This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just list the remaining territories; it highlights that these unconquered regions, like the land of the Philistines, were still considered part of the promised inheritance. This emphasizes that God's promises are meant to be pursued and claimed, even when faced with formidable opposition that hasn't yet been overcome.
This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua, now advanced in years, is given a divine mandate by the Lord to divide the remaining land of Canaan among the tribes. Despite Joshua's age and the vastness of the unconquered territories, God assures him that the task will be completed, outlining the specific regions that still need to be possessed. This includes the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the territories of the Geshurites.
God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. But decades after entering the land, much of it remained unconquered. What does this say about God's promises?
Joshua 13:1 tells us that Joshua was old, and 'there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.' Even with a seasoned leader like Joshua nearing the end of his life, a significant portion of the promised land was still in the hands of its original inhabitants.
This wasn't because God's promise was failing. It was a testament to the fact that God's promises often require our participation and perseverance. The land wasn't just given; it was also to be possessed. The Philistines and Geshurites, mentioned specifically in verse 2, represent the formidable obstacles and the areas that would require continued effort and faith from the Israelites.
It's a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness doesn't negate the need for our engagement. His promises are sure, but they often unfold through a process that demands our trust and action, even when the initial phase feels complete.
The Philistines were a major power in the region, and their land was still largely unconquered. Why were they such a significant challenge, and what does their presence symbolize?
Verse 2 specifically names 'all the regions of the Philistines' as part of the land that 'yet remaineth.' The Philistines were a formidable, sea-faring people who had settled in the coastal plains of Canaan. They were known for their military strength, including their use of iron chariots, which made them a significant threat to the Israelites.
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Their persistent presence on the borders of the promised land served as a constant reminder of the challenges ahead. They weren't just a political or military obstacle; they represented a culture and a way of life that was in direct opposition to God's people and His ways.
The inclusion of the Philistines highlights that possessing the full inheritance wasn't just about claiming territory, but about establishing God's rule and righteousness in the land, pushing back against opposing forces.
Understand the original words
Pĕlishti · Hebrew Noun
The inhabitants of the coastal plain of Canaan. They were perennial enemies of Israel and symbolized pagan opposition to God's kingdom.
This verse highlights that even after a significant military conquest, the promised inheritance was not fully secured. It underscores the ongoing challenge of faith and obedience, as the Israelites were commanded to allot land they had yet to possess, trusting God to fulfill His promise.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
Following 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1400-1390 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Joshua leads the Israelite tribes in a series of military campaigns, defeating numerous Canaanite kings and cities.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Division of Land by Lot
With the conquest nearing completion, Joshua oversees the division of the remaining, unconquered territories among the nine and a half tribes by lot.
c. 1390 BC
Philistine and Geshurite Territories Identified
Joshua 13 identifies the land still unconquered, specifically mentioning the regions of the Philistines on the southwest coast and the Geshurites to the south of Canaan.
c. 1390 BC
Unconquered Territories Remain
Despite the division, significant portions of the land, including areas inhabited by the Philistines and Geshurites, remain unconquered by the Israelites.
This passage lists the same unreclaimed peoples – the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and the Hivites – showing the ongoing struggle for the promised land even after Joshua's time.
Judges 1:19This verse explains a key reason why the Philistines and Canaanites remained – the Israelites 'possessed the valley, for they had chariots of iron,' highlighting a practical obstacle to complete conquest.
1 Samuel 7:14This verse shows that the Philistines, mentioned as remaining in Joshua 13:2, continued to be a significant presence and threat that Israel had to contend with for generations.
Deuteronomy 2:23This passage provides historical context for the Philistines' presence, stating that they came from Caphtor and drove out the Avites, explaining their occupation of the land Israel was meant to inherit.
Psalm 106:34-36This Psalm laments Israel's failure to destroy the nations as commanded, explicitly mentioning the Philistines and Geshurites among those left to become snares, directly reflecting the situation in Joshua 13.
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…
clarkeJoshua 13:2: "This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,"
The borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri - The borders of the Philistines may mean the land which they possessed on the sea-coast, southwest of the land of Canaan. There were several places named Geshuri, but that spoken of here was probably the region on the south of Canaan, towards Arabia, or towards Egypt. - Calmet. Cellarius supposes it to have been a country in the vicinity of th…
The text doesn't just list the remaining territories; it highlights that these unconquered regions, like the land of the Philistines, were still considered part of the promised inheritance. This emphasizes that God's promises are meant to be pursued and claimed, even when faced with formidable opposition that hasn't yet been overcome.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is given a divine mandate by the Lord to divide the remaining land of Canaan among the tribes. Despite Joshua's age and the vastness of the unconquered territories, God assures him that the task will be completed, outlining the specific regions that still need to be possessed. This includes the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the territories of the Geshurites.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is given a divine mandate by the Lord to divide the remaining land of Canaan among the tribes. Despite Joshua's age and the vastness of the unconquered territories, God assures him that the task will be completed, outlining the specific regions that still need to be possessed. This includes the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the territories of the Geshurites.
"This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites" — The text doesn't just list the remaining territories; it highlights that these unconquered regions, like the land of the Philistines, were still considered part of the promised inheritance. This emph…
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Last reviewed October 2026