A commentary upon the historical books of the Old Testament, viz. Genesis. ... Esther. In two volumes. By ... Dr Symon Patrick, late Lord Bishop of Ely. 1732: Vol 2
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Ekron, uith her Towns, and her Vil- lages.] The Hebrew Word for Towns ſignifies Daughters; by which ſeem to be meant leſſer Cities, depending on Ekron, with their Villages belonging to them. Gath and Askalon, perhaps, were ſuch at this Time; tho}, in future Times, which may be the Reaſon they are not here mentioned, For this, and the two following Verſes, deſcribe the Lot of Judah in the Weſt, upon the Mediterranean Sea; which compre- hended all from Ekron to the River of Egypt. Ver. 48. And in the Mountains. ] From the Plain he goes to the Mountains; and diftri- butes the Cities there into five Diviſions. Shamir and Jattir, &c.] In this Diviſion there were eleven Cities; among which was Kirjath- Sanna, (ver. 49.) which had three Names. See ver. 15. 0 Ver. 52. Arab and Dumah, &c.] In this Di- viſion there were nine Cities, ver. 54. Which were in the Mountanous Country, in the Mid- dle of Judæa; as thoſe mentioned before and thoſe that follow were. And therefore, it is not true which the Jews ſay, that he reckons up only the Cities in the Skirts of the Country ; with which indeed he began. See ver. 21. Ver. 55. Maon, Carmel, &c.] This, and the two following Verſes, contain an Account of 'Ten Cities and their Villages, in another Divi- fion, two of which were near together; for Na- bal dwelt in Maon, and had great Poſſeſſions in Carmel, 1 Sam. xxv. 2. There was another Maon in the Deſarts of Jeſbimon, 1 Sam. xxiii. 1. as there was another among the Moabites called Beth-Maon, the Houſe or Dwelling of Maon. The People of which, called Maonites, and, as ſome think, Mehunims (Judg. x. 10, 12. 2 Chron. xxvi. 7.) were very powerful, and ſome time oppreſſed the 1ſraelites, And there was likewiſe another Carmel; for this is not the Place where Elijah built an Altar and offered Sacrifices, when he ſlew the Prophets of Baal (1 Kings xviii.) but a Place far diftant from it; where Saul made himſelf a Place when he re- turned from the Conqueſt of the Amalekites, (1 Sam. xv. 12.) that is, encamped, as ſome will have it, and divided the Spoil, or built a trium- phant Arch, as St. Hierom interprets: And where Nabal kept ſo many Sheep, as are men- tioned in the Place fore-named ; and is the Place the Prophets mean (as Bochart con jectures) when they ſpeak of the Paftures of Carmel, Jer. I. 19. Amos i. 2. Mic. vii. 14. See Hierozoicon,' P. 1. Lib. 2. Cap. 48. Ver. 57. Cain, Gibeab, and Timnah, &c. | The firft of theſe Cities, Conradus Pellicanus thinks, hath the ſame Name with that called Ki- uah, ver. 22. tho it be in a different Place. And —_ " yu Diviſion, conſiſting of Ten Ci- Vo I. II. upon JOSHUA they grew up to be of more Conſideration; ties, there are two whoſe Names we had be- fore, when he ſpeaks of thoſe in the Skirts of the Country; viz. Ziph and Zanoah, See ver. 24, 34. Which ſhews there were many Cities in the ſame Country of the ſame Name. Gibeah and Timnah,] Are known Places. See Gen. xxxviii. 12. | Ver. 58. Halhul, Beth-xur, &c.] In this and in the following Verſe, are contained a ſmall Diviſion of ſix Cities; the moſt eminent of which was Beth-xur, which lay in the Road from Hieruſalem to Hebron, about twenty Miles from it, as St. Hierom tells us. | Ver. 60. Kirjath-baal, &c.) Here are only two Cities in this Diviſion, the firſt of which was called Kirjath-jearim, as we read xviii. 14. and Baala, and Baal-Judah, 2 Sam. vii. 2. 1 Chron. xiii. 6. Ver. 61. In the Wilderneſs.) So the Hebrews call thoſe Parts of the Country, which were but thinly inhabited ; as this was, wherein there were but fix Cities. Of this Wilderneſs of Ju- dah, we read frequently in the following Books of Scripture ; ſeveral Parts of which are men- tioned 1n the Hiſtory of David, when he fled for fear of Saul, and lurked in this Country: Particularly in the Wilderneſs of Ziph, 1 Sam. xxiii. 