Joshua 13-24 Study Guide

Land Remaining and the Command to Divide

• Joshua’s Old Age: At the beginning of Chapter 13, the LORD speaks to Joshua, noting that he is now very old, yet large areas of land still remain to be conquered.

• The Unconquered Territories:

  • All regions belonging to the Philistines and Geshurites.

  • The territory from the Shihor River (east of Egypt) to Ekron in the north.

  • The five Philistine rulers are located in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.

  • The territory of the Avvites in the south.

  • Canaanite land from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and the Amorite border.

  • The area of Byblos and all of Lebanon to the east (Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath).

  • The mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, inhabited by Sidonians.

• Divine Promise: The LORD promises to personally drive out these inhabitants before the Israelites, instructing Joshua to allocate the land as an inheritance for Israel.

• Instructions for Division: Joshua is told to divide the remaining land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Inheritance of the Eastern Tribes (Reuben, Gad, and Half-Manasseh)

• The Mosaic Assignment: The Reubenites, Gadites, and the other half-tribe of Manasseh had already received land from Moses east of the Jordan.

• Geographic Boundaries of the East:

  • From Aroer on the Arnon Gorge and the town in the middle of the gorge.

  • The plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon.

  • Towns of Sihon, king of the Amorites, in Heshbon.

  • Gilead, the territory of Geshur and Maakah, Mount Hermon, and Bashan up to Salekah (including the kingdom of Og in Ashtaroth and Edrei).

• A Notable Exception: The Israelites failed to drive out the people of Geshur and Maakah; they continue to live among Israel to this day.

• The Tribe of Levi: This tribe received no land inheritance because the food offerings presented to the LORD are their inheritance, as promised by Him.

• Specific Allotment for Reuben:

  • Territory included Heshbon, Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth.

  • The region included the realm of Sihon and the Midianite chiefs ($Evi$, $Rekem$, $Zur$, $Hur$, and $Reba$).

  • Balaam son of Beor, the diviner, was killed by the sword during this conquest.

• Specific Allotment for Gad:

  • Included Jazer, the towns of Gilead, and half the Ammonite country as far as Aroer (near Rabbah).

  • Extended from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah/Betonim, and from Mahanaim to Debir.

  • Included the valley towns: Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Sukkoth, and Zaphon.

• Specific Allotment for the Half-Tribe of Manasseh (East):

  • Extended from Mahanaim through all of Bashan, including the realm of Og.

  • Included the settlements of Jair ($60$ towns) and half of Gilead.

  • This was specifically for the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh.

Allotment West of the Jordan and Caleb’s Request

• The Distribution Process: Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the tribal heads allotted land west of the Jordan to the remaining nine and a half tribes via lots at Gilgal.

• Caleb’s Claim:

  • Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite approaches Joshua to remind him of the promise made at Kadesh Barnea.

  • Caleb was $40$ years old when Moses sent him to explore the land; he gave a report based on his convictions while others spread fear.

  • Now, $45$ years later, Caleb is $85$ years old and claims to be as strong and vigorous for battle as he was at $40$.

  • He requests the hill country occupied by the Anakites, who have large, fortified cities.

• The Result: Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him Hebron (formerly Kiriath Arba) as his inheritance. The land then had rest from war.

The Specific Allotment for Judah

• Southern Boundary: From the southern end of the Dead Sea, through Scorpion Pass, Zin, Kadesh Barnea, Hezron, Addar, Karka, Azmon, and the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

• Northern Boundary: From the mouth of the Jordan at the Dead Sea, past Beth Hoglah, Beth Arabah, the Stone of Bohan, Debir, the Valley of Achor, Gilgal, En Shemesh, En Rogel, the Valley of Ben Hinnom (southern Jerusalem), and ending at Jabneel and the Sea.

• Caleb’s Conquest in Judah:

  • Caleb drives out the three Anakites: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

  • Othniel son of Kenaz (Caleb’s brother) captures Kiriath Sepher (Debir) to win Caleb's daughter, Aksah, in marriage.

  • Aksah requests and receives the upper and lower springs from Caleb as a special favor after receiving land in the Negev.

• Towns of Judah by Region:

  • The Negev ($29$ towns): Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron, Amam, Shema, Moladah, Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, Baalah, Iyim, Ezem, Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon.

  • Western Foothills: Included Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Jarmuth, Adullam, Lachish, Eglon, Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza.

  • Hill Country: Included Shamir, Jattir, Kiriath Sannah, Goshen, Hebron, Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Timnah.

  • Wilderness: Included Beth Arabah, Middin, Sekakah, Nibshan, City of Salt, and En Gedi.

• Failure at Jerusalem: Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites in Jerusalem; they remain there with the people of Judah to this day.

