Joshua 13:2

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

The borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri - The borders of the Philistines may mean the land which they possessed on the sea-coast, southwest of the land of Canaan. There were several places named Geshuri, but that spoken of here was probably the region on the south of Canaan, towards Arabia, or towards Egypt. - Calmet. Cellarius supposes it to have been a country in the vicinity of the Amalekites.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

This and Joshua 13:3 name the still unconquered districts in the southern half of the land, Joshua 13:4-6 those in the north.

Geshuri - A district on the south of Philistia, the inhabitants of which are again named in 1 Samuel 27:8; but are not to be confounded with the land of the Geshurites mentioned in Joshua 13:13; Joshua 12:5.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

At this chapter begins the account of the dividing of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel by lot; a narrative showing the performance of the promise made to the fathers, that this land should be given to the seed of Jacob. We are not to pass over these chapters of hard names as useless. Where God has a mouth to speak, and a hand to write, we should find an ear to hear, and an eye to read; and may God give us a heart to profit! Joshua is supposed to have been about one hundred years old at this time. It is good for those who are old and stricken in years to be put in remembrance of their being so. God considers the frame of his people, and would not have them burdened with work above their strength. And all people, especially old people, should set to do that quickly which must be done before they die, lest death prevent them, Ec 9:10. God promise that he would make the Israelites masters of all the countries yet unsubdued, through Joshua was old, and not able to do it; old, and not likely to live to see it done. Whatever becomes of us, and however we may be laid aside as despised, broken vessels, God will do his own work in his own time. We must work out our salvation, then God will work in us, and work with us; we must resist our spiritual enemies, then God will tread them under our feet; we must go forth to our Christian work and warfare, then God will go forth before us.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

2. Yet remaineth. The author proceeds to enumerate the unconquered areas to the west of Jordan (vs. 2-6). He begins at the south and proceeds north and northeast to Lebanon.

Borders of the Philistines. Literally, “circles of the Philistines.” The expression probably refers to the patches of cultivated ground extending around each of the cities, which we might call “districts.” The LXX reads horia, “regions.” The Philistines were not Canaanites, but were descended from Mizraim, through Casluhim (Gen. 10:6, 13, 14; 1 Chron. 1:8, 11, 12; see on Gen. 10:14). In Gen. 21:32, 34; Gen. 26:1, 8, the Philistines are named as already inhabiting the neighborhood of Gerar, in the extreme southwestern part of Palestine, and in Gen. 10:14 as relatives of “the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor,” destroying “the Avims” and establishing themselves northward to Azzah (afterward Gaza) in what was subsequently known as “the land of the Philistines.” They are mentioned by the prophets as coming from Caphtor (Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7). At the present time there is no archeological evidence of the Philistines living in the coastal cities until about 1200 b.c. At that time they are reported to have attempted a landing in Egypt but were driven off by Ramses III, in connection with the great movement of “Sea Peoples,” which led to the downfall of the Hittite empire. However, in a number of instances the Biblical record names the Philistines as already in this coastal territory as early as the days of Abraham. There were probably repeated waves of migration from the island of Caphtor, the last or perhaps major one being about 1200 b.c., the only one attested by archeology. Further excavations may bring additional information to light.

Geshuri. These are not to be confused with the Geshurites northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The Geshuri inhabited a district lying to the south of the Philistines, on the way to Egypt or Arabia (1 Sam. 27:8).

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Ellen G. White
Patriarchs and Prophets, 511

But though the power of the Canaanites had been broken, they had not been fully dispossessed. On the west the Philistines still held a fertile plain along the seacoast, while north of them was the territory of the Sidonians. Lebanon also was in the possession of the latter people; and to the south, toward Egypt, the land was still occupied by the enemies of Israel. PP 511.1

Joshua was not, however, to continue the war. There was another work for the great leader to perform before he should relinquish the command of Israel. The whole land, both the parts already conquered and that which was yet unsubdued, was to be apportioned among the tribes. And it was the duty of each tribe to fully subdue its own inheritance. If the people should prove faithful to God, He would drive out their enemies from before them; and He promised to give them still greater possessions if they would but be true to His covenant. PP 511.2

To Joshua, with Eleazar the high priest, and the heads of the tribes, the distribution of the land was committed, the location of each tribe being determined by lot. Moses himself had fixed the bounds of the country as it was to be divided among the tribes when they should come in possession of Canaan, and had appointed a prince from each tribe to attend to the distribution. The tribe of Levi, being devoted to the sanctuary service, was not counted in this allotment; but forty-eight cities in different parts of the country were assigned the Levites as their inheritance. PP 511.3

Before the distribution of the land had been entered upon, Caleb, accompanied by the heads of his tribe, came forward with a special claim. Except Joshua, Caleb was now the oldest man in Israel. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones among the spies who had brought a good report of the Land of Promise, encouraging the people to go up and possess it in the name of the Lord. Caleb now reminded Joshua of the promise then made, as the reward of his faithfulness: “The land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord.” He therefore presented a request that Hebron be given him for a possession. Here had been for many years the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and here, in the cave of Machpelah, they were buried. Hebron was the seat of the dreaded Anakim, whose formidable appearance had so terrified the spies, and through them destroyed the courage of all Israel. This, above all others, was the place which Caleb, trusting in the strength of God, chose for his inheritance. PP 511.4

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Cross References

the land

borders