14. and of Maon, ver. 24, 25. and of Eu- geddi, one of the Places here mentioned, 1 Sam. xxiv. 1. and there was a Part of the Wilderneſs not far from Carmel, before-mentioned, 1 Sam. XXV. 14. Ver. 62. The City of Salt.) Some take this to be Zoar, the little City unto'which Lot was per- mitted to flee, at the Deſtruction of Sodom Which is called the City of Salt; either be- cauſe it ſtood near the Salt-Sea, or becauſe Lot's Wife was hereabouts turned into a Pillar of Salt. | Ver. 63. As for the Jebuſites, the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, the Children of Judah could not drive them out.) This ſuppoſes that Jeruſalem belonged to the Children of Judah; and fo it did in part, tho' not the whole ; for ſome of it was in the Tribe of Benjamin, as ſhall be ob- ſerved in its proper Place. The King of this City Joſhua had vanquiſhed, together with other four Kings of the Amorites who joined in Bat- tle with him, Joſh. x. 5, 23. and in the Conclu- ſion of that Chapter, he is ſaid (ver. 42.) to have taken all theſe Kings and their Land at one time, But if Jeruſalem was then taken, as well as the Land about it, the Strong-hold of Zion remained ſtill in the Hands of the Jebuftres. And the 1ſraelites not being able preſently to prope all the Cities they had taken, the Jebu- es recovered the City of Jeruſalem, and gor Poſſeſſion of it again; from whence the Chil- dren of Judah expelled them after the Death of Joſhua, Judg. i. 8. But ſtill Mount Zion continued in their Hands, until the Reign of David. 1 But the Jeluſites dwelt with the Children of... Judah, at Jeruſalem, unto this Day.] That vs; in the Fort of Zion, which was a Part of it; where they were ſo conſiderable, that the City was called the City of the 7ebufites, and its Name Jebus, Judg. xix. 10, 11. There can be no doubt, I think, 9 Jebufites were of 58 A COMHMENTARYT the Seed of Canaan, they being conſtantly num- this whole Verſe, in this manner, From Beth- bered among the ſeven Nations devoted to De- el-Luz the Border paſſeth along to Archi- ata- ſtruction. Fer ſome of the Jews have a Con- roth. ne ceit that the People here mentioned were deri- And paſſeth along unto the Borders of Archi ved from Abimelech, King of the Philiſtines; to Ataroth.) Or rather, the Borders of Archi- with whom their Forefather Iſaac made a ſo- ataroth, as both the LXX and the Vulgar lemn League; and therefore the Children of tranſlate it ; and as the Words are in the He- Judah did not expel them. So Kimchi, But brew ; this being the ſame City which is after- this, it is evident, is a fooliſh Imagination: ward called Ataroth, ver. 7. it being uſual to For why did they expel them at the laſt, as cut off the former Part of the Names of Cities; they did, if they were to be kind to them up- as Bochartus obſerves in abundance of Inftances ; on this Account ? and gives this for one, in his Phaleg. Lib. 2. S og d d d 1 th down Weſtward to the C CH AP. XVI. er. 3. And goe eſtward to the Coaſt of Faphtali.] It is not known where this Place was, being no where elſe mentioned ; bur it Ver. 1. ＋ H E Lot of the Children of Joſeph.) was in the Weſtern Part of the Land, toward That is, of Ephraim, and that the Mediterranean. half of the Tribe of Manaſſeh, which was not Unto the Coaſt of Beth-horon the nether.] See yet provided for. See ver. 4. One cannot but x. 10. obſerve the Providence of God, in bringing up And to Gexer.] This was one of the Levitical their Lot next to Judah's. For as he had the Cities in this Tribe of Ephraim, Joſh, xxi. 21. Prerogative of being made the Chief of all Ja- And, as 4}. Caſaubon hath proved at large, it cob's Children, Gen. xlix. 10, ſo Joſeph had the was, in all probability, the City which Joſephus Privilege of the Firſt-born transferred to his and the Author of the Book of the Maccabees Family. And therefore they are conſidered be- call Gazara ; and is mentioned as a neighbour- fore any of the other Tribes, except Judah. ing City to Joppa, Azotus, and Jamnia. See his Fell from Fordan by Jericho.] In the Hebrew, Annot. upon Lib. 16. Strabonis, P. 261, 262. went forth from Jordan, by the City of Jericho. And the Goings-out thereof are at the Sea.) The Which was in the Tribe of Benjamin; which Vulgar hath it, at the Great Sea: Which is cer- Tribe lay between the Tribe of Judah, and the tainly here meant; this being a ſhort Deſcrip- Tribe of Ephraim. tion of the Lot of this Tribe from Jordan on Unto the Water of Jericho, on the Eaſt.] This the Eaſt, to the Mediterranean on the Weſt. is juſtly thought to be the Water) mentioned Ver. 4. So the Children of Joſeph, Manaſſeh, 2 Kings ii. 19, 20, 21. whoſe Spring Eliſha and Ephraim, took their Inheritance.) According $. healed, by which the Plain of Jericho was to the following Meaſures. Which give a 1 watered. See Joſephus, Lib. 5. de Bello Jud. more particular Account of what is before ſaid | Cap. 4- in general, F T, the Wilderneſs that goeth up from Jericho Ver. 5. And the Border of the Children of throughout Mount Beth-el\ It appears from Ephraim, according to their Families.) And firſt, xvili. 