New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Joshua 13
1
Joshua was now very old. The Lord said to him, "You are very old. And there are still very large areas of land that have not been taken over yet.
Reference
2
"Here is the land that remains to be taken over. It includes all of the areas of Philistia and Geshur.
Reference
3
Those areas begin at the Shihor River in the eastern part of Egypt. They go to the territory of Ekron in the north. All of that land is considered as belonging to the people of Canaan. The land that remains to be taken over includes the territory of the five rulers of Philistia. They rule over Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. The Avvites
Reference
📍 Locations
4
live south of them. The rest of the land of Canaan that remains to be taken over reaches from Arah all the way to Aphek. Arah belongs to the people of Sidon. The land that remains to be taken over includes the area where the Amorites live.
Reference
📍 Locations
5
It includes the area where the people of Byblos live. It also includes all of Lebanon to the east. It reaches from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.
Reference
6
"I myself will drive out all of the people who live in the mountain areas. Those areas reach from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim. They include the area where all of the people of Sidon live. I myself will drive those people out to make room for the people of Israel. "Make sure you set that land apart for Israel. Give it to them as their share, just as I have directed you.
Reference
7
Divide it up among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Give each tribe its share."
8
The other half of Manasseh's tribe had already received the share of land Moses had given them. Their share was east of the Jordan River. The tribes of Reuben and Gad had already received their share too. Moses, the servant of the Lord, had given it to them.
Reference
References Lord
Joshua 12:6
9
That land starts at Aroer on the rim of the Arnon River valley. It includes the town in the middle of the valley. It includes the high flatlands of Medeba all the way to Dibon.
Reference
10
It also includes all of the towns of Sihon, the king of the Amorites. He had ruled in Heshbon. That area reaches to the border of Ammon.
11
It also includes Gilead. It includes the territory of Geshur and Maacah. It includes Mount Hermon and the whole land of Bashan all the way to Salecah.
12
So it includes the entire kingdom of Og in Bashan. Og had ruled in Ashtaroth and Edrei. He was one of the last of the Rephaites. Moses had won the battle over Sihon and Og. He had taken over their land.
Reference
Kingdom
Joshua 12:4
13
But the people of Israel didn't drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah. So they continue to live among the people of Israel to this very day.
Reference
📍 Locations
14
Moses hadn't given any share of the land to the tribe of Levi. That's because the offerings that are made with fire are their share. Those offerings are made to the Lord, the God of Israel. Moses gave the Levites what he had promised them.
15
Here is what Moses had given to the tribe of Reuben, family group by family group.
16
Their territory starts at Aroer on the rim of the Arnon River valley. It includes the town in the middle of the valley. It includes all of the high flatlands that are near Medeba.
Reference
17
It includes Heshbon and all of its towns on those flatlands. Those towns include Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon,
📍 Beth-baal-meon
19
They include Kiriathaim, Sibmah and Zereth Shahar on the hill in the valley.
📍 Zereth-shahar
21
All of those towns are on the high flatlands. The territory includes the whole kingdom of Sihon, the king of the Amorites. He had ruled in Heshbon. Moses had won the battle over him and over the chiefs of Midian. Those chiefs were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba. They were princes who helped Sihon fight against Israel. They lived in that country.
Reference
22
The people of Israel killed many of them in battle. They also killed Balaam with a sword. He was the son of Beor. Balaam used magic to find out what was going to happen.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Peter 2:15
Jude 1:11
References Israel
Revelation 2:14
Numbers 24:1
Word
Numbers 31:8
23
The border of the tribe of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan River. All of those towns and their villages were given to the tribe of Reuben as their very own. Each family group received its share.
24
Here is what Moses had given to the tribe of Gad, family group by family group.
25
Their territory includes Jazer and all of the towns of Gilead. It includes half of the country of Ammon all the way to Aroer, which was near Rabbah.
Reference
26
Their territory reaches from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim. It reaches from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir.
Reference
📍 Locations
27
In the valley their land includes Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth and Zaphon. It also includes the rest of the kingdom of Sihon. He was the king of Heshbon. His kingdom included the east side of the Jordan River. It reached up to the south end of the Sea of Galilee.
Reference
📍 Locations
28
All of those towns and their villages were given to the tribe of Gad as their very own. Each family group received its share.
29
Here is what Moses had given to half of the tribe of Manasseh, family group by family group. It's what Moses had given to half of Manasseh's family line.
30
Their territory starts at Mahanaim. It includes the whole land of Bashan. That was the entire kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan. Manasseh's territory includes all of the 60 towns of Jair in Bashan.
