Joshua 13

In our study of Joshua chapter thirteen, we look at the land on the eastern side of the Jordan River that was given to the people of Israel and the future expansion of Israel to include that land.

Chapter Overview

Joshua chapter 13 marks a major turning point in the book. The military campaigns of chapters 1-12 are essentially finished, and Joshua is now described as old, with much of his life behind him. Yet ADONAI's first word to him here is a reminder that "very much land remains to be possessed" — the work of conquest and the work of inheritance are not quite the same thing.

The chapter shifts the book's focus from battles to boundaries. It opens by naming the territory Israel had not yet taken, then recaps the inheritance Moses had already assigned east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh — setting the stage for the detailed tribe-by-tribe land divisions that will fill the chapters ahead.

Historical Background

The "land still remaining" in verses 2-6 — Philistine territory along the coast, Geshur, and the region toward Lebanon — was never fully brought under Israelite control during Joshua's lifetime, or for a long time afterward. The Philistines in particular remained a major adversary well into the era of Samson, Saul, and David, generations later.

The inheritance east of the Jordan for Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had already been negotiated with Moses back in Numbers 32, when these tribes requested the well-watered pastureland they had already conquered under Moses, on the condition that their fighting men would still cross over and help take the western land. That earlier agreement is simply being recorded and finalized here.

Joshua 13:1-5

Now Y'hoshua was old; the years had taken their toll. ADONAI said to him, "You are old, and the years have taken their toll; but there is yet a great deal of land to be possessed. "This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the P'lishtim and all the G'shuri, from the Shichor which fronts Egypt, to the border of 'Ekron (northward from there the land is considered as belonging to the Kena'ani) - that is, the territory of the rulers of the P'lishtim in 'Azah, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gat and 'Ekron; also the 'Avim 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; the land of the Givli; all the L'vanon eastward, from Ba'al-Gad at the foot of Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamat.

In the Hebrew text, this passage speaks of days not years and it does not say that they "had taken their toll". At any rate, Y'hoshua and Israel had been in the land for awhile but had not taken possession of all of the land that god had promised to Avraham.

Joshua 13:6 & 7

"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. So now, divide this land as an inheritance for the nine tribes and the half-tribe of M'nasheh."

Here, we see God's assurance that He will handle the Tzidonim and all that is required of Y'hoshua is to assign the land to the tribes.

Hebraic Insight

The Hebrew word behind "inheritance" throughout this chapter is nachalah, and it carries weight beyond simple real estate. A nachalah wasn't something earned or purchased — it was received by right, tied permanently to identity and belonging within the covenant family.

That's why God can command Joshua to "assign" territory Israel hadn't yet taken. The nachalah was legally settled the moment ADONAI declared it, regardless of how much longer full possession would take. Promise and possession were never the same step.

Joshua 13:8-12

With the half-tribe of M'nasheh, the Re'uveni and the Gadi received their inheritance, which Moshe had given them, beyond the Yarden eastward, just as Moshe the servant of ADONAI had given them - from 'Aro'er on the edge of the Arnon Valley, the city in the middle of the valley, all the plateau between Meidva and Divon, and all the cities of Sichon king of the Emori who ruled in Heshbon to the border with the people of 'Amon; and Gil'ad, the territory of the G'shuri and Ma'akhati, all Mount Hermon, all Bashan as far as Salkhah - that is, all the kingdom of 'Og in Bashan, who ruled in 'Ashtarot and Edre'i. 'Og was one of those remaining from the Refa'im, whom Moshe defeated and expelled.

This passage reminds us of the victory of Moshe on the east side of the Jordan and the fact that this land was given to the half-tribe of M'nasheh, the Re'uveni and the Gadi.

Joshua 13:13 & 14

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. Only to the tribe of Levi did Moshe give no inheritance; because the offerings made by fire for ADONAI the God of Isra'el are its inheritance; as [ADONAI] had said to Moshe.

Here, we see that the tribes did not take possession of the land and the G'shur and Ma'akhat people still lived there among Israel. We are reminded as well that the tribe of Levi was not to receive a land inheritance.

Joshua 13:15-23

Moshe gave land to the tribe of the descendants of Re'uven by clans. Their territory included 'Aro'er on the edge of the Arnon Valley, the city in the middle of the valley, all the plateau near Meidva, Heshbon and its villages on the plateau, Divon, Bamot-Ba'al, Beit-Ba'al-M'on, Yahatz, K'demot, Mefa'at, Kiryatayim, Sivmah, Tzeret-Shachar at the top of the valley, Beit-P'or, the slopes of Pisgah, Beit-Yeshimot, all the cities of the plateau - all the kingdom of Sichon king of the Emori, who ruled in Heshbon. Moshe defeated him with the chiefs of Midyan, along with Evi, Rekem, Tzur, Hur and Reva the princes of Sichon who lived in the land. Along with the others the people of Isra'el killed with the sword, they also struck down Bil'am the son of B'or, who practiced divination. The Yarden formed the border for the descendants of Re'uven. This was the inheritance of the descendants of Re'uven by clans, with its cities and villages.

We see that part of the land that Sichon had controlled was given to the descendants of Re'uven by clans. Special emphasis is given to the fact that Bil'am the son of B'or was also killed and we find this mentioned in Numbers 22.

