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13:1–33 This chapter begins the second half of Joshua. The first half focused on the conquest of Canaan; the second half (Josh 13–24) features lists and catalogues rather than battles. The focus is on the allotment of the land to the Israelite tribes (chs. 13–21). |
13:1 very much of the land remains to be possessed Indicates that the conquest in chs. 10–11 was incomplete.
13:2 the regions of the Philistines Located on the coastline (see v. 3).
all of the Geshurites This would be the Geshur in southwest Canaan (see 1 Sam 27:8).
13:3 Shihor The location of this river (the Sihor or Shihor) is unknown. In Isaiah 23:3 and Jer 2:18, Shihor refers to the Nile. Here, it is to the east of Egypt, suggesting it may be a branch of the Nile in the delta region.
Ekron A Philistine city.
five Philistine rulers The first mention of the Philistines
in Joshua. According to Egyptian texts, the Philistines were part of a group of seafaring cultures from the Aegean known as the Sea Peoples. They settled in Canaan in roughly 1200 bc.
While this is often used to support a late date chronology for the Israelite exodus and conquest, there are much earlier references to Philistines in the patriarchal era (see Gen 21:32–34; 26:1). The term “Philistine” in these early references may be anachronistic, used to identify territory that would eventually become Philistine, or it may point to an early settlement. In the early Genesis references, the Philistine leader (Abimelech) is called a king (melek; compare 1 Kgs 2:39). Philistine leaders are generally referred to with the word seren, which may come from the Greek word tyrannos (“tyrant”). This would be consistent with an Aegean origin for the Philistines. The use of melek may indicate that a Philistine had risen to prominence in Canaan, as opposed to a completely native Philistine settlement of the type that took root ca. 1200 bc.
Philistines DOT: HB
Philistines AYBD
Avvim See Deut 2:23; 2 Kgs 17:31.
13:4 Mearah This site is unknown, but if it was under the control of Sidon, it was likely in north of Israel.
Aphek Probably to be identified with Afqa, which is in the north, east of Byblos in Lebanon. This location is more likely than the Philistine Aphek in the Sharon (see Josh 12:18).
the Amorites Exercised control of territory in the northern part of the land (Num 21; Deut 2–3).
13:5 the Gebalites Refers to the region of Phoenicia near the city of Gebal (or Byblos).
Baal Gad at the foot of Mount Hermon up to Lebo-Hamath The description of this location “below” Mount Hermon conflicts with two other references in Joshua, which locate it above Mount Hermon in “the Valley of Lebanon.” Baal Gad and Lebo Hamath (also called “the entrance to Hamath”) probably marked the southern and northern points of the same valley.
13:6 the Sidonians Refers to Phoenicians from the city of Sidon.
I will drive them out God’s promise that He will drive out the remaining opposition is intended as encouragement in view of the fact that Joshua is quite old and will not live much longer (Josh 13:1). Joshua must now apportion the land among the tribes (vv. 6–7) before he dies.
allocate it to Israel Marks a descriptive transition to God’s promise to finish the conquest. The narrative now turns to its distribution in v. 7.
13:7 nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh The other two tribes (Reuben and Gad) and the other half of Manasseh had their inheritance in the Transjordan (see vv. 8–33; compare Num 32).
13:8–33 After listing the general extent of the territory Israel controlled in the Transjordan (Josh 13:8–14), this passage specifies the territory assigned to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Their allotments are given from south to north beginning with Reuben, then Gad, and then Manasseh (vv. 15–33). The territory formerly controlled by Sihon from Heshbon is apparently split between Reuben and Gad (vv. 21, 27), but the border between their territories is not clearly indicated. According to Num 32:34, Gad rebuilt Dibon, but that city is here assigned to Reuben. Later texts suggest the Transjordanian tribes allied together for protection (see 1 Chr 5), so they may have cooperated in building as well. However, the extent of Israel’s control of the Transjordan region is unclear. Prophetic oracles denouncing Moab indicate cities from this area are prominent Moabite cities (e.g., Isa 15:1–9; Jer 48:1–2, 21–25). Jeremiah indicates that Ammon eventually drove Gad out of its territory (Jer 49:1–2). Jephthah’s conflict with the Ammonites in Judg 11 also indicates control of this region was contested. The ninth-century bc Moabite inscription known as the Mesha Stele |
13:8 Reubenites, and the Gadites See Num 32.
13:9 from Aroer A city in the Transjordan on the Arnon River.
all the plateau from Medeba This plateau runs from the Arnon northward to the city of Heshbon. Dibon is modern Dhiban, which later became the capital of Moab (Isa 15:2; Jer 48:18, 22).
13:10 all the cities of Sihon See Num 21; Deut 2–3.
13:11 the border of the Geshurite and the Maacathites These regions geographically cover the territory ruled by the Amorite king, Og of Bashan (Num 32:33–35; Deut 3).
13:12 the Rephaim The Hebrew term here, rephaim, is used in the ot for giant clans and the spirits of those fallen warriors in Sheol (Isa 14:9).
Giant Clans in the Old Testament
13:13 to this day Illustrates that the conquest was not actually fully accomplished when the book of Joshua was written, years after Joshua’s own time. The book of Judges describes that situation.
13:14 Only the tribe of Levites Moses did not give The Levites were responsible for the service and maintenance of the tabernacle. Though they were given several cities in the land (see Josh 21; compare Deut 10:8–9), they were supported by offerings (compare Deut 18:1–5). See Num 18:20–32.
Levites and Priests AYBD
Priests, Priesthood DOT: P
13:17 Heshbon This city is identified in the description of territory allotted to Reuben and in the description of territory given to Gad (Josh 13:26). Heshbon is elsewhere described as a Levitical city in the territory of Gad, not Reuben (see 21:38–39). The location was apparently on the border of the two tribal allotments, showing that overlap in territorial perception was possible. The city was northeast of Mount Nebo near Reuben’s northern border and Gad’s southern border.
its cities that are on the plateau A list of cities that the Reubenites rebuilt is found in Num 32:37–38.
13:22 Balaam See Num 31:8 (compare Num 22–23 for Balaam).
13:23 the Jordan A natural boundary separating the Transjordan from Canaan (Num 32).
13:24 to the tribe of Gad See Num 32.
13:25 territory was Jazer The location where Moses had sent spies; it was subsequently captured by Israel (Num 21:32). The term is applied to both a region (Num 32:1) and a city (32:3).
east of Rabbah The principal city of the Ammonites, located just over 20 miles east of the Jordan.
13:26 Heshbon up to Ramah-Mizpeh and Betonim This description of the land moves from south to north.
Mahanaim Later identified as a Levitical city (Josh 21:38).
13:27 Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, Zaphon Located in the Jordan Valley.
13:28 the inheritance of the Gadites See Num 32.
13:29 to the half-tribe of Manasseh See Num 32.
13:30 Mahanaim The allotment in this verse borders Gad, since Mahanaim is also placed in Gad’s territory (see Josh 13:26). There is no definite northern boundary point given, but the reference to Mount Hermon in v. 11 likely indicates the northern extent of the territory. Manasseh’s allotment includes all of Bashan, formerly the Amorite kingdom of Og (Num 32; Deut 3).
13:31 Ashtaroth, Edrei See Josh 13:30. Ashtaroth and Edrei were Og’s two major cities.
the children of Makir son of Manasseh The tribe is sometimes associated with Machir (Makir), a son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Gen 50:23).
13:32 Moses gave as an inheritance on the desert-plateau of Moab See Num 22:1.
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