King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:3 Mean?

Joshua 13:3 in the King James Version says “From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lor... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Joshua 13:3 · KJV


Context

1

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. to: Heb. to possess it

2

This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

3

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:

4

From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: Mearah: or, the cave

5

And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising , from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Geographic detail: '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.' The Sihor (likely the 'River of Egypt,' Wadi el-Arish) marked the southern boundary. The five Philistine cities—Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron—each had a 'lord' (seren, סֶרֶן), unique title for Philistine rulers. This five-city confederacy made them formidable. The Avites were another unconstrained group. This detailed enumeration emphasizes the scope of unfinished business. Yet significantly, these territories are still described as Israel's inheritance—possession promised though not yet actualized. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God promises comprehensive blessing while leaving aspects for future generations to claim through faith and obedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The five Philistine cities formed a pentapolis (five-city confederacy) with coordinated leadership. Each 'lord' (seren) ruled independently but coordinated for mutual defense. The Philistines had migrated from the Aegean region (possibly Crete) and settled coastal Canaan around the time of Israel's exodus and conquest. Their advanced iron technology gave military advantage (1 Samuel 13:19-22 notes they prevented Israel from having iron tools). The coastal location gave them control of Mediterranean trade and access to international commerce. Gaza was southernmost, Ekron northernmost; the chain of cities controlled the entire southern coastal plain. The Avites were remnant people surviving in the region. The unconquered status of these territories meant Israel never fully controlled their promised land borders until David and Solomon's time. This incomplete possession would haunt Israel's history, providing both ongoing challenge and recurring lesson about covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's promise of comprehensive inheritance despite incomplete possession teach about 'already but not yet' aspects of Christian life?
  2. How do you respond when promised blessings remain partially unfulfilled, requiring ongoing faith?
  3. What role do 'unconquered territories' in your spiritual life play in developing perseverance and dependence on God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
מִֽן1 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשִּׁיח֞וֹר2 of 21

From Sihor

H7883

shichor, a stream of egypt

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀3 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל4 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י5 of 21

which is before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִצְרַ֗יִם6 of 21

Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְעַ֨ד7 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

גְּב֤וּל8 of 21

even unto the borders

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

עֶקְרוֹן֙9 of 21

of Ekron

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

צָפ֔וֹנָה10 of 21

northward

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

לַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י11 of 21

to the Canaanite

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

תֵּֽחָשֵׁ֑ב12 of 21

which is counted

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת׀13 of 21

five

H2568

five

סַרְנֵ֣י14 of 21

lords

H5633

an axle

פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים15 of 21

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הָֽעַזָּתִ֤י16 of 21

the Gazathites

H5841

an azzathite or inhabitant of azzah

וְהָֽאַשְׁדּוֹדִי֙17 of 21

and the Ashdothites

H796

an ashdodite (often collectively) or inhabitant of asdod

הָֽאֶשְׁקְלוֹנִ֣י18 of 21

the Eshkalonites

H832

ashkelonite (collectively) or inhabitant of ashkelon

הַגִּתִּ֔י19 of 21

the Gittites

H1663

a gittite or inhabitant of gath

וְהָֽעֶקְרוֹנִ֖י20 of 21

and the Ekronites

H6139

an ekronite or inhabitant of ekron

וְהָֽעַוִּֽים׃21 of 21
H5757

an avvite or native of avvah (only plural)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 13:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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