God ordains the boundaries of Israel’s inheritance, demonstrates His power, and secures the promise that He will personally drive out their adversaries.
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians; I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you. (v.6) This declaration from the LORD makes clear that He is the one who enables Israel to possess the land. Joshua, who lived from about 1405 BC to an unknown date thought to be in the late 14th century BC, is given the responsibility to distribute territories even though some enemies still remain. The Sidonians mentioned here were inhabitants of the region of Sidon, an ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast in what is now Lebanon. The reference to Misrephoth-maim locates the northern boundary where Israel’s inheritance would extend, illustrating a broad region of land yet to be completely subdued by Israel.
When God says, I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel, (v.6) it signals His active role in Israel’s conquests. Though the people are commanded to fight and claim the land, the real power behind their success comes from the LORD. This territory extended to the high country of Lebanon, which in biblical times was known for its majestic cedar forests and represented the northern frontier of the Promised Land. God assures Joshua that, despite any apparent obstacles, the promise to give Israel a permanent inheritance will be fulfilled, reflecting the covenant-keeping nature of God that spans the entire Old Testament, and foreshadows the inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament (Ephesians 1:11).
The final command, only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you (v.6), emphasizes Joshua’s administrative duty—ensuring each tribe receives the portion God has appointed for them. Despite the remaining enemies, the distribution of land was to go forward in faith that the LORD would keep His pledge to finish what He started. This reflects the principle that God’s people can trust Him to complete His purposes even if they do not yet see all opposition removed (Philippians 1:6). Joshua’s role links him to Israel’s past under Moses’ leadership, while simultaneously setting up Israel’s future under a divine promise that will outlive him.
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Joshua 13:6 meaning
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians; I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you. (v.6) This declaration from the LORD makes clear that He is the one who enables Israel to possess the land. Joshua, who lived from about 1405 BC to an unknown date thought to be in the late 14th century BC, is given the responsibility to distribute territories even though some enemies still remain. The Sidonians mentioned here were inhabitants of the region of Sidon, an ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast in what is now Lebanon. The reference to Misrephoth-maim locates the northern boundary where Israel’s inheritance would extend, illustrating a broad region of land yet to be completely subdued by Israel.
When God says, I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel, (v.6) it signals His active role in Israel’s conquests. Though the people are commanded to fight and claim the land, the real power behind their success comes from the LORD. This territory extended to the high country of Lebanon, which in biblical times was known for its majestic cedar forests and represented the northern frontier of the Promised Land. God assures Joshua that, despite any apparent obstacles, the promise to give Israel a permanent inheritance will be fulfilled, reflecting the covenant-keeping nature of God that spans the entire Old Testament, and foreshadows the inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament (Ephesians 1:11).
The final command, only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you (v.6), emphasizes Joshua’s administrative duty—ensuring each tribe receives the portion God has appointed for them. Despite the remaining enemies, the distribution of land was to go forward in faith that the LORD would keep His pledge to finish what He started. This reflects the principle that God’s people can trust Him to complete His purposes even if they do not yet see all opposition removed (Philippians 1:6). Joshua’s role links him to Israel’s past under Moses’ leadership, while simultaneously setting up Israel’s future under a divine promise that will outlive him.