Joshua 13:2-3
This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the verse lists the remaining lands, it subtly highlights the promise of possession as much as the reality of the conquest. The land is identified as what "yet remains," implying it belongs to Israel by divine decree, even if it hasn't been fully taken yet. This emphasizes that God's promise is the ultimate claim, regardless of current occupation by enemies.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is told by God that much land still remains unconquered. This verse identifies two of those significant territories—the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the Geshurites, a people whose location is debated but is understood to be part of the territory promised to Israel. These areas, along with others listed, represent the remaining challenges in fully possessing the promised land, setting the stage for the division of the conquered territories and the ongoing struggle against these inhabitants.
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.
Kĕnaʿani · Hebrew Noun
The descendants of Canaan, son of Ham. Often used to represent the idolatrous nations that inhabited the land before Israel's arrival, whom God commanded to be driven out.
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seren · Hebrew Noun
A high-ranking official or lord in a city-state. In this context, it refers to the lords of the Philistine pentapolis.
This verse highlights the reality that even after significant military campaigns, the fulfillment of God's promises often involves a prolonged process of claiming and possessing the land, requiring continued faith and effort.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following Moses' death, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River and begins the military conquest of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1400-1390 BC
Major Battles and Initial Land Division
Joshua leads the Israelites in significant victories, including at Jericho and Ai, and begins the process of dividing the conquered land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Joshua is Old and Land Remains
The book of Joshua is nearing its end. Joshua is advanced in age, and significant portions of the land promised by God are still unconquered, including the territories of the Philistines and Geshurites.
c. 1390 BC onwards
Ongoing Israelite Settlement and Conflict
The process of dividing the land by lot continues, but many areas remain under the control of the original inhabitants, leading to ongoing conflict and cohabitation.
This passage directly follows the conquest of Canaan and explains that God left certain nations unconquered to test Israel, much like the remaining Philistine and Geshurite territories in Joshua 13:2 were left for future challenges.
1 Samuel 6:17-18This chapter describes the Philistines returning the Ark of the Covenant, showing their continued presence and influence in their territories, which aligns with Joshua 13:2 indicating their land was still a distinct region within or bordering Israel.
2 Samuel 3:3This verse mentions one of David's sons, Absalom, fleeing to and being sheltered by the king of Geshur, highlighting that the Geshurites maintained their own kingdom and political identity, just as described in Joshua 13:2 as a remaining territory.
Exodus 23:29-30God promised Moses that He would gradually drive out Israel's enemies, not all at once, which provides context for why, in Joshua's old age, the land of the Philistines and Geshurites still remained unconquered as mentioned in Joshua 13:2.
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…
While the verse lists the remaining lands, it subtly highlights the promise of possession as much as the reality of the conquest. The land is identified as what "yet remains," implying it belongs to Israel by divine decree, even if it hasn't been fully taken yet. This emphasizes that God's promise is the ultimate claim, regardless of current occupation by enemies.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is told by God that much land still remains unconquered. This verse identifies two of those significant territories—the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the Geshurites, a people whose location is debated but is understood to be part of the territory promised to Israel. These areas, along with others listed, represent the remaining challenges in fully possessing the promised land, setting the stage for the division of the conquered territories and the ongoing struggle against these inhabitants.
Joshua, now advanced in years, is told by God that much land still remains unconquered. This verse identifies two of those significant territories—the lands of the Philistines along the coast and the Geshurites, a people whose location is debated but is understood to be part of the territory promised to Israel. These areas, along with others listed, represent the remaining challenges in fully possessing the promised land, setting the stage for the division of the conquered territories and the ongoing struggle against these inhabitants.
"This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the P…" — While the verse lists the remaining lands, it subtly highlights the promise of possession as much as the reality of the conquest. The land is identified as what "yet remains," implying it *belong…
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