Joshua 13:2-6 · Bible study

Joshua 13:2-6 Commentary: The Land That Yet Remains

Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say

Meaning in one sentence

Explore Joshua 13:2-6 where God lists the unconquered territories, including the Geshurites, and commands Joshua to divide the land by faith.

Research Summary

Meaning: God lists the unconquered territory and commands Joshua to allocate it as inheritance, trusting God's promise to drive out the inhabitants.
Key words: 'Geshurites' (H1651), a southern people distinct from Philistines; 'Shihor' (H7883), likely the Brook of Egypt; 'remain' (H7604), what is left after conquest.
Main debate: Identification of the Geshurites: southern tribe near Philistia (Barnes, Clarke) vs. possible connection to northern Geshur (Josh 12:5).
Theological theme: God's covenantal faithfulness requires human obedience; the inheritance is a gift to be taken by faith.
Best use: Preaching on faith that acts before seeing the result; small-group study on facing incomplete tasks.

Translation Comparison

BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020

²This is the land that remains:

³All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites, 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;

⁴to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites;

⁵the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath.

⁶All 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.

WEB World English Bible 2000

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.

KJV King James Version 1769

²This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

³From Sihor, 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 Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

⁴From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

⁵And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

⁶All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth–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.

ASV American Standard Version 1901

²This is the land that yet remaineth: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;

³from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the border of Ekron northward, which is reckoned to the Canaanites; 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 belongeth to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;

⁵and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath;

⁶all the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians; them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only allot thou it unto Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898

²`This is the land that is left; all the circuits of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

³from Sihor which is on the front of Egypt, and unto the border of Ekron northward, to the Canaanite it is reckoned, five princes of the Philistines, the Gazathite, and the Ashdothite, the Eshkalonite, the Gittite, and the Ekronite, also the Avim.

⁴`From the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, which is to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, unto the border of the Amorite;

⁵and the land of the Giblite, and all Lebanon, at the sun-rising, from Baal-Gad under mount Hermon, unto the going in to Hamath:

⁶all the inhabitants of the hill-country, from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-Maim, all the Sidonians: I--I dispossess them before the sons of Israel; only, cause it to fall to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Darby Darby Bible 1890

²This is the land that yet remaineth: all the districts of the Philistines and all the Geshurites,

³from the Shihor, which [floweth] before Egypt, as far as the borders of Ekron northward, [and which] is counted to the Canaanite; five lordships of the Philistines: of Gazah, and of Ashdod, of Eshkalon, of Gath, and of Ekron; also the Avvites;

⁴in the south, the whole land of the Canaanites, and Mearah which [belongeth] to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;

⁵and the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sun-rising, from Baal-Gad at the foot of mount Hermon to the entrance into Hamath;

⁶all the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians; I will dispossess them from before the children of Israel. Only, partition it by lot to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899

²To wit, all Galilee, Philistia, and all Gessuri.

³From the troubled river, that watereth Egypt, unto the border of Accaron northward: the land of Chanaan, which is divided among the lords of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Azotians, the Ascalonites, the Gethites, and the Accronites.

⁴And on the south side are the Hevites, all the land of Chanaan, and Maara of the Sidonians as far as Apheca, and the borders of the Amorrhite,

⁵And his confines. The country also of Libanus towards the east from Baalgad under mount Hermon to the entering into Emath.

⁶Of all that dwell in the mountains from Libanus, to the waters of Maserephoth, and all the Sidonians. I am he that will cut them off from before the face of the children of Israel. So let their land come in as a part of the inheritance of Israel, as I have commanded thee.

Verse in Context

1 Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

2 “This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;

3 from 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,

4 on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;

5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath;

6 all 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.

7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”

8 With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them:

Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)

Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Joshua 13:2

זֹ֥את zot H2063 this

הָ/אָ֖רֶץ ha./'A.retz H0776 [is] the/ land

הַ/נִּשְׁאָ֑רֶת ha./nish.'A.ret H7604 which/ remains

כָּל\־ kol- H3605 all

גְּלִיל֥וֹת ge.li.Lot H1552 [the] territories of

הַ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים ha./pe.lish.Tim H6430 the/ Philistines

וְ/כָל\־ ve./khol H3605 and/ all

הַ/גְּשׁוּרִֽי\׃ ha./ge.shu.Ri H1651 the/ Geshurite[s]

Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.

Scholars' Consensus

Commentators across traditions agree that this passage catalogues the land still held by enemies after Israel's initial conquests. The Geshurites are listed separately from the Philistines because they constitute a distinct ethnic group. Barnes clarifies that 'Geshuri' here refers to a district south of Philistia, not to be confused with the northern Geshurites of Joshua 12:5. Clarke adds that the term indicates a region toward Arabia or Egypt. The promise 'I will drive them out' in verse 6 is widely read as conditional. Gill and Matthew Henry note that full possession depended on Israel's continued obedience, a condition they ultimately failed to meet. Calvin emphasizes that the command to divide the land before it was conquered calls for trust in God's faithfulness. Despite the military gap, God's covenant stands; the allocation by lot declares that the land belongs to Israel by divine grant.

How settled is the interpretation?

