Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.

JOSHUA 23:4KJV
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Joshua 23:4 (KJV)

What does Joshua 23:4 mean?

Joshua 23:4 means that Joshua is reminding the Israelites he has divided the remaining nations in the land among their tribes as an inheritance, stretching from the Jordan River to the western Mediterranean Sea. He is emphasizing that God has helped remove other nations and that the land now belongs to the tribes of Israel.

Joshua, near the end of his life, is speaking to the leaders of Israel. He is summarizing how the land of Canaan has been allotted to each tribe, including areas not yet fully conquered. Joshua is making it clear that the boundaries of their inheritance are set, and that God’s promise about the land is being fulfilled.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 23:4

  • "Behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh, tagged as H7200) is a word used to draw attention, signaling the importance of what Joshua is about to say.
  • "Divided" (נָפַל, naphal, H5307) here often means "to assign by lot," highlighting that the land distribution was seen as guided by God, not just human decision.
  • "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah, H5159) refers to land given as a permanent possession, underlining that this was not just territory to occupy but a lasting gift from God to each tribe.
  • "Sea" (יָם, yam, H3220) is the Hebrew word for "sea," and in this context, it refers to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the western boundary of the land.

Why Joshua 23:4 matters

  • Joshua 23:4 clarifies that the division of the land was not random or incomplete; it was a deliberate act, fulfilling God’s promise to Israel.
  • The verse shows that even though some nations remained unconquered, their land was already considered part of Israel’s inheritance, pointing to faith in God’s continued help.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Joshua’s farewell speech, where he urges Israel to remain faithful to God as they settle in the land He has given them.

Where else these words appear

“westward” Hebrew H3996 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • 1 Chronicles 4:39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
  • Jeremiah 38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

“remain” 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.

“westward” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.