New International Version on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek and the border of the Amorites; New Living Translation in the south also remains to be conquered. In the north, the following area has not yet been conquered: all the land of the Canaanites, including Mearah (which belongs to the Sidonians), stretching northward to Aphek on the border of the Amorites; English Standard Version in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, Berean Standard Bible to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites; Berean Literal Bible from the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, that is to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; King James Bible From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: New King James Version from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; New American Standard Bible to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; NASB 1995 to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; NASB 1977 to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; Legacy Standard Bible to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; Amplified Bible in the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; Berean Annotated Bible to the south, all the land of the Canaanites (merchants), from Mearah (Arah) of the Sidonians to Aphek (enclosure), as far as the border of the Amorites (sayers); Christian Standard Bible in the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and as far as the border of the Amorites; Holman Christian Standard Bible in the south; all the land of the Canaanites: from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and as far as the border of the Amorites; American Standard Version on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongeth to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; English Revised Version on the south: all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongeth to the Zidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites: GOD'S WORD® Translation in the south. This territory includes all the land of the Canaanites as well as Mearah which belongs to Sidon as far as Aphek, the Amorite border. Good News Translation There is still all the Canaanite country, and Mearah (which belonged to the Sidonians), as far as Aphek, at the Amorite border; International Standard Version "To the south, there remains to be conquered all the territory held by the Canaanites, Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites, NET Bible to the south; all the Canaanite territory, from Arah in the region of Sidon to Aphek, as far as Amorite territory; New Heart English Bible on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and from Arah that belongs to the Sidonians to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; Webster's Bible Translation From the south all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, to Aphek to the borders of the Amorites: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleto the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites; World English Bible on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfrom the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, which [is] to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; Berean Literal Bible from the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, that is to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; Young's Literal Translation From the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, which is to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, unto the border of the Amorite; Smith's Literal Translation From the south all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah which is to the Sidonians, even to Aphek, even to the bound of the Amorite: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd on the south side are the Hevites, all the land of Chanaan, and Maara of the Sidonians as far as Apheca, and the borders of the Amorrhite, Catholic Public Domain Version truly, to the south are the Hivites, all the land of Canaan, and Mearah of the Sidonians, as far as Aphek and the borders of the Amorite New American Bible also where the Avvim are in the south; all the land of the Canaanites from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, and the boundaries of the Amorites; New Revised Standard Version in the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd all the land of the Canaanites, and Maarthah which belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphik, to the border of the Amorites; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all the land of the Canaanites and the cave of the Tsidonians unto Aphaq and unto the border of the Amorites OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongeth to the Zidonians, unto Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; Brenton Septuagint Translation from Thaeman even to all the land of Chanaan before Gaza, and the Sidonians as far as Aphec, as far as the borders of the Amorites. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Lands Yet Unconquered…3from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; 4to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites; 5the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath.… Cross References to the south, Numbers 34:3 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, Genesis 13:14-15 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, / for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. Deuteronomy 1:7 Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates. all the land of the Canaanites, Exodus 3:8 I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Numbers 13:29 The Amalekites live in the land of the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.” Deuteronomy 7:1 When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— from Mearah of the Sidonians Genesis 10:19 and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. Deuteronomy 3:9 which the Sidonians call Sirion but the Amorites call Senir— Joshua 19:28 It went on to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. to Aphek, 1 Kings 20:26 In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 1 Kings 20:30 The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. 1 Samuel 4:1 Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. as far as the border of the Amorites; Numbers 21:13 From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory. Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. Judges 11:22 seizing all the land from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan. Deuteronomy 3:8 At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites the land across the Jordan, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon— Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.) Treasury of Scripture From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians to Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: the land of Joshua 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. Joshua 12:7,8 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; … Mearah. 1 Kings 20:26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. 2 Kings 13:18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. 1 Kings 20:26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. Joshua 19:30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages. 1 Samuel 4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. the Amorites Judges 1:34-36 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: … Jump to Previous Amorite Amorites Aphek Arah Belongeth Belongs Border Borders Boundary Canaanite Canaanites Limit Property Sidonians Sido'nians South ZidoniansJump to Next Amorite Amorites Aphek Arah Belongeth Belongs Border Borders Boundary Canaanite Canaanites Limit Property Sidonians Sido'nians South ZidoniansJoshua 13 1. The bounds of the land not yet conquered8. 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 to the south, The territory extended through the southern reaches of Canaan, including regions Israel had not yet brought under its control. Num 34:3 Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin… all the land of the Canaanites, “All the land of the Canaanites” included the many city-states inhabited by peoples whom God had appointed for judgment and whose land He had promised to Israel. Exo 3:8 I have come down to rescue them from the hand of Egyptians… from Mearah of the Sidonians Mearah was a northern coastal area associated with Sidon, a prominent Phoenician center of trade and seafaring. Gen 10:19 and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon… to Aphek, The boundary extended to Aphek, a strategic inland location controlling important routes through the region. 