Reference
📍 Jair
Parallel theme
Joshua 13:26
31
It includes half of the land of Gilead. It also includes Ashtaroth and Edrei. They were the royal cities of Og in Bashan. That land was given to half of the family line of Makir. He was the son of Manasseh. Each family group received its share.
Reference
Kingdom
Joshua 12:4
32
Those were the shares of land Moses had given the eastern tribes when he was in the flatlands of Moab. The flatlands are across the Jordan River east of Jericho.
Summary of Joshua 13
Joshua 13 marks a shift in the narrative of the book of Joshua. The focus of Joshua’s campaigns is coming to an end, and his efforts are redirected towards allocating the conquered land to the tribes of Israel. Despite Joshua’s successes in battle and the many kings he has toppled, Joshua is reminded by God that there is still much land to possess.
Joshua is old, and God reminds him that he has grown old, and there is still much land to possess. The land that remains to be possessed includes the land of the Philistines, the Geshurites, the Canaanites, and many other nations and tribes.
The chapter begins by mentioning the various places and regions that had not been distributed as Israel’s inheritance. It includes the land of the Philistines and their five cities, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, and the Avites. It also mentions the land of the Sidonians and Lebanon.
This is a significant chapter because it reminds the reader that although Israel has had many victories on the battlefield, conquering and possessing all the land promised to Abraham will be a prolonged and difficult task. The people of Israel will need to remain resolute in their purpose and continue to fight the inhabitants of the land that remain unsubdued.
God instructs Joshua to divide the land amongst the tribes of Israel. The division is to take place not merely as an exercise to record Joshua’s conquests but to remind Israel that the land is their inheritance, promised by God to them and their fathers.
The chapter turns its attention to the land on the east of the Jordan. This land has been apportioned amongst the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh and is not Joshua’s responsibility to distribute. Reuben’s inheritance is described as being south of the Jordan. It includes the land of Heshbon and many other cities and villages conquered from the Amorite king Sihon.
The chapter describes the various tribes and places belonging to the Reubenites. It mentions the cities of Medeba, Dibon, Bamothbaal, Bethbaalmeon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath and many more. The boundaries of this tribal territory are also described.
The tribe of Gad is also described as possessing certain lands and cities that had been conquered from the Amorites. The script describes the cities of Ramothgilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, Succoth, and others.
The half tribe of Manasseh also possesses a great amount of the land on the east of the Jordan. Theirs is the land of Bashan and the kingdom of Og. The places and cities belonging to this tribe are also described, including Ashtaroth and Edrei.
The territory belonging to the half tribe of Manasseh is extensive, and their possession includes sixty cities in the district of Argob and many other cities in Bashan.
It is also fitting to mention the unique position of the Levites and their inheritance. The Levitical cities are mentioned as being scattered among the possessions of the other tribes. The Levites were not to receive a large portion of land as an inheritance but rather to serve as priests over the people of Israel.
This appointment is God’s design, and it is noteworthy that he reminds the reader throughout this chapter of the obligation of the Levites to serve the other tribes and not lay claim to greater portions of land as their rightful inheritance. The Levitical tribe serves as an auxiliary to the other tribes and is answerable to the Lord.
The mention of Balaam the son of Beor who had been slain by the children of Israel is also significant. By mentioning him, the author draws the parallel between the book of Numbers and the book of Joshua. Balaam had been a hired prophet who had sought to curse Israel but had failed because of God’s command. He was later slain by the Israelites after his daughter committed adultery with one of the Israelites.
Another theme that recurs throughout this book is the distinction between victory and possession. Although Israel has had many victories and has conquered many of the kings of Canaan, there are still many nations and tribes that had not been subdued. God instructs Joshua that the task of possessing and conquering the land is his responsibility, even if it means Joshua will grow old in the process.
The task of possessing the land is a task that must be fulfilled by Israel, tribe by tribe, and the responsibility falls on Joshua to ensure that this happens. The chapter serves to transition the reader from a book centered on Joshua’s wars and victories to one that focuses on the distribution of land and the Israelites’ long and difficult task of settling down to build their society.
It is also worthy of note that the transition occurs in the middle of a long description of various localities, towns, and boundaries. It seems that the author of Joshua places great importance on land distribution and Israel’s obligations concerning the land God has promised them. This is probably because land is intricately linked with belonging to a tribe, having an inheritance, and building a society.
The inhabitants of the east of the Jordan had already received their share of the land, but theirs was not the only story. Earlier in the book, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh had requested permission from Joshua to settle in the east of the Jordan.
Their warriors had fought alongside Joshua and the rest of Israel across the Jordan and had helped to conquer the lands that had been apportioned to them. The division of the land is not merely a way for Israel to divvy up the conquered territory. It serves to mark the transition from war to peace, conquering to settling, and battle cries to building societies.
