Joshua 13:5
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Gebal (Byblos) was ancient Phoenician port city, its name survives in English 'Bible' (books came through Byblos). Lebanon's cedar forests were legendary, providing timber for ancient world (Solomon imported Lebanese cedar for the temple, 1 Kings 5:6). Baal-gad marked the northern extent of Joshua's actual conquests (11:17, 12:7), probably near modern Damascus. Hamath was city-state far to the north in Syria, well beyond Israel's actual control except briefly during David-Solomon's empire when they had treaty relationships. The extensive territory described—from Mediterranean coast inland through Lebanon range to Syrian territories—represented God's maximum promise. That Israel never fully possessed it raises theological questions about conditional versus unconditional promises. Reformed theology generally understands that while God's ultimate purposes are unconditional, experiential appropriation requires covenant faithfulness. Israel's incomplete possession resulted partly from incomplete obedience (Judges 1-2).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand the relationship between God's unconditional promises and the conditional nature of their experiential realization?
- What promised blessings remain unrealized in your life, and what role might your faithfulness play in appropriating them?
- How does incomplete possession of promises develop dependence on God and faith for future generations?
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Analysis & Commentary
Continuing the catalog: 'And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.' The Giblites (from Gebal/Byblos, famous Phoenician city) remain unconquered. 'All Lebanon' with its famous cedar forests and the territory from Baal-gad to Hamath represents significant northern regions never fully possessed. Mount Hermon marked the northern limit of actual conquest, but God's promise extended further—to Hamath, well into what became Aramean Syria. The gap between promise and possession creates tension requiring faith. The passage teaches that God's promises often exceed immediate fulfillment, requiring successive generations to appropriate by faith what God has declared by promise. Canaan represents the 'rest' God promised (Hebrews 3-4), yet that rest requires ongoing faithfulness to enter. Promises declared don't eliminate responsibility to pursue.