Bible Commentary: Joshua 13

You are here

Bible Commentary

Joshua 13

Login or Create an Account

With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later!

Sign In | Sign Up

×

The Unconquered Land and Eastern Inheritances 

Not all of the land was conquered in the previously described wars. There were still sections, such as the land of the Philistines in what is now known as the Gaza Strip, which the Israelites did not yet possess.

The land was divided among the tribes, but not all of the Canaanites were driven out. More details are given in the book of Judges (see Judges 1). So, too, are some of the reasons for God not driving them out (compare Judges 2; 3:1-6). The Israelites lacked the diligence, zeal and spirit to obey God, and God used the Canaanites to test them. In fact, the entire book of Judges is a chronicle of Israel's failures in this regard. Many victories (e.g., Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 5:6-10) waited 400 years until the days of David.