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.

JOSHUA 13:1KJV
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Joshua 13:1 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:1 mean?

Joshua 13:1 says that Joshua had become old, and God told him directly that although he was advanced in years, there was still a large amount of land left for the Israelites to take possession of. The verse highlights both Joshua’s age and the unfinished task ahead.

Joshua 13:1 describes a moment when God speaks to Joshua, the leader of Israel, as he is nearing the end of his life. The setting is after many battles in Canaan, but before all the land had been fully claimed by the Israelites. God’s words point out that, despite Joshua’s age, the mission to settle the land is not yet complete.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:1

  • "Old" (זָקֵן, zaqen): This word is used twice in the verse to emphasize Joshua’s advanced age, showing that his leadership had lasted a long time and he was now physically limited.
  • "Stricken" (בּוֹא, bo): Literally meaning "to come" or "to enter," here it is used in the phrase "stricken in years" to express the idea of being advanced or weighed down by age.
  • "Remaineth" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word means "to be left over" or "to remain," stressing that there is still a significant portion of land not yet taken.
  • "Very much land" (מְאֹד רַבָּה אֶרֶץ, me'od rabbah erets): The phrase combines "very" (מְאֹד, me'od) and "much" (רַבָּה, rabbah) to underline the large amount of territory still to be possessed.

Why Joshua 13:1 matters

  • Joshua 13:1 clarifies that even a faithful leader like Joshua did not see the entire conquest completed in his lifetime, reminding readers that some tasks extend beyond one person’s efforts.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s direct involvement and ongoing guidance, even as leadership ages or changes.
  • This verse sets up the following chapters, where God instructs Joshua how to divide the remaining land among the tribes, showing that the work continues even when the original leader is nearing the end of his role.

Where else these words appear

“old” Hebrew H2204 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
  • Ruth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
  • 1 Kings 1:1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

“remaineth” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.