Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain—the nations I conquered—between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. New Living Translation I have allotted to you as your homeland all the land of the nations yet unconquered, as well as the land of those we have already conquered—from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. English Standard Version Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. Berean Standard Bible See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. Berean Literal Bible See, I have divided by lot to you⁺ these remaining nations, to be an inheritance for your⁺ tribes, from the Jordan, and with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. King James Bible Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. New King James Version See, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward. New American Standard Bible See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have eliminated, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the west. NASB 1995 “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. NASB 1977 “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. Legacy Standard Bible See, I have allotted to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. Amplified Bible See, I have allotted to you these nations that remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan [on the east] to the Great [Mediterranean] Sea toward the setting sun. Berean Annotated Bible See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your⁺ tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan (flowing down) westward to the Great Sea (the Mediterranean Sea). Christian Standard Bible See, I have allotted these remaining nations to you as an inheritance for your tribes, including all the nations I have destroyed, from the Jordan westward to the Mediterranean Sea. Holman Christian Standard Bible See, I have allotted these remaining nations to you as an inheritance for your tribes, including all the nations I have destroyed, from the Jordan westward to the Mediterranean Sea. American Standard Version Behold, I have allotted unto you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun. English Revised Version Behold, I have allotted unto you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun. GOD'S WORD® Translation I have given you the territory of the nations that still remain as an inheritance for your tribes. This includes the territory of all the nations I have already destroyed from the Jordan River westward to the Mediterranean Sea. Good News Translation I have assigned as the possession of your tribes the land of the nations that are still left, as well as of all the nations that I have already conquered, from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. International Standard Version Now look, I have allocated these nations that remain as an inheritance for your tribes, including all of the nations that I have eliminated, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea to the west. NET Bible See, I have parceled out to your tribes these remaining nations, from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the nations I defeated. New Heart English Bible Look, I have allotted to you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea westward. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSee, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. World English Bible Behold, I have allotted to you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea toward the going down of the sun. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionsee, I have caused these nations who are left to fall to you for an inheritance to your tribes, from the Jordan (and all the nations which I cut off), and the Great Sea [at] the [setting] sun. Berean Literal Bible See, I have divided by lot to you⁺ these remaining nations, to be an inheritance for your⁺ tribes, from the Jordan, and with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. Young's Literal Translation see, I have caused to fall to you these nations who are left for an inheritance to your tribes, from the Jordan, (and all the nations which I cut off), and the great sea, the going in of the sun. Smith's Literal Translation See, I cast to you in lot these nations having been left in inheritance to your tribes from Jordan, and all the nations which I cut off, and the great, sea, from the going down of the sun. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd now since he hath divided to you by lot all the land, from the east of the Jordan unto the great sea, and many nations yet remain: Catholic Public Domain Version And now, since he has divided to you by lot all the land, from the eastern part of the Jordan even to the great sea, and yet many nations still remain, New American Bible See, I have apportioned among your tribes as their heritage the nations that survive, as well as those I destroyed, between the Jordan and the Great Sea in the west. New Revised Standard Version I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, I have not divided to you the land of these nations that remain, in the inheritance of your tribes; but from the Jordan, all the nations that I have destroyed, even to the Great Sea westward, have I divided among you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated See that I have not divided to you these nations that are left in the inheritance of your tribes from the Jordan; and all the nations that I put to the sword, and the Great Sea in the west I have divided to you OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, I have allotted unto you for an inheritance, according to your tribes, these nations that remain, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun. Brenton Septuagint Translation See, that I have given to you these nations that are left to you by lots to your tribes, all the nations beginning at Jordan; and some I have destroyed; and the boundaries shall be at the great sea westward. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joshua's Charge to Leaders…3“and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you. 4See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. 