Bible Strands
Joshua 23:4
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua addresses the Israelite tribal leaders near the end of his life, summarizing the territory God has already secured for them west of the Jordan. He speaks as a departing commander confirming the completion of a divine land distribution before his own death.
The words — The text highlights הִפַּלְתִּי (hi.Pal.ti), literally "I have made fall," describing God's active role in allotting the remaining nations as an inheritance. This verb grounds the territorial division in divine action rather than human military strategy.
The thread — The allocation of conquered territory appears earlier in Joshua 18:10, where Joshua casts lots at Shiloh to distribute land to the tribes. The ongoing presence of unreached groups is noted in Joshua 13:2 and Joshua 13:6.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize the inheritance as a completed divine allotment rather than a future goal. It demands immediate acknowledgment of God's prior action before the subsequent command to possess the remaining land.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 13:2 This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
- Joshua 13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.
- Joshua 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.