Introduction

Joshua 13 begins a new section of the book, transitioning from conquest to distribution. Though Joshua has grown old, significant territory remains unconquered. God commands the division of the land anyway—a demonstration of faith that He will complete what He started. This chapter also details the eastern territories already given to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh under Moses.

Joshua's Age and Remaining Land (Verses 1-7)

[1] The LORD addresses Joshua directly: "You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." This is not a rebuke but a recognition of reality. The conquest is incomplete, but Joshua's leadership phase is ending.

[2-6] The remaining territories include:

• All the regions of the Philistines (including Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron with their Avvite neighbors)
• All the Canaanite territory from the Sidonians' area to Aphek
• The Gebalite region
• All Lebanon toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath
• All who live in the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim—all the Sidonians

God promises: "I myself will drive them out before the Israelites."

[7] Despite this remaining work, Joshua must "allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you." The land is divided by faith before it is fully possessed—a pattern that would characterize Israel's experience for generations.

The Transjordan Allotment (Verses 8-14)

[8-12] The half-tribe of Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad received their inheritance from Moses east of the Jordan. Their territory included:

• From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, including the town in the middle of the gorge
• The whole plateau of Medeba to Dibon
• All the towns of Sihon king of the Amorites
• The territory up to Ammon's border
• Gilead, the regions of the Geshurites and Maakathites, all of Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salekah
• The entire kingdom of Og in Bashan (who was one of the last Rephaites)

Moses had defeated Sihon and Og and taken over their land.

[13] However, Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or Maakathites—they "continue to live among the Israelites to this day." This early note of incomplete conquest foreshadows ongoing struggles.

[14] The tribe of Levi received no land inheritance. "The food offerings presented to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them." God Himself is Levi's portion (Numbers 18:20">Numbers 18:20).

The Allotment for Reuben (Verses 15-23)

[15-23] Reuben's territory included:

• From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge
• The town in the middle of the gorge and the whole plateau past Medeba
• Heshbon and all its towns: Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar on the hill in the valley, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth
• All the towns of the plateau and the entire realm of Sihon

Balaam son of Beor—the prophet who blessed Israel despite being paid to curse them—was among those killed by Israel (Numbers 31:8">Numbers 31:8). "The Jordan was the boundary" on the west.

The Allotment for Gad (Verses 24-28)

[24-28] Gad's territory included:

• Jazer and all the towns of Gilead
• Half the Ammonite country as far as Aroer near Rabbah
• From Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim
• From Mahanaim to the territory of Debir
• In the valley: Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Sukkoth, Zaphon, and the rest of the realm of Sihon king of Heshbon

The Jordan was the western boundary up to the Sea of Kinnereth (Galilee).

The Half-Tribe of Manasseh (Verses 29-33)

[29-31] The eastern half-tribe of Manasseh received:

• The territory from Mahanaim: all of Bashan, the entire realm of Og king of Bashan
• All the settlements of Jair in Bashan—sixty towns
• Half of Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan)

This belonged to the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh—half of Makir's sons by their clans.

[32-33] Moses made these allotments "on the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho." But to Levi, "Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them."

Key Takeaways

• Work remains: Even after great victories, significant territory was still unconquered.
• Faith divides before possession: The land was allocated before being fully taken—trusting God to complete the work.
• Different inheritances: Levi's inheritance was God Himself, not land.
• Details matter: God cared about specific boundaries and towns for each tribe.
• Incomplete obedience creates problems: The Geshurites remaining among Israel foreshadows future struggles.

Reflection Questions

1. Why would God command land distribution when so much territory remained unconquered?
2. What does Levi having God as their inheritance teach about spiritual priorities?
3. How does the note about Geshurites remaining "to this day" serve as a warning?
4. What "territories" in your life has God promised but remain to be fully possessed?