ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 13
“Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.”
Joshua 13:1
Yahweh says this to Joshua, acknowledging his old age and commanding him to divide the remaining land among the Israelites, as much land remains to be possessed.
What Joshua 13 is about
God instructs Joshua that he is old, yet much land remains to be possessed (vv. 1-2). Joshua is to allocate the areas of the Philistines and the Geshurites, stating the boundaries from Shihor to Ekron, and the land of the Canaanites and Sidonians (vv. 3-6). Joshua must divide this land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh (v. 7).
The Reubenites and Gadites had received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, granted by Moses (vv. 8-9). Moses assigned their borders, including cities of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og (vv. 10-12). The Israelites did not drive out all the inhabitants, such as the Geshurites and Maacathites (vv. 13-14). The tribe of Gad received their inheritance, which included territories from Jazer to the Jordan’s bank (vv. 24-28). The half-tribe of Manasseh was given Bashan and the villages of Jair (vv. 29-32). Levi received no inheritance, as Yahweh is their portion (v. 33).
Yahweh commands that the land be divided among the tribes, with the Levites relying solely on Him as their inheritance.
Joshua 13 at a glance
- Joshua 13:1–7God's Instruction to Joshua
- Joshua 13:8–14Inheritance of Reuben and Gad
- Joshua 13:15–23Details of Reuben's Territory
- Joshua 13:24–28Gad's Inheritance Described
- Joshua 13:29–32Half-Tribe of Manasseh's Land
- Joshua 13:33Levi's Unique Inheritance
Key verse: Joshua 13:1
One thing to notice
Yahweh speaks directly to Joshua about the land that remains to be possessed. In verse 2, He specifies 'all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites,' detailing areas that are still unoccupied by Israel. The command to allocate this land for inheritance is reiterated in verse 6.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Joshua 13 (WEB)
God's Instruction to Joshua Joshua 13:1–7
1Verse 1. Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed. 2Verse 2. “This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites; 3Verse 3. from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avvim, 4Verse 4. on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;
5Verse 5. and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath; 6Verse 6. all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, even all the Sidonians. I will drive them out from before the children of Israel. Just allocate it to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. 7Verse 7. Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
Inheritance of Reuben and Gad Joshua 13:8–14
8Verse 8. With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them: 9Verse 9. from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon; 10Verse 10. and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon; 11Verse 11. and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;
12Verse 12. all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (the same was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses attacked these, and drove them out. 13Verse 13. Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath live within Israel to this day. 14Verse 14. Only he gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. The offerings of Yahweh, the God of Israel, made by fire are his inheritance, as he spoke to him.
Details of Reuben's Territory Joshua 13:15–23
15Verse 15. Moses gave to the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families. 16Verse 16. Their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain by Medeba; 17Verse 17. Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, 18Verse 18. Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, 19Verse 19. Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar in the mount of the valley, 20Verse 20. Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth,
21Verse 21. all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses struck with the chiefs of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land. 22Verse 22. The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain. 23Verse 23. The border of the children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and its villages.
Gad's Inheritance Described Joshua 13:24–28
24Verse 24. Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad, according to their families. 25Verse 25. Their border was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, to Aroer that is near Rabbah; 26Verse 26. and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir; 27Verse 27. and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan’s bank, to the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward. 28Verse 28. This is the inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities and its villages.
Half-Tribe of Manasseh's Land Joshua 13:29–32
29Verse 29. Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was for the half-tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families. 30Verse 30. Their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the villages of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities. 31Verse 31. Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families. 32Verse 32. These are the inheritances which Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho, eastward.
Levi's Unique Inheritance Joshua 13:33
33Verse 33. But Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Joshua 13
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Joshua 13
Divine Guidance
In this chapter, God speaks directly to Joshua, affirming that there is still land to be possessed (v. 1). He instructs Joshua to allocate the remaining land to the tribes of Israel (v. 7), providing clear direction for the ongoing settlement. The list of territories includes regions occupied by the Philistines and other groups, emphasizing God's role in guiding the conquest process.
Faithfulness of God
God's promise to drive out the inhabitants before the Israelites is mentioned in verse 6, where He says, 'I will drive them out from before the children of Israel.' This demonstrates His commitment to fulfill the covenant made with Israel regarding the land. Despite Israel's incomplete conquest, God's faithfulness persists, ensuring that the land will ultimately be divided among the tribes as intended.
