Joshua 24:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God gave Israel a land, cities, vineyards, and olive groves they did not labor to make, and they now enjoy them freely.
What Does Joshua 24:13 Mean?
The recital ends with a picture of pure gift. Israel lives in cities they did not build and eats from vineyards and olive groves they did not plant. Everything they enjoy was prepared by God and handed to them.
This is the heart of grace: to receive what we never earned and could not have made. The settled comfort of their daily bread was itself a mercy. It teaches every generation to hold its blessings with gratitude rather than entitlement, knowing the table was set by Another.
Joshua 24:13 in the Original Language
yaga (יָגַע), 'labour' -- to toil to the point of weariness; the very thing Israel did not do for this land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 24:13
What does Joshua 24:13 mean?
God gave Israel a land, cities, vineyards, and olive groves they did not labor to make, and they now enjoy them freely.