The book of Joshua is a book about Israel’s wars and victories, but it is also a book about obligations and responsibilities. It is a book that reminds its readers that God has great plans for Israel but that Israel must fulfill its obligations to answer God’s call.
Joshua 13 is a fitting chapter for the book because although it marks the end of Joshua’s military experience, it reminds the readers of Israel’s obligations to build societies in the land God has promised to give them. Although Israel has fought many wars and won many victories, there is still much to do in terms of fulfilling God’s plan for Israel.
The description of the many cities, towns, districts, boundaries, and localities may seem tedious to the modern reader, but it was an essential task for the Israelites to understand that land ownership and apportionment were deeply tied to their sense of belonging and building their societies.
The east of the Jordan was already distributed amongst the tribes that had fought for Israel, but the long and bloody war was not over. There was still much fighting to be done, and Israel’s efforts were redirected towards this new task.
The chapter serves to transition the reader from the end of Joshua’s military experience to the beginning of the task of possession and distribution. Moses had already distributed the land in the east of the Jordan, but Joshua now has the task of distributing the land west of the Jordan.
This task is complicated by the fact that the Levites do not possess any land or cities as their inheritance. Theirs is the task of serving the Lord alongside the other tribes, who must build their societies according to God’s design.
The chapter reminds the reader of the importance of fulfilling one’s obligations but also marks the end of Joshua’s experience as a military leader and commander. The chapter begins the long task of dividing the land and serves to foreshadow future events in the book of Joshua.
It is interesting to note that the chapter begins by discussing the various wars Israel must fight and the various nations and kings it must overcome. It ends by mentioning the various Levitical cities and the obligations of the Levitical tribe. The book of Joshua is a book that reminds its readers of the many obligations they have in building societies according to God’s design.
The mention of Balaam and his sons at the end of the chapter serves to remind the reader that all Israelites must remain devoted to God and his covenant. God has promised Israel much, but he also requires them to remain faithful to him. The book of Joshua is a book about obligations and not just victories.
The chapter of Joshua 13 is a chapter that discusses the end of Joshua’s military experience while also hinting at future events in the book. It is a chapter that reminds the reader of Israel’s obligations in building societies in the land God has promised them.
It is a chapter that marks the shift from war to peace, from victories to building societies, and from conquering to possessing. It is a chapter that reminds us that God’s promises to Israel are not empty, but they require faithfulness and devotion.
It is a chapter that reminds us of the many obligations we have when building our societies according to God’s covenant. And it is a chapter that marks the end of Joshua’s time as a military commander and the beginning of his new task in possessing the land God has promised to give to Israel.
Joshua is old, and God reminds him that he has grown old, and there is still much land to possess. The land that remains to be possessed includes the land of the Philistines, the Geshurites, the Canaanites, and many other nations and tribes.
The chapter begins by mentioning the various places and regions that had not been distributed as Israel’s inheritance. It includes the land of the Philistines and their five cities, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, and the Avites. It also mentions the land of the Sidonians and Lebanon.
This is a significant chapter because it reminds the reader that although Israel has had many victories on the battlefield, conquering and possessing all the land promised to Abraham will be a prolonged and difficult task. The people of Israel will need to remain resolute in their purpose and continue to fight the inhabitants of the land that remain unsubdued.
God instructs Joshua to divide the land amongst the tribes of Israel. The division is to take place not merely as an exercise to record Joshua’s conquests but to remind Israel that the land is their inheritance, promised by God to them and their fathers.
The chapter turns its attention to the land on the east of the Jordan. This land has been apportioned amongst the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh and is not Joshua’s responsibility to distribute. Reuben’s inheritance is described as being south of the Jordan. It includes the land of Heshbon and many other cities and villages conquered from the Amorite king Sihon.
The chapter describes the various tribes and places belonging to the Reubenites. It mentions the cities of Medeba, Dibon, Bamothbaal, Bethbaalmeon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath and many more. The boundaries of this tribal territory are also described.
The tribe of Gad is also described as possessing certain lands and cities that had been conquered from the Amorites. The script describes the cities of Ramothgilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, Succoth, and others.
The half tribe of Manasseh also possesses a great amount of the land on the east of the Jordan. Theirs is the land of Bashan and the kingdom of Og. The places and cities belonging to this tribe are also described, including Ashtaroth and Edrei.
The territory belonging to the half tribe of Manasseh is extensive, and their possession includes sixty cities in the district of Argob and many other cities in Bashan.
