Joshua 13 

Joshua 13:1 Joshua had become old and advanced in age, and Yahveh said to him, “You have become old and advanced in age, but a lot of land remains to be possessed.

Joshua 13:2 This is the land that remains: All the districts of the Philistines and the Geshurites:

Joshua 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the border of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory) –  the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as the Avvites

Joshua 13:4 in the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and as far as the border of the Amorites;

Joshua 13:5 the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon east from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath –

Joshua 13:6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians. I will drive them out in front of the Israelites, only distribute the land as an inheritance for Israel, as I have commanded you.

Joshua 13:7 Therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

Joshua 13:8 With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh, the Reubenites, and Gadites had received the inheritance Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just like Moses Yahveh’s slave had given them:

Joshua 13:9 From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, all the Medeba plateau as far as Dibon,

Joshua 13:10 and all the cities of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the Ammonites;

Joshua 13:11 also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah –

Joshua 13:12 the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei; he was one of the remaining Rephaim. Moses struck them down and pushed them out,

Joshua 13:13 but the Israelites did not push out the Geshurites and Maacathites. So, Geshur and Maacath still live in Israel today.

Joshua 13:14 He did not, however, give any inheritance to the tribe of Levi. This was their inheritance, just like he had promised: the offerings made by fire to Yahveh, the God of Israel.

Joshua 13:15 To the tribe of Reuben’s descendants by their clans, Moses gave

Joshua 13:16 this as their territory: From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau as far as Medeba,

Joshua 13:17 with Heshbon and all its cities on the plateau– Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon,

Joshua 13:18 Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,

Joshua 13:19 Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth-shahar on the hill in the valley,

Joshua 13:20 Beth-peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth –

Joshua 13:21 all the cities of the plateau, and all the kingdom of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. Moses had killed him and the chiefs of Midian –  Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba – the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.

Joshua 13:22 Along with those the Israelites put to death, they also killed the diviner, Balaam, son of Beor, with the sword.

Joshua 13:23 The border of the Reubenites was the Jordan and its plain. These were the inheritances of the Reubenites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.

Joshua 13:24 To the tribe of the Gadites by their clans, Moses gave

Joshua 13:25 this as their territory: Jazer and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites to Aroer, near Rabbah;

Joshua 13:26 from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;

Joshua 13:27 in the valley: Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon– the rest of the kingdom of King Sihon of Heshbon. Their land also included the Jordan and its territory as far as the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan.

Joshua 13:28 This was the inheritance of the Gadites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.

Joshua 13:29 And to half the tribe of Manasseh (that is, to half the tribe of Manasseh’s descendants by their clans) Moses gave

Joshua 13:30 this as their territory: From Mahanaim through all Bashan – all the kingdom of King Og of Bashan, including all of Jair’s Villages that are in Bashan – sixty cities.

Joshua 13:31 But half of Gilead and Og’s royal cities in Bashan – Ashtaroth and Edrei – are for the descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh (that is, half the descendants of Machir by their clans).

Joshua 13:32 These were the portions Moses gave them on the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.

Joshua 13:33 But Moses did not give a portion to the tribe of Levi. Yahveh, the God of Israel, was their inheritance, just like he had promised them.

Joshua 13 quotes:

“This introduction tells readers that the tribes can no longer expect Joshua to lead them into warfare. Instead, completion of the struggle now depends on the tribes. The followers must become courageous leaders. This is God’s bad news that goes with the good news of giving an inheritance. An inheritance brings with it a set of challenges. As it was in the time of Joshua, today some people inherit resources but are overwhelmed by challenges accompanying them. Others alertly confront the challenges and enjoy the blessings of God’s inheritance by overcoming temptations that come with the inheritance. This is the challenge that comes with the blessings of God’s promises.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 77.

“The section heading, The Land Still to Be Taken, may be translated “The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land.” Or, on the basis of verse 7, ‘The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land and divide it among the other tribes of Israel.”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 178.

Joshua 13 links:

Maranatha Daily Devotional – Monday, June 24, 2019
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Monday, June 26, 2023
missions and possibilities
sweet benefits
time’s up for Balaam
unfinished victory

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The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library