Joshua 13:1

¶ 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.

Now Joshua {H3091} was old {H2204} and stricken {H935} in years {H3117}; and the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Thou art old {H2204} and stricken {H935} in years {H3117}, and there remaineth {H7604} yet very {H3966} much {H7235} land {H776} to be possessed {H3423}.

Now Y'hoshua was old; the years had taken their toll. ADONAI said to him, "You are old, and the years have taken their toll; but there is yet a great deal of land to be possessed.

Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed.

Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years; and Jehovah said unto him, Thou art old and well stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

Commentary

Joshua 13:1 marks a pivotal transition in the book of Joshua, shifting from active conquest to the division of the promised land. It highlights the divine perspective on unfinished tasks and the ongoing responsibility of God's people.

Context

Following the major military campaigns detailed in the first twelve chapters of Joshua, where the Israelites achieved significant victories over various Canaanite kings, this verse opens a new phase. Joshua, now advanced in age, has largely completed the initial conquest of the central and southern parts of the land. However, the LORD's words here reveal that despite these successes, much territory remains unconquered and unpossessed by the tribes of Israel. This sets the stage for the detailed instructions on land distribution that follow in the subsequent chapters, emphasizing that the initial victories were not the end of the mission, but a significant beginning.

Key Themes

  • Unfinished Work and Divine Initiative: The verse powerfully conveys that God sees the complete picture. While Joshua might have felt his mission was accomplished, God reminds him—and Israel—that a substantial portion of the promised inheritance still needed to be claimed. This underscores that God often initiates and points out the remaining tasks for His people.
  • Human Responsibility in God's Plan: Despite God's promise of victory and the land, its full possession required continued human effort and obedience. The phrase "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed" highlights that divine promises often come with human responsibility to act in faith and diligence. This echoes the initial command given to Joshua to divide the land as an inheritance.
  • Transition and Succession: Joshua's old age signifies a natural transition point. Though he won't oversee every battle for every piece of land, his role now shifts to administration and ensuring the tribes receive their inheritance. This implicitly prepares for future leadership and the ongoing commitment required from the entire nation, not just one leader.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stricken in years" is a translation of the Hebrew `zāqēn` (old) and `bāʾ ba-yāmîm` (entered into days/years), indicating a person of advanced age and experience. This emphasizes not just physical age, but a life fully lived. The word "possessed" comes from the Hebrew root `yāraš`, which means to inherit, take possession of, or dispossess. It implies not just occupying land, but claiming it as a rightful, divinely-given inheritance, reflecting God's covenant promises to Abraham (see Genesis 15:18).

Practical Application

Joshua 13:1 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Life's Unfinished Business: Just as Joshua had remaining land, we often have "land" in our lives—areas of spiritual growth, relationships, or callings—that God intends for us to possess. This verse encourages us not to grow complacent after initial victories but to press on toward full obedience and realization of God's purposes.
  2. God's Perspective vs. Ours: We may feel we've done enough or are too old, but God's vision for our lives and His kingdom often extends beyond our immediate perception or perceived capabilities. He sees the "very much land to be possessed" and calls us to continue the work.
  3. The Ongoing Spiritual Battle: For Christians, this can be a metaphor for the spiritual battles that remain in our lives and in the world. Even after significant personal victories, the call to stand against spiritual wickedness and advance God's kingdom continues until Christ's return.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 14:10 (6 votes)

    And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.

  • Deuteronomy 31:3 (5 votes)

    The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, [and] he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: [and] Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

  • Joshua 24:29 (4 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, [being] an hundred and ten years old.

  • Joshua 23:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old [and] stricken in age.

  • Joshua 23:2 (3 votes)

    And Joshua called for all Israel, [and] for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old [and] stricken in age:

  • Genesis 18:11 (3 votes)

    Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

  • Luke 1:7 (3 votes)

    And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.