5The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.… Cross References See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes Joshua 13:7 Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” Numbers 34:13 So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. Joshua 14:2 Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. these remaining nations, Judges 3:1-2 These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan, / if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly: Deuteronomy 7:22 The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you. Exodus 23:30 Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land. including all the nations I have already cut off, Deuteronomy 2:31-33 Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” / So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. / And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army. Deuteronomy 3:2-3 But the LORD said to me, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” / So the LORD our God also delivered Og king of Bashan and his whole army into our hands. We struck them down until no survivor was left. Joshua 24:11-13 After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand. / I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you, but not by your own sword or bow. / So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build, and now you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’ from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. Joshua 1:4 Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea. Numbers 34:5-6 where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea. / Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west. Deuteronomy 11:24 Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea. Deuteronomy 11:23-24 then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and stronger than you. / Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea. Numbers 34:2-12 “Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries: / Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, / cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon, … Genesis 15:18-21 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— / the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, / Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, … Exodus 23:31 And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. Treasury of Scripture Behold, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea westward. Behold Joshua 13:2,6,7 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri, … Joshua 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions. westward [heb] at the sunset Jump to Previous Allotted Already Apportioned Conquered Cut Divided Heritage Inheritance Jordan Lot Nations Remember Sea Setting Sun Together Tribes WestJump to Next Allotted Already Apportioned Conquered Cut Divided Heritage Inheritance Jordan Lot Nations Remember Sea Setting Sun Together Tribes WestJoshua 23 1. Joshua's exhortation before his death3. by former benefits 5. by promises 11. and by threatenings See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes This phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites regarding the land of Canaan. The concept of "inheritance" is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land (Genesis 15:18-21). The division of the land among the tribes of Israel was a significant event, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the realization of His promises. The term "allotted" indicates a deliberate and divinely guided distribution, reflecting God's sovereignty and the importance of each tribe's role in the nation of Israel. these remaining nations including all the nations I have already cut off from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is delivering a farewell address to the Israelites in this chapter. 2. The Tribes of Israel The twelve tribes that descended from the sons of Jacob, each receiving a portion of the Promised Land as their inheritance. 3. The Nations Refers to the remaining Canaanite nations that were not yet fully conquered by the Israelites. These nations were to be driven out as part of God's command. 4. The Jordan River A significant geographical boundary for the Israelites, marking the eastern border of the Promised Land. 5. The Great Sea Known today as the Mediterranean Sea, it marked the western boundary of the land promised to the Israelites. Teaching Points Faithfulness in InheritanceGod is faithful to His promises, as seen in the allotment of the land to Israel. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises in their lives. Obedience to God's Commands Just as Israel was commanded to drive out the nations, believers are called to remove sin and idolatry from their lives, ensuring that nothing hinders their relationship with God. Spiritual Inheritance The physical inheritance of land for Israel points to the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ. This includes eternal life and the blessings of being part of God's family. Boundaries and Blessings The boundaries of the Promised Land were set by God, symbolizing His provision and protection. Believers are encouraged to recognize and respect the boundaries God sets in their lives for their good. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 23:4?2. How does Joshua 23:4 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What does dividing the land teach about God's provision and sovereignty? 4. How can we trust God's promises like Israel trusted in Joshua 23:4? 5. What similar promises does God make to believers in the New Testament? 6. How can we apply the concept of inheritance in our spiritual lives today? 7. How does Joshua 23:4 reflect God's promise to Israel regarding the land inheritance? 8. What historical evidence supports the territorial boundaries mentioned in Joshua 23:4? 9. How does Joshua 23:4 influence the understanding of God's covenant with Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 23? 11. Does Joshua 23:7’s directive to avoid pagan nations conflict with biblical accounts of alliances Israel made in subsequent books? 12. How do skeptics address the scientific plausibility of defining such precise borders in a largely nomadic context described elsewhere in the Pentateuch? 