Joshua 13:1-21:45

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 13:1-6

Here, I. God puts Joshua in mind of his old age, Josh. 13:1. 1. It is said that Joshua was old and stricken in years, and he and Caleb were at this time the only old men among the thousands of Israel, none except them of all those who were numbered at Mount Sinai being now alive. He had been a man of war from his youth (Exod. 17:10); but now he yielded to the infirmities of age, with which it is in vain for the stoutest to think of contesting. It should seem Joshua had not the same strength... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 13:1

Now Joshua was old, and stricken in years ,.... How old he was cannot be said precisely, but it is very probable he was now about an hundred years of age, for he lived to be an hundred ten; and the land of Canaan was seven years in dividing, as the Jews generally say, and it seems as if he did not live long after that: and the Lord said unto him : either spoke to him out of the tabernacle, or appeared to him in a dream or vision: thou art old, and stricken in years, and there... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 13:1

Joshua was old - He is generally reputed to have been at this time about a hundred years of age: he had spent about seven years in the conquest of the land, and is supposed to have employed about one year in dividing it; and he died about ten years after, aged one hundred and ten years. It is very likely that he intended to subdue the whole land before he made the division of it among the tribes; but God did not think proper to have this done. So unfaithful were the Israelites that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 13:1

Verse 1 1.Now Joshua was old, etc (127) Since we have seen above that the land was pacified by the subjugation of thirty-one kings, it is probable that some cessation now took place for the purpose of resting from their fatigues, lest the people should be worn out by continual service. Nor could that justly be blamed, provided they rested only for a time and continued always intent on the goal set before them. But lest that intermission which was given for the purpose of recruiting new vigor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 13:1

EXPOSITION THE DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY .— Now Joshua was old. This is usually regarded as the second part of the Book of Joshua; the first being devoted to the history of the conquest of Palestine, while the second is engaged with the history of its division among the conquerors. Dean Stanley, in his 'Sinai and Palestine,' as well as in his 'Lectures on the History of the Jewish Church,' describes this portion of the Book of Judges as the 'Domes. day Book' of the land... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 13:1

Life ending and the work not done. The rest of the land from war, then ( Joshua 12:23 ), was not that of final and completed victory. It was only a temporary truce. The whole land was not yet in the possession of Israel, but enough of it was subdued to prove God's absolute sovereignty over it. And now rest is needful to review the field and secure the ends that have been so far gained. Joshua is too old any longer to carry on the strife, but there is a work that he can do, and which must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 13:1

Old age. The most active servant of God may be overtaken by old ago before he has completed what he believes to be the task of his life. This fact suggests various reflections. I. THE GREATNESS OF DUTY AND THE LIMITS OF TIME TOGETHER URGE UPON US THE NEED FOR DILIGENT SERVICE . II. IN GOD 'S SIGHT THAT LIVE IS FINISHED WHICH HAS ACCOMPLISHED ALL WITHIN ITS POWER . Life is long enough for all that God requires of us. We... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 13:1

Joshua is bidden to allot the whole of the promised land among the twelve tribes in faith that God would perfect in due time that expulsion of the Canaanites which Joshua himself could not carry further (see Joshua 11:23). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 13:1

Joshua 13:1. Now Joshua was old To what age Joshua was advanced we cannot determine, because we do not know how old he was when the Israelites came out of Egypt. Some think he was three and forty at that time, and then he was fourscore and three when they came into Canaan. And now, it may be gathered from probable conjectures, that he wanted not much of a hundred. And, in this declining age, he could not hope to live to conquer what remained of the land unsubdued, and therefore he was to go... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 13:1-33

13:1-22:34 DIVISION OF THE LANDAll the land that Israel had conquered was now divided among the twelve tribes. The list of tribal boundaries may not make very interesting reading today, but it was necessary for Israel as a permanent and lawful record to which people could refer if any disagreement arose. It also told the tribes of the enemies that had yet to be destroyed, both within their own tribal areas and in lands round about.Overall plan for the division (13:1-14:5)The area west of... read more

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