12, 13. that this was the Wilderneſs of he ſhews what was given to Ephraim ; reſerving |. Beth-aven. the Deſcription of Manaſſeh's Portion to the ® | Ver. 2. And goeth up from Beth. el to Luz.) next Chapter. ; Beth-el was a Place ſo called, becauſe Jacob Even the Border of their Inheritance on the Eaſt | there had the famous Divine Viſion, mentioned Side.] The North-Eaſt. For he deſcribes, tho* | Gen. xviii. It was nigh to the City Lux, as ap- groſly, only the Breadth of this Lot from South | | pears from the 19th Verſe of that Chapter; to North. but was diſtin& from the City itfelf, being in Mas Ataroth- Addar, unto Beth-horon the upper. the neighbouring Fields, where Jacob lay all The firſt of thoſe was in the South, and the Night; tho' being ſo near, it is likely afterward latter in the North. they became one City. But they who would Ver. 6. And the Border went out toward the hence infer, that this Book could not be written Sea.] From Beth-horon the upper, this Northern by Joſbua, becauſe Lux was built after his Death Border went on one Side Weſtward, toward the in the Land of the Hittites (Judg. i. 26.) do Mediterranean. merely trifle : For it is plain he doth not ſpeak To Michmethah on the North Side.] And on here of that Lux, but of the old one: For the the other Side Eaſtward, towards Jordan. This Country of the Hittites belonged to Hebron and is very obſcurely expreſſed ; but it appears, Beerſheba, and the neighbouring Places in the , from what follows, it muft be thus interpreted. Land of Judab; unto which the Author of this And the Border went about Eaſtward unto Tan- Book could have no Reſpe& here in the De- #ah-$S}110h.| Still proceeded further Eaſtward, ſcription of the Land of Ephraim. Therefore, unto this Place; the Name of which only is when Lux and Beth-el are ſaid to be the ſame, now known. — (xviii, 13. and Judg. i. 23.) the Meaning can be And paſſed by it on the Eaſt to Janohab.] Ano- no more, but that in Length of Time they were ther Place Eafterly, of which we are now ig- united; the Inhabitants of Lux going into norant. For there are no Records left to make Beth-el. And of ſuch Coalitions of two Cities us underſtand whereabouts in the Eaſt it was into one, there are fix hundred Examples, as ſituated ; which was perfectly underſtood when Hyetius ſpeaks in his Demouſtr. Evang. Propoſ. 4. this Country was inhabited by the Eptraimites. and therefore, I think Dupin well tranſlates | ; 1 1 | ö | ; 1 | # Ver- feed, becauſe here God commanded the Raven 0 Chap. XVII. 4p JOSHUA. 59 Ver. 7. And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and Naarath, and came to Jericho. | Not to the very City, for that belonged to Benjamin; but to the Country adjoining. And went out at Jordan.) Which was the Eaſtern Bounds of this Country. Ver. 8. And the Border went out from Tap- puah Weſtward, unto the River Kanah.| He re- turns to deſcribe the Length of it from Eaſt to Weſt; if the River or Brook Kanah, be the ſame with the Brook Cerith, mentioned 1 Kings xvii. 3. And ſo not only Adricoinius under- ſtands it, but that great Man Bochartus ; who obſerves it was called the Brook Cherith, from the Hebrew Word Cara, which ſignifies to eat or to feed Elijah; and it was called Kana, fro the Multitude of Reeds which grew there (and ſo the Vulgar here tranſlate it, the Valley of Reeds) in which it may be ſuppoſed Elijah lay hid. Hieroxoicon, P. 2. L. 2. C. 14. But there is ſo much to be objected againſt this Situation of the Brook Kana, that I muſt leave it in Suſpenſe whether it were in the Eaſt, or in the Weſt; and confeſs, with Conradus Pellica- nus, that as none of the Hebrews or Latins have given a ſatisfactory Account of theſe four laſt Verſes, ſo I do not pretend to it. And the Goings-out thereof were at the Sea.] Where Sea alone is mentioned, it is commonly underſtood to fignify the Mediterranean ; which quite overthrows the Opinion, which makes Kana the ſame with Cherith. But the