The Lord Names the Remaining Land and Commands Its Allotment
God's fulfilled promises and unfinished responsibilities coexist: Joshua has completed the major conquest phase, but the Lord now names what remains and commands the inheritance to be allotted in confidence that His purpose continues beyond Joshua's active campaigning.
Joshua 13:1-7 (BSB)
1Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed.
2This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
3from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
4to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites;
5the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath.
6All 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.
7Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
What is the big idea of Joshua 13:1-7?
God's fulfilled promises and unfinished responsibilities coexist: Joshua has completed the major conquest phase, but the LORD now names what remains and commands the inheritance to be allotted in confidence that His purpose continues beyond Joshua's active campaigning.
Understanding the Big Idea
As Joshua ages, the Lord identifies extensive land still remaining and commands its allotment. The promise advances through assignment even though possession is incomplete.
How does Joshua 13:1-7 point to Christ?
This passage does not directly proclaim the gospel. It belongs to Israel's covenant land inheritance and the transition from conquest to allotment. In the New Testament, God's people receive an inheritance in Christ that is secure by God's promise and still awaited in its fullness. The church is not commissioned to seize territory from peoples or nations; its mission is disciple-making, reconciliation, holiness, and faithful hope in the inheritance God gives through Christ.
Authorial Intent
To transition the book from the major conquest campaigns to land distribution by acknowledging substantial territory still unpossessed, reaffirming the LORD's continuing commitment, and directing Joshua to allot the promised land before possession is fully complete.
Literary Context
Joshua 12:9-24 closes the defeated-kings register with thirty-one western kings. Joshua 13:1-7 immediately prevents that catalog from being mistaken for exhaustive possession by stating that much land still remains. The LORD names the remaining regions, promises His continued action, and commands their allotment. Joshua 13:8-14 next turns to the eastern tribes whose inheritance had already been given by Moses.
Historical Context
Joshua is now advanced in years, and the narrative shifts from major campaign leadership toward inheritance administration.
Chapter: Joshua 13
Land Still Remaining and the Eastern Tribal Inheritances
God’s promises are truly given, yet His people must faithfully receive, steward, and continue possessing what He has assigned, remembering that the greatest inheritance is the LORD Himself.