Verse (Click for Chapter) 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; 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; 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, Majority 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; 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: 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; 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 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 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.) Genesis 10:14 the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites. Amos 9:7 “Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir? Jeremiah 47:4 For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor. Isaiah 23:1-18 This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ... Ezekiel 26:1-21 In the eleventh month of the twelfth year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, ‘Aha! The gate to the nations is broken; it has swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will be filled,’ / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. ... Zephaniah 2:4-7 For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. / Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.” / So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. ... 1 Kings 5:1 Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David. 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. Judges 3:3 the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. 1 Chronicles 22:4 and more cedar logs than could be counted; for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large quantity of cedar logs to David. 1 Kings 9:11-14 King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire. / So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them. / “What are these towns you have given me, my brother?” asked Hiram, and he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are called to this day. ... 2 Chronicles 2:8-10 Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber there. And indeed, my servants will work with yours / to prepare for me timber in abundance, because the temple I am building will be great and wonderful. / I will pay your servants, the woodcutters, 20,000 cors of ground wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of olive oil.” Matthew 15:21-28 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. / And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” ... Mark 7:24-30 Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. / Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. / Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. ... 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 Joshua 11:3 Joshua 12:7,8 Mearah. 1 Kings 20:26 2 Kings 13:18 1 Kings 20:26 Joshua 19:30 1 Samuel 4:1 the Amorites Judges 1:34-36 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 This phrase indicates the direction of the land being described. In the context of the Israelites' conquest, "to the south" refers to the southern regions of Canaan, which were part of the territories yet to be fully conquered. The south was significant as it included areas that were strategically important for trade and military purposes. The southern regions were often associated with desert areas and were less fertile compared to the northern parts of Canaan. all the land of the Canaanites from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek as far as the border of the Amorites 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.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. 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 Links Joshua 13:4 NIVJoshua 13:4 NLT Joshua 13:4 ESV Joshua 13:4 NASB Joshua 13:4 KJV Joshua 13:4 BibleApps.com Joshua 13:4 Biblia Paralela Joshua 13:4 Chinese Bible Joshua 13:4 French Bible Joshua 13:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 13:4 On the south (Josh. Jos) |