“From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites.”
Context:The verse is part of the book of Joshua, which describes the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua after the death of Moses. In this particular chapter, Joshua is old, and the Lord commands him to divide the remaining land among the tribes of Israel.
Geographic References:The verse begins by mentioning several geographical locations. Sihor refers to the river Nile, which is situated before Egypt. Ekron is a city located in the territory of the Philistines, northward from Egypt. It was one of the five major Philistine cities, along with Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Gath.
The Philistines:The verse identifies the five major Philistine cities, each governed by a lord. The Philistines were a non‑Semitic people who settled along the coast of Canaan. They were known for their advanced military technology and their constant conflicts with the Israelites.
The Avites:In addition to the Philistines, the verse mentions the Avites. The Avites were the original inhabitants of the city of Gaza before the Philistines conquered it. The Avites were likely absorbed into Philistine society and culture.
Spiritual Significance:This verse highlights the presence of the Philistines in the land that had been allotted to the Israelites. It serves as a reminder that the Israelites had not fully possessed all the land promised to them by God. The presence of these foreign nations posed a challenge to the Israelites’ obedience to God’s command to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land.
Lessons for Today:Joshua 13:3 teaches us several lessons. Firstly, it reminds us of the importance of being faithful and obedient to God’s commands. The Israelites were instructed to drive out all the inhabitants of the land, but they failed to do so completely, and this had long‑term consequences for their relationship with these neighboring nations. Secondly, this verse underscores the reality that the promises of God may require ongoing effort and perseverance. The Israelites had been given the land as a promise, but possessing it required continuous battles and struggles against the inhabitants. Lastly, Joshua 13:3 serves as a reminder of the consequences of compromise and incomplete obedience. The failure to fully remove the Philistines and other Canaanite nations from the land resulted in continuous conflicts and challenges for the Israelites throughout their history.
