and Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even as God lays out the vast, unconquered territories that still remain, the listing of specific peoples like the Geshurites and Maacathites highlights that possession wasn't automatic; it required faith and action. This detail serves as a stark reminder that promises are secured not by divine decree alone, but through obedience and claiming what has been given.
and Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;
English Standard Version (ESV)
With Joshua now old, God begins the daunting task of dividing the vast territories that Israel had conquered, along with much land yet to be possessed, among the remaining tribes. This verse lists a portion of the lands to the east of the Jordan River, including Gilead and the extensive region of Bashan, which had been ruled by King Og. Even though these areas were described as belonging to Israel, the narrative immediately clarifies that some of these inhabitants, like the Geshurites and Maacathites, were not fully expelled and would continue to live alongside the Israelites.
Joshua is old, and much land remains unconquered. Why would God instruct him to divide land that Israel hasn't even taken yet?
This passage highlights a crucial aspect of God's promises: they are given even before they are fully realized.
Divine Allocation
God instructs Joshua to divide the land among the tribes, including areas still held by enemies. This wasn't an oversight; it was a divine strategy.
Even after the division, some enemies remained among the Israelites. What does this 'cohabitation' teach us about spiritual battles?
The text reveals that despite the land division, some Canaanite groups, like the Geshurites and Maacathites, were not fully expelled. They continued to live among the Israelites.
Ask a follow-up
Persistent Challenges
This wasn't a failure of God's promise but a reality of the ongoing spiritual journey.
This verse highlights a specific geographical area within the broader division of the Promised Land, emphasizing territories east of the Jordan that had recently been conquered. It points to the ongoing, incomplete nature of the Israelite settlement even as Joshua is old and the land is being formally divided.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the Promised Land after the death of Moses.
c. 1400 BC
Defeat of Sihon and Og
The Israelites decisively defeat Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, securing lands east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Land Allotment Begins
Joshua, now elderly, begins the process of dividing the remaining conquered lands among the nine and a half tribes by casting lots.
c. 1400 BC
Gilead and Bashan Mentioned
The verse specifically lists Gilead, Bashan, and surrounding territories as part of the land to be allotted, areas previously ruled by Sihon and Og.
c. 1400 BC
Geshurites and Maacathites Remain
The Geshurites and Maacathites, inhabiting border regions, are noted as peoples not yet fully expelled, dwelling among the Israelites.
This verse lists 'all the cities of Bashan' and king Og's kingdom, directly preceding the mention of Gilead and Mount Hermon, highlighting the extent of the territory being described.
Deuteronomy 3:14This passage specifically names 'Gilead, and the land of Argob, all the region of Bashan' and mentions that the Geshurites and Maacathites lived in the region, connecting it directly to the tribal inheritance beyond the Jordan.
Joshua 12:5This verse provides a parallel list of kingdoms conquered by Moses and the Israelites, including 'Gilead, and the country of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and Salecah.'
Numbers 34:7-8This passage describes the northern boundary of the land of Canaan, mentioning Mount Hermon as a key landmark, which helps define the geographical context of the territories listed in Joshua 13:11.
Joshua 13:13This verse immediately following mentions that the Israelites 'did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites,' providing crucial context about the incomplete conquest of the very regions listed in verse 11.
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 13:11: "And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;"
And Gilead,.... The land of Gilead, which was part of the kingdom of Og, half of which was given to Reuben, and the other half to Gad: and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites; of which see Deuteronomy 3:14, and all Mount Hermon; called also Sirion, Shenir, and Sion, Deuteronomy 3:9, and all Bashan unto Salcah; another part of the dominions of Og, Deuteronomy…
Even as God lays out the vast, unconquered territories that still remain, the listing of specific peoples like the Geshurites and Maacathites highlights that possession wasn't automatic; it required faith and action. This detail serves as a stark reminder that promises are secured not by divine decree alone, but through obedience and claiming what has been given.
With Joshua now old, God begins the daunting task of dividing the vast territories that Israel had conquered, along with much land yet to be possessed, among the remaining tribes. This verse lists a portion of the lands to the east of the Jordan River, including Gilead and the extensive region of Bashan, which had been ruled by King Og. Even though these areas were described as belonging to Israel, the narrative immediately clarifies that some of these inhabitants, like the Geshurites and Maacathites, were not fully expelled and would continue to live alongside the Israelites.
With Joshua now old, God begins the daunting task of dividing the vast territories that Israel had conquered, along with much land yet to be possessed, among the remaining tribes. This verse lists a portion of the lands to the east of the Jordan River, including Gilead and the extensive region of Bashan, which had been ruled by King Og. Even though these areas were described as belonging to Israel, the narrative immediately clarifies that some of these inhabitants, like the Geshurites and Maacathites, were not fully expelled and would continue to live alongside the Israelites.
"and Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah;" — Even as God lays out the vast, unconquered territories that still remain, the listing of specific peoples like the Geshurites and Maacathites highlights that possession wasn't automatic; it required…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026