Joshua 13:6

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth–maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Joshua 13:6 (KJV)

Context

The book of Joshua records the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. Joshua succeeded Moses as leader, and this verse is part of God’s instructions for dividing the land among the tribes. The conquest of Canaan is moving into a new stage: the distribution of the territory that God has promised. This verse marks a clear transition from battles to the orderly assignment of inheritances.

Meaning

God names the remaining peoples in the northern hill country, from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, and the Sidonians. He promises, “them will I drive out from before the children of Israel.” The driving out is God’s own work, not Israel’s achievement. Then God commands Joshua to divide the land by lot as an inheritance, exactly as He had commanded. The land is a gift, received through God’s power and distributed in an orderly way under His direction. The geographical names show the northern regions that were not yet fully conquered, reminding readers that God’s promise covers every specific place.

Biblical connections

This promise echoes the earlier boundary description in Joshua 1:4, showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant. The land is called an inheritance, a word that appears throughout the Old Testament to describe what God gives His people, not what they earn. The command to divide by lot shows that the distribution follows God’s will, not human preference. God’s emphatic promise here also connects to His covenant faithfulness, assuring Joshua that the remaining conquest will be accomplished by His power.

Application

God’s promise to drive out the inhabitants teaches believers to trust that He will accomplish what He has pledged. Joshua still had to act: he was to divide the land. In the same way, believers receive God’s gifts through obedience to His instructions. The verse also calls for gratitude and stewardship, treating every blessing as a trust from God. The detailed boundaries remind readers that God cares about the concrete realities of life, not only spiritual ideals. Trust and obedience work together in the believer’s walk.

Reflection

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together. He drives out, and Joshua divides. Believers can rest in the certainty that God will fulfill His promises, while also taking the steps He commands. The inheritance is secure because it rests on God’s word, not on human effort. This verse invites readers to receive what God gives with thankful hearts and to manage it faithfully for His glory.