13. Joshua 1:4 - Does the text exaggerate Israel's borders, given the lack of historical records showing Israel ever controlled all the land from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean? 14. Joshua 1:10-11 - If the Israelites were so close to fulfilling God's promise of rest, why was there still so much warfare and conflict ahead? What Does Joshua 23:4 Mean SeeJoshua begins, “See,” calling the people to look with their own eyes at what God has done. It resembles Moses’ invitation, “See the salvation that the LORD will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13) and Samuel’s, “Consider what great things He has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24). • Faith is anchored in observable acts of God, not wishful thinking (Psalm 105:5). • Seeing leads to remembering and obeying (Deuteronomy 4:9). I have allotted as an inheritance Joshua, acting under divine authority, has divided the land exactly as promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21) and detailed by Moses (Numbers 34:2). Paul echoes the concept when he says the Father “has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints” (Colossians 1:12). • “Allotted” shows God’s orderly fairness (Joshua 18:10). • “Inheritance” underscores grace—Israel didn’t earn the land (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). • The promise carries legal weight because God Himself guarantees it (Hebrews 6:17-18). To your tribes Each tribe—Judah, Ephraim, Benjamin, and the rest—receives its own territory (Joshua 19:51). • Tribal borders fulfill Jacob’s ancient blessings (Genesis 49). • Distinct portions foster responsibility yet preserve unity (Joshua 22:4; 1 Corinthians 12:18). These remaining nations Not every enemy is gone; God leaves some nations so Israel learns dependence (Judges 3:1-2; Exodus 23:29-30). • Unfinished work requires perseverance (Philippians 3:12-14). • Compromise with these people later brings grief (Judges 2:2-3). Including all the nations I have already cut off Past victories—Jericho, Ai, the southern and northern coalitions (Joshua 6; 8; 10:42; 11:12-15)—prove God’s power. • Remembered deliverances inspire fresh courage (1 Samuel 17:37; Psalm 77:11). • The same God who secured earlier wins will finish the job. From the Jordan westward to the Great Sea The verse sets precise borders, echoing “from the wilderness… to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun” (Joshua 1:4; Deuteronomy 11:24). • Clear lines prevent tribal disputes (Joshua 21:43-45). • Specific promises guard us from settling for less than God offers (2 Peter 1:4). summary Joshua 23:4 reminds Israel that their inheritance is a present reality. God has assigned land to every tribe, already defeated many foes, and marked boundaries from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. Israel’s task is to trust what they see, finish the conquest, and live gratefully within the borders God has drawn. (4) Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain.--Here, as in Joshua 13:1-7, and afterwards, in Judges 2:23, the preliminary and partial nature of the conquest achieved by Joshua is distinctly recognised. He gave Israel the land to possess, and gave them the vantage-ground from which they might possess it. In Joshua 23:4-5 he bids them continue the work which he had begun.Verse 4. - Divided unto you by lot. Literally, caused to fall, the lot being of necessity understood. These nations that remain. Israel had therefore not driven them out. This, however, need not of necessity be imputed to them as a sin. For, as we have seen, the conquest was to be gradual. No doubt there was enough to be done in consolidating the conquests already made, in settling the tribes in their possessions, to occupy all the days of Joshua, and even possibly a longer period. At least we may he sure that, as long as Joshua lived, the heathen settlements were kept distinct from the Israelitish community, that intermarriages were not allowed, nor rights of citizenship granted to any but the Gibeonites. Cut off. Joshua's speech here exactly agrees with the statements in Joshua 6:21; Joshua 8:26; Joshua 10:28-41; Joshua 11:11, 14, 21. Here at least, if Joshua's speech and the history were taken from two different sources, neither of them precisely accurate, the first postulate of the destructive criticism, we might have expected some slight discrepancy. But Joshua uses a word which implies total extermination, a feature, be it observed, of the campaigns of Moses and Joshua only, and not of the later Israelitish history. Westward. Literally, the going down of the sun.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew See,רְאוּ֩ (rə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see I have allotted הִפַּ֨לְתִּי (hip·pal·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie as an inheritance בְּנַחֲלָ֖ה (bə·na·ḥă·lāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion to your tribes לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑ם (lə·šiḇ·ṭê·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe these הָאֵ֛לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those remaining הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים (han·niš·’ā·rîm) Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant nations, הַ֠גּוֹיִם (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts including all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the nations הַגּוֹיִם֙ (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts I have already cut off, הִכְרַ֔תִּי (hiḵ·rat·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine westward מְב֥וֹא (mə·ḇō·w) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards to the Great Sea. וְהַיָּ֥ם (wə·hay·yām) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin Links Joshua 23:4 NIVJoshua 23:4 NLT Joshua 23:4 ESV Joshua 23:4 NASB Joshua 23:4 KJV Joshua 23:4 BibleApps.com Joshua 23:4 Biblia Paralela Joshua 23:4 Chinese Bible Joshua 23:4 French Bible Joshua 23:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 23:4 Behold I have allotted to you these (Josh. 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