Joshua 13:24-28

Moshe gave land to the tribe of the Gad, to the descendants of Gad by clans. Their territory included Ya'zer; all the cities of Gil'ad; half the land of the people of 'Amon, as far as 'Aro'er fronting Rabbah - that is, from Heshbon to Ramot-Mitzpeh and B'tonim; and from Machanayim to the border of Lidvir; while in the valley it included Beit-Haram, Beit-Nimrah, Sukkot and Tzafon - in other words, the rest of the kingdom of Sichon king of Heshbon; with the Yarden to the far end of Lake Kinneret as its border, their territory extended eastward. This is the inheritance of the descendants of Gad by clans, with its cities and villages.

Now, we see the land that was given to the tribe of Gad.

Joshua 13:29-31

Moshe gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of the M'nasheh; it was for the half-tribe of the descendants of M'nasheh by clans. Their territory included Machanayim and all of Bashan - that is, all the kingdom of 'Og king of Bashan; all the villages of Ya'ir in Bashan, sixty cities; half of Gil'ad; and 'Ashtarot and Edre'i, the cities of the kingdom of 'Og in Bashan. All this was for the descendants of Makhir the son of M'nasheh, or, rather, for half of the descendants of Makhir, by clans.

Finally, we see the land that was given to the half tribe of M'nasheh.

Joshua 13:32 & 33

These are the inheritances which Moshe distributed in the plains of Mo'av, beyond the Yarden and Yericho, eastward. But to the tribe of Levi Moshe gave no inheritance; ADONAI the God of Isra'el is their inheritance - as he told them.

Once again, we are told that the Levites did not receive a land inheritance and we are told that God is their inheritance. It is also important to know that much of the land that is mentioned in this chapter is not currently a part of Israel as much of it is a part of the modern country of Jordan. In the future, all of the land described here will be a part of Israel as it was given to them by God.

Did You Know?

The "land still remaining" listed at the start of this chapter — Philistine territory, Geshur, and the region up toward Lebanon — was never fully brought under Israelite control, even generations later. The Philistine cities named here (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron) remained a persistent source of conflict all the way through the era of Samson, Saul, and David, showing that this allotment functioned as a legal claim by faith, not a description of ground already held.

🎓 Continue Your Hebraic Journey

Joshua chapter 13 is one lesson in the Walk with Yeshua Joshua course. Continue your study by watching the companion teaching that explores the Hebrew language, covenant themes, and Messianic connections found in the allotment of the eastern lands.

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Messianic Themes

• Inheritance secured before fully possessed. Land is legally assigned before it's fully taken, picturing the believer's inheritance in Messiah, already sealed by the Spirit as a guarantee even while its fullness is still unfolding (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• Much land still to possess. Even after so many victories, ADONAI tells Joshua there is more ground to take — a reminder to keep pressing on toward what God has promised rather than settling for partial ground (Philippians 3:12-14).
• God Himself as inheritance. The Levites receive no territory because ADONAI is their portion — foreshadowing every believer's identity as part of a royal priesthood whose true inheritance is God Himself (1 Peter 2:9, Psalm 16:5).
• Grace ahead of the journey's end. The eastern tribes receive their inheritance before the western conquest is even finished, a picture of grace extended in advance of completed obedience.
• Already, but not yet. That Geshur and Maacath "live among Israel to this day" despite the land being promised shows a real but incomplete victory — the same tension believers live in in the present Kingdom of God.

Related Scriptures

• Numbers 32 — Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh first request the land east of the Jordan under Moses.
• Numbers 18:20 — The Levites are told ADONAI Himself, not land, is their inheritance.
• Psalm 16:5 — "ADONAI is my chosen portion and my cup."
• Ephesians 1:13-14 — The Holy Spirit described as a guarantee of the believer's inheritance.
• Philippians 3:12-14 — Paul describes pressing on toward the goal, not yet having fully obtained it.
• 1 Peter 2:9 — Believers described as a royal priesthood and God's own possession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God command Joshua to divide up land Israel hadn't yet conquered?

In Hebrew thought, an inheritance (nachalah) was legally settled the moment ADONAI assigned it, independent of when it would actually be occupied. Dividing the land by faith affirmed the promise even while its full possession remained a future task.

Why did the Levites not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes?

The Levites were set apart for service at the tabernacle and were sustained through the offerings brought by the rest of Israel rather than through farmland of their own. Their portion was described as ADONAI Himself, not a plot of ground.

Was the "land still remaining" ever fully conquered?

Not during Joshua's lifetime, and in some cases not for centuries. The Philistine coastal cities in particular remained a significant, ongoing threat well into the days of Samson, Saul, and David.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your own walk with God do you sense there is "still very much land to possess," even after real progress?
2. How does knowing your inheritance in Messiah is already sealed change the way you face what's still unfinished in your life?
3. What would it mean for you to treat God Himself, rather than any outcome or possession, as your true inheritance the way the Levites did?
4. The eastern tribes received their inheritance before the rest of the conquest was finished. Where has God given you something in advance of your full obedience?
5. How do you personally hold the tension of a promise that is real but not yet fully realized?