Joshua 13:6

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, [and] all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

All the inhabitants {H3427} of the hill country {H2022} from Lebanon {H3844} unto Misrephothmaim {H4956}, and all the Sidonians {H6722}, them will I drive out {H3423} from before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: only divide thou it by lot {H5307} unto the Israelites {H3478} for an inheritance {H5159}, as I have commanded {H6680} thee.

"As for the inhabitants of the hills between the L'vanon and Misrefot-Mayim, that is, all the Tzidonim, I myself will expel them ahead of the people of Isra'el; all you have to do is assign it to Isra'el as an inheritance, as I have ordered you.

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.

all the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians; them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only allot thou it unto Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Commentary

Context of Joshua 13:6

Joshua chapter 13 marks a significant transition in the book of Joshua. After years of conquest in Canaan, the aged leader Joshua is reminded by God that much land still remains to be possessed (Joshua 13:1). Despite this, God commands Joshua to proceed with the division of the land among the Israelite tribes. Verse 6 specifically addresses the northern territories, including the hill country stretching towards Lebanon and the coastal Sidonian regions, areas that were still largely under the control of their original inhabitants. This instruction highlights God's sovereignty and His continued faithfulness to His covenant promises, even as the Israelites face incomplete tasks.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Faithfulness and Promise: God reiterates His promise to "drive out" the remaining inhabitants from before the children of Israel. This demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, assuring them that ultimate victory and full possession of the land would be His doing, not solely dependent on their military might. It underscores the principle that God fulfills His promises, even when circumstances seem incomplete.
  • Human Responsibility and Faith: Despite God's promise to drive out the enemies, Joshua is commanded to "divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance." This required an act of faith and obedience from Joshua and the tribes. They were to claim and apportion land that was not yet fully subdued, trusting in God's future action. This illustrates the essential partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in God's plans for His people.
  • The Principle of Inheritance: The land was to be an "inheritance" for the children of Israel, fulfilling the ancient promises made to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and his descendants. This division by lot underscored that the land was a divine gift, not merely a human acquisition, determined by God's providence and distributed according to His will for each tribe.

Linguistic and Geographical Insights

The term "Misrephothmaim" (Hebrew: מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם) is a geographical marker, likely meaning "burning of waters" or "water-burnings." While its exact location is debated, it is generally placed along the northern coast of ancient Palestine, possibly referring to a place of smelting or lime kilns near a water source. The "Sidonians" were the inhabitants of Sidon, a powerful Phoenician city-state renowned for its maritime trade, craftsmanship, and rich culture. These northern areas, including the hill country extending to Lebanon, represented significant unconquered territories, emphasizing the scope of God's continued promise of intervention and the future extent of Israel's promised land.

Practical Application

Joshua 13:6 offers powerful lessons for believers today. Just as God promised to drive out the enemies before Israel, He also provides strength and victory over spiritual battles in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). The command to divide the land before it was fully conquered teaches us to step out in faith, claiming God's promises and acting on His word even when we don't see immediate, full manifestation. We are called to trust that He will complete what He has begun and to faithfully steward the "inheritance" He has given us, whether it be spiritual gifts, ministries, or the promises of His kingdom.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 11:8 (5 votes)

    And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

  • Judges 2:21 (3 votes)

    I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:

  • Judges 2:23 (3 votes)

    Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

  • Joshua 23:13 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 23:30 (2 votes)

    By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

  • Exodus 23:31 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Joshua 23:4 (2 votes)

    Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.