Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Joshua 13
Joshua 13:1Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.
God acknowledges Joshua's age and the unfinished task, yet commands him to proceed with dividing the land, showing that faith in God's promise is what matters most.Joshua 13:13Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.
This verse bluntly states Israel's failure to completely drive out the inhabitants, a small detail that foreshadows major conflicts in the book of Judges.Joshua 13:33But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.
This powerful statement defines the unique role of the priestly tribe of Levi. Their inheritance was a direct relationship of service and provision from God, not physical land.
Historical & Cultural Context
From Conquest to Inheritance
After twelve chapters detailing the swift and decisive military victories that secured a foothold in Canaan, the narrative slows down. The era of large-scale conquest, led by a younger Joshua, is ending. God Himself initiates the next phase by speaking to His aging servant, setting the stage for a transition from warfare to settlement and administration.
Mapping Out the Promise
The chapter functions like a legal and historical record. It first lists the significant territories that Israel has not yet conquered, primarily along the coast and in the north. It then pivots to meticulously document the lands east of the Jordan River that Moses had already assigned to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, confirming their portion of the inheritance.
Dividing the Land: The Unconquered and the Allotted
As Joshua's life nears its end, God gives him a final, crucial task. The scene is not a battlefield but a planning session, where the divine promise of land is translated into tangible, surveyed boundaries. This chapter details God's instructions to divide the land - both the parts already won and the parts still to be taken by faith - and confirms the allotments for the tribes who chose to settle east of the Jordan River.
A New Task for an Old Leader (Joshua 13:1-7)
1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.
2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
3 from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, and those of the Avvim,
4 From the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, and those of the Avvim,
5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
Commentary:
God tells the elderly Joshua to start dividing the unconquered land, acting on faith in His promise.
The Eastern Inheritance (Joshua 13:8-14)
8 With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them:
9 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the tableland of Medeba;
10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites,
11 and Gilead, and the region 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 (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out.
13 Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.
14 Only to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.
Commentary:
The narrative confirms the land given to the eastern tribes but notes their failure to fully possess it.
The Territory of Reuben (Joshua 13:15-23)
15 Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of the people of Reuben according to their clans.
16 So their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the tableland by Medeba;
17 Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the tableland; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
18 but to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.
19 and Kiriathaim, and Sibmah, and Zereth-shahar on the hill of the valley,
20 and Beth-peor, and the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth,
21 all the cities of the tableland and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses defeated with the leaders of Midian, Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land.
22 Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain.
23 And the border of the people of Reuben was the Jordan as a boundary. This was the inheritance of the people of Reuben, according to their clans with their cities and villages.
Commentary:
A detailed list confirms Reuben's inheritance and recalls the defeat of their enemies, including Balaam.
The Lands of Gad and Manasseh (Joshua 13:24-33)
24 Moses gave an inheritance also to the tribe of Gad, to the people of Gad, according to their clans.
25 Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah,
26 and from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir,
27 and in the valley Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, having the Jordan as a boundary, to the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth, eastward beyond the Jordan.
28 This is the inheritance of the people of Gad according to their clans, with their cities and villages.
29 and Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was allotted to the half-tribe of the people of Manasseh according to their clans.
30 With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them:
31 and in the half-tribe of Manasseh,
32 These are the inheritances that Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.
33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.
Commentary:
The lands for Gad and the eastern half of Manasseh are detailed, ending with the truth that the Levites' inheritance is God.
Core Truths in the Land Allotments
Faith in God's Unseen Promises
God instructs Joshua to distribute land that is still occupied by enemies. This teaches that our actions should be based on the certainty of God's promises, not on what we can see or have already accomplished. It's a call to step out in faith, trusting that God will complete what He has started.
The Danger of Incomplete Obedience
The mention of the Geshurites and Maacathites, whom Israel failed to drive out (v. 13), is a subtle but crucial theme. It shows that while God gives victory, human responsibility is still required. This partial obedience would later lead to spiritual compromise and conflict for Israel.
God as the Ultimate Inheritance
The tribe of Levi received no land because the Lord was their inheritance (v. 33). This sets up a beautiful spiritual principle: while physical blessings are good, the greatest gift and provision is God Himself. Their role as priests, set apart for service, was sustained by a direct relationship with Him.
Bringing Joshua 13 into Today
Joshua 13:1 shows that God's purpose for you isn't limited by your age or energy level. Joshua's role shifted from a warrior to an administrator, but his work was equally vital. This reminds you that God can use your wisdom and faithfulness in new ways in every season of life.
Reflecting on Joshua 13:33 challenges you to find your security in God, not in your job, bank account, or status. You can practice this by dedicating specific time to prayer and scripture, focusing on gratitude for His presence instead of only asking for things. It's about intentionally recognizing that knowing Him is your greatest treasure.
This chapter encourages you to face those unconquered areas by faith. Just as God allotted land that wasn't yet taken, He gives you promises of freedom and victory that you must claim. Instead of being discouraged by the struggle, you can move forward, trusting that God has already secured the victory and will empower you to live in it.
God's Promise is the Title Deed
Joshua 13 declares that God's promise is the unshakable foundation of our inheritance. Even with an aging leader and an incomplete task, God moves forward with the distribution, proving His word is more real than any present obstacle. The message is that our security rests not in our own strength or accomplishments, but in the faithfulness of the God who gives the promise. He invites us to step into our inheritance by faith, trusting Him to finish the work.
What This Means for Us Today
Joshua 13 is an invitation to survey the promises God has given you. It calls us to shift from only fighting battles to actively possessing the peace, joy, and purpose He has already secured for us. We are called to claim our spiritual inheritance in Christ, even when challenges remain, and to live as people whose ultimate treasure is God Himself.
- What promise from God do you need to claim by faith today, even if it seems far from being realized?
- In what area of your life have you settled for 'good enough' instead of pursuing God's best?
- How can you better remind yourself this week that your true inheritance is your relationship with God?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter provides a summary list of the thirty-one kings defeated by Israel, serving as the triumphant conclusion to the main conquest narrative.
The distribution of land west of the Jordan begins, starting with Caleb's bold request to receive the challenging territory of Hebron as his inheritance.
Connections Across Scripture
This chapter gives the original story of how the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested this eastern land from Moses and the conditions they agreed to.
This chapter details the consequences of the incomplete obedience mentioned in Joshua 13, as the remaining Canaanites become a source of trouble for Israel.
Paul speaks of a spiritual inheritance in Christ, echoing the Old Testament theme of inheritance but applying it to our eternal hope and salvation.
Discussion Questions
- God tells Joshua to divide land that hasn't been fully conquered yet. How does this idea of acting on a promise before it's fully realized challenge or encourage you in your faith?
- The Levites received God as their inheritance instead of land. In what practical ways can we live as if God Himself is our primary inheritance and source of security today?
- Joshua 13:13 mentions Israel's failure to drive out some inhabitants. Why do you think it's so easy to settle for partial victory instead of pursuing complete obedience in our spiritual lives?
Glossary
places
Jordan River
The major river forming the eastern border of the Promised Land of Canaan.
Gilead
A rugged, mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its pastures.
Bashan
A fertile plateau east of the Jordan, famous for its cattle and oak trees, formerly ruled by King Og.
Plains of Moab
The area east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea where Israel camped before entering the Promised Land.
figures
Joshua
Moses' successor who led the Israelites in the conquest of the Promised Land.
Sihon
An Amorite king who ruled from Heshbon and was defeated by Israel under Moses' leadership.
Og
A king of Bashan, described as one of the last of the giant Rephaim, who was also defeated by Israel.
Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet hired to curse Israel, but who was compelled by God to bless them instead.