Joshua13

Joshua, now old and advanced in years, is commanded by the LORD to divide the remaining unconquered land among the nine and a half tribes of Israel. The chapter then details the specific inheritances already allotted by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan River. It also reiterates that the Levites received no territorial inheritance, but rather the sacrifices of the LORD.
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The Command to Divide Remaining Land

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 Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
6
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, 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. ​

The Territory of Reuben

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 Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,
18
And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
19
And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley,
20
And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,
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.

The Territory of Gad

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 Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;
27
And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, 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.

The Territory of Half-Manasseh

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.

Summary of Transjordan Inheritance

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. ​

Study Notes for Joshua 13

Verse 1

This verse marks a critical transition in the book of Joshua, moving from collective military conquest to individual tribal settlement. Though Joshua is old, the task of settling the land, based on God’s promise, must proceed.

Verse 2

The land remaining unconquered included the strategic coastal plain, heavily defended by the Philistines, and territories far north into Phoenicia. These areas would remain trouble spots for Israel throughout the monarchy.

Verse 3

The 'five lords of the Philistines' refers to the powerful, independent city-states (the Pentapolis) of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. This region was counted as 'Canaanite' territory, though the inhabitants were distinct, possibly Aegean migrants (Sea Peoples).

Verse 6

God promises future divine action ('them will I drive out') even though the land is being divided now. This requires the Israelites to act in faith, claiming their inheritance before the military occupation is fully complete.

Verse 7

The 'nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh' are those who will receive their inheritance west of the Jordan River, contrasted with the two and a half tribes already settled in the east.

Verse 8

Verses 8-32 serve as a detailed recapitulation of the territories allotted by Moses, confirming the legal and historical basis for the Transjordan tribes' claim before the division west of the Jordan begins.

Verse 13

This parenthetical note indicates a significant failure of obedience. The continued presence of the Geshurites and Maachathites, unlike the total destruction of Og and Sihon, foreshadows the incomplete conquest described later in the book of Judges.

Verse 14

The Levites received no territorial inheritance because their function was priestly service for all Israel. Their sustenance came from the offerings and tithes (the sacrifices made by fire), making God himself their portion.

Verse 22

The inclusion of Balaam's death confirms that the judgment on the Midianites and their associated kings (Numbers 31) had been executed. Balaam, though a prophet, was slain because he had counseled Balak to corrupt Israel through immorality.

Verse 32

This verse concludes the detailed listing of the land distributed by Moses, emphasizing that the eastern division was complete and established before the western tribes received their allotments.

Verse 33

This final repetition reinforces the theological principle underlying the Levites' status. Their inheritance was spiritual and functional, ensuring they remained dependent on God and available to minister throughout the land.

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