Vulgar here took it for the Salt-Sea (adding the Word Salſiſſimum) which favours the forenamed inion. This is the Inheritance of the Tribe of Ephraim by their Families | A-groſs Deſcription of it. Ver. 9. And * = Cities for the Chil- dren of Ephraim, were among the Inheritance of the Children of Manaſſeh, &c.] What theſe ſe- parate Cities were, cannot now be known, be- cauſe we have not a particular Account given of all the Cities of this 'Tribe (as we had of Judah) but only of thoſe, which were the Li- mits of their Country. But they ſeem to have been ſome Cities in the Tribe of Manaſſeh, which were inhabited by the Children of Ephraim, tho' the Territories about them be- longed to the Manaſſites, and were occupied by them. See xvii. 8, 9. Ver. 10. And they drave not out the Canaan- ites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this Day.] The In- habitants of Gezer were properly Canaanites ; who dwelt upon the Sea-Coaſt, where Gezer was ſituated. See ver. 3. This is mentioned alſo Fudg. i. 29. And ſerve under Tribute.] They ſo far ſub- dued them, as to make them Tributaries; and, ſome fancy, impoſed on them the Precepts of the Sons of Noah. But they ought to have de- ftroyed them, and were forbidden to make Peace wich them upon any Conditions. See Judg. ii. 1, 2, 3. Unleſs Grotius his Conjecture be true, that the Inhabitants of Gezer ſubmit- ted and accepted the Terms of Peace, which Joſhua was bound to offer them, before he be- gan the War; as the Gergaſites, he thinks, alſo did; who remained even in 6ur Saviour's Time: For they delivered up themſelves at the firſt Summons to ſurrender ; which is the Rea- fon, he imagines, that they are omitted in the Enumeration of their Enemies, both in xi. 1. and in Deut. xx. 17. See his Arnot. on his 13th Chapter of the ſecond Book de Jure Belli & Pacis, Sect. 4. This City, and the People of it, were de- ſtroyed in Solomon's Time by Pharaoh King of Egypt; who made a Preſent of it to his Daugh- ter, Solomon's Wife; who thereupon rebuilt it, 1 Kings ix. 16, 17. Till then the Canaanites lived in it; from whence Spinoza would have it concluded, that this Book was not written by Joſhua, becauſe we find the ſame thing record- ed in the Book of Judges (i. 29.) which is of a later Date. But this is a very frivolous Cavil ; or, as Huetius well obſerves, if an Hiſtorian ſhould have ſaid in the Life of Tiberius, the Germans were not deſtroyed, the ſame might in like manner have been ſaid in the Life of Peſpafian; and juſt ſo, when Joſhua ſaith the Gazerites were not cut off by the Ephraimites, it did not hinder him that wrote in the follow- ing Age from ſaying the ſame ; becauſe they ſtill remained in the Poſſeſſion of their ancient Habitation, CHAP. XVI Ver. 1. | was alſo a Lot for the Tribe of Manaſſeh.] That half of it, which had no Portion on the other ſide Jordan. (For he was the Firſt-born of Joſeph). I can- not make any Senſe of this; and therefore think the Particle ki ſhould be tranſlated tho*, not for, And then the Meaning is plain enough, that the Lot of Manaſſeh camè up after that of Ephraim (not before it) tho'ꝰ he was the Firſt- born of Joſeph ; for Jacob had preferred Ephraim before him, Gen. xlviii. 19, 20. For Machir, the Firſt born of Manaſſeh.) And his only Son, from whom ſprung ſuch a Multi- tude, that there was no Room for them all, on the other fide Jordan; but Part of them were to be diſpoſed of here. The Father of Gilead.) Numb. xxvi. 29. Becauſe he was a Man of War.) This is gene- rally thought to relate to Machir ; who had done ſome famous Exploits in the Skirmiſhes they had with ſome neighbouring People, while they were in Egypt (ſee 1 Chron. vii. 21, 22.) for he was not alive to fight when they came to Canaan, Therefore he had Gilead and Baſban.] A Share in this Country ; for ſome of it was given to the Reubenites and Gadites, xiii. 25. but the Gi- leadites were alſo planted here (ver. 31.) for in- heriting the Valour of their Progenitor, they were fit to defend this Frontier-Country. Ver. 2. And there was alſo a Lot for the reſt of the Children of Manaſſeh, by their Families. | A great Part of the Manaſſites being diſpoſed of before they paſſed over Jordan, now follows the Lot which fell to the reſt, whole ſeveral Families he names. For the Children of Abiezer, and for the Chil- dren of Helek, and for the Children of Aſriel, H 