Joshua 13:1
New International Version
When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.

New Living Translation
When Joshua was an old man, the LORD said to him, “You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered.

English Standard Version
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed.

King James Bible
Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

New King James Version
Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the LORD said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.

New American Standard Bible
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and a very large amount of the land remains to be possessed.

NASB 1995
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.

NASB 1977
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Joshua was old, advanced in years, and Yahweh said to him, “You are old, advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.

Amplified Bible
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, “You have grown old and advanced in years, and very substantial portions of the land remain to be possessed.

Christian Standard Bible
Joshua was now old, advanced in age, and the LORD said to him, “You have become old, advanced in age, but a great deal of the land remains to be possessed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Joshua was now old, getting on in years, and the LORD said to him, “You have become old, getting on in years, but a great deal of the land remains to be possessed.

American Standard Version
Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years; and Jehovah said unto him, Thou art old and well stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

Contemporary English Version
Many years later, the LORD told Joshua: Now you are very old, but there is still a lot of land that Israel has not yet taken.

English Revised Version
Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and well stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua was old, near the end of his life. So the LORD said to him, "You are old, near the end of your life, and there is a lot of land left to be conquered.

Good News Translation
Joshua was now very old. The LORD said to him, "You are very old, but there is still much land to be taken:

International Standard Version
When Joshua had grown old, having lived many years, the LORD told him, "You are old and have lived many years, but much of the land still remains to be possessed.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed.

NET Bible
When Joshua was very old, the LORD told him, "You are very old, and a great deal of land remains to be conquered.

New Heart English Bible
Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years. The LORD said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the LORD said to him Thou art old and advanced in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

World English Bible
Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joshua is old, entering into days, and YHWH says to him, “You have become aged, you have entered into days; as for the land, very much has been left to possess.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua is old, entering into days, and Jehovah saith unto him, 'Thou hast become aged, thou hast entered into days; as to the land, very much hath been left to possess.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua an old man going in days; and Jehovah will say to him, Thou wert old, going in days, and the land being left very great to possess it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Josue 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:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Joshua was old and advanced in age, and the Lord said to him: “You have grown old, and are aged, and a very wide land remains, which has not yet been divided by lot,

New American Bible
When Joshua was old and advanced in years, the LORD said to him: Though now you are old and advanced in years, a very large part of the land still remains to be possessed.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land still remains to be possessed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the LORD said to him, Behold, you are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yeshua was old and advanced in years, and LORD JEHOVAH said to him: “Behold, you are old and have advanced in years, and there is very much land which remains to inherit
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him: 'Thou art old and well stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua was old and very advanced in years; and the Lord said to Joshua, Thou art advanced in years, and there is much land left to inherit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lands Yet Unconquered
1Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. 2This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,…

Cross References
Genesis 24:1
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

Deuteronomy 31:2
he said to them, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old; I am no longer able to come and go, and the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’

1 Kings 1:1
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.

1 Chronicles 23:1
When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.

2 Samuel 19:35
I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?

Genesis 18:11
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Genesis 21:7
She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Job 42:16-17
After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. / And so Job died, old and full of years.

Psalm 71:9
Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.

Psalm 92:14
In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

Luke 1:7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

Luke 2:29-32
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. / For my eyes have seen Your salvation, / which You have prepared in the sight of all people, ...

John 21:18
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

Philemon 1:9
I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.


Treasury of Scripture

Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said to him, You are old and stricken in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

A.

Isaiah 47:1-15
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate…

Joshua 14:10
And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

Joshua 23:1,2
And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age…

to be possessed [heb] to possess it

Deuteronomy 31:3
The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

Jump to Previous
Advanced Age Aged Areas Entered Entering Joshua Large Possess Possessed Possession Stricken
Jump to Next
Advanced Age Aged Areas Entered Entering Joshua Large Possess Possessed Possession Stricken
Joshua 13
1. The bounds of the land not yet conquered
8. The inheritance of the two tribes and a half
14. The Lord and his sacrifices are the inheritance of Levi
15. The bounds of the inheritance of Reuben
22. Balaam slain
24. The bounds of the inheritance of God
29. and of the half tribe of Manasseh














Now Joshua was old and advanced in years
The phrase "old and advanced in years" is a Hebrew expression that emphasizes not just the physical age of Joshua but also his maturity and the wisdom he has accumulated over time. In the Hebrew context, age is often associated with honor and respect, as seen in Leviticus 19:32, which instructs to "stand up in the presence of the aged." Joshua, having led the Israelites through numerous battles and having been a faithful servant of God, is now recognized for his lifetime of service. This acknowledgment of his age sets the stage for a transition in leadership and responsibility, reminding us that God's work continues beyond any single individual.

and the LORD said to him
The direct communication from the LORD to Joshua signifies the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leaders. Throughout the Old Testament, God speaks to His prophets and leaders, guiding them in their mission. This divine communication underscores the importance of listening to God's voice and being obedient to His commands. It also reassures us that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, providing direction and encouragement even as circumstances change.

You are old and advanced in years
The repetition of this phrase by the LORD serves to emphasize the reality of Joshua's situation. It is a gentle reminder that while Joshua's time as a leader is drawing to a close, God's plans are not hindered by human limitations. This repetition also highlights the importance of acknowledging our own limitations and the need to rely on God's strength and provision. It is a call to humility and trust in God's sovereignty over our lives and the unfolding of His purposes.

but very much of the land remains to be possessed
This statement reveals the unfinished task before the Israelites. Despite the victories and progress made under Joshua's leadership, there is still work to be done. The land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not yet fully occupied. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to continue pursuing God's promises and purposes, even when challenges remain. It is a reminder that the journey of faith is ongoing and requires perseverance and faithfulness. The phrase also points to the collective responsibility of the community of believers to carry forward God's mission, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation in fulfilling God's plans.

