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.
This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
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:
From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
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.
Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
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;
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;
And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
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.
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.
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.
And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.
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;
Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth–baal, and Beth–baal–meon,
And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth–shahar in the mount of the valley,
And Beth–peor, and Ashdoth–pisgah, and Beth–jeshimoth,
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.
Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
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.
And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.
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;
And from Heshbon unto Ramath–mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
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.
This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.
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.
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:
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.
These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
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 marks a transition in the book. While previous chapters focused on conquering the land, this chapter shifts to the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. It’s a critical step in fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. However, the chapter also reveals an important tension: the conquest was not yet complete.
The Unclaimed Inheritance (Joshua 13:1-7)
The chapter opens with a stark reality: "Now Joshua was old and advanced in years..." (Joshua 13:1). Despite the victories achieved, much land remained to be possessed (Joshua 13:1-6). This highlights a key point: God's promises are not always automatically fulfilled. They often require our active participation and obedience. Even though Joshua was aging, the task of fully claiming their inheritance was not yet finished.
God, however, reassures Joshua, promising to drive out the remaining peoples before Israel (Joshua 13:6). This divine assurance is crucial. It reminds us that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, God's power is sufficient. He will enable us to overcome obstacles and claim the blessings He has promised. Therefore, based on God's promise, Israel was instructed to divide the Promised Land as an inheritance among the tribes (Joshua 13:7). This act of division, even before complete possession, demonstrates faith in God's word and anticipation of future victory.
Land Allotments East of the Jordan (Joshua 13:8-33)
Joshua 13:8-33 details the specific land allotments given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, located east of the Jordan River. These tribes had already received their portions (Joshua 13:8). This allocation had occurred earlier, before the nation crossed the Jordan, with the understanding that these tribes would assist their brethren in conquering their lands west of the Jordan (see Joshua 1:12-15). The detailed descriptions of the boundaries of Reuben (Joshua 13:15-23), Gad (Joshua 13:24-28), and half of Manasseh (Joshua 13:29-31) emphasize the precision and intentionality of God's plan.
A significant exception is made for the tribe of Levi. They did not receive a territorial inheritance (Joshua 13:14, 33). Instead, their inheritance was the Lord himself. This is because the Levites were chosen by God for the specific purpose of maintaining the tabernacle (and later the temple) and serving as priests. Their sustenance came from the offerings brought by the Israelites (see Numbers 18:8-32). The LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance (Joshua 13:33). This unique arrangement underscores the importance of spiritual service and dependence on God. The Levites' dedication to God's work was to be rewarded not with earthly possessions, but with a direct and intimate relationship with Him. This serves as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes not from material wealth but from serving God and experiencing His presence.
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.
This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
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:
From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
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.
Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
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;
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;
And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
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.
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.
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.
And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.
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;
Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth–baal, and Beth–baal–meon,
And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth–shahar in the mount of the valley,
And Beth–peor, and Ashdoth–pisgah, and Beth–jeshimoth,
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.
Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
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.
And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.
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;
And from Heshbon unto Ramath–mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
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.
This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.
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.
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:
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.
These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
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 marks a transition in the book. While previous chapters focused on conquering the land, this chapter shifts to the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. It’s a critical step in fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. However, the chapter also reveals an important tension: the conquest was not yet complete.
The Unclaimed Inheritance (Joshua 13:1-7)
The chapter opens with a stark reality: "Now Joshua was old and advanced in years..." (Joshua 13:1). Despite the victories achieved, much land remained to be possessed (Joshua 13:1-6). This highlights a key point: God's promises are not always automatically fulfilled. They often require our active participation and obedience. Even though Joshua was aging, the task of fully claiming their inheritance was not yet finished.
God, however, reassures Joshua, promising to drive out the remaining peoples before Israel (Joshua 13:6). This divine assurance is crucial. It reminds us that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, God's power is sufficient. He will enable us to overcome obstacles and claim the blessings He has promised. Therefore, based on God's promise, Israel was instructed to divide the Promised Land as an inheritance among the tribes (Joshua 13:7). This act of division, even before complete possession, demonstrates faith in God's word and anticipation of future victory.
Land Allotments East of the Jordan (Joshua 13:8-33)
Joshua 13:8-33 details the specific land allotments given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, located east of the Jordan River. These tribes had already received their portions (Joshua 13:8). This allocation had occurred earlier, before the nation crossed the Jordan, with the understanding that these tribes would assist their brethren in conquering their lands west of the Jordan (see Joshua 1:12-15). The detailed descriptions of the boundaries of Reuben (Joshua 13:15-23), Gad (Joshua 13:24-28), and half of Manasseh (Joshua 13:29-31) emphasize the precision and intentionality of God's plan.
A significant exception is made for the tribe of Levi. They did not receive a territorial inheritance (Joshua 13:14, 33). Instead, their inheritance was the Lord himself. This is because the Levites were chosen by God for the specific purpose of maintaining the tabernacle (and later the temple) and serving as priests. Their sustenance came from the offerings brought by the Israelites (see Numbers 18:8-32). The LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance (Joshua 13:33). This unique arrangement underscores the importance of spiritual service and dependence on God. The Levites' dedication to God's work was to be rewarded not with earthly possessions, but with a direct and intimate relationship with Him. This serves as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes not from material wealth but from serving God and experiencing His presence.