Joshua 13:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} expelled {H3423} not the Geshurites {H1651}, nor the Maachathites {H4602}: but the Geshurites {H1650} and the Maachathites {H4601} dwell {H3427} among {H7130} the Israelites {H3478} until this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, the people of Isra'el expelled neither the G'shuri nor the Ma'akhati, with the consequence that G'shur and Ma'akhat have lived among Isra'el to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless the children of Israel drove not out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 13:13 serves as a poignant and sobering parenthetical observation within the detailed account of Israel's tribal land allocations. It starkly reveals a critical failure of the Israelites to fully obey God's explicit command to dispossess the indigenous inhabitants of the Promised Land, specifically naming the Geshurites and Maachathites. This verse underscores the immediate and lasting consequences of incomplete obedience, highlighting a significant compromise that would reverberate through Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears within [Joshua chapter 13](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - God's Instructions for Land Division"), which marks a pivotal transition in the Book of Joshua. Having recounted the major military campaigns and initial victories (chapters 1-12), the narrative now shifts to the division of the land among the tribes. Remarkably, Joshua 13 opens with God instructing an aging Joshua that "there remains yet very much land to be possessed" ([Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - Remaining Land to be Possessed")). Amidst the meticulous geographical descriptions and tribal assignments for the land east of the Jordan (given to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh), verse 13 stands out as a stark, parenthetical note of Israel's *failure* to fully execute the divine mandate. It interrupts the otherwise administrative tone, serving as an early warning sign of the spiritual compromises that would plague Israel in the subsequent era of the Judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Geshurites and Maachathites were Aramean peoples who inhabited the region northeast of the Sea of Galilee, specifically in the area of Bashan and the Golan Heights, bordering the territories allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh and Reuben. God had repeatedly and unequivocally commanded Israel to utterly destroy or drive out the indigenous populations of Canaan (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy"), [Exodus 23:31-33](/exodus/23-31 "Exodus 23:31-33 - God's Promise to Drive Out Nations")). This was not an arbitrary act of cruelty but a necessary measure to preserve Israel's covenant purity and prevent the corruption of their worship through the idolatrous, immoral, and syncretistic practices of the Canaanite nations. Allowing these groups to remain, as Joshua 13:13 states, meant retaining a persistent source of temptation and spiritual compromise, a reality tragically borne out in the Book of Judges.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 13:13 encapsulates several crucial theological and narrative themes. The most prominent is **Incomplete Obedience**, highlighting Israel's failure to fully carry out God's clear directives. This was not a minor oversight but a significant lapse with profound implications, demonstrating that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, disobedience. Closely related is the theme of **Consequences of Compromise**. The phrase "dwell among the Israelites until this day" indicates that this failure had lasting repercussions, establishing a precedent for future spiritual and moral decay, as seen in the repeated cycles of apostasy and judgment in Judges (e.g., [Judges 2:2-3](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2-3 - The Angel of the Lord's Rebuke")). Furthermore, the verse subtly touches upon the interplay between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility**. While God promised to give Israel the land and even fought battles for them, their full possession and enjoyment of the inheritance were contingent upon their active and faithful obedience. This verse underscores that human choices have real, tangible consequences within the framework of God's overarching plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **expelled not (Hebrew, _lo horishu'_):** The verb is from the root יָרַשׁ (_yarash_), which fundamentally means "to inherit" or "to take possession of." However, in the Hiphil stem, as used here, it carries the causative meaning of "to cause to inherit," or more commonly in this context, "to dispossess," "to drive out," or "to cast out." The negative particle "lo" (not) emphatically states Israel's failure to perform this active duty. This highlights that the Geshurites and Maachathites were not merely *allowed* to remain, but Israel *failed* to actively dispossess them, indicating a lack of resolve or commitment to God's command.
* **Geshurites (Hebrew, _Geshuri'_):** This refers to the inhabitants of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom located east of the Jordan River, near the border of Bashan. Its significance is later highlighted in the Davidic narrative, as King David's wife Maacah, the mother of Absalom, was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur ([2 Samuel 3:3](/2_samuel/3-3 "2 Samuel 3:3 - Absalom's Mother, Maacah, Daughter of Talmai King of Geshur")). Their continued presence underscores the long-term impact of this initial failure.
* **until this day (Hebrew, _'ad hayyom hazzeh'_):** This is a common biblical idiom found throughout the historical books, serving as an editorial note. It signifies that the situation described persisted from the time of the event up to the time the book was written or compiled. In this context, it emphasizes the enduring nature of Israel's failure and the ongoing presence of these unexpelled peoples, highlighting the lasting consequences of their disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites":** The opening "Nevertheless" (אַךְ, _'akh_) acts as a strong adversative, introducing a contrasting reality to the preceding descriptions of land distribution and divine promise. It immediately signals a deviation from God's ideal plan. The explicit naming of "the children of Israel" places the responsibility squarely on the nation. Their failure to "expel" (dispossess) the Geshurites and Maachathites is stated as a direct act of omission, a neglect of their divinely appointed task.
* **"but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day":** This clause reveals the immediate and lasting consequence of the aforementioned failure. The conjunction "but" (וְ, _ve_) emphasizes the direct result. The unexpelled groups did not merely remain in their own territories but "dwell among the Israelites," implying a level of integration or coexistence that was explicitly forbidden by God to prevent spiritual contamination. The phrase "until this day" underscores the enduring nature of this compromise, indicating that the consequences of this early disobedience continued to manifest for generations.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 13:13 employs several literary devices to underscore its significance. It functions as a **Parenthetical Note** or **Digression**, interrupting the otherwise administrative and geographical listing in [Joshua 13](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Land Division") to highlight a critical spiritual failure. This abrupt shift in tone draws immediate attention to the gravity of the statement. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting the divine command for complete disinheritance against Israel's actual incomplete obedience. This stark juxtaposition emphasizes the severity of their lapse. The **Repetition** of "Geshurites, nor the Maachathites" reinforces the specific nature of the failure and the identity of the unexpelled groups. Finally, the phrase "until this day" serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the long-term, negative consequences that will unfold throughout the subsequent historical narratives, particularly in the Book of Judges, where the presence of unexpelled nations consistently leads to Israel's spiritual decline and oppression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 13:13 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of obedience and the perils of compromise. It reveals that God's commands are not suggestions but divine mandates, and incomplete obedience is fundamentally disobedience. The failure to dispossess the Geshurites and Maachathites, though seemingly minor in the grand scheme of conquest, represents a significant breach of covenant faithfulness. This compromise allowed pockets of pagan influence to remain within the Promised Land, serving as ongoing temptations to idolatry and moral corruption, which tragically materialized throughout Israel's history. It underscores the principle that spiritual purity requires decisive action against all forms of ungodliness, both internal and external.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Drive Out Nations")
* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Failure to Drive Out the Jebusites")
* [Judges 2:2-3](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2-3 - Angel of the Lord's Rebuke for Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 13:13 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of incomplete obedience and spiritual compromise in our own lives. Just as Israel was commanded to dispossess the pagan nations to preserve their covenant purity, believers today are called to actively dispossess sin, worldly influences, and spiritual strongholds from their hearts and lives. This verse challenges us to examine areas where we might be tolerating "pockets" of unaddressed sin, unconfessed rebellion, or unholy habits, believing that partial surrender is sufficient. The enduring presence of the Geshurites and Maachathites among Israel illustrates that leaving such areas unconquered inevitably leads to ongoing spiritual struggles, compromise, and a hindering of our full inheritance in Christ. True spiritual growth and effectiveness require a thorough, uncompromising commitment to God's will, understanding that God desires wholehearted devotion, not just partial compliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "incomplete obedience," knowingly or unknowingly tolerating attitudes, habits, or influences that God has called me to dispossess?**
* **What are the potential long-term consequences of these unaddressed areas of compromise, both for my personal spiritual walk and for those around me?**
* **What specific, decisive actions can I take today to "expel" or fully surrender these areas to God, trusting in His power to enable my obedience?**
* **How does the warning of Joshua 13:13 encourage me to pursue a more thorough and uncompromising commitment to God's holiness in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Israel to expel these groups, and not just live among them peacefully?**

