Joshua 13 Summary

The LORD reminds the aged Joshua that vast territories remain unconquered — including the regions of the Philistines, the Geshurites, Lebanon, and the Sidonians — and commands him to divide the whole land by lot among the nine and a half western tribes. The chapter then recounts the Transjordanian inheritances already distributed by Moses: Reuben received territory from the Arnon River through the plains of Heshbon, including the cities of Sihon's former kingdom; Gad received Jazer, the cities of Gilead, and portions of Sihon's realm down to the Sea of Chinnereth; and the half-tribe of Manasseh received Bashan, the kingdom of Og, and the towns of Jair. Throughout, it is noted that the tribe of Levi received no territorial inheritance, as the LORD's sacrificial offerings — and the LORD Himself — were their portion, and it is recorded that the Geshurites and Maachathites were never expelled and continued to dwell among Israel.