Importance of Leadership
The chapter portrays Joshua in a crucial leadership role as he is tasked with dividing the land among the tribes of Israel (vv. 7-8). His leadership is essential for fulfilling God's instructions concerning the inheritance of each tribe. Additionally, the clear allocation of territory to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh underlines the need for decisive and organized leadership in this transitional phase for Israel.
Covenant and Inheritance
The concept of inheritance features prominently as God commands Joshua to allocate the land for the tribes (v. 7). Specific details are provided for the inheritance of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vv. 15-32). The chapter emphasizes that Levi does not receive a territorial inheritance, as 'Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance' (v. 33), reaffirming the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Chapter outline
How Joshua 13 unfolds
Joshua 13:1–7 God's Instruction to Joshua
Yahweh speaks to Joshua, acknowledging his old age and instructing him to allocate the remaining land to the tribes of Israel as commanded (vv. 1-6).
Joshua 13:8–14 Inheritance of Reuben and Gad
Moses had previously assigned territories to the Reubenites and Gadites beyond the Jordan, confirming their inheritance as it was given by Moses (v. 8).
Joshua 13:15–23 Details of Reuben's Territory
Moses allocated territory to the tribe of Reuben, detailing their borders from 'Aroer' to 'the bank of the Jordan,' including cities like 'Heshbon' and 'Dibon' along with the defeat of 'Balaam the son of Beor' (vv. 15-23).
Joshua 13:24–28 Gad's Inheritance Described
Moses assigned land to the tribe of Gad, specifying their borders from 'Jazer' to 'the uttermost part of the sea of Chinnereth,' encompassing cities such as 'Beth Haram' and 'Succoth' (vv. 24-28).
Joshua 13:29–32 Half-Tribe of Manasseh's Land
The territory assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh is laid out, including cities and regions within Bashan (vv. 29-32).
Joshua 13:33 Levi's Unique Inheritance
The text notes that the tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance, as Yahweh himself is designated as their inheritance (v. 33).
Key verses
Joshua 13:1Yahweh says this to Joshua, acknowledging his old age and commanding him to divide the remaining land among the Israelites, as much land remains to be possessed.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 13
- observeIn v6, what land does God instruct Joshua to allocate to Israel?
- observeWhat specific areas does Moses designate for the children of Reuben in vv. 9-10?
- interpretThe mention of Geshur and Maacath in v13: why were they not driven out by Israel?
- interpretMoses’ inheritance distribution in vv. 32-33: what does this indicate about the role of the Levites?
- applyWhen have you felt guided to claim something promised, as in v6?
For Bible groups
Study Joshua 13 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 13
- Joshua 12Joshua 13:20 and Joshua 12:3Both mention the land: Joshua 13:20 lists "Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth," while Joshua 12:3 describes "the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward."
- Numbers 32Joshua 13:8 and Numbers 32:19Both detail inheritance: Joshua 13:8 states "the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance," while Numbers 32:19 declares, "our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward."
- Deuteronomy 3Joshua 13:9 and Deuteronomy 3:8Both describe land taken: Joshua 13:9 mentions "the edge of the valley of the Arnon," while Deuteronomy 3:8 states they took land from the "valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon."
- Numbers 21Joshua 13:12 and Numbers 21:33Both recount battles: Joshua 13:12 mentions "all the kingdom of Og in Bashan," while Numbers 21:33 states, "Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people."
- Jeremiah 48Joshua 13:18 and Jeremiah 48:21Both mention Mephaath: Joshua 13:18 lists "Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath," while Jeremiah 48:21 declares, "Judgment has come on the plain country, on Holon, on Jahzah, on Mephaath."
- Joshua 11Joshua 13:6 and Joshua 11:8Both reference inhabitants: Joshua 13:6 states, "I will drive them out from before the children of Israel," while Joshua 11:8 reports Yahweh delivered them into Israel's hand.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Joshua 13
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Joshua: the whole bookJoshua narrates the moment promise becomes geography.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 75Day 75 of 365: Joshua 13–15.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Joshua 13: frequently asked questions
What is Joshua 13 about?+
What is the key verse in Joshua 13?+
What are the main themes of Joshua 13?+
Studying Joshua with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.