XIII.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY TO BE DIVIDED

(Joshua 13:1-14).

(b) According to its boundaries.

(1) Joshua was old and stricken in years.--Rather, he had aged, and was advanced in days. Old is too absolute a word. He did not live beyond a hundred and ten years (Joshua 24:29), and this was not a great age for the time. But in several instances the Hebrew word here employed is used not so much in respect of the number of years men lived, but rather in regard to the weakening of the vital powers. So it is said in Genesis 27, "Isaac was old," i.e., he had aged, for he lived forty-three years after that. So in regard to David, "the king was very old," i.e., much aged, in 1Kings 1:15, for he could not have been more than seventy when he died. The hardships and anxieties of his life had aged him. So it was perhaps with Joshua. Moses was a signal exception; he had not aged at one hundred and twenty. But Jehovah constantly talked with Moses, and knew him face to face; and may we not say that that heavenly intercourse even sustained the vital powers? The work of the Lord, though it be successfully carried on, as it was by Joshua, may wear men out by its very excitement. But personal intercourse with Him is like eating of the tree of life, and "in His presence is the fulness of joy." In this personal intercourse Moses was more highly favoured than his successor, Joshua.

(1, 7) There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed . . . Now therefore divide this land.--The land had still to be inherited--i.e., not overrun, or conquered, as far as it could be said to be conquered by defeating the armies that took the field; all this was done already, but the land had not passed out of the hands of its actual possessors into the hands of Israel. It is remarkable that we have here a distinct order given to Joshua to divide to Israel land which was not yet conquered. In these verses several nations are named--viz., the Philistines, the Geshurites, the Avites, the Giblites, the Sidonians, besides anything more which may be included in the sometimes generic, and sometimes more specific, name of the Canaanites. Of these tribes, the Philistines and "all the Sidonians" (or Ph?nicians) were certainly not yet conquered. Can we say that they were ever conquered at any period in the history of the kingdom of all Israel, except in so far as they were reduced to the condition of tributaries? . . .

Verse 1. - NOW Joshua was old. This is usually regarded as the second part of the Book of Joshua; the first being devoted to the history of the conquest of Palestine, while the second is engaged with the history of its division among the conquerors. Dean Stanley, in his 'Sinai and Palestine,' as well as in his 'Lectures on the History of the Jewish Church,' describes this portion of the Book of Judges as the 'Domes. day Book' of the land of Canaan, and the remark has been constantly repeated. There is, however, a considerable difference between the great survey of the Conqueror and this one. The former was an accurate account, for purposes of taxation, national detente, and public order, of the exact extent of soil owned by each landowner, and it went so far as to enumerate the cattle on his estate, to the great disgust of the Saxon chronicler, who had an Englishman's dislike of inquisitorial proceedings. There is no trace either of such completeness, or of such an inquisitorial character in this survey, neither has it quite the same object. It assigns to each tribe the limits of its future possessions, and enumerates the cities contained in each portion of territory. Bat it makes scarcely any effort to describe the possessions of particular families, still less of individual landowners. Joshua and Caleb are the only exceptions. Knobel observes that the most powerful tribes were first settled in their territory - those, namely, of Judah and Joseph. He remarks that the author must have had written sources for his information, for no single Israelite could have been personally acquainted with all the details here given. And stricken in years. Rather, advanced in age. There is no foundation for the idea of some commentators that the Jews, at the time this book was written, made any formal distinction in these words between different stages of old age. The Hebrew language rejoiced in repetition, and this common phrase is only a means of adding emphasis to the statement already made. And there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. The Hebrew מְאֹד is stronger than our version. Perhaps the best equivalent in modern English is, "And the amount of land that remaineth for us to occupy is very great indeed." We may observe here that, as with the literal so with the spiritual Israel, whether the antitype be the Christian Church or the human heart, the work of subduing God's enemies is gradual. One successful engagement does not conclude the war. The enemy renews his assaults, and when force fails he tries fraud; when direct temptations are of no avail he resorts to enticements. The only safeguard in the war is strength, alertness, courage, patience. The faint hearted and unwatchful alike fail in the contest, which can be carried on successfully only by him who has learned to keep guard over himself, and to direct his ways by the counsels of God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Joshua
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ (wî·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

was old
זָקֵ֔ן (zā·qên)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old

[and] advanced
בָּ֖א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in years,
בַּיָּמִ֑ים (bay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

and the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“You
אַתָּ֤ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have become old
זָקַ֙נְתָּה֙ (zā·qan·tāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old

[and] advanced
בָּ֣אתָ (bā·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in years,
בַיָּמִ֔ים (ḇay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

but very much
הַרְבֵּֽה־ (har·bêh-)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

of the land
וְהָאָ֛רֶץ (wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

remains
נִשְׁאֲרָ֥ה (niš·’ă·rāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

to be possessed.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ (lə·riš·tāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin


Links
Joshua 13:1 NIV
Joshua 13:1 NLT
Joshua 13:1 ESV
Joshua 13:1 NASB
Joshua 13:1 KJV

Joshua 13:1 BibleApps.com
Joshua 13:1 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 13:1 Chinese Bible
Joshua 13:1 French Bible
Joshua 13:1 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and well stricken (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 12:24
Top of Page
Top of Page