2 and 60 and for the Children of Shechem, and for the Children of Hepher, and for the Children of She- midab.] Theſe ſix Families deſcended from Gi- lead, as we read Numb, xxvi. 30, Cc. Where the firſt of them, who is here called Abiezer, is there called Jeaxer. Theſe are the Male-Children of Manaſſeh, the Son of Joſeph, by their Families. ] He uſes the Expreſſion of Male-Children, to introduce what follows concerning the Females. And they are called the Children of Manaſſeh, becauſe they in- herited in his Right ; being Families deſcended from him. See Selden de Succeſſionibus, Cap. 22. Ver. 3. But Zelophehad the Son of Hepher, the Son of Gilead, the Son of Machir, the Son of Ma- naſſeh.) Here he recites their Pedigree from the Son of Joſeph. Had no Sons, but Daughters.) And ſo could not make a Family in Manaſſeh ; and conſe- quently have no Share in the Land. And theſe are the Names of his Daughters, Mablah, and Noah, &c. | See Numb. xxvi. 33. Ver. 4. And they came near before Eleazar the Prieſt, and before Joſhua the Son of Nun, and be- fore the Princes.) To whom God. had committed the Care of dividing the ſeveral Lots, xiv. 1. Numb. xxxiv. 17, 18. Saying, The LORD commanded Moſes to give us an Inheritance among our Brethren, See Numb. XXV11. 6, 7. Therefore, according to the Commandment of the LORD, he gave them an Inheritance among the Brethren of their Father, | Or, an Inheri- tance was given them, according to this Com- mandment of God to Moſes, by Eleazar and Joſhua, and the reſt who were appointed to divide the Land. For after the Lot had deter- mined what Land every Tribe ſhould have, Eleazar, Joſhua, and the Princes, conſidered how many Families there were in the Tribe, and how large they were; and accordingly, divided it among them. So Numb. xxvi. 55, 56. imports. Ver. 5. And there fell ten Portions to Manaſſeh.] For there were fix Portions given to fix Sons : But the Portion of Hepher, the laſt of them, be- ing divided into five Parts among his five Daughters, there were ten Portions in all. See Selden de Succeſſion. Cap. 23. Which ten Por- tions being aſſigned to ſo many Families, Elea- zar, Joſhua, and the Princes, were not concerned any further in dividing theſe ten Portions into leſſer, among ſeveral Houſholds ; but that, I ſuppoſe, they agreed among themſelves. Befide the Land of Gilead and Baſan, which were on the other Side Jordan.] Mentioned be- fore, ver, 1. Ver. 6. Becauſe the Daughters of Manaſſeh.\ 'That is, of Zelophehad, deſcended from Ma- uaſſeh. | Had an Inheritance among his Sons.) Being conſidered as Heirs to their Father. And the reſt of Manaſſeh's Sons. \ Which were not of the fix Families before-mentioned. Had the Land of Gilead.) On the other ſide Jordan, as hath been often ſaid ; and is again repeated, to prevent all Contentions that might ariſe about their Portions. ACOMMENTART / Ver. 7. And the Coaſt of Manaſſeh was from Aſher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem.\ This was the South Border, which went from a City called Aſber, to another called Michme- thah ; which was over-againſt a City in the Tribe of Ephraim, called Shechem. And the Border went along on the Right Hand »unto the Inhabitants of Entappuah.] And ſo to thoſe that lived in the Land of Tappuah, leaving Tappuah itſelf on the 1 Ver. 8. Now Manaſſeh had the Land of Tap- puah.) All the Territory adjoining to this City, belonged to the Tribe of Manaſſeb. But Tappuah on the Border of Manaſſeh be- longed to the Children of Ephraim. But the City itſelf, which lay on the Confines of their Coun- try, was one of thoſe ſeparated Cities ſpoken of in the foregoing Chapter (ver. 9.) in which the Children of Ephraim dwelt. Ver. 9. And the Coaſt deſcended unto the River Kanah, Southward of the River.] Concerning this Place, ſee ver. 8. of the foregoing Chap- rer. Theſe Cities of Ephraim are among the Cities of Manaſſeh.] That is, the Cities on the Coaft before - mentioned, were inhabited by the Ephraimites, as well as Tappuah ; tho* they were in the Tribe of Manaſſeh. For theſe two Tribes were nearer of Kin than any other; and ſo greater Friendſhip was intended to beeftabliſh- ed between them. The Coaſt alſo of Manaſſeh was on the North Side of the River.] By the Coaſt of Manaſſeh, is meant the Cities inhabited by the Maxaſſites ; which were all on the North Side of this River. As