What does it mean that Joshua was old and there was still much land to be possessed?

This line shows a turning point in Joshua’s work. He had led many battles and was now an old man, no longer able to keep leading long campaigns. Yet God says there is still much land not yet taken. Instead of sending Joshua into more fights, God gives him a different task: to divide the remaining land among the tribes. This shows that God’s plan does not stop when a leader ages. God keeps His promise to give the land, but now the tribes themselves must go on trusting Him and finish taking what He has promised.

Why does God list the unconquered lands like Philistine and Sidonian regions?

The list of remaining lands is not just geography; it is a reminder of what God had promised and what still needed to be done. These areas, like the land of the Philistines, Geshurites, and Sidonians, show that Israel’s work was not finished. God promises that He Himself will drive these peoples out, but the people of Israel must go forward in faith and obedience. The list makes clear that God’s promise covers all these places, and it calls the tribes to be diligent in receiving what He has already said is theirs.

Why did the tribe of Levi receive no land inheritance in this passage?

The Levites are treated differently on purpose. They are not given a region like the other tribes. Instead, the passage says that the sacrifices of the Lord are their inheritance and that the Lord God of Israel Himself is their portion. Their main task is to serve at the sanctuary and lead the people in worship. They are supported by the offerings the other tribes bring. This shows that their life is centered on serving God rather than farming their own large territory, and it teaches that having God as one’s portion is a rich inheritance of its own.

What is the significance of the land given to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh?

The land given to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh lies east of the Jordan. This passage repeats and details what Moses had already done, naming towns and borders. Doing this again under Joshua confirms that Moses’ decisions still stand and that God’s promises do not change when leaders change. These tribes had chosen that region earlier, and God approved it under clear conditions. Listing their cities and borders shows that each family had a secure place and that God carefully provided for them, not in a vague way, but with clear and lasting boundaries.

Who was Balaam son of Beor, and why is he mentioned here?

Balaam was a soothsayer who had earlier tried to curse Israel for money, though God overruled him. This passage mentions that the Israelites killed him with the sword along with others they defeated. His name appears here in the middle of the land list to remind readers that those who oppose God’s people or lead them into sin will not escape judgment. It ties the history of past battles and God’s protection into the description of the land, showing that the territory they now hold was linked to God’s victory over both wicked kings and the wicked counselor who guided them.

Why did the Geshurites and Maachathites remain among Israel until that day?

The passage says that Israel did not expel the Geshurites and Maachathites, so they lived among Israel up to that time. This hints at Israel’s incomplete obedience. God had promised to drive out the nations, but the people were to act on that promise. When they failed to remove these groups, it left room for trouble later, as other passages warn that remaining nations would be snares and pricks in their sides. This shows how leaving sin or disobedience partly dealt with can keep causing harm, and it explains why some foreign peoples remained in the land.

What does this chapter teach about God’s promises and human responsibility?

This chapter holds both sides together. God clearly promises, “them will I drive out,” and tells Joshua to divide the land as if it already belongs to Israel. At the same time, much of the land is still in the hands of their enemies. The people must trust God’s word, go forward, and fight when needed. Where they obey, they enjoy their inheritance. Where they stop short, some nations remain among them. For readers today, it shows that God is faithful to His promises, but He also calls His people to active, steady obedience rather than laziness or fear.

How does Joshua’s role change in this passage, and why does that matter?

Early in his life, Joshua was mainly a military leader, leading Israel in battle. Here he is old and cannot fight as before, so God gives him a new task: to divide the land by lot among the tribes. This change shows that serving God is not only about one kind of work. Seasons change, but God still has work for His servants. It also shows wise preparation for the future. By assigning the land before he dies, Joshua helps prevent disputes later and helps the next generation know where God has placed them and what He has given them to take possession of.

How can this passage about tribal boundaries apply to believers today?

At first, long lists of borders and towns may seem dry, but they show how carefully God provides. Every tribe and family has a place marked out. God had not forgotten anyone. For believers today, this can point to the way God cares about our place and calling, not just in general, but in detail. It also reminds us that God’s promises often come with work to be done. We are called to trust what He has said, to take up the responsibilities He gives, to support those who serve like the Levites did, and not to leave areas of known disobedience sitting in our lives.

Josh.13.1

Joshua 13:1

KJV GOD

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.

Lands Yet Unconquered

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,

The Inheritance East of the Jordan

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.

Reuben’s Inheritance

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.

Gad’s Inheritance

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.

Manasseh’s Eastern Inheritance

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.

Cross References

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