Note: the daily Bible readings from Joshua may not at first sight offer much spiritual benefit, but sometimes we need to stand back and see the bigger picture. Joshua chapters 13 to 23 appear to form a ring composition bounded by the descriptor that Joshua was “old and stricken in years”. The mid point is the exhortation that Joshua gives to the nation to be diligent and finish the work. Points of note include the extraordinary loyalty of the two and a half tribes, and the faithful resolve of Caleb to take Hebron, and then to give it to the Levites for a city of refuge.
Joshua 13-23 chiasm
A. Joshua “Old and advanced in years” (twice stated) – Driving out Nations
B. Tribes (Reuben, Gad, Half Tribe of Manasseh) on east side of Jordan receive land and cities
C. Hebron given to Caleb
D1. 112 Cities to Judah
D2. Un-numbered Cities to Tribe of Ephraim (and Half Tribe of Manasseh)
X. Joshua 18:1 – “Then the whole congregation of the sons of Israel assembled themselves at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there; and the land was subdued before them.”
D1’. 112 Cities to Six Tribes
D2’. Un-numbered Cities to Tribe of Dan
C’. Hebron given to Priests/Levites as city of refuge
B’. Tribes (Reuben, Gad, Half Tribe of Manasseh) on east side of Jordan set up Altar
A’. Joshua “Old and advanced in years” (Twice stated) – Driving out Nations
Thanks so much Craig, this adds significantly. Do you have any thoughts on why the cities of some tribes are un-numbered?
I notice that David Dorsey in his book on the Literary Structure of the Old testament has a pattern for ch 13-24 which is virtually the same as above.