and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The mention of Sihon's cities "unto the border of the children of Ammon" is a crucial detail, highlighting that the Israelites weren't just taking land but inheriting territories that were themselves the result of conquest and displacement by Sihon. This underscores God's promise to give them land, even land that had been recently taken by others.
and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua, now advanced in years, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining promised land among the tribes, even territories still occupied by enemies. This passage specifically details the conquered lands east of the Jordan, including the dominion of Sihon, king of the Amorites, which stretched from his capital Heshbon to the Ammonite border. This division serves as a divinely ordained assurance of future possession and a call for the Israelites to remain vigilant and obedient to God's commands for their inheritance.
Joshua is old, and much land remains. How can the people face what's next?
This verse, nestled within a larger description of the land yet to be fully possessed, points us to a crucial truth: the victories already won are not the end of the story. Sihon's kingdom, once a formidable barrier, is now listed as conquered territory. This isn't just a geographical marker; it's a reminder of God's faithfulness. Even when Joshua is old and the task seems overwhelming, the land God promised is being parceled out based on previous conquests. This reminds us that our future victories are built on the foundations of God's past faithfulness.
Why list specific boundaries and conquered cities in such detail?
This verse, along with its surrounding context, details the specific territories designated for the tribes. The mention of Sihon's cities, stretching 'unto the border of the children of Ammon,' isn't just historical record-keeping. It underscores God's order and provision. These detailed boundaries served multiple purposes: they prevented disputes among the tribes, ensured everyone received their promised inheritance, and served as a constant reminder that the land was a gift from God, not something they seized by their own might. Even in the midst of ongoing conquest, God's plan for possession was being meticulously laid out.
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Emori · Hebrew Noun
A major ethnic and political group in the Transjordan region. They were often viewed as enemies of Israel, representing the obstacles and foreign powers that stood in opposition to God's purpose for His people.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Amorite Kingdoms
The Israelites, under Moses' leadership, defeated and dispossessed the Amorite king Sihon and King Og of Bashan. Their territories east of the Jordan River were then given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Distributes Land East of Jordan
Moses divided the conquered lands of Sihon and Og east of the Jordan River among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, establishing their inheritance before the full conquest of Canaan began.
c. 1399 BC— this verse
Joshua Commissioned to Divide Canaan
With Joshua now advanced in years, God commanded him to begin the division of the remaining land west of the Jordan River among the nine and a half tribes, even though much of it was still unconquered.
c. 1399 BC
Joshua Begins Land Allotment
Following God's command, Joshua initiated the process of dividing Canaan by lot among the remaining tribes. This included defining the territories of former Amorite kingdoms like those ruled by Sihon.
This passage directly recounts Israel's conquest of Sihon's territory in Heshbon, showing the Amorites' defeat and the subsequent claim to their lands, directly preceding the division of the inheritance.
Deuteronomy 2:26-37This passage details Israel's request to pass through Edom and Moab and their successful conquest of Sihon's kingdom, providing the historical context for why these Amorite cities were now part of Israel's allotted land.
Psalm 135:11This psalm echoes the conquest of Sihon and Og, highlighting their kingdoms as examples of God's powerful work in giving land to Israel, reinforcing the theme of divine provision and victory.
Jeremiah 48:45-46This prophetic passage speaks of the destruction of Heshbon and the Amorites, serving as a judgment against them and underscoring the consequences of their opposition to God's people, mirroring the events in Joshua.
calvinJoshua 13:1-14: "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
From 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:
A Nilo qui est e regione AEgypti usque ad terminum Ecron, qui es…
gillJoshua 13:10: "And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;"
And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon,.... A city he took from the Moabites, and made it his royal seat, Numbers 21:26 , unto the border of the children of Ammon; which was the river Jabbok, Deuteronomy 3:16.
The mention of Sihon's cities "unto the border of the children of Ammon" is a crucial detail, highlighting that the Israelites weren't just taking land but inheriting territories that were themselves the result of conquest and displacement by Sihon. This underscores God's promise to give them land, even land that had been recently taken by others.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining promised land among the tribes, even territories still occupied by enemies. This passage specifically details the conquered lands east of the Jordan, including the dominion of Sihon, king of the Amorites, which stretched from his capital Heshbon to the Ammonite border. This division serves as a divinely ordained assurance of future possession and a call for the Israelites to remain vigilant and obedient to God's commands for their inheritance.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining promised land among the tribes, even territories still occupied by enemies. This passage specifically details the conquered lands east of the Jordan, including the dominion of Sihon, king of the Amorites, which stretched from his capital Heshbon to the Ammonite border. This division serves as a divinely ordained assurance of future possession and a call for the Israelites to remain vigilant and obedient to God's commands for their inheritance.
"and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites;" — The mention of Sihon's cities "unto the border of the children of Ammon" is a crucial detail, highlighting that the Israelites weren't just taking land but inheriting territories that were themselves…
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Last reviewed October 2026