📖 Joshua — Chapter 13 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Joshua 13:1 Now RJoshua 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 Tto be possessed.
Joshua 13:2 This is Rthe land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
Joshua 13:3 From RSihor, 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:
Joshua 13:4 From the south, all Rthe land of the Canaanites, and TMearah that is beside the Sidonians unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
Joshua 13:5 And the land of the RGiblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
Joshua 13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, Rthem 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.
Joshua 13:7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
Joshua 13:8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which RMoses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;
Joshua 13:9 From RAroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
Joshua 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
Joshua 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for Rthese did Moses smite, and cast them out.
Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel Rexpelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
Joshua 13:14 Only unto the tribes of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.
Joshua 13:15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.
Joshua 13:16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;
Joshua 13:17 Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and TBamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,
Joshua 13:18 And RJahaza, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
Joshua 13:19 RAnd Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley,
Joshua 13:20 And Bethpeor, and TAshdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,
Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, Rwhom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Joshua 13:22 RBalaam also the son of Beor, the Tsoothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
Joshua 13:23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
Joshua 13:24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.
Joshua 13:25 And Rtheir coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;
Joshua 13:26 And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from RMahanaim unto the border of Debir;
Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and RSuccoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
Joshua 13:28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.
Joshua 13:29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.
Joshua 13:30 And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:
Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and RAshtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
Joshua 13:32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
Joshua 13:33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 13:1–14 — Land still to be possessed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD identifies remaining territory and instructs Joshua to divide the land. Levi's inheritance is distinguished from the territorial shares.
Key Truth: The promised inheritance includes land still awaiting possession.
Check What You Remember
1. Was Joshua described as young or old? (Joshua 13:1)
Find it in Joshua 13:1 (KJV).
2. Among how many full tribes, with half of Manasseh, was the western land to be divided? (Joshua 13:7)
Find it in Joshua 13:7 (KJV).
3. Which tribe received no territorial inheritance? (Joshua 13:14)
Find it in Joshua 13:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 13:15–23 — Reuben's inheritance
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Reuben receives its eastern inheritance according to its families. The account names its cities, plateau, and border by Jordan.
Key Truth: The tribal inheritance is described with defined places and boundaries.
Check What You Remember
1. Which tribe receives the inheritance described here? (Joshua 13:15)
Find it in Joshua 13:15 (KJV).
2. What city is named beside the river Arnon? (Joshua 13:16)
Find it in Joshua 13:16 (KJV).
3. What river forms Reuben's border? (Joshua 13:23)
Find it in Joshua 13:23 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 13:24–33 — Gad and eastern Manasseh
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gad and half of Manasseh receive their allotted eastern territories. The chapter closes by again distinguishing Levi's inheritance in the LORD.
Key Truth: Levi's relation to the LORD is distinguished from possession of a tribal territory.
Check What You Remember
1. Which tribe's inheritance begins this section? (Joshua 13:24)
Find it in Joshua 13:24 (KJV).
2. What region was included in Manasseh's portion along with Mahanaim? (Joshua 13:30)
Find it in Joshua 13:30 (KJV).
3. Who is named as Levi's inheritance? (Joshua 13:33)
Find it in Joshua 13:33 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Numbers 32:33 — The earlier assignment of land east of Jordan identifies the same tribes.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which truth from this chapter do you want to remember? What question or related Scripture would you like to explore next? You can keep these thoughts in your private Notes below.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What tension opens the chapter?
2. How does the LORD’s promise relate to Joshua’s immediate duty?
3. Why is the western allotment described as nine tribes and half Manasseh?
4. What inheritance is stated for Levi instead of a territorial grant?
5. How is Balaam identified in the account of those slain?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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