1 Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. 1
2
This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
3
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
4
to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah [a] of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites;
5
the land of the Gebalites; [b] and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath.
6
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.
7
Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
In this chapter Joshua is informed by the Lord, or put in mind, that part of the land of Canaan remained unconquered, and which it was; and is directed to divide the whole land among the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Jos 13:1-9; and since the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the other half tribe of Manasseh, had received their inheritance on the other side Jordan, Jos 13:8; that is described in general, Jos 13:9-14; and, then the particular portion of Reuben, Jos 13:15-23; and of Gad, Jos 13:24-28; and of the half tribe of Manasseh, Jos 13:29-33.