Joshua 13: Land Still to Be Possessed
Joshua is old, much land remains unconquered, and God commands the inheritance to be divided among the tribes, beginning with those east of the Jordan.
Joshua 13 (WEB)
1 Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.
2 “This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;
3 from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avvim,
4 on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;
5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath;
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, even all the Sidonians; them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only allocate it to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
8 With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them:
9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon;
10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon;
11 and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;
12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (the same was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses attacked these, and drove them out.
13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.
14 Only he gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. The offerings of Yahweh, the God of Israel, made by fire are his inheritance, as he spoke to him.
15 Moses gave to the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families.
16 Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba;
17 Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon,
18 Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
19 Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar in the mount of the valley,
20 Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth,
21 all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses struck with the chiefs of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land.
22 The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain.
23 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 its villages.
24 Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad, according to their families.
25 Their border was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, to Aroer that is before Rabbah;
26 and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
27 and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan’s bank, to the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward.
28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities and its villages.
29 Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was for the half-tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families.
30 Their border 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.
31 Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.
32 These are the inheritances which Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho, eastward.
33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.
Joshua 13 (KJV)
1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
4 From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth–maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them;
9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.
15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.
16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;
17 Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth–baal, and Beth–baal–meon,
18 And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth–shahar in the mount of the valley,
20 And Beth–peor, and Ashdoth–pisgah, and Beth–jeshimoth,
21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.
25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;
26 And from Heshbon unto Ramath–mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
27 And in the valley, Beth–aram, and Beth–nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.
29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.
30 And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:
31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.
Joshua 13 (ASV)
1 Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years; and Jehovah said unto him, Thou art old and well stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;
3 from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the border of Ekron northward, which is reckoned to the Canaanites; the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avvim,
4 on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongeth to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;
5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath;
6 all the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians; them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only allot thou it unto Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
8 With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Jehovah gave them:
9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
11 and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salecah;
12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (the same was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for these did Moses smite, and drove them out.
13 Nevertheless the children of Israel drove not out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel unto this day.
14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance; the offerings of Jehovah, the God of Israel, made by fire are his inheritance, as he spake unto him.
15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families.
16 And their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba;
17 Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
18 and Jahaz, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
19 and Kiriathaim, and Sibmah, and Zereth-shahar in the mount of the valley,
20 and Beth-peor, and the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth,
21 and all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the chiefs of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the princes of Sihon, that dwelt in the land.
22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among the rest of their slain.
23 And the border of the children of Reuben was the Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
24 And Moses gave unto the tribe of Gad, unto the children of Gad, according to their families.
25 And their border was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;
26 and from Heshbon unto Ramath-mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
27 and in the valley, Beth-haram, and Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan and the border thereof, unto the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward.
28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
29 And Moses gaveinheritance unto the half-tribe of Manasseh: and it was for the half-tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families.
30 And their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:
31 and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.
32 These are the inheritances which Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho, eastward.
33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance: Jehovah, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spake unto them.
Summary
Joshua is now old and well advanced in years, and Yahweh reminds him that, though much has been won, very much land still remains to be possessed—the regions of the Philistines, the Geshurites, Lebanon, and beyond. Even so, God commands that the land be allotted as an inheritance now, promising, “them will I drive out from before the children of Israel.” The inheritance is to be divided among the nine and a half tribes who will settle west of the Jordan. The chapter then turns back to recount the portions Moses had already given to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan, listing their borders, cities, and the kings Israel had defeated there. It notes soberly that Israel did not drive out the Geshurites and Maacathites, who continued to live among them. Twice the chapter pauses to say that the tribe of Levi received no land inheritance, for Yahweh himself, and the offerings made to him by fire, are their portion. The allotment proceeds on the strength of a promise not yet fully realized, calling Israel to take hold of what God has sworn to give. It is a snapshot of faith between promise and possession.
Main Characters
- Joshua — The aged leader whom God charges to divide the land as an inheritance even though much of it is not yet conquered.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The God who acknowledges the land that remains, pledges to drive out the nations, and commands the inheritance to be allotted now by faith.
- Moses — The servant of Yahweh who had earlier given Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh their inheritance east of the Jordan.
- The tribe of Levi — The priestly tribe given no territorial inheritance, because Yahweh himself and his offerings are their portion.
Key Verse
Joshua 13:1 (WEB)
Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.
Lessons Learned
- God's promises are sure even when much of their fulfillment is still ahead of us.
- We are called to take hold of, and live within, what God has already pledged to give.
- Compromise that leaves enemies “in the midst” of us tends to remain and trouble us.
- Those who serve the Lord may find that he himself, not earthly portions, is their richest inheritance.
- God divides the land before it is fully won. Yahweh commands, “divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh” (Joshua 13:7, WEB), inviting Israel to claim by faith what he has promised.
- The Lord himself will finish what he began. “them will I drive out from before the children of Israel” (Joshua 13:6, WEB). The conquest rests on God's pledge, not Israel's strength.
- Half-hearted obedience leaves enemies among us. “the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites” (Joshua 13:13, WEB), and so they dwelt in Israel's midst to that day.
- The Lord is the believer's true inheritance. “Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance” (Joshua 13:33, WEB). Levi's portion was God himself, a picture of our highest treasure.
- Why does God tell the aging Joshua about the land that remains, and then immediately command that the inheritance be divided?
- What does it mean that the tribes were to receive land that was not yet fully conquered?
- Why is the failure to drive out the Geshurites and Maacathites recorded so plainly?
- What is significant about Levi receiving Yahweh himself as their inheritance instead of land?
- Where in your life are you waiting passively when God is calling you to step forward and take hold of what he has promised?
- God begins with honesty about the unfinished task, yet does not delay the inheritance. The command to divide the land (13:7) teaches Israel to live confidently within God's promise while the work of possessing it continues, leaning on his pledge to drive out the nations (13:6).
- The tribes received a deed, as it were, to territory still partly held by enemies. They were to settle and occupy it trusting God's word. Faith acts on the promise before the promise is fully visible, much as believers live now in the sure-but-not-yet kingdom.
- Scripture records Israel's failures honestly (13:13). The lingering presence of these peoples foreshadows the snares of later generations and warns that incomplete obedience leaves problems that do not simply disappear with time.
- Levi's lack of land set the priests apart to serve at the altar and depend on the Lord directly (13:33). It pictures the deepest inheritance of all God's people: not things from God, but God himself. Help the group treasure this.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to name an area where they are stalled, waiting for circumstances rather than acting on what God has already promised. Encourage one concrete, faith-filled step, and keep the tone gentle and hopeful.