Joshua 13: Land Still Remains

Short answer: Joshua 13 records God's command to an aging Joshua to divide the remaining land among the tribes of Israel. It lists territories already given east of the Jordan and emphasizes that the Levites receive no land inheritance, for Yahweh himself is their portion.

What Joshua 13 says

The chapter opens with a sobering word from Yahweh to Joshua, who is old and advanced in years. Despite decades of conquest, much land remains to be possessed. Verses 2 through 6 catalogue the regions still unconquered: Philistine territories, Geshurite areas, Canaanite land, Sidonian regions, and the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim. God does not hide the unfinished work. Instead, he commands Joshua in verse 6 to allocate this land to Israel as an inheritance, promising to drive out the inhabitants himself. The charge in verse 7 is clear: divide the land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This is a transition from military conquest to administrative distribution, grounded in divine promise rather than present possession.

Verses 8 through 13 turn to the eastern tribes, Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who already received their inheritance through Moses. The text recounts the boundaries and cities of this territory, stretching from Aroer on the Arnon to Bashan and Gilead. It recalls the defeat of Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings, and notes that Moses gave this land to these tribes. Yet a shadow falls in verse 13: the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or Maacathites, who live within Israel to this day. This verse is a quiet admission of incomplete obedience, a theme that will echo through the book. The land is given, but not fully possessed.

Verses 14 through 23 focus on the tribe of Levi, who receive no territorial inheritance. Instead, the offerings made by fire to Yahweh are their inheritance, as he spoke to them. The text then details the inheritance of Reuben, listing cities and borders. It includes a note in verse 22 that the Israelites killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among the slain. This connects the conquest to earlier narratives where Balaam attempted to curse Israel. Reuben's territory is described as the bank of the Jordan, with its cities and villages. The Levites' unique portion stands in contrast to the land given to the other tribes, highlighting their role in worship and dependence on God.

The final section, verses 24 through 33, outlines the inheritances of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Gad's border includes Jazer, Gilead, half the land of Ammon, and cities like Heshbon and Mahanaim. Manasseh's half-tribe receives Bashan, the kingdom of Og, and the villages of Jair, sixty cities. These distributions were made by Moses in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan. The chapter closes by repeating that Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance. This repetition underscores the central theological point: God himself is the portion of those who serve him, a truth that transcends physical territory.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “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) — This verse sets the stage with Joshua's advanced age and God's reminder that much land remains. It highlights the tension between human limitation and divine promise, showing that God's work continues beyond one leader's lifetime.
• “Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”” (Joshua 13:7) — Here God commands Joshua to divide the land as an inheritance. This verse marks the shift from conquest to distribution, emphasizing that the land is a gift to be apportioned according to God's instruction.
• “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.” (Joshua 13:14) — This verse declares that the tribe of Levi receives no land inheritance, but the offerings of Yahweh are their inheritance. It reveals that God himself is the portion of the Levites, a profound spiritual truth about provision and worship.
• “But Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.” (Joshua 13:33) — The chapter concludes by reiterating that Moses gave no inheritance to Levi, for Yahweh is their inheritance. This final note reinforces the central theme that God's presence and provision surpass any physical territory.

Gospel connection

The unfinished conquest in Joshua 13 points forward to a greater rest that God's people still await. Just as Israel received land but not full possession, so believers live in the already-not-yet of God's kingdom. The Levites' inheritance, which is Yahweh himself, foreshadows the New Testament truth that our true inheritance is not earthly but is Christ himself. Jesus, our great high priest, secures for us an eternal inheritance that cannot be taken away. The chapter's emphasis on God driving out enemies and allocating land by promise anticipates the gospel, where God accomplishes what we cannot and gives us a kingdom we receive by faith.

Application

This chapter asks us to examine our own unfinished obedience. Like Israel, we may have areas in our lives where we have not fully driven out sin or claimed God's promises. The command to Joshua to divide the land despite remaining enemies teaches us to act on God's word even when circumstances seem incomplete. We are also reminded that God's provision is not always material. The Levites received no land, yet they had the greatest inheritance: God himself. This challenges our preoccupation with possessions and security. We are called to trust that God is our portion, and to faithfully steward whatever he has entrusted to us, whether much or little, knowing that he will bring his purposes to completion.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Israel fully conquered all the land; it explicitly states that some groups, like the Geshurites and Maacathites, were not driven out. It does not describe the reactions of the tribes to their allotments, nor does it give details about the distribution process beyond Moses' actions. The text is silent on the exact timing of these events and does not mention Joshua's emotional state or any dialogue beyond God's command. It also does not explain why the Levites' role required no land, other than stating that Yahweh is their inheritance. These silences remind us to avoid reading into the text what it does not say.

Questions for study

1. What does God's reminder to Joshua in verse 1 teach us about aging, leadership, and unfinished work?
2. Why do you think God commands Joshua to allocate land that is not yet conquered? What does this reveal about faith and obedience?
3. The Levites received no land inheritance but had Yahweh as their portion. How does this challenge our understanding of provision and contentment?
4. Verse 13 notes that the Geshurites and Maacathites were not driven out. What might this say about the consequences of incomplete obedience?
5. How does the detailed listing of boundaries and cities in this chapter help us understand God's care for each tribe and his faithfulness to his promises?

Keep reading

Related studies: Joshua 10 Bible Study, Joshua 11 Bible Study, Joshua 12 Bible Study, Joshua 14 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did the tribe of Levi not receive any land?

The chapter states that the Levites received no inheritance because the offerings of Yahweh made by fire are their inheritance. God himself is their portion, as he spoke to them.

What land remained to be possessed when Joshua was old?

The remaining land included all the regions of the Philistines, Geshurites, Canaanites, Sidonians, and the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, as listed in verses 2 through 6.

Which tribes received their inheritance east of the Jordan?

Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh received their inheritance east of the Jordan, as given by Moses, according to verses 8 and following.