The territories mentioned in Joshua 13:3 remain a reminder of Israel’s unfinished task and God’s call for His people to depend on Him for the full inheritance of His promises.
“from the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; also the Avvite” (v.3). In this passage, Joshua receives the LORD’s list of unconquered territories that still remained among the lands promised to Israel, underscoring the ongoing challenge of driving out the remaining inhabitants. Though Joshua’s leadership had already resulted in many victories since around 1406 BC, from the Shihor which is east of Egypt to the border of Ekron constituted a stretch of lands—populated by the Philistines and other groups—that had not fully come under Israelite control. The LORD identifies the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite, reinforcing that Israel’s conquest, while significant, was incomplete.
Many of these Philistine cities lay along the coastal plains southwest of Canaan. For instance, Ekron was the most northerly of the major Philistine cities and remained outside Joshua’s conquests as described in this verse. During the distribution of the land, Ekron was given first to Judah and then assigned to Dan, yet it reverted back to Philistine control at various points in Israel’s history. This region was strategically important, often controlling trade routes and access to the sea. The mention of the Avvite also highlights another group living near the southern coastal region, indicating the diverse inhabitants who filled the landscape that God had designated for Israel, but which would require further obedience and faith to fully possess.
By noting it is counted as Canaanite, the text stresses that these territories, though geographically near Egypt and the edge of the Promised Land, were still recognized as outside Israel’s governance at the time. The LORD’s directive for Joshua and future generations was to rely on Him for continued victories, reminding the people that His promise included, yet also required, their persistent trust and commitment. In later narratives, the land divisions and subsequent attempts at conquest would persist through varied degrees of success, signaling Israel’s ongoing need to walk faithfully before the LORD.
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Joshua 13:3 meaning
“from the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; also the Avvite” (v.3). In this passage, Joshua receives the LORD’s list of unconquered territories that still remained among the lands promised to Israel, underscoring the ongoing challenge of driving out the remaining inhabitants. Though Joshua’s leadership had already resulted in many victories since around 1406 BC, from the Shihor which is east of Egypt to the border of Ekron constituted a stretch of lands—populated by the Philistines and other groups—that had not fully come under Israelite control. The LORD identifies the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite, reinforcing that Israel’s conquest, while significant, was incomplete.
Many of these Philistine cities lay along the coastal plains southwest of Canaan. For instance, Ekron was the most northerly of the major Philistine cities and remained outside Joshua’s conquests as described in this verse. During the distribution of the land, Ekron was given first to Judah and then assigned to Dan, yet it reverted back to Philistine control at various points in Israel’s history. This region was strategically important, often controlling trade routes and access to the sea. The mention of the Avvite also highlights another group living near the southern coastal region, indicating the diverse inhabitants who filled the landscape that God had designated for Israel, but which would require further obedience and faith to fully possess.
By noting it is counted as Canaanite, the text stresses that these territories, though geographically near Egypt and the edge of the Promised Land, were still recognized as outside Israel’s governance at the time. The LORD’s directive for Joshua and future generations was to rely on Him for continued victories, reminding the people that His promise included, yet also required, their persistent trust and commitment. In later narratives, the land divisions and subsequent attempts at conquest would persist through varied degrees of success, signaling Israel’s ongoing need to walk faithfully before the LORD.