All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them 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 13:6KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 13:6 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:6 mean?

Joshua 13:6 records God’s promise to drive out the remaining peoples living in the hill country, from Lebanon to Misrephothmaim, including the Sidonians, ahead of the Israelites. God instructs Joshua to divide this land by casting lots among the Israelites as their inheritance, just as God had commanded.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Joshua as the leader of Israel. The setting is after much of the land has been conquered, but some territories and peoples remain. God reassures Joshua that He Himself will remove these remaining groups, and Joshua’s role is to organize the division of the land among the tribes, trusting in God’s promise to fulfill what He has said.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:6

  • יֹשְׁבֵי (yoshvei, "inhabitants"): This word emphasizes that God is referring to all the people currently settled in these regions, not just a few isolated groups.
  • הַר (har, "hill country"): The term highlights the specific, often difficult terrain that still needs to be claimed, showing that even challenging areas are included in God’s promise.
  • יָרַשׁ (yarash, "drive out"): This verb carries the sense of dispossessing or removing someone from their land, underscoring God’s active role in making room for Israel.
  • נַחֲלָה (nachalah, "inheritance"): This word means a permanent possession passed down, stressing that the land is not just for temporary use but is meant to belong to Israel’s descendants.

Why Joshua 13:6 matters

  • Joshua 13:6 clarifies that the conquest of the land is not yet complete, but God’s promise covers even the unconquered territories.
  • The verse highlights that the division of the land is to proceed based on God’s word, even before all enemies are removed, showing trust in God’s future action.
  • This instruction connects to the larger theme in Joshua of God’s faithfulness to His promises and the need for Israel to act in faith, even when the fulfillment is not yet visible.

Where else these words appear

“Misrephothmaim” Hebrew H4956 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 11:8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

“Sidonians” Hebrew H6722 · used in 15 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:9 ( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
  • Judges 18:7 Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.
  • 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

“Lebanon” Hebrew H3844 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.