Joshua – Chapter 13

Old Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 13 of Joshua begins: "Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large…" The chapter centers on Moses, Manasses and Joshua. Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large country left, which is not yet divided by lot:

2To wit, all Galilee, Philistia, and all Gessuri.

3From the troubled river, that watereth Egypt, unto the border of Accaron northward: the land of Chanaan, which is divided among the lords of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Azotians, the Ascalonites, the Gethites, and the Accronites.

4And on the south side are the Hevites, all the land of Chanaan, and Maara of the Sidonians as far as Apheca, and the borders of the Amorrhite,

5And his confines. The country also of Libanus towards the east from Baalgad under mount Hermon to the entering into Emath.

6Of all that dwell in the mountains from Libanus, to the waters of Maserephoth, and all the Sidonians. I am he that will cut them off from before the face of the children of Israel. So let their land come in as a part of the inheritance of Israel, as I have commanded thee.

7And now divide the land in possession to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe of Manasses,

8With whom Ruben and Gad have possessed the land, which Moses the servant of the Lord delivered to them beyond the river Jordan, on the east side.

9From Aroer, which is upon the bank of the torrent Arnon, and in the midst of the valley and all the plains of Medaba, as far as Dibon:

10And all the cities of Sehon, king of the Amorrhites, who reigned in Hesebon, unto the borders of the children of Ammon.

11And Galaad, and the borders of Gessuri and Machati, and all mount Hermon, and all Basan as far as Salecha,

12All the kingdom of Og in Basan, who reigned in Astaroth and Edrai, he was of the remains of the Raphaims: and Moses overthrew and destroyed them.

13And the children of Israel would not destroy Gessuri and Machati and they have dwelt in the midst of Israel, until this present day.

14But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: but the sacrifices and victims of thee Lord God of Israel, are his inheritance, as he spoke to him.

15And Moses gave a possession to the children of Ruben according to their kindreds.

16And their border was from Aroer, which is on the bank of the torrent Arnon, and in the midst of the valley of the same torrent: all the plain, that leadeth to Medaba,

17And Hesebon, and all their villages, which are in the plains. Dibon also, and Bamothbaal, and the town of Baalmaon,

18And Jassa, and Cidimoth, and Mephaath,

19And Cariathaim, and Sabama, and Sarathasar in the mountain of the valley.

20Bethphogor and Asedoth, Phasga and Bethiesimoth,

21And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdoms of Sehon king of the Amorrhites, that reigned in Hesebon, whom Moses slew with the princes of Madian: Hevi, and Recem, and Sur and Hur, and Rebe, dukes of Sehon inhabitants of the land.

22Balaam also the son of Beor the soothsayer, the children of Israel slew with the sword among the rest that were slain.

23And the river Jordan was the border of the children of Ruben. This is the possession of the Rubenites, by their kindreds, of cities and villages.

24And Moses gave to the tribe of Gad and to his children by their kindreds a possession, of which this is the division.

25The border of Jaser, and all the cities of Galaad, and half the land of the children of Ammon: as far as Aroer which is over against Rabba:

26And from Hesebon unto Ramoth, Masphe and Betonim: and from Manaim unto the borders of Dabir.

27And in the valley Betharan and Bethnemra, and Socoth, and Saphon the other part of the kingdom of Sehon king of Hesebon: the limit of this also is the Jordan, as far as the uttermost part of the sea of Cenereth beyond the Jordan on the east side,

28This is the possession of the children of Gad by their families, their cities, and villages.

29He gave also to the half tribe of Manasses and his children possession according to their kindreds,

30The beginning whereof is this: from Manaim all Basan, and all the kingdoms of Og king of Basan, and all the villages of Jair, which are in Basan, threescore towns.

31And half Galaad, and Astaroth, and Edrai, cities of the kingdom of Og in Basan: to the children of Machir, the son of Manasses, to one half of the children of Machir according to their kindreds.

32This possession Moses divided in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, over against Jericho on the east side,

33But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their possession, as he spoke to them.

Important Verses in Joshua 13

Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large country left, which is not yet divided by lot:

Joshua 13:1

With whom Ruben and Gad have possessed the land, which Moses the servant of the Lord delivered to them beyond the river Jordan, on the east side.

Joshua 13:8

But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: but the sacrifices and victims of thee Lord God of Israel, are his inheritance, as he spoke to him.

Joshua 13:14

But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their possession, as he spoke to them.

Joshua 13:33

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Joshua was written with israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises in view. Chapter 13 of 24 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses, Manasses and Joshua, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there…" It concludes: "But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their possession, as he…" In terms of historical background, Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Joshua around Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large country left, which is…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2559). Here, Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Moses6 mentionsManasses3 mentionsJoshua1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Joshua Chapter 13 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

May your reading of Joshua Chapter 13 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God fulfills His promises applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 13 about?

Joshua 13 contains 33 verses. It opens with "Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there…" and closes with "But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their possession, as he…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Joshua was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large country left, which is not yet divided by…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 13?

This chapter mentions Moses, Manasses, Joshua.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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