Joshua 13:4

KJV

From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that [is] beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

KJV (with Strong's)

From the south {H8486}, all the land {H776} of the Canaanites {H3669}, and Mearah {H4632} that is beside the Sidonians {H6722}, unto Aphek {H663}, to the borders {H1366} of the Amorites {H567}:

Complete Jewish Bible

to the south; all the land of the Kena'ani; Me'arah, which belongs to the Tzidonim, as far as Afek and on to the border with the Emori;

Berean Standard Bible

to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites;

American Standard Version

on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongeth to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 13:4 details a specific segment of the unconquered territory God commanded Joshua to divide among the tribes of Israel, even as Joshua was old and much land remained to be possessed. This verse outlines a significant northern and western boundary of this remaining land, stretching from the general region of the Canaanites in the south, encompassing the enigmatic "Mearah" near the powerful Sidonians, extending to Aphek, and reaching the borders of the Amorites. It underscores the vastness of the inheritance God had promised and the ongoing human responsibility in claiming it, highlighting the partial nature of the initial conquest despite significant victories.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 13 marks a pivotal transition in the Book of Joshua. Chapters 1-12 recount the initial, decisive military campaigns led by Joshua, culminating in a general statement that the land was "at rest from war" as recorded in [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - The Land at Rest"). However, chapter 13 immediately opens with God's direct instruction to an aging Joshua: "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess" in [Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - God's Command to Joshua"). This striking juxtaposition sets the stage for the detailed geographical descriptions of the unconquered territories that follow, including Joshua 13:4. The shift from conquest to the administrative task of land division (chapters 13-21) underscores that the full inheritance of the Promised Land was a process requiring continued faith and obedience, not merely a single military triumph. This verse, therefore, serves as a crucial geographical marker within God's comprehensive directive for the tribal allotments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The peoples mentioned in Joshua 13:4—the Canaanites, Sidonians, and Amorites—represent significant inhabitants of the ancient Near East whom Israel was commanded to dispossess. The "land of the Canaanites" broadly refers to the indigenous population of the region, known for their polytheistic worship, including Baal and Asherah, and their fortified city-states. The Sidonians were a powerful Phoenician people, renowned maritime traders and craftsmen, whose major city, Sidon, was a prominent coastal hub north of Israel's eventual territory. Their presence "beside" Mearah indicates the northern reach of the unconquered land extended into their sphere of influence. Aphek was a strategic city, often a battleground, located in various places in ancient Israel, but here likely referring to one in the northern coastal plain or Lebanon, marking a western or northern boundary. The Amorites, though often used broadly for pre-Israelite inhabitants, here likely refers to specific Amorite kingdoms or enclaves, particularly those east of the Jordan or in the northern mountainous regions, defining the eastern or inland frontier of the described territory. The continued presence of these groups meant ongoing cultural and religious challenges for Israel, as seen in the subsequent period of [the Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Partial Conquests"), where the failure to fully dispossess these nations led to cycles of apostasy and oppression, as detailed in [Judges 1:27-36](/judges/1-27-36 "Judges 1:27-36 - Partial Conquests and Failures").
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 13:4 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Unfinished Conquest** and **Partial Obedience**. Despite God's mighty acts and Israel's victories, a substantial portion of the Promised Land remained under pagan control, illustrating that divine provision often requires sustained human effort and faithfulness to fully realize. Secondly, it reinforces the tension between **Divine Promise and Human Responsibility**. God had promised the entire land from the outset, as recorded in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham"), and His faithfulness in delivering much of it was undeniable. Yet, the detailed description of unconquered areas in this verse underscores Israel's ongoing responsibility to act in faith, dispossess the inhabitants, and fully claim their inheritance. Thirdly, the detailed **Geographical Scope** of the verse emphasizes the vastness of God's promised inheritance and the specific boundaries He laid out, demonstrating His meticulous plan and the comprehensive nature of His covenant with Israel. The inclusion of specific, strategically important locations like Mearah and Aphek, near powerful entities like the Sidonians and Amorites, underscores the formidable nature of the remaining task and the strategic importance of these areas for Israel's future security and spiritual purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mearah (Hebrew, _Mᵉʻârâh'_):** This term, meaning "cave" or "den," is used as a specific place name in Joshua 13:4. Its inclusion suggests a locality known for such geological features, situated "beside the Sidonians." While its precise location is debated, it likely refers to a region or town in the northern coastal area, possibly near the modern Lebanese coast, indicating the furthest northern reach of the territory God was describing for division. The mention of such a specific, perhaps minor, geographical feature within a list of broader regions emphasizes the meticulous detail of God's instructions regarding the land.
* **Canaanites (Hebrew, _Kᵉnaʻanîy'_):** This term refers to a "Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan." While often used broadly for all the peoples of the land, it also designates a specific ethnic group, particularly associated with the coastal plains and valleys. Their inclusion here signifies that even in the northern and western reaches, the land was still occupied by the very people Israel was commanded to dispossess, highlighting the ongoing challenge and the extent of the incomplete conquest.
* **Sidonians (Hebrew, _Tsîydônîy'_):** This term identifies a "Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon," a major Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, north of Israel's territory. Sidon was a powerful maritime and commercial center, known for its trade and influence throughout the ancient world. The phrase "Mearah that is beside the Sidonians" clearly defines the northern boundary of the unconquered land as extending into the sphere of this prominent, non-Israelite power, indicating areas that Israel had not yet, and in many cases would not, fully subdue.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"From the south, all the land of the Canaanites":** This phrase establishes the starting point and general scope of the unconquered territory being described. It indicates that the land to be divided stretched northward from a southern point within the general region inhabited by the Canaanites, implying a vast expanse that was still under their control, or at least not yet fully settled by Israel.
* **"and Mearah that [is] beside the Sidonians":** This specifies a key northern marker of the unconquered territory. "Mearah" (meaning "cave") points to a specific locality or region, geographically positioned in close proximity to the powerful Phoenician city of Sidon. This indicates that the land still to be possessed extended significantly northward along the Mediterranean coast, beyond the immediate reach of Israel's initial conquests.
* **"unto Aphek":** Aphek serves as another significant boundary marker, likely pointing to a strategic city or region that defined the western or northwestern extent of the unconquered land. There were several locations named Aphek in ancient Israel, but in this context, it refers to one in the northern coastal plain or southern Lebanon, further delineating the vastness of the territory yet to be taken.
* **"to the borders of the Amorites":** This final phrase defines the eastern or inland extent of the described unconquered territory. The Amorites, though sometimes used broadly, here likely refer to specific Amorite enclaves or kingdoms in the northern mountainous regions or east of the Jordan, indicating that the land to be divided stretched eastward to their boundaries, encompassing a wide swath of land from the coast inland.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 13:4 primarily employs **Geographical Delimitation** and **Enumeration** to precisely outline the remaining unconquered territory. The verse meticulously lists specific points and peoples ("From the south," "Mearah," "Sidonians," "Aphek," "Amorites") to create a detailed mental map of the land God commanded Joshua to divide. This precise **Topographical Description** serves to emphasize the vastness and specific nature of the task ahead for Israel. The use of **Synecdoche** is also present, where "the land of the Canaanites" represents the broader indigenous population of the region, and "Sidonians" and "Amorites" stand for their respective spheres of influence, indicating that the unconquered areas were still firmly under the control of powerful, non-Israelite entities. This precise detailing underscores the reality of the incomplete conquest and the significant challenge that lay before the tribes of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 13:4, in its detailed description of unconquered land, powerfully illustrates the ongoing tension between God's sovereign promise and human responsibility. While God had faithfully delivered Israel into the Promised Land and given them rest from war, this verse reminds us that the full realization of His promises often requires sustained faith, obedience, and active engagement from His people. The remaining land was not a sign of God's failure, but an invitation for Israel to continue to trust Him and act on His commands, demonstrating that inheritance is both a gift and a task. This concept resonates throughout scripture, where God's covenant faithfulness is always met with the expectation of human response, whether in the Old Testament pursuit of the physical land or the New Testament pursuit of spiritual maturity and the Kingdom of God.

* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-1-12 "Numbers 34:1-12 - The Borders of the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 11:24](/deuteronomy/11-24 "Deuteronomy 11:24 - Every Place Your Foot Treads")
* [Judges 1:21-36](/judges/1-21-36 "Judges 1:21-36 - Israel's Partial Conquests")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 13:4, situated within the broader context of God's command to divide unconquered land, offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as Israel had an inheritance yet to fully possess despite God's faithfulness, Christians are called to continually claim and live out their spiritual inheritance in Christ. This verse challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we might have settled for partial victory or complacency. While God has provided "everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" in [2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - God's Divine Power"), there are still spiritual battles to be fought, character traits to be transformed, and divine purposes to be pursued. It reminds us that spiritual growth is an ongoing process of dispossessing the "giants" of sin, fear, and unbelief in our personal lives, and actively engaging in the mission of God in the world. We are not to be content with mere survival, but to press forward in faith, trusting in God's power to enable us to fully experience and manifest the promises of His Kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unconquered land" or areas of spiritual immaturity might remain in my life, despite past victories?**
* **Where might I be settling for partial obedience or complacency instead of pressing into God's full promises?**
* **How does the tension between God's divine provision and human responsibility in Joshua 13:4 speak to my own walk of faith?**
* **What specific actions of faith am I being called to take to "possess" more of my spiritual inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command the division of unconquered land?**

