Joshua 13

Joshua 13:1-6

At this chapter begins the account of the dividing of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel by 1st, a narrative not so entertaining and interactive as that of the conquest of it, yet necessary for preserving the several inheritance to each tribe. And since the divine wisdom hath penned it, we are called upon to hear and read it, and may be assured there is profiting to be obtained from it, if God gives the understanding heart. In it, 1. God informs Joshua what parts of the country were intended in the grant to Israel, and yet remained unconquered, ver. 1—6. 2. He appoints him to make a distribution of what was conquered, ver. 7. 3. To complete this account here is a repetition of the distribution Moses had made of the land on the other side Jordan; in general, ver. 8—14. In particular, the lot of Reuben, ver. 15—23. Of God, ver. 24—28. Of the half-tribe of Manaffeh, ver. 29—33.

1. NOW Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old, and stricken in years, and there remained yet very much land to be possessed. 2. This is the land that yet remaineth: all the border of the Philistines, and all of Gethuri. 3. From Sifor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Afhdothites, the Efthkolonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites. 4. From the South, all the land of the Canaanites, and Meazah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphleu, to the borders of the Amorites. 5. And the land of the Gibilites, and all Lebanon toward the sun-rising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon, unto the evening into Hamath. 6. All the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon unto Millephoth-maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Joshua now was growing old, and the fatigues of war probably hastened infirmities upon him, God therefore gives him rest after his toils, and as his finishing service, appoints him to make the division of what yet should be conquered, as well as of the country already possessed. Note, (1.) Old age wants a quiet resting-place, and after a holy life, to be recollected against the near approach of death. (2.) The through must bow, and the best of men pay this tribute to nature; and they who are advancing in years, need be reminded of it, that what yet they have to do, they may do quickly. (3.) The vigour of life was fittet for war, but age and experience for dividing the land: thus every season of life hath his blasting and business.

The country here described was very extensive, yet God promises to put them in possession of it, if they continued obedient. If the Philistines afterwards proved such troublesome neighbours, they must blame their sins, which prevented their extirpation; and their negligence or cowardice, which restrained them from putting in force the liberty given them, by the Divine promise.

Note, If we do against our own mercies, we have nobody but ourselves to blame for our suffering.

7. Now therefore, “divide this land for an inheritance, unto the nine tribes, and the half-tribe of Manaffeh, 8. With whom the Reubenites, and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them: 9. From Aroer that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the might of the river, and all the plain of Medina unto Djbon: 10. And all the cities of Shion king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon: 11. And Gilead, and the border of the Gethurites, and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bafsan unto Salcah: 12. All the kingdom of Og in Bafsan, which reigned in Abarth, and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smit, and cast them out. 13. Nevertheless, the children of Israel expelled not the Gethurites, nor the Maachathites, but the Gethurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. 14. Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire, are their inheritance, as he said unto them. 15. And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben, inheritance according to their families: 16. And their coast was from Aroer that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the mulls of the river, and all the plain by Medeba: 17. Heshbon and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon. 18. And Jahaza, and Kechmooth, and Mephazah, 19. And Kirjatham, and Sibomah, and Zarehshahar, in the mount of the valley, 20. And Beth-pear, and Afhdoth-pulgah, and Beth-jelhimoth, 21. And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Shion king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote, with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Shion, dwelling in the country. 22. Balaam also the son of Beor the foothsayer did the children of Israel swit with the sword, among them that were slain by them. 23. And the border of the children of Reuben, was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities, and the villages thereof. 24. And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad, according to their families: 25. And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer, that is before Rabbah: 26. And from Heshbon unto Ramath-mizpeh, and Betonim: and from Mahanam unto the border of Debir: 27. And in the valley, Beth-aram, and Beth-nimrah, and Saccooth, and Zephon, the rest of the kingdom of Shion king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Cimmerth, on the other side Jordan eastward. 28. This is the inheritance of the children of Gad, after their families, the cities and their villages. 29. And Moses gave inheritance unto the half-tribe of Manaffeh and this was the possession of the half-tribe of the children of Manaffeh, by their families. 30. And their coast was from Mahanam, all Bafsan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bafsan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bafsan, therefore cities: 31. And half Gilead, and Aftaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bafsan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manaffeh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families. 32. There are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab on the other side Jordan, by Jericho eastward. 33. But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Joshua 13:7-33

The division of the land is here committed to Joshua’s care; not that it was referred to his discretion, but decided by law, he presiding to see them fairly drawn, and to enforce compliance, that there might be no murmuring. Every man’s portion is called his inheritance; for though won by the sword.

Second, it was in virtue of the promise made unto their fathers. Nine tribes and half only are to inherit in Canaan; the other two tribes and half having received their inheritance, which is here described, with their cities and boundaries. They must know their own, that they may not, on pretence of the promise, affix the possessions allotted their neighbours by God’s providence. Reuben’s lot is first, comprehending the chief part of the kingdom of Sihon. The tribe of God possessions, and Manath the kingdom of O’king of Bahan. And in this description of the country, it is not red. 1. That the Gresham and Manathites were suffered to dwell unorthodox in their cities. 2. Particular notice is taken of the death of Balaam; a brand is fixed upon his wickelands, and we may fall far, Mark the end of each men. 3. It is repeatedly mentioned that the Levites had no lot among their brethren, but they had a better, the Lord, who was their portion, and by his service they were liberally provided for. Note, They who have a portion in the Lord, need not envy the world the possession of the land.