Joshua 13 5

Joshua 13:5 kjv

And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

Joshua 13:5 nkjv

the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath;

Joshua 13:5 niv

the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

Joshua 13:5 esv

and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,

Joshua 13:5 nlt

the land of the Gebalites and all of the Lebanon mountain area to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath;

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 5 Meaning

This verse delineates specific territories in the far northern reaches of the promised land that, at the time of Joshua's old age, had not yet been fully taken by the Israelites. It specifies a large and valuable expanse, including the coastal region inhabited by the Giblites, the vast Cedar-rich mountains of Lebanon extending eastward, and geographically bounded from Baal-gad near Mount Hermon to the critical northern pass known as "the entrance of Hamath," thereby defining the complete, yet unfulfilled, extent of their inheritance.

Joshua 13 5 Context

Joshua chapter 13 transitions the narrative from the period of active military conquest to the allocation of tribal inheritances. The chapter opens with God informing an aged Joshua that while significant territory has been subdued, "very much of the land still remains to be possessed" (v. 1). This verse (13:5) falls within a detailed enumeration of these specific unconquered territories, predominantly in the northern parts of Canaan, stretching far beyond what Israel currently occupied. Historically, these areas included powerful Phoenician cities and strategic mountain ranges, inhabited by diverse peoples. The identification of Baal-gad under Mount Hermon and "the entrance of Hamath" provides precise geographical markers that would have been well-understood by the original Israelite audience, signaling the vast and formidable nature of the land that remained as part of God's divine promise, yet was awaiting their full obedience and active possession.

Joshua 13 5 Word analysis

• and the land: Signifies a distinct geographical region. Emphasizes God's promised inheritance.

• of the Giblites: From Hebrew הַגִּבְלִי (ha-Giblī), meaning "the Gebalite" or "inhabitant of Gebal." Gebal is the ancient city of Byblos, located on the Mediterranean coast north of Sidon. These people were renowned for their skilled stonemasonry and maritime activity (1 Kgs 5:18, Ezek 27:9), indicating formidable and influential neighbors whose territory remained unpossessed.

• and all Lebanon: From Hebrew לְבָנוֹן (Levanon). Refers to the significant mountain range north of Canaan, famous for its cedar trees and rich timber resources (Deu 3:25). This was a major strategic and economic asset in the ancient Near East, here denoting a large and largely unconquered forested and mountainous territory.

• toward the sunrising: From Hebrew מִזְרַח הַשָּׁמֶשׁ (mizraḥ ha-šāmeš), literally "rising of the sun," meaning "eastward." This specifies the eastern slopes or parts of the Lebanon range, indicating that the unconquered land extended significantly inland from the Mediterranean coast.

• from Baal-gad: From Hebrew בַּעַל גָּד (Baʿal Gāḏ), meaning "Lord of Fortune." A place identified with a prominent Canaanite deity (Baal), signifying an active center of pagan worship. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, it marked a key southern point of this specified unconquered region, effectively acting as Israel's most northern point of conquest up to this time (Josh 11:17).

• under Mount Hermon: From Hebrew הַר חֶרְמוֹן (Har Ḥermon). The majestic, snow-capped Mount Hermon is the highest peak of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. It was a famous geographical landmark and a natural northern boundary marker (Deu 3:8, Ps 133:3), situating Baal-gad precisely relative to a recognizable, formidable landmark.

• unto the entrance of Hamath: From Hebrew לְבֹא חֲמָת (Lĕvōʾ Ḥamāṯ), meaning "to the entering in of Hamath" or "to the approach of Hamath." This refers to a major city-state on the Orontes River in central Syria. "The entrance" is likely a pass or strategic route leading into the Hamath region, consistently depicted in biblical texts as the absolute northern limit of the idealized promised land (Num 34:8, 1 Kgs 8:65, Ezek 47:15). Its mention highlights the vast scope of the divine promise yet to be fully realized.

• and the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising: This grouping of terms describes the entire breadth of the unconquered northern territory, encompassing both the significant coastal regions associated with skilled artisans and the extensive, valuable inland mountainous and forested areas.

• from Baal-gad under Mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath: This phrase meticulously outlines the specific geographical extent of this northern unpossessed land. It establishes clear, well-known boundaries, stretching from a recognizable southern limit up to the maximal, ideal northern extent of the divinely promised territory. This indicates both the precision of the divine command and the considerable task still awaiting Israel.

Joshua 13 5 Bonus section

• Divine Faithfulness vs. Human Incompleteness: The detail of these unpossessed territories, directly from God to Joshua, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His comprehensive land promise. However, it implicitly points to Israel's incompleteness in their obedience and possession. The unfulfilled mandate wasn't due to God's inability but Israel's limitations or choices.
• Symbolic Significance of Unconquered Ground: The existence of these remaining regions can be seen as God's deliberate strategy to leave some nations in the land, testing Israel's obedience and providing opportunities to train them in warfare (Judg 3:1-4). This perspective introduces the idea of challenges as pathways to spiritual growth and character formation.
• Later Historical Context: Many of these regions remained largely unconquered by Israelite tribes until the united monarchy under David and Solomon, who extended their dominion to reach closer to these promised borders, specifically reaching the "entrance of Hamath" (1 Kgs 8:65, 2 Kgs 14:25). This shows the full scope of God's promise was indeed attainable, though often not fully realized by the tribes during the period of judges or later due to cycles of apostasy.

Joshua 13 5 Commentary

Joshua 13:5 presents a poignant reality check after years of significant military victories: God's covenant promise for Israel's inheritance extended far beyond what they had currently possessed. The enumeration of these specific, formidable northern territories – from the bustling region of the Giblites and the vast expanse of Lebanon, geographically defined between Baal-gad and the distant "entrance of Hamath" – underscores the gap between the divine ideal and the human achievement. It highlights that while God had granted the land, its full possession required continued faith, courage, and obedience from the Israelites. This unpossessed land serves as a powerful theological symbol: it represents areas in God's call or our spiritual lives where divine promise meets human responsibility and potential areas of unfinished business or unapplied grace. The presence of place names linked to pagan worship like "Baal-gad" also serves as a subtle reminder of the ongoing spiritual warfare and the need for thorough cleansing of the land. It’s a call to persistent discipleship and a reminder that true rest and complete inheritance often follow sustained faithfulness.