Allotment for Joseph: Ephraim and Western Manasseh

• Ephraim’s Territory: Boundaries included Bethel, Lower Beth Horon, and Gezer. Notable failure: They did not dislodge the Canaanites in Gezer, who were instead subjected to forced labor.

• Manasseh’s Western Allotment:

  • The daughters of Zelophehad (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah) successfully petitioned for an inheritance because their father had no sons.

  • The territory bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.

  • Manasseh’s failure: They could not occupy Beth Shan, Ibleam, Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo because of Canaanite determination and iron chariots.

• The Complaint of Joseph’s Tribes: The descendants of Joseph complained to Joshua that they were too numerous for only one allotment. Joshua instructed them to go into the forest and clear land for themselves in the territory of the Perizzites and Rephaites, despite the presence of iron chariots.

Division of the Remaining Land and Benjamin’s Allotment

• The Assembly at Shiloh: The Israelites established the tent of meeting at Shiloh. Seven tribes had still not received land.

• The Survey: Joshua sent three men from each of the seven tribes to map out the land into seven parts. They recorded the description on a scroll at Shiloh.

• Benjamin’s Allotment:

  • Located between Judah and Joseph.

  • Included Jerusalem (the Jebusite city), Jericho, Bethel, and Gibeon.

  • Total towns: $12$ in one section and $14$ in another.

Allotments for Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan

• Simeon: Their inheritance was taken from Judah's share because Judah’s portion was larger than needed. Included Beersheba.

• Zebulun: Reached as far as Sarid and Jokneam; included $12$ towns (e.g., Bethlehem).

• Issachar: Included Jezreel and Shunem; total of $16$ towns and villages.

• Asher: Touched Carmel and reached as far as Greater Sidon and Tyre; total of $22$ towns.

• Naphtali: Bordered Zebulun, Asher, and the Jordan; included $19$ fortified towns (e.g., Hazor, Kedesh).

• Dan: Included Zorah and Eshtaol. After losing territory, they attacked Leshem (renaming it Dan). Joshua was given Timnath Serah in Ephraim as his own inheritance.

Cities of Refuge and Levite Towns

• Establishment of Refuge: The LORD commanded Joshua to designate cities where those who killed someone accidentally and unintentionally could flee from the "avenger of blood."

• Legal Process: The fugitive must state their case to the elders at the city gate. They remain there until they stand trial and until the death of the serving high priest.

• The Six Cities:

  1. Kedesh in Galilee (Naphtali).

  2. Shechem (Ephraim).

  3. Hebron/Kiriath Arba (Judah).

  4. Bezer (Reuben).

  5. Ramoth in Gilead (Gad).

  6. Golan in Bashan (Manasseh).

• Levite Towns: The Levites requested towns with pasturelands. A total of $48$ towns were allotted from various tribes:

  • Kohathites: $13$ towns from Judah, Simeon, Benjamin; $10$ from Ephraim, Dan, and half-Manasseh.

  • Gershonites: $13$ towns from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half-Manasseh.

  • Merarites: $12$ towns from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.

• The Fulfillment: The text records that not one of the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; all were fulfilled ($Joshua 21:45$).

The Altar of Witness and the Eastern Tribes' Return

• Joshua’s Blessing: Joshua commends the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for their faithful service and sends them back to their land east of the Jordan with great wealth (livestock, silver, gold, bronze, iron, and clothing).

• The Altar at Geliloth: Before crossing the Jordan, the eastern tribes built a large, imposing altar.

• Crisis and Misunderstanding: The rest of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war, suspecting rebellion against the LORD. Phinehas (son of Eleazar) and ten chiefs were sent to investigate.

• Defense of the Altar: The eastern tribes explained the altar was not for sacrifices, but as a witness ($A Witness Between Us$) for future generations, proving they have a share in the LORD despite the Jordan boundary.

• Resolution: Phinehas and the leaders were pleased; war was averted.

Joshua’s Farewell and the Renewal of the Covenant

• Joshua’s Warning: In his old age, Joshua summons the leaders. He credits the LORD with their victories and warns that if they intermarry or associate with the remaining nations, the LORD will stop driving them out, and the nations will become "snares and traps."

• Covenant Renewal at Shechem: Joshua recounts Israel's history from Terah/Abraham, through the Exodus and the wilderness, to the conquest of the Amorites and Jericho.

• The Ultimate Choice: Joshua challenges the people to choose whom they will serve: the gods of their ancestors or the LORD. He famously declares: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

• The Witness Stone: The people affirm their loyalty. Joshua sets up a large stone under an oak near the holy place at Shechem as a witness to their covenant.

• Conclusion of the Era:

  • Joshua dies at age $110$ and is buried at Timnath Serah.

  • Joseph’s bones (brought from Egypt) are buried at Shechem in the plot Jacob bought for $100$ pieces of silver.

  • Eleazar son of Aaron dies and is buried at Gibeah.