Overview
Joshua 13 marks a transition from the conquest narratives to the allocation of the land among the tribes of Israel. This chapter outlines the distribution of both unconquered lands in Canaan and the territories on the east side of the Jordan River. Key aspects include:
Remaining Unconquered Lands: The chapter begins with God telling Joshua that there are still large areas of land to be taken, including regions of the Philistines, Geshurites, and various Canaanite territories.
Allocation to the Eastern Tribes: The narrative shifts to the territories east of the Jordan, which Moses had previously allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The boundaries and cities within these territories are described in detail.
Land of the Reubenites: The land allotted to the Reubenites includes areas from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Gorge and the city in the middle of the gorge, extending to the Jabbok River, which is the border with the Ammonites.
Territory of the Gadites: The territory of the Gadites is described, including Jazer, all the towns of Gilead, and half of the land of the Ammonites to Aroer near Rabbah.
Half-Tribe of Manasseh: The half-tribe of Manasseh's territory is outlined, encompassing Mahanaim, all of Bashan (the kingdom of Og), and the settlements of Jair in Bashan, including sixty towns.
Moses’ Allocation of Land: The chapter reiterates that these lands were allocated by Moses when the Israelites were in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho. However, Moses did not give any inheritance to the tribe of Levi; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He promised them.
Joshua 13 serves as a pivotal chapter in the Book of Joshua, bridging the conquest of the land with the practical matter of dividing it among the tribes. It underscores the fulfillment of the Israelites' inheritance and God's promise to the patriarchs, with specific attention to the tribes that settled east of the Jordan River. This allocation of land sets the stage for the detailed descriptions of the tribal territories in the chapters that follow.