It is also fitting to mention the unique position of the Levites and their inheritance. The Levitical cities are mentioned as being scattered among the possessions of the other tribes. The Levites were not to receive a large portion of land as an inheritance but rather to serve as priests over the people of Israel.
This appointment is God’s design, and it is noteworthy that he reminds the reader throughout this chapter of the obligation of the Levites to serve the other tribes and not lay claim to greater portions of land as their rightful inheritance. The Levitical tribe serves as an auxiliary to the other tribes and is answerable to the Lord.
The mention of Balaam the son of Beor who had been slain by the children of Israel is also significant. By mentioning him, the author draws the parallel between the book of Numbers and the book of Joshua. Balaam had been a hired prophet who had sought to curse Israel but had failed because of God’s command. He was later slain by the Israelites after his daughter committed adultery with one of the Israelites.
Another theme that recurs throughout this book is the distinction between victory and possession. Although Israel has had many victories and has conquered many of the kings of Canaan, there are still many nations and tribes that had not been subdued. God instructs Joshua that the task of possessing and conquering the land is his responsibility, even if it means Joshua will grow old in the process.
The task of possessing the land is a task that must be fulfilled by Israel, tribe by tribe, and the responsibility falls on Joshua to ensure that this happens. The chapter serves to transition the reader from a book centered on Joshua’s wars and victories to one that focuses on the distribution of land and the Israelites’ long and difficult task of settling down to build their society.
It is also worthy of note that the transition occurs in the middle of a long description of various localities, towns, and boundaries. It seems that the author of Joshua places great importance on land distribution and Israel’s obligations concerning the land God has promised them. This is probably because land is intricately linked with belonging to a tribe, having an inheritance, and building a society.
The inhabitants of the east of the Jordan had already received their share of the land, but theirs was not the only story. Earlier in the book, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh had requested permission from Joshua to settle in the east of the Jordan.
Their warriors had fought alongside Joshua and the rest of Israel across the Jordan and had helped to conquer the lands that had been apportioned to them. The division of the land is not merely a way for Israel to divvy up the conquered territory. It serves to mark the transition from war to peace, conquering to settling, and battle cries to building societies.
The book of Joshua is a book about Israel’s wars and victories, but it is also a book about obligations and responsibilities. It is a book that reminds its readers that God has great plans for Israel but that Israel must fulfill its obligations to answer God’s call.
Joshua 13 is a fitting chapter for the book because although it marks the end of Joshua’s military experience, it reminds the readers of Israel’s obligations to build societies in the land God has promised to give them. Although Israel has fought many wars and won many victories, there is still much to do in terms of fulfilling God’s plan for Israel.
The description of the many cities, towns, districts, boundaries, and localities may seem tedious to the modern reader, but it was an essential task for the Israelites to understand that land ownership and apportionment were deeply tied to their sense of belonging and building their societies.
The east of the Jordan was already distributed amongst the tribes that had fought for Israel, but the long and bloody war was not over. There was still much fighting to be done, and Israel’s efforts were redirected towards this new task.
The chapter serves to transition the reader from the end of Joshua’s military experience to the beginning of the task of possession and distribution. Moses had already distributed the land in the east of the Jordan, but Joshua now has the task of distributing the land west of the Jordan.
This task is complicated by the fact that the Levites do not possess any land or cities as their inheritance. Theirs is the task of serving the Lord alongside the other tribes, who must build their societies according to God’s design.
The chapter reminds the reader of the importance of fulfilling one’s obligations but also marks the end of Joshua’s experience as a military leader and commander. The chapter begins the long task of dividing the land and serves to foreshadow future events in the book of Joshua.
It is interesting to note that the chapter begins by discussing the various wars Israel must fight and the various nations and kings it must overcome. It ends by mentioning the various Levitical cities and the obligations of the Levitical tribe. The book of Joshua is a book that reminds its readers of the many obligations they have in building societies according to God’s design.
The mention of Balaam and his sons at the end of the chapter serves to remind the reader that all Israelites must remain devoted to God and his covenant. God has promised Israel much, but he also requires them to remain faithful to him. The book of Joshua is a book about obligations and not just victories.
The chapter of Joshua 13 is a chapter that discusses the end of Joshua’s military experience while also hinting at future events in the book. It is a chapter that reminds the reader of Israel’s obligations in building societies in the land God has promised them.
It is a chapter that marks the shift from war to peace, from victories to building societies, and from conquering to possessing. It is a chapter that reminds us that God’s promises to Israel are not empty, but they require faithfulness and devotion.
It is a chapter that reminds us of the many obligations we have when building our societies according to God’s covenant. And it is a chapter that marks the end of Joshua’s time as a military commander and the beginning of his new task in possessing the land God has promised to give to Israel.