Joshua 13:2

KJV

This [is] the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

KJV (with Strong's)

This is the land {H776} that yet remaineth {H7604}: all the borders {H1552} of the Philistines {H6430}, and all Geshuri {H1651},

Complete Jewish Bible

"This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the P'lishtim and all the G'shuri,

Berean Standard Bible

This is the land that remains:

American Standard Version

This is the land that yet remaineth: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 13:2 introduces the Lord's clear declaration to an aging Joshua that significant portions of the promised land remained unconquered, specifically highlighting the territories of the Philistines and Geshuri. This verse serves as a pivotal transition from the initial campaigns of conquest to the subsequent phase of land distribution among the Israelite tribes, underscoring both God's faithfulness in providing the inheritance and Israel's ongoing responsibility to fully possess what had been divinely granted, even as challenges persisted.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 13:2 immediately follows the Lord's direct address to Joshua in [Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - God's Command to Joshua"), where God acknowledges Joshua's advanced age and explicitly states, "There remains yet very much land to be possessed." This sets the stage for the detailed instructions regarding the division of the land among the tribes, even for territories not yet fully subdued. The verse functions as a crucial bridge, shifting the narrative from the united military campaigns (chapters 1-12) to the tribal inheritances and the challenges of incomplete conquest (chapters 13-21). It highlights that while major victories had been achieved, the full realization of God's promise required continued effort and faithfulness from Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "the borders of the Philistines" is highly significant. The Philistines were a powerful, non-Semitic "Sea Peoples" group who settled in the fertile coastal plain of Canaan (the Shephelah) around the 12th century BCE, establishing a pentapolis of major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. They possessed superior iron technology and formidable military organization, posing a persistent threat to Israel throughout the periods of the Judges and the United Monarchy. Their presence here underscores a formidable, un-dispossessed enemy that would plague Israel for centuries, as seen in later accounts like [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). "All Geshuri" likely refers to the Aramean kingdom of Geshur, located east of the Jordan River, north of Bashan, and south of Mount Hermon, near the Sea of Galilee (cf. [Deuteronomy 3:14](/deuteronomy/3-14 "Deuteronomy 3:14 - Jair's Possession of Havvoth-Jair")). Its inclusion indicates that even territories east of the Jordan, though initially settled by some tribes, still had pockets of unconquered inhabitants.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Promise and Human Responsibility**. God had promised the entire land to Israel (e.g., [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")), but its full possession required Israel's active obedience and perseverance. The "land that yet remaineth" highlights **Incomplete Obedience and Unfinished Business**, serving as a prophetic warning that Israel's failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants would lead to future troubles, a theme extensively explored in the book of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Israel's Failure to Dispossess"). Furthermore, it emphasizes **God's Ongoing Commission**, demonstrating that even in Joshua's old age, God's plan for His people's inheritance remained active and required leadership, reminding us that God's purposes transcend human limitations and lifespans.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **remaineth (Hebrew, _sha'ar_):** This verb, שָׁאַר (_sha'ar_), means "to be left over," "to remain," or "to be a remnant." In this context, it signifies territory that has not yet been taken possession of, emphasizing the incomplete nature of the conquest despite significant victories. It carries a sense of what is "left behind" or "still outstanding" regarding the divine commission.
* **Philistines (Hebrew, _Pelishtim_):** The Hebrew term פְּלִשְׁתִּים (_Pelishtim_) refers to the inhabitants of Philistia, the coastal plain southwest of Canaan. This designation identifies a specific, well-known, and formidable non-Israelite people group who would become Israel's perennial adversaries, particularly during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. Their mention here highlights a significant and persistent challenge to Israel's full occupation of the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] the land that yet remaineth:"** This opening clause serves as a direct continuation and elaboration of the statement in [Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - God's Declaration to Joshua") that "there remains yet very much land to be possessed." It functions as a divine inventory, specifically pointing out that despite the major campaigns and initial victories, the conquest was not complete. The phrase underscores God's precise awareness of the unfulfilled aspects of His command and promise, setting the stage for the subsequent instructions on land division and the ongoing responsibility of the tribes.
* **"all the borders of the Philistines,"** This part of the verse specifies a significant unconquered region. The "borders of the Philistines" refers to the territory controlled by the Philistine city-states along the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan. This area was densely populated and militarily strong, representing a major strategic and theological challenge for Israel. Their inclusion highlights a formidable enemy that Israel would largely fail to dispossess, leading to centuries of conflict and demonstrating a critical area of incomplete obedience to God's command to drive out all the inhabitants.
* **"and all Geshuri,"** The mention of "all Geshuri" points to another specific territory that remained outside full Israelite control. While there were possibly two regions named Geshur, this reference, alongside the Philistines, likely pertains to the Aramean kingdom of Geshur located east of the Jordan River, north of Bashan. Its inclusion indicates that even in areas designated for settlement by the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh), complete subjugation of the native inhabitants was still pending, reinforcing the overarching theme of unfinished conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 13:2 employs several literary devices to convey its significant message. The most prominent is **Merism**, where "all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri" are named to represent the totality of the unconquered territories. By specifying two distinct and geographically separate regions (one in the southwest coastal plain, the other east of the Jordan), the text implies that the problem of "land that yet remaineth" was widespread and encompassed various strategic areas. This serves to emphasize the scope of the unfinished task. Furthermore, the verse uses **Emphasis** through repetition and direct declaration, building on [Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - The Remaining Land") to underscore the urgency and importance of the remaining conquest. The concise, declarative statement also carries a tone of **Divine Authority**, as it is God Himself who is providing this inventory and subsequent instruction, highlighting His sovereign oversight of Israel's inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 13:2 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of divine promises and human responsibility. While God faithfully provided the land as promised to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram")), its full possession was contingent upon Israel's active obedience and perseverance in driving out the inhabitants. The "remaining land" signifies that God's covenant faithfulness does not negate the need for human effort and faith. This theological tension highlights that spiritual inheritance, much like physical inheritance, requires engagement and often involves ongoing struggle against entrenched opposition. It foreshadows Israel's repeated failures in the book of Judges, where their incomplete conquest led to constant conflict and spiritual compromise, demonstrating that partial obedience yields partial blessing and persistent challenges.

* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Benjamites and the Jebusites")
* [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-3 - The Angel of the Lord at Bochim")
* [Numbers 33:55-56](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55-56 - Consequences of Not Driving Out Inhabitants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 13:2 offers a potent spiritual mirror for believers today. Just as Israel had "land that yet remaineth" to be conquered, we often find "remaining territory" in our own lives—areas of character not fully surrendered to Christ, spiritual disciplines not fully embraced, or aspects of our calling not yet pursued with full commitment. This verse reminds us that initial victories, while celebrated, are not the end of the spiritual journey. God's promises of transformation, sanctification, and fruitfulness are sure, but they often require our active participation, perseverance, and ongoing reliance on His strength to overcome the "Philistines" of our own spiritual landscape—stubborn sins, persistent temptations, or areas of unbelief. We are called to press on, not to become complacent, and to trust that God, who has begun a good work in us, will bring it to completion as we faithfully engage in the ongoing process of spiritual growth and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "land" or areas in my life does God desire me to fully possess for His glory, which I have neglected or only partially conquered?**
* **How might complacency after initial spiritual victories hinder my progress in other areas of my walk with God?**
* **What "Philistines" (persistent sins, strongholds, or external pressures) am I facing, and how can I rely on God's strength to overcome them?**
* **In what ways does God's ongoing commission for my life require renewed effort and faithfulness, even when I feel "old" or weary?**

### FAQ

**Why did God not simply clear the land for Israel completely, rather than leaving "land that yet remaineth"?**

Answer: While God certainly had the power to instantly clear the land, His method of conquest and inheritance often involved human participation and obedience. The "land that yet remaineth" served several divine purposes. Firstly, it was a test of Israel's faithfulness and obedience to God's commands to dispossess the inhabitants (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Nations")). Secondly, it was a means of teaching them warfare and reliance on God (e.g., [Judges 3:1-2](/judges/3-1 "Judges 3:1-2 - Nations Left to Test Israel")). Thirdly, it prevented the land from becoming desolate and wild animals from multiplying before Israel could fully populate it (e.g., [Exodus 23:29-30](/exodus/23-29 "Exodus 23:29-30 - Gradual Dispossession")). Ultimately, the remaining land highlighted Israel's partial obedience and foreshadowed the ongoing spiritual battles and consequences of compromise that would plague them throughout their history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 13:2, with its declaration of "land that yet remaineth" to be possessed, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a physical territory but in the spiritual inheritance and kingdom established by Jesus Christ. While Israel's conquest was incomplete due to their human limitations and disobedience, Christ's victory on the cross was absolute and complete, securing for believers a spiritual inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). Jesus, the greater Joshua, has fully conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness, utterly dispossessing the ultimate enemies (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Yet, just as Israel had to "possess" their physical land, believers are called to "possess" their spiritual inheritance by living out the implications of Christ's victory in their daily lives. This involves actively putting off the old self and putting on the new (e.g., [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self")), engaging in spiritual warfare against spiritual strongholds (e.g., [Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Full Armor of God")), and proclaiming the gospel to "all the borders" of the earth as part of the Great Commission (e.g., [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the "remaining land" for the New Covenant believer is the ongoing process of sanctification and the expansion of Christ's kingdom through faithful obedience until His glorious return.

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;

Joel 3:4

Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

1 Samuel 27:8

¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

Judges 3:1

¶ Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, [even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

2 Samuel 15:8

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

Exodus 23:29

I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.