God promises to drive out the remaining inhabitants, but the crucial word "only" emphasizes that Joshua's sole responsibility now is to divide the land by lot, not to continue conquering it himself. This shifts the focus from military might to faithful distribution, trusting God's power to complete the work.
all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua, now old and nearing the end of his life, is instructed by God to begin dividing the remaining land among the tribes. Despite the fact that much of this territory is still occupied by Canaanites, God promises to drive them out, but Joshua’s role is to meticulously allot the land by lot, just as he was commanded. This marks a shift from conquest to distribution, even for lands not yet fully subdued.
The land promised to Israel was still filled with powerful nations. How could they ever possess it?
God’s promise to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, including the Sidonians and those in the hill country from Lebanon, is absolute. Even though Joshua is old and much of the land is yet to be possessed, God declares, 'I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel.' This isn't just a future hope; it's a divine guarantee. However, this promise is intrinsically linked to Israel's obedience and participation, as seen in other passages. God would actively dispossess their enemies, but this required Israel to actively engage in the conquest and not let their efforts lag.
With the land still occupied, why would God instruct Joshua to divide it by lot?
God commands Joshua to 'only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance.' This instruction, given even while the land is not fully conquered, is profound. The act of dividing the land by lot served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it was a tangible assurance of God's promise, showing that the land was already designated for Israel, even if not yet occupied. Secondly, it prevented human contention and disputes over territory, as the allocation was seen as divinely determined. Thirdly, it served as a constant spur to the tribes, reminding them of the inheritance awaiting them in enemy-occupied areas, thus encouraging ongoing effort and perseverance.
Understand the original words
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yashab · Hebrew Participle
Those dwelling in a specific region, often referring to the native populations whom God commanded Israel to displace. In a theological sense, it highlights the sovereignty of God over human settlement and the judgment of nations.
har · Hebrew Noun
A term representing the mountainous region of Canaan, which formed the central geographic backbone of the land promised to Israel. It often serves as a site of both strategic conquest and spiritual significance.
yarash · Hebrew Verb
An act of expulsion or removal, often used in the context of God's sovereign removal of enemies to establish His covenant people in the land. It emphasizes God's active role as the Divine Warrior for Israel.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
A portion of property or privilege received through the covenantal arrangement of God. Biblically, it refers primarily to the land of Canaan given to Israel as a gift from God, symbolizing their status as His chosen people.
This verse highlights God's promise to clear the land, but it's crucial to remember this was conditional on Israel's obedience and effort. Their incomplete fulfillment meant they never fully possessed all the promised territory, facing ongoing challenges with the remaining inhabitants.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following the exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites in a military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan. Major cities and regions are subdued.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Division of the Land
After the conquest, the land is divided by lot among the nine and a half tribes of Israel. Joshua, now old, is tasked with overseeing this distribution.
c. 1405 BC - onwards
Incomplete Occupation
Despite God's promise to drive out all inhabitants, the Israelites fail to fully dispossess many Canaanite groups, including the Sidonians. This leads to ongoing struggles and assimilation.
c. 1000 BC
David and Solomon's Influence
Centuries later, under Kings David and Solomon, the Sidonians and Phoenicians become tributaries to Israel, indicating a form of submission rather than complete expulsion.
This verse echoes God's promise to drive out enemies from before Israel, emphasizing the conditional nature of such divine aid tied to obedience, a theme present in Joshua 13:6.
Deuteronomy 7:1Similar to Joshua 13:6, this passage describes the land God intends to give Israel, highlighting that it's inhabited by nations God will drive out, setting the stage for the inheritance.
Judges 1:19This verse shows the reality of Israel's struggle to possess the land, illustrating that while God intended to drive out inhabitants, Israel's own efforts and faithfulness were crucial, as implied in Joshua 13:6.
Romans 8:37This New Testament passage speaks of believers being more than conquerors through Christ, reflecting the ultimate victory God secures for His people, a spiritual parallel to God's promise to drive out enemies for Israel.
Philippians 3:13-14Paul's encouragement to press on toward the goal, forgetting what is behind, parallels Joshua's task of dividing the land and the ongoing need for Israel to possess what God promised, even if parts remained unconquered.
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…
barnesJoshua 13:6: "All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee."
The King James Version would exhibit the sense more clearly if the words from the beginning of Joshua 13:2 to the words "the Sidonians" in this verse were placed in a parenthesis, and the order of the words before us changed thus: "I wi…
God promises to drive out the remaining inhabitants, but the crucial word "only" emphasizes that Joshua's sole responsibility now is to divide the land by lot, not to continue conquering it himself. This shifts the focus from military might to faithful distribution, trusting God's power to complete the work.
Joshua, now old and nearing the end of his life, is instructed by God to begin dividing the remaining land among the tribes. Despite the fact that much of this territory is still occupied by Canaanites, God promises to drive them out, but Joshua’s role is to meticulously allot the land by lot, just as he was commanded. This marks a shift from conquest to distribution, even for lands not yet fully subdued.
Joshua, now old and nearing the end of his life, is instructed by God to begin dividing the remaining land among the tribes. Despite the fact that much of this territory is still occupied by Canaanites, God promises to drive them out, but Joshua’s role is to meticulously allot the land by lot, just as he was commanded. This marks a shift from conquest to distribution, even for lands not yet fully subdued.
"all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you." — God promises to drive out the remaining inhabitants, but the crucial word "only" emphasizes that Joshua's sole responsibility now is to divide the land by lot, not to continue conquering it himself…
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Last reviewed October 2026
