among those who left Egypt without the complainers.

And

the sons

of the spies and the complainers did not receive their fathers’ portions; rather, they

received them by virtue of their grandfathers, their fathers’ fathers, and by virtue of their maternal grandfathers,

if their mothers had no brothers, and they had been among those who left Egypt.

Thus far the beraita.

The Gemara discusses it:

From where is it inferred that this phrase, “according to the names of the tribes of their fathers,” is written with reference to those who left Egypt?

Perhaps it was stated with reference to the tribes,

meaning that the land was divided among the twelve sons of Jacob?

The Gemara answers:

As it is written: “And I shall give it to you as a heritage; I am the Lord” (Numbers 33:53)—it is an inheritance for you from your fathers. And He stated this with reference to those who left Egypt.

A mnemonic for Rav Tzelofhad and Yosef: Menashe was doubled, it will be counted

The Gemara discusses the words of the beraita cited above:

Rav Pappa said to Abaye: Granted, according to the one who says, “the land was divided among those who left Egypt,” this is why it is written: “To the numerous one you shall increase his inheritance, and to the few you shall decrease his inheritance.”

For it implies that for one who was numerous at the Exodus from Egypt, even if he is now few, you shall increase his inheritance; and for that one who was few at the Exodus from Egypt, even if he has now become numerous, you shall decrease his inheritance.