all thoſe on the South Side of it, tho? be- longing to the Manaſſites, were inhabited by the Children of Ephraim. And the Goings-out of it were at the Sea.] The Coaſt mentioned in the Beginning of the Verſe, ended at the Mediterranean Sea. Ver. 10. Southward it was Ephraim's, aud Northward it was Manaſſeh's, and the Sea is his Border. | Theſe Words expreſs how theſe two Tribes lay, with reſpect to each other: Ephraim on the South, and Manaſſeh on the North ; and both bounded on the Welt by the Mediterranean. And they met together in Aſher on the North, and in Iſſachar on the Eaſt.) Tho' on the South the Tribe of Manaſſeh was wholly joined to the Tribe of Ephraim, yet on the Nerth-Weſt, to- wards the great Sea, it had the Tribe of Aſber on the Confines of it; and on the Eaſt (to- wards Jordan and the Sea of Tiberias) the Tribe of Hachar. So Conradus Pellicanus rightly explains theſe Words. For both the Tribes of Ephraim and Manaſſeh could not touch theſe other Tribes. Ver. 11. And Manaſſeh had in Iſſachar aud in Aſber.] As Ephraim had ſome Towns in the Tribe of Manaſſeh, ſo Manaſſeh had ſome in the Tribes of ſachar and Aſher, unto whom, in the North-Weſt, and the Eaft, they were near Neighbours. | Beth-ſhean and her Towns. This was a Place not far from the Sea of Tiberias beſore- men- tioned, and near Jordan. And Chap. XVII. And Ibleam and her Towns.) It appears by 2 Kings ix. 27. that it was not far from Me- giddo, mentioned in the re of this Verſe. The Inhabitants of Dor and her Towns.) Con- cerning Dor, ſee xi. 2. whoſe Inhabitants (as alſo thoſe of the other Cities following) are here mentioned; becauſe, ir ſeems, they poſ- ſeſſed the People (whom they ought to have deſtroyed) as well as their Cities and Towns, making them their Slaves. And the Inhabitants of Endor, and her Towns. | The City whither Saul went to conſult with the Witch. It was not far from Mount Tabor; which was in the Confines of the Tribe of Iſſachar. And the Inhabitants of Tanaach, and her Towns. This City lay not far from the other; and was one of thoſe given to the Levites, xxi. 25. And the Inhabitants of Megiddo, and her Towns. This was near the former; not far from the Brook Kiſhon, Fudg. v. 19. Even three Countries. ] Or rather, three Parts of thoſe Countries before-mentioned. Ver. 12. Tet the Children of Manaſſeh could not drive out the Inhabitants of thoſe Cities. | Thro' Want of Faith in God, and of Zeal to erform his Commands; which made them Back in their Attempts to expel the Inhabitants of this Country. But the Canaanites would dwell in that Land. | Finding themſelves ſtrong enough to maintain it, againſt ſuch feeble Endeavours, as they uſed to conquer it. Ver. 13. Tet it came to paſs, when the Chil- dren of Iſrael were waxen ftrong, that they put the Canaanites to Tribute.] When they were more numerous and expert in War, not only the Manaſſites, but they of other Tribes alſo, brought the Canaanites to be 'Tributaries to them. But did not utterly drive them out.] In which they grievouſſy offended againſt God's Com- mand, Deut. xx. 16, 17, 18. Yer 14. And the Children of Joſeph ſpake un- to Manaſſeh, ver. 17. Saying, Why haſt thou given me but one Lot and one Portion to inherit, ſeeing I am a great People.] They were diſcontented with their Lot, which they thought too ſtrait for them; be- cauſe they were ſo very numerous, that the Country which was aſſigned them, was little enough for one of them. | Foraſmuch as the LORD hath bl:ſſed me hi- therto.] Multiplied them exceedingly, as appears from Numb. xxvi. 34, 37. Ver. 15. Aud -* anſwered them, If thou be a great People.] Tho' he was their Fleſh and Blood, yet Joſt ua would not humour them; but returns their Argument upon them, that ſince they were ſo great a People, they ſhould do as here follows. Then get thee up to the Wood Country.] Which was in the Highlands, ver. 18. which is full of Trees; For Aba, as Bochart obſerves, ſignifies very thick Woods, Lib. 2. Canaan, Cap. g. And cut down for thyſelf there.) Make it ha- bitable. upon JOSHUA. ſbua.] Both they of Ephraim, and they of 61 In the Land of the Perixzites.] Who were a rough uncivilized People, living in theſe moun- tanous Foreſts; as Bochart gathers from this Place; and thinks they had their Name from thence. Becauſe they did not live in Cities and Towns, but in thoſe Pagi that were in the Woods ; which the Hebrews call Pherazoth ; from whence the Pagani, the People who lived in thoſe Places, were called Pherazim, Lib. 4. Phaleg. Cap. 36. | And of the Giants.] There were ſome of the Rephaim (as the Hebrew Word is) ſtill remain- ing here; or it was a Place where they had been wont to dwell, If Mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.) If that noble Mount which was given them for their Portion, with the reſt of the Land before- mentioned (which is included in the Name of Mount Ephraim, the principal Part being put for the whole) did not afford them Room enough, he exhorts them to enlarge their Bounds, by taking in thoſe Wood-lands before- mentioned. Ver-16. And the Children of Joſeph ſaid, The Hill is not enough for us.] They ſtill inſiſted, that if they could get Poſſeſſion of the woody Mountain, and deſtroy all the Inhabitants, and cut down all the Trees, it would not be ſufficient to contain them. | And all the Canaanites that dwelt in the Land of the Valley.) But if it would, they further al- ledge, they had no Hope to conquer it ; be- cauſe, before they could come at it, they muſt encounter thoſe that lived in the Valley below ir, who were too ſtrong for them. Have Chariots of Iron.) Before which they were not able to ſtand : For he doth not mean Chariots made of Iron, but armed with Iron; which the Ancients called currus falcati, in Greek Jp*Tevoqverr: having a kind of Scythes of two Cubits faſtned to long Axle-Trees on both Wheels; which being driven ſwiftly thro' a Body of Men, made great Slaughter, mowing them down like Graſs or Corn. Xenuphon gives a Deſcription of them in his Cyro-Padia, Lib. 6. and Quintus Curtius, Lib. 4. Cap. 9. Vegetius alſo, de Re Militari, L. 3. Cap. 24. Bonfrerius hath heaped up abundance on this Subject; and ſo hath Joh. Cunradus Dietericus in his Antiq. Bi- blice, P. 329, Cc. where he obſerves Xenophon imagined Cyrus to have been the Inventor of theſe Chariots; which had been in uſe among the Cauaanites eight hundred Years before. Both they who are of Beth-ſhean and her Towns. and they who are in the Valley of Jexreel.] Which Cities, it ſeems, lay near to this Mountain, unto which Joſhua directed them, and both of them poſſeſſed by the Canaanites. Ver. 17. And Joſhua ſpake unto the Houſe of Joſeph, even unto Ephraim and Manaſſeb.] He was not moved, by their Objections, from his Reſolution; but told them, Thou art a great People, and haſt great Power.] That, by their own Confeſſion, they were very numerous; and conſequently, of great Power. Thou ſhalt not have one Lot only.) And there- fore need not be ftraitned in their Habitation; which they ſaid was not ſufficient for one Tribe. Ver. { | 62. ACOMMENTART Ver. 18. But the Mountain ſhall be thine.) For they ſhould have the Mountain added to their Portion ; which he could not enlarge any other way, it being ſettled by a divine Decree. For it is a Wood, and thou ſhalt cut it down. ] Or, tho it be a Wood, yet they could cut it down, and grub it up; and then it would afford a commodious Habitation. And the Goings-out of it ſhall be thine.) They ſhould have the Product of it: Or, all the Country below in the Valley (ver. 16.) ſhould be theirs alſo. And thou ſhalt drive out the Canaanites, tho they have Iron Chariots, and tho they be ſtrong. | He anſwers all their Objections (ver. 16.) with an Aſſurance that they ſhould be able, with God's Help, to diſpoſſeſs the preſent Inhabi- rants, notwithſtanding their great Force and Power : For ſo God had commanded them to believe, and not to be afraid of their Cha- riots, which now ſeemed ſo terrible to them. See Deut. xx. 1. C HH AP. XVII. Ver. 1. AZ D the whole Congregation of the Children of Iſrael. | All their Elders and Heads of their Tribes, who repreſented the People of Iſrael; and are ſometimes meant by the whole Congregation, as Corn. Bertram hath ſhewed in many Inſtances, particularly in 1 Chr. X111. 