1Ki 20:26 In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans… as far as the border of the Amorites; The description continued as far as the border of the Amorites, one of the principal peoples still occupying the land Israel was commanded to possess. Num 21:13 From there they moved on and camped on the other side… Persons / Places / Events 1. CanaanitesA group of ancient people who lived in the land of Canaan, which God promised to the Israelites. They were often seen as adversaries to the Israelites due to their idolatrous practices. 2. Sidonians Inhabitants of Sidon, a major city in ancient Phoenicia, known for its trade and maritime prowess. The Sidonians were often associated with the worship of Baal. 3. Arah A location associated with the Sidonians, though not much is known about it. It represents the northern boundary of the land described. 4. Aphek A city or region mentioned several times in the Bible, often as a site of conflict between the Israelites and their enemies. It marks a significant boundary in the land distribution. 5. Amorites Another group of ancient people who lived in the land of Canaan. They were known for their fortified cities and were often in conflict with the Israelites. Teaching Points Understanding God's PromisesThe land described in Joshua 13:4 is part of the inheritance promised to the Israelites. This reminds us of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even when the fulfillment requires patience and perseverance. Spiritual Boundaries Just as the Israelites were given specific boundaries for their inheritance, Christians are called to recognize and respect spiritual boundaries in their lives, avoiding influences that lead away from God. Overcoming Adversaries The presence of the Canaanites and Amorites represents the spiritual battles believers face. We are called to rely on God's strength to overcome these challenges. Historical Context and Faith Understanding the historical context of biblical events enriches our faith and helps us see God's hand in history, encouraging us to trust Him in our own lives. The Danger of Compromise The Israelites' interactions with the Canaanites and Sidonians often led to spiritual compromise. This serves as a warning to guard against allowing worldly influences to dilute our faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 13:4?2. How does Joshua 13:4 highlight God's promise to Israel regarding their inheritance? 3. What can we learn about God's faithfulness from Joshua 13:4? 4. How does Joshua 13:4 connect with God's covenant in Genesis 15:18-21? 5. How should believers today trust God's promises as seen in Joshua 13:4? 6. What does Joshua 13:4 teach about God's sovereignty over nations and lands? 7. What historical evidence supports the existence of the Canaanite territories mentioned in Joshua 13:4? 8. How does Joshua 13:4 align with archaeological findings in the region? 9. Why were the Canaanite territories significant in the context of Joshua 13:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 13? Verse 4. - From the south. The LXX. and the best modern commentators connect these words with what precedes. This gives a better sense than joining it to what follows. For the south was not "all the land of the Canaanites," but a large part of it belonged, as we have just seen, to a tribe not of Canaanitish origin, while the land of the Canaanites (see note on Joshua 3:10) extended far to the northward. Therefore we must understand the words "all the land of the Canaanites" to begin a fresh section, and to be descriptive of the territory extending from Philistia northward towards Sidon. So the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. Mearah. The margin has "the cave." But there is no article in the original The LXX. reads ἀπὸ Γάζης for Mearah, having clearly, as Masius observes, substituted Zain for Resh. But this mistaken reading compels a mistranslation of the passage. Vandevelde supposes it to be a remarkable cave still existing near Sidon, which is mentioned by William of Tyre as having been fortified by the Crusaders. He speaks of it as municipium quoddam, and states that it was commonly known as the "cave of Tyre." "spelunca inexpugnabilis." It was afterwards "the last retreat of the Emir Fakkr-ed-Din" (Vandevelde, s.v. Mearah). There is a village now, north of Sidon, called Mog-heiriyeh, or the village of the cave. So also Kuobel. Beside the Sidonians. Rather, near, or in the direction of, or which belong to the Sidonians. Aphek. Or Aphekah. This (Knobel) was the northern Aphek (Joshua 19:30; Judges 1:31), in the tribe of Asher, known later as Aphaca, and now as Afka. Not the Aphekah of Joshua 15:53, probably the Aphek of 1 Samuel 4:1. It is the same Aphek which in later times was captured by the Syrians, and was the scene of several decisive victories of Israel (1 Kings 20:26, 30; 2 Kings 13:17). It is doubtful which Aphek is meant in Joshua 12:18, though it is probably the southern Aphek. The situation is described as one of "rare beauty" (Delitzsch), "on the northwest slopes of Lebanon," amid exquisite groves (Conder). Here the Syrian Astarte was worshipped, and the ruins of her temple, dedicated to her as mourning for Tammuz, or Adonis, may still be seen. See Kenrick, 'Phoenicia,' 310,311, and Mover's 'Die Phonizier,' 1:192. Perhaps it was never actually occupied by the Asherites, but remained in the hands of Syria, and as a place of great resort was the natural point to which the attacks of Israel would be directed. Vandevelde, however, believes in four and Conder in seven cities of this name, and they suppose the Aphek which was the scene of the battle with the Syrians to have been on the east of Jordan, from the occurrence of the word "Mishor" in the narrative in 1 Kings 20. The term "Mishor" is, however, applied to other places beside the territory east of Jordan (see Gesenius, s.v. Mishor). The Aphek in 1 Samuel 29:1 cannot be identified with any that have been named. To the borders of the Amorites. This can hardly be anything but the northern border of the kingdom of Bashan, in the neighbourhood of Mount Hermon. Joshua 13:4 sketches an unclaimed coastal-to-hill-country swath: southern reaches of the Promised Land, still Canaanite; a Sidonian strip from Mearah down to Aphek; and a frontier brushing the Amorite borders inland. The verse is God’s progress report—He has kept His word, but Israel must keep trusting, obeying, and moving until every promised acre is in covenant hands. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew to the south,מִתֵּימָ֞ן (mit·tê·mān) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8486: South, south wind all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the land אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of the Canaanites, הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י (hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan from Mearah וּמְעָרָ֛ה (ū·mə·‘ā·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4632: Mearah -- a cave region in Lebanon of אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the Sidonians לַצִּידֹנִ֖ים (laṣ·ṣî·ḏō·nîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6722: Sidonians -- an inhabitant of Sidon to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while Aphek, אֲפֵ֑קָה (’ă·p̄ê·qāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 663: Aphek -- perhaps 'fortress', the name of several places in Palestine as far as עַ֖ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the border גְּב֥וּל (gə·ḇūl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed of the Amorites; הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃ (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe Additonal Resources Joshua 13:4 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 13:4 Bible Gateway Joshua 13:4 Bible.com Joshua 13:4 NIV |
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