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Joshua 13:2-22

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Joshua 13:2 is part of this passage.
2“This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites; 3from 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, 4on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; 5and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath; 6all 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. 7Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” 8With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them: 9from 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; 10and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon; 11and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah; 12all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (who was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses attacked these, and drove them out. 13Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath live within Israel to this day. 14Only he gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. The offerings of the LORD, the God of Israel, made by fire are his inheritance, as he spoke to him. 15Moses gave to the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families. 16Their 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; 17Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, 18Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, 19Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar in the mount of the valley, 20Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth, 21all 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. 22The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain.

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Summary

“This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites; from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward,…. Faith confesses the LORD’s fame and finds mercy under judgment.

Interpretation

In Joshua 13:2-22, “This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites; from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward,… The narrator wants us to see the covenant God who keeps His oath to the fathers and now acts through Joshua’s Word-shaped leadership. Listen to the text: ““This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites; from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five…”

Rahab’s confession and protection of the spies show that faith can rise in unlikely places. Mercy under judgment foreshadows gospel welcome for Gentiles who cling to the true God.

Much land remains, yet inheritance begins: Transjordan allotted; Levi has no territorial share—the LORD is their inheritance. In allotment chapters, inheritance becomes tribal and concrete. This passage belongs in that movement: Joshua 13:2-22 is not an isolated scrap but a step in God’s purpose to give rest and form a serving people. Read Joshua as Christian Scripture: the greater Joshua, Jesus, leads into true rest; the church inherits mission under His presence and Word.

A pastoral word for today: Confess God’s greatness aloud; welcome an outsider with tangible mercy.

Hold judgment and mercy, courage and Word together. Joshua never flatters presumption, yet never abandons the sworn promise. That combination is good news for imperfect churches learning holy courage. Keep Joshua 13:2-22 inside that larger faithfulness.

As you sit with Joshua 13:2-22, ask what it shows about the God who keeps promise and goes with His people. Joshua is living Scripture that forms courage, repentance, and hope—not a mere battle log. Let the text steady your confidence in the LORD’s faithful presence.

Reading Joshua 13:2-22 inside the whole book keeps commission and conquest, allotment and covenant together. Victory without obedience becomes presumption; inheritance without exclusive service becomes snare. Hold this passage in Joshua’s larger story that points toward Christ and true rest.

Context

Chapter 13 in Joshua: Much land remains, yet inheritance begins: Transjordan allotted; Levi has no territorial share—the LORD is their inheritance.

Allotment (Joshua 13–19): tribal inheritances by lot under promise.

Audience

Seekers and sinners discovering that faith confesses and finds mercy in judgment

Themes

  • Faith
  • Mercy
  • Confession
  • Salvation

Keywords

remains · regions · Philistines · Geshurites · Shihor · Egypt · Rahab · spies