This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

JOSHUA 13:2KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“borders” Hebrew H1552 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 22:10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
  • Joshua 22:11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
  • Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

“Geshuri” Hebrew H1651 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

“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 13:1 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.
  • 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.