Bible Commentaries
Joshua 13

Verses 1-33

The second half of the Book of Joshua deals with the settlement of the people in the promised land. Dean Stanley says: "In the Book of Joshua we have what may without offense be termed The Domesday Book of the Conquest of Canaan.' Ten chapters of that Book are devoted to a description of the country in which not only are its general features and boundaries laid down, but the names and situations of its towns and villages enumerated with the precision of geographical terms which encourages, and almost compels a minute investigation."

It is not within the purpose of this book to follow such minute investigation, but the student of the Book of Joshua will surely wish to, with the aid of maps. We must, however, observe the relation of all this to the general movement. Now about ninety years old, Joshua was reminded that the conquest was by no means over. There remained much land to be possessed. In order that the chosen people might be able to complete the conquest and perfectly possess the land, it was now to be divided among them, so that the whole area might be covered. In this connection the provision a already made for the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan was ratified.