Interpretive difficulty: Medium

Main views:

Southern Geshurites: Barnes and Clarke identify Geshuri as a district south of Philistia, based on proximity to Philistines and the phrase 'all Geshuri' alongside Philistine territory.
Same as Northern Geshur: Some readers connect this group to the Geshurites of Joshua 12:5 and 13:13, who lived east of the Jordan near Bashan, noting the name's recurrence.

What is clear: Both traditions agree that the Geshurites in this passage are a distinct people group from the Philistines and that their land remained unconquered at the time of Joshua.

What Scholars Agree and Debate

Topic	Agreed	Debated
Identity of the Geshurites	Commentators agree that the Geshurites in v.2 are a distinct people group separate from the Philistines.	Some identify them with a southern tribe near Philistia (Barnes, Clarke); others note that a different Geshur appears in northeast (Joshua 12:5, 13:13).
Sihor River	Scholars agree it is a water boundary of Egypt.	Some identify it as a branch of the Nile (Clarke, Gill); others as the Brook of Egypt, Wady el Arish (Barnes, Cambridge).
Conditionality of the Promise	All note that the promise to drive out enemies was conditional on Israel's obedience.	The extent of conditionality: some see it as absolute promise with human responsibility, others underscore Israel's failure as the reason for incomplete conquest.
Command to Divide Unconquered Land	God orders Joshua to allocate land not yet possessed, showing his covenant faithfulness.	Some see it as a test of faith (Calvin); others as a practical administrative step for future conquest (Matthew Henry).

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting is the close of Joshua's military campaigns. The king lists in Joshua 12 show that Israel defeated a coalition of northern and southern rulers, but many local populations remained entrenched in their cities and hill countries. The Philistines emerge in Scripture as migrants from Caphtor (Crete), first encountered by Abraham in Gerar (Genesis 26:1). Their five cities, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron, formed a powerful alliance. The Geshurites, by contrast, appear rarely. Barnes identifies them with a people living south of Philistia, near the Amalekites. Clarke cites Cellarius for a location 'on the south of Canaan, towards Arabia.' The passage treats their territory as separate from the Philistine coastal plain, hence the distinct listing.

The geographical boundaries in verses 3, 5 trace an arc from the Egyptian frontier ('Shihor,' likely the Wadi el-Arish, per Barnes and Cambridge) northward to Ekron, then inward to the Sidonian coast and the Lebanon range. 'Mearah' (meaning 'cave') is tied to the Sidonians. 'Aphek' and 'the border of the Amorites' mark the northeast limit. Verse 5 extends the territory far north: 'all Lebanon, toward the sunrise' (the eastern ridge) and 'the entrance of Hamath' (the valley near Baalbek). This territory matches the full promised land described in Deuteronomy 11:24. The inclusion of the Giblites (people of Gebal/Byblos) and Sidonians shows that the promised inheritance stretched beyond what Israel ever fully possessed.

God's self-identification in verse 6, 'I will drive them out', echoes earlier promises in Exodus 23:31 and Deuteronomy 11:23. The command to 'divide it by lot' before conquest is remarkable. It means Joshua must treat the land as already Israel's, trusting God to deliver what he promised. Calvin calls this the 'care of God' that removes hesitation.

Textual Notes

The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this passage. The main interpretive issues concern geography and ethnic identification, not manuscript differences.

Reception History

Jewish tradition reads this passage as evidence of Israel's incomplete obedience; the rabbis noted that the Sidonians and Geshurites were never fully dislodged. In Christian tradition, the command to divide unconquered land became a figure for taking hold of salvation's full benefits. Calvin saw it as a call to press toward the goal, citing Philippians 3:14. Matthew Henry used Joshua's age and the remaining land to teach that our work is never done until God says it is. Later commentators in the Reformation and Puritan eras emphasized the conditional nature of the promise, God's sure word met by human action. The Geshurites, though obscure, have served as a standing reminder that small, persistent obstacles require the same faith as large ones.

Preaching This Verse

Three-point outline

God sees the remaining work. The passage begins by naming what still needs to be done. Joshua is old; God does not hide the scope. Honest inventory of our unfinished tasks is the starting point of faithful action. He does not shame Joshua but gives him a clear map.
God gives a specific inventory. The list of peoples, Philistines, Geshurites, Avvim, Sidonians, shows that God knows every obstacle. He does not deal in vague promises. He names each enemy and each boundary. This precision invites us to trust that God sees our own 'Geshurites', the unnamed challenges we face.
God commands action before the victory is seen. 'Divide it by lot' happens while the land is still occupied. Faith obeys before the evidence arrives. God will drive them out; our part is to step toward the inheritance.

Five-point outline

The inventory of the unconquered includes both big powers (Philistines) and smaller groups (Geshurites).
The land is described in detail, geography, boundaries, city names, to show that God's promise is concrete.
The promise 'I will drive them out' is anchored in God's personal commitment ('I myself').
The command to divide by lot treats the future as already certain.
The passage exposes Israel's later failure to follow through; the promise is sure, but human obedience is required.

