Joshua 13:5 describes part of the land God promised to the Israelites but which remained to be conquered during Joshua's time. Let's break it down:
"and the land of the Gebalites": The Gebalites were inhabitants of the city of Gebal (modern-day Byblos in Lebanon), a Phoenician city known for its skilled stonemasons and shipbuilding.
"and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise": This refers to the eastern slopes of the Lebanon mountain range. The direction "toward the sunrise" (east) is important for defining the eastern boundary of the territory.
"from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon": Baal Gad was a city located in the valley at the foot of Mount Hermon, which is a prominent and easily recognizable mountain on the northern border of Israel. This marks the southern extent of the unconquered territory in this specific region.
"to the entrance of Hamath": Hamath was a major city located further north, in modern-day Syria. "The entrance of Hamath" doesn't necessarily mean the city itself, but rather the pass or region leading into the territory of Hamath. It essentially marks the northernmost extent of the land still to be conquered.
In Summary:
The verse describes a specific area of unconquered land:
It includes the territory of the Gebalites.
It encompasses the eastern part of Lebanon.
It stretches from the area around Baal Gad (at the foot of Mount Hermon) northward to the approach or border region of Hamath.
Significance:
This verse, like others in Joshua 13, is important for several reasons:
1. Geographical Boundary: It sets out specific geographical markers, which served as a detailed description of the land that was part of God's promise to Israel.
2. Unfulfilled Possession: It highlights that the Israelites had not yet fully possessed all the land promised to them. This serves as a reminder that the conquest was not complete and there was more work to be done.
3. Faith and Obedience: It emphasizes the responsibility of the Israelites to trust God and continue in obedience to claim their inheritance. The remaining unconquered territory likely tested their faith and commitment.
Essentially, it's a snapshot of the territorial challenges facing the Israelites as Joshua aged, emphasizing both the extent of God's promise and the remaining task of fully claiming that promise.
Joshua 13:5 describes part of the land God promised to the Israelites but which remained to be conquered during Joshua's time. Let's break it down:
"and the land of the Gebalites": The Gebalites were inhabitants of the city of Gebal (modern-day Byblos in Lebanon), a Phoenician city known for its skilled stonemasons and shipbuilding.
"and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise": This refers to the eastern slopes of the Lebanon mountain range. The direction "toward the sunrise" (east) is important for defining the eastern boundary of the territory.
"from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon": Baal Gad was a city located in the valley at the foot of Mount Hermon, which is a prominent and easily recognizable mountain on the northern border of Israel. This marks the southern extent of the unconquered territory in this specific region.
"to the entrance of Hamath": Hamath was a major city located further north, in modern-day Syria. "The entrance of Hamath" doesn't necessarily mean the city itself, but rather the pass or region leading into the territory of Hamath. It essentially marks the northernmost extent of the land still to be conquered.
In Summary:
The verse describes a specific area of unconquered land:
It includes the territory of the Gebalites.
It encompasses the eastern part of Lebanon.
It stretches from the area around Baal Gad (at the foot of Mount Hermon) northward to the approach or border region of Hamath.
Significance:
This verse, like others in Joshua 13, is important for several reasons:
1. Geographical Boundary: It sets out specific geographical markers, which served as a detailed description of the land that was part of God's promise to Israel.
2. Unfulfilled Possession: It highlights that the Israelites had not yet fully possessed all the land promised to them. This serves as a reminder that the conquest was not complete and there was more work to be done.
3. Faith and Obedience: It emphasizes the responsibility of the Israelites to trust God and continue in obedience to claim their inheritance. The remaining unconquered territory likely tested their faith and commitment.
Essentially, it's a snapshot of the territorial challenges facing the Israelites as Joshua aged, emphasizing both the extent of God's promise and the remaining task of fully claiming that promise.