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Commentary on Joshua 13 verses 1–6
Here, I. God puts Joshua in mind of his old age, v. 1. 1. It is said that Joshua was old and stricken in years, and he and Caleb were at this time the only old men among the thousands of Israel, none except them of all those who were numbered at Mount Sinai being now alive. He had been a man of war from his youth (Exo 17:10); but now he yielded to the infirmities of age, with which it is in vain for the stoutest to think of contesting. It should seem Joshua had not the same strength and vigour in his old age that Moses had; all that come to old age do not find it alike good; generally, the days of old age are evil days, and such as there is no pleasure in, nor expectation of service from. 2. God takes notice of it to him: God said to him, Thou art old. Note, It is good for those who are old and stricken in years to be put in remembrance of their being so. Some have gray hairs here and there upon them, and perceive it not (Hos 7:9); they do not care to think of it, and therefore need to be told of it, that they may be quickened to do the work of life, and make preparation for death, which is coming towards them apace. But God mentions Joshua's age and growing infirmities, (1.) As a reason why he should now lay by the thoughts of pursuing the war; he cannot expect to see an end of it quickly, for there remained much land, more perhaps than he thought, to be possessed, in several parts remote from each other: and it was not fit that at his age he should be put upon the fatigue of renewing the war, and carrying it to such distant places; no, it was enough for him that he had reduced the body of the country. "Let him be gathered to rest with honour and the thanks of his people for the good services he had done them, and let the conquering of the skirts of the country be left for those that shall come after." As he had entered into the labours of Moses, so let others enter into his, and bring forth the top-stone, the doing of which was reserved for David long after. Observe, God considers the frame of his people, and would not have them burdened with work above their strength. It cannot be expected that old people should do as they have done for God and their country. (2.) As a reason why he should speedily apply himself to the dividing of that which he had conquered. That work must be done, and done quickly; it was necessary that he should preside in the doing of it, and therefore, he being old and stricken in years, and not likely to continue long, let him make this his concluding piece of service to God and Israel. All people, but especially old people, should set themselves to do that quickly which must be done before they die, lest death prevent them, Ecc 9:10.
II. He gives him a particular account of the land that yet remained unconquered, which was intended for Israel, and which, in due time, they should be masters of if they did not put a bar in their own door. Divers places are here mentioned, some in the south, as the country of the Philistines, governed by five lords, and the land that lay towards Egypt (Jos 13:2, Jos 13:3), some westward, as that which lay towards the Sidonians (Jos 13:4), some eastward, as all Lebanon (Jos 13:5), some towards the north, as that in the entering in of Hamath, Jos 13:5. Joshua is told this, and he made the people acquainted with it, 1. That they might be the more affected with God's goodness to them in giving them this good land, and might thereby be engaged to love and serve him; for, if this which they had was too little, God would moreover give them such and such things, Sa2 12:8. 2. That they might not be tempted to make any league, or contract any dangerous familiarity with these their neighbours so as to learn their way, but might rather be jealous of them, as a people that kept them from their right and that they had just cause of quarrel with. 3. That they might keep themselves in a posture for war, and not think of putting off the harness so long as there remained any land to be possessed. Nor must we lay aside our spiritual armour, nor be off our watch, till our victory be completed in the kingdom of glory.
III. He promises that he would make the Israelites masters of all those countries that were yet unsubdued, though Joshua was old and not able to do it, old and not likely to live to see it done. Whatever becomes of us, and however we may be laid aside as despised broken vessels, God will do his own work in his own time (Jos 13:6): I will drive them out. The original is emphatic: "It is I that will do it, I that can do it when thou are dead and gone, and will do it if Israel be not wanting to themselves." "I will do it by my Word," so the Chaldee here, as in many other places, "by the eternal Word, the captain of the hosts of the Lord." This promise that he would drive them out from before the children of Israel plainly supposes it as the condition of the promise that the children of Israel must themselves attempt their extirpation, must go up against them, else they could not be said to be driven out before them; if afterwards Israel, through sloth, or cowardice, or affection to these idolaters, sit still and let them alone, they must blame themselves, and not God, if they be not driven out. We must work out our salvation, and then God will work in us and work with us; we must resist our spiritual enemies, and then God will tread them under our feet; we must go forth to our Christian work and warfare, and then God will go forth before us.
After these things, when he had enumerated very many nations, of the Sidonites alone he said, “And I shall exterminate all the Sidonites from the face of the sons of Israel.” The Canaanites were also named, and those who were opposite Egypt were mentioned, and those who were from the region of Ekron and from the left portions of the river, and very many other nations; but concerning the Sidonites alone, the Lord says that he will destroy them. Just as we have said previously, however, the Sidonites are called “hunters.” Who, therefore, do we understand as those evil hunters that the Lord exterminates if not those opposing powers of whom the prophet says, “They have prepared snares for my feet,” [snares] by which they pursue and ensnare souls for sin? So then, the Lord exterminates them. For when such hunters as these have perished, when at last there will be no one who “stretches out snares” and nets in order to entrap souls in sin, then “each person will rest under his own vine and under his own fig tree.”
