Joshua 13:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:2 mean?

Joshua 13:2 lists regions of land that still remained unconquered by the Israelites, specifically mentioning the borders of the Philistines and all of Geshuri. This verse points out that the work of taking possession of the promised land was not yet complete.

In this part of the book, God is speaking to Joshua, who is now older, reminding him that there are still areas in Canaan that the Israelites have not yet taken. The verse highlights the Philistine territory along the coast and the area of Geshuri as examples of these remaining lands. This sets the stage for the ongoing responsibility of the Israelites to continue settling the land as God had promised.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:2

• land (אֶרֶץ, 'erets): This word refers to the territory or region, emphasizing that the focus is on specific geographic areas still outside Israelite control.
• remaineth (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word means "to be left over" or "to remain," underlining that these lands are still outstanding and have not yet been possessed.
• borders (גְּבוּל, gevul): This term means "boundary" or "border," pointing to the specific edges or limits of the Philistine territory, not just the people themselves.
• Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Pelishtim): Naming the Philistines highlights a significant and ongoing neighboring group that would continue to play a major role in Israel’s history.
• Geshuri (גְּשׁוּרִי, Geshuri): Refers to the people or region of Geshur, a smaller group or territory near Israel, showing that not only large nations but also smaller regions were still unconquered.

Why Joshua 13:2 matters

• Joshua 13:2 clarifies that even after many victories, the Israelites had not completed the task of taking all the land God had promised, reminding readers that the conquest was a long process.
• By naming the Philistines and Geshuri, the verse foreshadows future conflicts and interactions with these groups, which become important in later biblical stories.
• This verse helps explain why later generations of Israelites still faced challenges from neighboring peoples, as not all the land was fully settled during Joshua’s lifetime.