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:

JOSHUA 13:3KJV
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Joshua 13:3 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:3 mean?

Joshua 13:3 lists the territory along the southwestern edge of Canaan, describing land from the river Sihor near Egypt up to Ekron in the north, and naming five Philistine rulers and their cities, as well as the Avites. This verse marks out land that was considered part of the Canaanite region but was still under Philistine and Avite control at the time.

Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is being told by God about the areas of land that have not yet been conquered by the Israelites. The verse gives specific geographic boundaries and names the main Philistine cities—Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron—plus the Avites, highlighting that these regions remained outside Israelite possession even as the conquest continued.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:3

  • סִיחוֹר (Sihor, "see-hore"): This word refers to a river or stream, often understood as the eastern branch of the Nile or a border stream near Egypt. Its mention sets the southern boundary of the land described.
  • גְּבוּל (borders, "gevul"): This word means a boundary or border, clarifying the specific extent of the land in question.
  • סָרְנֵי (lords, "sarney"): This word means rulers or princes, specifically used for the five leaders of the Philistines, emphasizing their political structure.
  • פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Philistines, "Pelishtim"): This term identifies the well-known group living along the coast, showing that these territories were not yet in Israelite hands.

Why Joshua 13:3 matters

  • Joshua 13:3 clarifies that not all the land promised to Israel had been taken; some regions, especially those held by the Philistines and Avites, remained unconquered at this point in the story.
  • The verse highlights the distinct political organization of the Philistines, with five separate rulers, which becomes important in later biblical accounts.
  • By naming specific cities and peoples, Joshua 13:3 connects the ongoing story of Israel’s conquest to real places and groups, grounding the narrative in its historical setting.

Where else these words appear

“Gazathites” Hebrew H5841 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 16:2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

“Ekronites” Hebrew H6139 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

“Avites” Hebrew H5761 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
  • Joshua 18:23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

“Sihor” Hebrew H7883 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
  • Isaiah 23:3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
  • Jeremiah 2:18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?