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SUMMARY
Joshua 13:6 captures a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of Israel's inheritance, where God, addressing an aging Joshua, reaffirms His unwavering commitment to complete the conquest of the Promised Land. Despite significant northern territories—including the formidable hill country extending to Lebanon and the coastal Sidonian regions—remaining under the control of their original inhabitants, God emphatically declares His sovereign intention to personally dispossess these peoples. Simultaneously, He issues a clear command to Joshua: proceed with the division of this yet-to-be-fully-subdued land by lot among the Israelite tribes, thereby underscoring both divine faithfulness in fulfilling promises and human responsibility in acting upon them by faith.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 13:6 employs several impactful literary devices that deepen its theological significance. The most prominent is Juxtaposition, where God's declarative "them will I drive out" stands in direct tension with the imperative "only divide thou it by lot." This contrast highlights the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a recurring motif throughout biblical narratives. The detailed enumeration of specific geographical locations ("Lebanon," "Misrephothmaim," "Sidonians") serves as Geographical Specificity, grounding the divine promise in concrete, tangible territories and emphasizing the vastness of the yet-to-be-possessed land. This specificity also underscores the formidable nature of the remaining task and the magnitude of God's assured intervention. Furthermore, the repeated use of the term "inheritance" (Thematic Repetition) reinforces a core theological concept, reminding the audience that the land is a divine gift, not merely a military conquest, thereby elevating the significance of the division beyond mere logistical planning to a sacred act of covenant fulfillment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 13:6 stands as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering faithfulness and the nature of His covenant with Israel. It demonstrates that God's promises are not contingent upon Israel's perfect performance but are rooted in His own character and sovereign will. Even as Israel faces the daunting reality of unconquered territories, God reaffirms His commitment to complete the work He began, underscoring that the ultimate victory belongs to Him. Simultaneously, the command to divide the land by lot, despite its current occupation, calls Israel to a radical act of faith—to claim what God has promised even before its full manifestation. This tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a foundational principle of biblical theology, teaching that God's people are called to act in faith on His promises, trusting that He will accomplish what He has declared. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's "yes" to His people is always accompanied by a call to obedient trust, inviting them to participate in His grand redemptive plan.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 13:6 offers a powerful paradigm for the Christian life, particularly for navigating seasons where God's promises seem to outpace present realities. We often find ourselves in situations where God has given us a clear promise, a divine vision, or a spiritual calling, but the circumstances on the ground appear incomplete, overwhelming, or even contradictory. Just as God commanded Joshua to divide land that was not yet fully conquered, we are called to step out in faith and claim the spiritual inheritance and promises God has given us, even when the "giants" of our circumstances, spiritual battles, or personal limitations still loom large. This requires trusting implicitly in God's sovereign power to "drive out" the obstacles in our lives, recognizing that ultimate victory and fulfillment belong to Him. Our role is not passive waiting, but active, courageous, and obedient stewardship of the gifts, callings, and truths He has entrusted to us, knowing that He will complete what He has begun. This verse challenges us to move beyond a sight-based understanding of reality and instead to actively engage with His promises, living as if His word is already fully realized, because in His divine economy, it is. It encourages us to live by faith, not by sight, in every area of our lives, from personal growth to ministry endeavors.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why would God command Joshua to divide land that was not yet fully conquered?
Answer: This command highlights a crucial theological principle: God's promises are absolutely sure, even if their full realization requires ongoing human faith and obedience. By commanding Joshua to divide the land by lot, God was calling Israel to an act of radical trust. They were to claim their inheritance by faith, believing that God would fulfill His promise to "drive out" the remaining inhabitants. This demonstrates that the land was a divine gift, an "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah), distributed by God's will, not merely a reward for military conquest. It also served to prepare the tribes for future campaigns, giving them a clear vision of their allotted territory and motivating them to complete the task of possession. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, where believers are called to live by faith, claiming spiritual blessings that are already theirs in Christ, even as they contend with the realities of a fallen world (e.g., Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 6:12).
Who were the "Sidonians" and why were they significant in this context?
Answer: The "Sidonians" were the inhabitants of Sidon, a powerful and ancient Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, north of Israel. Sidon was a major maritime and commercial hub, known for its wealth, advanced culture, and strong military capabilities. Their inclusion in this verse is significant because they represented a formidable, well-established, and culturally distinct people group that remained outside Israelite control. Their presence underscored the vastness of the promised land and the magnitude of the remaining task for Israel. God's promise to "drive out" the Sidonians, despite their strength, emphasized His sovereign power and His commitment to fully deliver the promised inheritance to Israel, even against seemingly insurmountable foes. While Israel never fully dispossessed the Sidonians, this verse reveals God's original, comprehensive intention and the full scope of the inheritance He offered.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 13:6, with its profound tension between an unfulfilled promise and a present command to claim an inheritance by faith, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Just as God promised to sovereignly "drive out" the inhabitants before Israel, Christ has definitively conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His crucifixion and resurrection, becoming the ultimate "driver out" of all that opposes God's kingdom (Colossians 2:15). Believers in Christ have already received a spiritual "inheritance" that is infinitely greater and more secure than any earthly land—an inheritance described as "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). Yet, like Joshua, we are called to "divide it by lot" in the present age, meaning we are to live by faith, actively claiming and walking in the reality of what Christ has already accomplished for us, even as we await the full consummation of His kingdom at His return. We are to live as those who have already been given "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), even while we still contend with spiritual battles in this world (Ephesians 6:12). Our "promised land" is not a physical territory but a spiritual reality in Christ, fully secured by His finished work, yet requiring our active faith and obedience to experience its fullness in our daily lives until His glorious return, when we will fully inherit all things as "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17).