Joshua 13

In this chapter, God speaks to Joshua, telling him that although much land had been conquered, there remained territories to be possessed. The chapter outlines the lands yet to be taken and those already assigned, particularly to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan. The boundaries of these lands are detailed, emphasizing the importance of completing the conquest and dividing the inheritance according to God's plan.

Joshua 13:1 (NKJV)
Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed."

Joshua had grown old, and although he had led Israel in many victories, much of the Promised Land remained to be claimed. God reminded Joshua that there was still work to be done. This serves as a reminder that even near the end of life, God’s plans and purposes may still have aspects that need fulfillment.

Joshua 13:2-5 (NKJV)
“This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines—the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath."

The territories yet to be conquered were significant, including the Philistine cities and areas controlled by other Canaanite tribes. These lands stretched from Egypt in the south to the far northern regions of Canaan. Although Israel had secured central areas, these regions remained outside their control, representing ongoing challenges in completing God's command to take full possession of the land.

Joshua 13:6-7 (NKJV)
“All the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians—I will drive them out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Now therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

God promised to drive out the remaining inhabitants from the land, but He instructed Joshua to go ahead and divide the land among the remaining tribes. This demonstrated that God’s promise to give the land was sure, even though the conquest wasn’t complete. The division of the land would serve as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness.

Joshua 13:8-12 (NKJV)
With the other half-tribe the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses had given them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them: from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the town that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain of Medeba as far as Dibon; all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the children of Ammon; Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salcah; all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants; for Moses had defeated and cast out these."

The eastern territories had already been assigned by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. These lands were significant, including territories from defeated kings such as Sihon and Og. This section emphasizes the completeness of these conquests, which were done under Moses' leadership, and the inclusion of these areas in Israel’s inheritance.

Joshua 13:13 (NKJV)
Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

This verse highlights an incomplete aspect of Israel's conquest. Some groups, like the Geshurites and Maachathites, remained in the land because the Israelites had not fully driven them out. Their continued presence among the Israelites would later cause complications, showing the consequences of incomplete obedience to God’s commands.

Joshua 13:14 (NKJV)
Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them.

The tribe of Levi did not receive land as an inheritance because their inheritance was the service of God. They were sustained by the offerings made by fire. This arrangement highlighted their unique role as priests and servants of the Lord, and their dependence on God rather than land ownership.

Joshua 13:15-23 (NKJV)
And Moses had given to the tribe of the children of Reuben an inheritance according to their families. Their territory was from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain by Medeba; Heshbon and all its cities that are in the plain: Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaza, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kirjathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar on the mountain of the valley, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth— all the cities of the plain and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses had struck with the princes of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, who were princes of Sihon dwelling in the country. The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them. And the border of the children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and their villages.

The inheritance of the tribe of Reuben, located on the eastern side of the Jordan, is described in detail. These lands included important cities and territories that were taken from Sihon, the king of the Amorites. This inheritance served as a significant portion of land for Reuben’s descendants, and it also mentioned the execution of Balaam, a significant event that had occurred earlier in Israel’s history.

Joshua 13:24-28 (NKJV)
Moses also had given an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad according to their families. Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites as far as Aroer, which is before Rabbah, and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir, and in the valley Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as its border, as far as the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth, on the other side of the Jordan eastward. This is the inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities and their villages.

The land given to the tribe of Gad, which included various cities and regions east of the Jordan, is described. These cities had belonged to the kingdom of Sihon, and the land extended to the Sea of Chinnereth (the Sea of Galilee). This territory represented a strategic location for Gad’s tribe, with both mountainous and valley regions under their control.

Joshua 13:29-31 (NKJV)
Moses also had given an inheritance to half the tribe of Manasseh; it was for half the tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families. Their territory was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair which are in Bashan, sixty cities; half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, for half of the children of Machir according to their families.

The inheritance for half the tribe of Manasseh is described, which included the region of Bashan and the kingdom of Og. This land contained numerous cities and towns, providing a vast and prosperous territory for Manasseh’s descendants. The inclusion of Machir’s family showed the division within the tribe.

Joshua 13:32-33 (NKJV)
These are the areas which Moses had distributed as an inheritance in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward. But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.

The chapter concludes by summarizing the lands distributed by Moses in the plains of Moab. Once again, it is emphasized that the tribe of Levi did not receive a land inheritance because the Lord Himself was their portion. This unique arrangement set the Levites apart, affirming their distinct role in serving God’s people.