Joshua 13:5
and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Joshua, now old and near the end of his life, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining, still unconquered lands among the tribes. This verse describes a significant portion of that yet-to-be-possessed territory in the north, highlighting its geographical extent as a reminder of the vastness of God's promise and the work still ahead for Israel.
Joshua is old, and the land God promised is still largely unconquered, so the Lord directs him to begin the process of dividing it by lot among the tribes. This verse lists a portion of that remaining territory along the northern edge, including the land of the Giblites and the region of Lebanon, stretching from Baal-gad near Mount Hermon up to the entrance of Hamath. This division by lot is meant to serve as a guarantee of future possession, even though the land is not yet fully subdued.
Even after years of conquest, vast lands remained unconquered. God's promise to Abraham was immense, and its fulfillment was a long, ongoing process.
Joshua, the leader who had seen so much victory, was now old. God tells him in Joshua 13:1 that 'you are old and advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.' This can feel discouraging, can't it? But God's perspective is different.
A Divine Blueprint
Even though the land wasn't fully taken, God commanded Joshua to begin the process of dividing it among the tribes. This wasn't just a symbolic act; it was a faith-building exercise. It served as a constant reminder that all that God had promised would indeed be given to them.
The Purpose of the Unpossessed Lands
Why leave land unconquered?
The verse names specific locations on the northern border – Gebalites, Lebanon, Baal-gad, and Hamath. What do these names reveal about the scope of the promised land?
This verse describes the northern extent of the land God promised, reaching from Mount Hermon up to the 'entering into Hamath.' These weren't just random geographical markers; they represented significant cultural and political boundaries.
The Gebalites and Lebanon
Understand the original words
Chermon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A famous, snow-capped mountain range in the north of Israel, marking the northern extent of the Promised Land. It is often associated with divine majesty and majesty in the Old Testament.
This verse delineates a specific northern border of the Promised Land, highlighting that even as the land division begins, significant territories occupied by peoples like the Gebalites and extending into Lebanon were still unconquered, emphasizing the ongoing challenge and God's promise for future possession.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the military campaign to conquer the Promised Land of Canaan, following God's command.
c. 1390 BC
Major Battles and Southern Campaigns
Key victories are won against various Canaanite kings and coalitions, securing large portions of the land, including significant victories south of Mount Hermon.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Division of Land Initiated
With the land largely subdued, Joshua, though old, begins the process of dividing the conquered territories by lot among the nine and a half tribes.
c. 1390 BC
Northern Territories Demarcated
The specific northern boundaries are defined, including the lands of the Gebalites and all of Lebanon, extending from Baal-gad to the entrance of Hamath.
This passage describes the 'ancients of Gebal' as skilled craftsmen and advisors in Tyre, highlighting the Giblites' influence and commercial reach beyond their immediate territory.
Psalm 83:7This psalm lists Gebal alongside other nations who conspired against Israel, showing that the Giblites were recognized as a distinct people and potential adversaries even during the time of the monarchy.
Numbers 34:8This passage establishes the 'entrance of Hamath' as the northern border of the Promised Land, providing the geographical context for the extent of the land God intended for Israel, which included areas not yet possessed.
1 Kings 5:18This verse mentions the 'stone-squarers' from Gebal helping Solomon build the Temple, indicating a later period where Israelite and Giblite peoples engaged in cooperative, albeit non-military, endeavors, showing a complex relationship.
Joshua 11:17This verse mentions Baal-gad under Mount Hermon, identifying the southern starting point of the region described in Joshua 13:5, and emphasizing that even areas under prominent landmarks were part of the promised, yet unconquered, territory.
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 13:5: "And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath."
And the land of the Giblites,.... This was another country that remained unconquered; the Greeks call it Byblus, and near to which Pliny (e) speaks of a place called Gabale, and is now called Gibyle; it is (f) said to be"pleasantly situated by the seaside, and at present it contains but a little extent of ground, but yet more than enough for the smal…
Joshua, now old and near the end of his life, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining, still unconquered lands among the tribes. This verse describes a significant portion of that yet-to-be-possessed territory in the north, highlighting its geographical extent as a reminder of the vastness of God's promise and the work still ahead for Israel.
Joshua is old, and the land God promised is still largely unconquered, so the Lord directs him to begin the process of dividing it by lot among the tribes. This verse lists a portion of that remaining territory along the northern edge, including the land of the Giblites and the region of Lebanon, stretching from Baal-gad near Mount Hermon up to the entrance of Hamath. This division by lot is meant to serve as a guarantee of future possession, even though the land is not yet fully subdued.
Joshua is old, and the land God promised is still largely unconquered, so the Lord directs him to begin the process of dividing it by lot among the tribes. This verse lists a portion of that remaining territory along the northern edge, including the land of the Giblites and the region of Lebanon, stretching from Baal-gad near Mount Hermon up to the entrance of Hamath. This division by lot is meant to serve as a guarantee of future possession, even though the land is not yet fully subdued.
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Baal-gad and Hamath
Together, these names paint a picture of a vast and diverse territory that God had ordained for His people, extending far beyond what they had yet conquered.
c. 1390 BC
Unconquered Territories Acknowledged
The remaining territories, though assigned by lot, are acknowledged as still needing to be possessed by the Israelites, including Phoenician coastal cities and parts of Lebanon.
"and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath," — Joshua, now old and near the end of his life, is tasked by God with dividing the remaining, still unconquered lands among the tribes. This verse describes a significant portion of that yet-to-be-poss…