Illustration hooks

A family buying a fixer-upper house: the deed is signed before the walls are painted. They act on the owner's promise that the house is theirs.
A student registering for a course before passing the prerequisite: they trust the system will confirm their eligibility.
A gardener preparing soil and planting seeds while the ground is still hard: they act on the spring that has not yet come.

Questions your congregation is asking

Why would God command Joshua to divide land that was still enemy territory? Doesn't that tempt failure?
What are the 'Geshurites' in my life, the small but stubborn obstacles that I keep ignoring or avoiding?
If God promises to drive out the enemies, why does he also require us to fight? How do faith and effort work together?

Leading a Discussion

This passage sits at a transition: the wars are largely done, but the land is not yet settled. God calls Joshua to act on what is still unseen. For a small group, this passage invites honest conversation about the gap between God's promises and our experience of them. Where do we see 'land that remains', areas of life, church, community that still need God's work? The list of peoples may seem dry, but each name represents a real barrier. The Geshurites remind us that not all obstacles are big and famous; some are obscure, persistent, and easily overlooked.

Discussion questions

What do you notice first about this passage? Why does God name so many specific peoples and places?
Who were the Geshurites? Why might they be listed separately from the Philistines? (Refer to the commentary notes if helpful.)
God says, 'I will drive them out.' But later history shows Israel did not fully dispossess these people. How does that tension affect your reading of the promise?
What does it mean that Joshua divides the land by lot before it is conquered? How does this challenge our usual approach to planning?
Where in your own life do you sense 'land that yet remains'? What would it look like to claim that territory by faith today?
How does this passage shape your understanding of God's patience and our responsibility?
Close by reading verse 6 aloud. What one word or phrase stands out to you, and why?

What the Commentators Say

10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.

Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826

Clarke argues that God never unconditionally promised Joshua would conquer the entire land. The promise of full possession depended on Israel's continued obedience. Because the people were not faithful, God was not obligated to give them the whole land, and tribes were expected to drive out remaining inhabitants themselves.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832

Barnes distinguishes the unconquered southern districts (Joshua 13:2-3) from the northern ones (13:4-6), then traces the later fortunes of each Philistine city. He notes that "Sihor" derives from a root meaning "black" and likely refers to the "river of Egypt," while "lords" translates a Hebrew word for "axle," a title unique to Philistine chiefs.

Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564

Calvin stresses that recalling the ancient land boundaries reinforces trust in God's covenant promises. He urges believers to press forward for what remains, like Paul striving toward the goal, because doubting the outcome dishonors God. Faith obeys God's commands confidently, leaving the fulfilment to Him.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880

The commentator notes that the Philistines appear prominently for the first time here, having grown from a pastoral tribe into a settled, powerful nation. He clarifies that although they occupied land counted as Canaanite, the Philistines themselves were not Canaanites but descended from Mizraim, a distinction important for understanding the unconquered territories.

Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599

The Geneva notes emphasize that God commands Joshua to divide the land by lot even before the inhabitants are driven out. This shows that the promise of possession is certain, so the inheritance should be assigned by faith in God's word, not delayed until all enemies are removed.

Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748

Gill stresses that the lands still unconquered were recorded to show Israel both their rightful claim and the condition of obedience required to possess them. Many of these territories never came into their hands because Israel failed that condition. Joshua's sole remaining task was not further conquest but dividing the whole land by lot.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871

JFB stresses that the territory listed as unsubdued was to be claimed by lot, a method designed to prevent discontent and to acknowledge God's ownership of the land. He notes that the promise to drive out these inhabitants was conditional; in fact, Israel never possessed these districts, though David and Solomon later subjected the people living there.

Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857

Lange notes that God commands Joshua to begin dividing the land because he is old and will not complete the conquest. The command shifts from warfare to distribution, trusting that God will drive out the remaining inhabitants. Joshua is to assign the inheritance by lot immediately.

Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710

Henry observes that God himself gently reminds Joshua of his old age, not to discourage him but to help him face the reality that even the strongest must yield to age's infirmities. He notes that it is good for those advanced in years to be reminded of their condition, so they may adjust their expectations accordingly.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754

Wesley stresses that God will drive out the remaining nations in His own time, even if Israel is laid aside. Yet the promise demands Israel's own efforts; they must go up and fight. God's work and human action are joined, not separate.

Word Study

The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.

אֶ֫רֶץ e.rets land: country/planet H0776 · Hebrew → גְלִילָה ge.li.lah border H1552 · Hebrew → גְּשׁוּרִי ge.shu.ri Geshurite H1651 · Hebrew → זֹאת zot this H2063 · Hebrew → כֹּל kol all H3605 · Hebrew → פְּלִשְׁתִּי pe.lish.ti Philistine H6430 · Hebrew → שָׁאַר sha.ar to remain H7604 · Hebrew →

Cross-References

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)

Genesis 10:14	Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.
Genesis 26:1	There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.
Exodus 23:29	I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the animals of the field multiply against you.
Exodus 23:31	I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you.
Deuteronomy 11:23	then Yahweh will drive out all these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves.
Deuteronomy 11:24	Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the western sea shall be your border.
Joshua 12:5	and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
Joshua 13:11	and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;

Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.

For personal reflection

Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"

← Devotional