Answer: It was critically important for several theological and practical reasons, all rooted in God's covenant with Israel. The primary reason was to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and prevent them from falling into idolatry and the immoral practices of the Canaanite nations. God knew that if these groups remained, their pagan worship, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality would inevitably corrupt Israel, leading them away from the one true God. [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Drive Out Nations") explicitly commands their expulsion to prevent Israel from being "snared" by their gods. Furthermore, the land was to be holy, a dwelling place for God's presence among His people, and the presence of unholy practices defiled it. Allowing these groups to remain was an act of disobedience that directly threatened Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people and their mission to be a light to the nations.

**What happened to the Geshurites and Maachathites later in Israel's history?**

Answer: Joshua 13:13 states that they "dwell among the Israelites until this day," indicating their continued presence for a significant period after the initial conquest. While they were not fully expelled, they likely existed as distinct, though sometimes integrated, communities. The Geshurites, for instance, are later mentioned in connection with King David's family; his wife Maacah, the mother of Absalom, was the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur ([2 Samuel 3:3](/2_samuel/3-3 "2 Samuel 3:3 - Absalom's Mother, Maacah, Daughter of Talmai King of Geshur")). This suggests that at least some Geshurite communities maintained their identity and even political structures, forming alliances or relationships with Israelite tribes or kings. Their continued presence, along with other unexpelled groups, contributed to the ongoing spiritual struggles and temptations that are vividly described throughout the Book of Judges and into the period of the monarchy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 13:13, in its stark portrayal of Israel's incomplete obedience, powerfully foreshadows the need for a greater deliverer and a more perfect fulfillment of God's will. Israel's failure to fully "dispossess" the land's inhabitants highlights humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's commands and achieve true spiritual purity through their own efforts. This points directly to Jesus Christ, who is the true and perfectly obedient Son. Unlike Israel, who failed to drive out their physical enemies, Christ decisively conquered and dispossessed humanity's ultimate spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus accomplished what Israel could not. He not only provides the means for believers to overcome the "pockets of sin" in their own lives through the power of the Holy Spirit ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Living by the Spirit")), but He also secures for them a true and eternal inheritance, a spiritual "Promised Land" that is fully possessed not by human effort, but by grace through faith in Him ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). He is the faithful Joshua who leads His people to complete victory and into their full spiritual inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 13:11

And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

Joshua 23:12

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Numbers 33:55

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Judges 2:1

¶ And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

Judges 2:3

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

2 Samuel 13:37

But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.