And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,
Read it in contextReuben’s Inheritance
Start reading at Joshua 13:15 (Joshua 13:15 to Joshua 13:23).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
13:15And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.
13:16And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;
13:17Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,
13:18And Jahaza, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
13:19And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley,
13:20And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,
13:21And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
13:22Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
13:23And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Joshua is the traditional principal author, and Joshua 24:26 credits him with writing covenant words. The closing record of his death and later events means the completed account includes a later contribution. Biblical references: Joshua 24:26; Joshua 24:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joshua 13:1–21:45): Joshua, Eleazar, tribal representatives, and the clans of Israel are involved in the distribution of land and cities. The territorial descriptions concern the named tribes and families. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel living in the land and later generations learning how the land was allotted and why covenant faithfulness mattered. No individual first recipient is known. Biblical references: Joshua 4:6; Joshua 4:21; Joshua 24:24. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Reuben’s Inheritance. Read Joshua 13:15 through Joshua 13:23 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account follows Moses' death and proceeds through the entry, campaigns, allotments, and Joshua's final covenant addresses. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The people cross from east of Jordan into Canaan. Campaign locations, tribal boundaries, and cities are distinct settings within that broader movement. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Reuben’s Inheritance (Joshua 13:15 to Joshua 13:23).
Start reading at Joshua 13:15. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews 4 distinguishes the rest associated with Joshua from the rest still discussed in its exhortation. In the KJV of Hebrews 4:8, the name Jesus refers in context to Joshua. See Joshua 1:1, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Take the repeated calls to faithfulness and obedience seriously. Historical warfare commands to Israel should not be converted into permission for a reader's private violence. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joshua 13
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Boundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joshua
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book.
Connection to the wholeThe campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.