Answer: God's command to divide unconquered land, as seen in [Joshua 13:1-7](/joshua/13-1-7 "Joshua 13:1-7 - God's Command to Divide the Land"), served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it reaffirmed His covenant faithfulness: the land was a divine gift, and its distribution underscored that the promise was sure, even if its full realization was progressive. Secondly, it provided a clear mandate and motivation for the tribes to continue the conquest. By assigning specific territories, God gave each tribe a tangible inheritance to fight for, preventing complacency and ensuring that the task of dispossessing the remaining inhabitants would continue. Thirdly, it established the legal and administrative framework for Israel's future, laying the groundwork for their national identity and tribal boundaries. It taught them that their inheritance was not merely a military acquisition but a divinely ordained possession, requiring ongoing faith and effort.

**Who were the Sidonians and Amorites in this context, and why are they mentioned?**

Answer: The Sidonians were a prominent Phoenician people, primarily inhabiting the coastal city of Sidon and its environs, north of Israel. They were renowned maritime traders and powerful in their region. Their mention in [Joshua 13:4](/joshua/13-4 "Joshua 13:4 - Unconquered Territory") indicates that the unconquered land extended far north, into their sphere of influence, areas Israel had not yet subdued and largely would not. The Amorites, while sometimes used broadly for pre-Israelite inhabitants, here likely refer to specific Amorite kingdoms or enclaves, perhaps in the northern mountainous regions or east of the Jordan. Their mention further delineates the eastern or inland boundaries of the remaining territory. Both groups represent powerful, non-Israelite peoples whose continued presence posed a challenge to Israel's full possession of the land and, as seen in [the Book of Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Partial Conquests"), often led to cultural and religious syncretism.

**What does "Mearah" mean, and why is it included in this list of unconquered territory?**

Answer: "Mearah" (מְעָרָה) is a Hebrew word meaning "cave" or "den." In [Joshua 13:4](/joshua/13-4 "Joshua 13:4 - Mearah beside the Sidonians"), it is used as a specific place name, likely referring to a town or region known for its caves, situated "beside the Sidonians" in the northern coastal area (modern Lebanon). Its inclusion, alongside more general terms like "land of the Canaanites" and specific cities like "Aphek," highlights the meticulous detail of God's geographical instructions. It serves to precisely define the northernmost extent of the territory that was still to be divided and possessed by the tribes of Israel, emphasizing that even specific, perhaps less prominent, geographical features were part of God's comprehensive plan for their inheritance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 13:4, with its depiction of an unfinished conquest and a promised inheritance yet to be fully possessed, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Christ. While Israel struggled to fully dispossess the physical land, believers in Christ inherit a spiritual reality that is already fully secured through His finished work on the cross. Jesus is the true Joshua, leading His people into a greater inheritance and a more profound rest. He has already conquered the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil, as [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities") declares, "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him." Our "Promised Land" is not a geographical territory but the Kingdom of God, a spiritual reality that is "already" present in Christ but "not yet" fully realized in its consummation, as Jesus taught in [Luke 17:21](/luke/17-21 "Luke 17:21 - The Kingdom of God Within You"). We are called to "possess our possessions," as echoed in [Obadiah 1:17](/obadiah/1-17 "Obadiah 1:17 - Possessing Possessions"), not by physical warfare, but by faith, obedience, and spiritual warfare against the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare"). Christ has given us "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ"), and through Him, we are "more than conquerors" according to [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors"). The "unconquered land" in our lives represents areas where we have not yet fully yielded to Christ's Lordship or appropriated the victory He has already won, calling us to walk by the Spirit and lay hold of the fullness of our inheritance in Him, as encouraged in [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit").

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 19:30

Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.

Judges 1:34

And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

Judges 1:36

And the coast of the Amorites [was] from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

1 Samuel 4:1

¶ And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

Joshua 12:18

The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;

Joshua 11:3

[And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

Joshua 10:40

So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.