King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:13 Mean?

Joshua 24:13 in the King James Version says “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vin...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.”

Joshua 24:13 · KJV

Context

11

And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

12

And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

13

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have given you a land for which ye did not labour (וָאֶתֵּן לָכֶם אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָגַעְתָּ בָּהּ)—the verb yaga (יָגַע, to labor/toil) emphasizes unmerited gift. Israel neither cleared forests, built terraces, nor developed agriculture—they inherited completed infrastructure. This fulfilled God's promise: 'Houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not' (Deuteronomy 6:10-11).

Cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat—the threefold negation (not labored, not built, not planted) contrasts with present blessing (given, dwell, eat). This recapitulates grace theology: salvation is pure gift, not reward for human effort. The Canaanites labored; Israel inherited. Christians inherit salvation accomplished by Christ: 'By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast' (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite cities featured advanced architecture, water systems (like Gezer's tunnel), agricultural terracing, and established olive/grape cultivation—centuries of development. Israel, former nomadic shepherds, suddenly possessed urban civilization. This created temptation: forgetting the Giver and crediting themselves or Canaanite gods for prosperity. Joshua's reminder 'which ye planted not' echoes Moses's warning against pride (Deuteronomy 8:11-18). The principle 'freely ye have received' (Matthew 10:8) requires gratitude, not entitlement. Failure to remember grace breeds apostasy—Israel's subsequent history proved this warning necessary.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does inheriting 'a land for which ye did not labour' illustrate salvation by grace apart from human merit?
  2. What spiritual dangers accompany blessing—how does prosperity tempt us to forget the Giver?
  3. In what ways do Christians inherit 'cities we built not' through Christ's finished work on the cross?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וָֽאֶתֵּ֨ן1 of 20

“And I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֜ם2 of 20
H0
אֶ֣רֶץ׀3 of 20

“you a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר4 of 20
H834

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

לֹֽא5 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָגַ֣עְתָּ6 of 20

“for which ye did not labour”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

בָּ֗הּ7 of 20
H0
וְעָרִים֙8 of 20

“and cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 20
H834

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

לֹֽא10 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בְנִיתֶ֔ם11 of 20

“which ye built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וַתֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ12 of 20

“not and ye dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּהֶ֑ם13 of 20
H0
כְּרָמִ֤ים14 of 20

“in them of the vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְזֵיתִים֙15 of 20

“and oliveyards”

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 20
H834

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

לֹֽא17 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נְטַעְתֶּ֔ם18 of 20

“which ye planted”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

אַתֶּ֖ם19 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽכְלִֽים׃20 of 20

“not do ye eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 24:13 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 24:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 6:10-12Deuteronomy 8:7Joshua 21:45Proverbs 13:22Joshua 11:13

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