1, 2, &c. See IL. de Repub, Judaica, in the latter End of Cap. 6. and Cap. 11. But here it may well ſignify the whole Body of the People, _ accompanied the Ark to ſettle it in a new lace. Aſſembled together at Shilob.] A Place in the Tribe of Ephraim, not far from Jeruſalem ; and, as the great Primate of re/and thinks, the ſame with a But I do not find any Ground for that Opinion. And ſet up the Tabernacle of the Congregation there.] Which had hitherto remained in Gilgal ; but now, by God's Order, no doubt, (for he was to chooſe the Place of his own Reſidence, Deut. xii. 5, 11, 14, Cc.) was removed hither ; together with the Camp of 1ſrael, which tarried ſo long in Gilgal, merely becauſe the Taberna- cle was there. If it be enquired, what Token God gave of his Choice of this Place, Mr. Mede anſwers (Diſcourſe XLV. Book 1.) perhaps it was by giving ſome extraordinary Token of his Approbation, by accepting their Sacrifices ; or, it may be, they conſulted him in this Caſe by the Oracle of Urim and Thummim, For when he made Choice of Mount Sion, an Angel bad the PropherGad tell David he ſhould ſet up an Altar in the Threſhing-floor of Ornan; and there God anſwered him by Fire, &c. See 1 Chron, xxi. 18, 26. Now the Reaſon of its being tranſlated to Shiloh, it is likely, was be- cauſe it would have been too far, after the Di- viſion of the Land, for all the Tribes of 1ſrael to go to Gilgal, to perform all that the Law Tequired to be done at the Tabernacle. Which was now indiſpenſably to be performed, tho while they lived in the Wilderneſs, they did not live by theſe Rules (Deut. xii. 8, 9, 10.) and perhaps while they continued unſettled in Ca- naan, could not exactly obſerve them. This Place alſo was very convenient for all the Tribes to reſort unto; and likewiſe very ſafe, being guarded by the two powerful Tribes of Judah and Ephraim, And it was, as I ſaid, in the Lot of the latter ; for it was fit it ſhould be where Joſhua was; who, being of this Tribe, lived among them. Here it is thought the Ta- bernacle continued for the Space of three hun- dred and fifty Years, till the Days of Samuel ; but our Primate before-mentioned reckons no more than three hundred and twenty-eight: Years. | And the Land was ſubdued before them.] Or rather, for the Land was ſubdued, &c. that is, continued quiet, without any Oppoſition from the old Inhabitants, ſince the Conqueſt men- tioned xi. 23. Ver. 2. And there remained among the Chil- dren of Iſrael ſeven Tribes, which had not yet received their Inheritance.] For whom no Lot had been drawn at Gilgal. The Reaſon of which was, perhaps, becauſe the laſt-mentioned Tribes, of the Houſe of Joſeph, were not ſa- tisfied with the Diviſion which was begun to be made there. And therefore Joſhua ſtopp'd his Proceedings till he had made a new Survey of the whole Country. In order to which, God commanded him to remove hither ; from whence, being in the middle of the Country, they might do it more eaſily; and alſo give the Children of Joſeph greater Content, by ſettling God's Houſe among them. Ver. 3. And Joſbua ſaid unto the Children of Iſrael. | Unto the Congregation before-mentioned, ver. 1. How long are you ſlack to go to poſſeſs the Land, which the LORD God of your Fathers hath given you? He doth not blame them for not taking Poſſeſſion of the Land which was con- quered, without God's Direction, by a Lot (for that was expreſly commanded) but for their being ſo flow to conſider ef, and propound ſome Means of making ſuch an equal Diviſion, as they defied ; that they might take Poſſeſſion of the Land, where their Lot ſhould fall. Ver. 4. Give out from among you three Men for each Tribe.) He therefore himſelf propounds a Method for their Satisfaction; and ſuch an one as they could not diſlike, viz. that they ſhould chuſe three Men (for he would not ap- point them, but only give them Orders what to do) -out of each of the ſeven remaining Tribes that were not provided for; or ra- ther, out of the nine Tribes and an half; that they who had already received their Por- tion, might be willing to reſign up ſome Part of it, if they found, upon the Survey, there was not ſufficient left for their Brethren. And I will ſend them, and they ſhall riſe, and go thro' the Land.) Give them Orders to go immediately thro the whole Country ; both that which was divided, and that which was nor. | And deſcribe it.] Set down not only the Di- menſions of it, but its Condition and Quality ; whether barren or fruitful, mountanous or plain, Cc.  3 63 According to the Inheritance of them.] Making ſo many Parts in the Deſcription, as there re- main Tribes that want their Inheritance. Thus the next Verſe teaches us to explain it. And they ſhall come again to me.) Make their Report to him, when they had done, that he might judge of it.. Ver. 5. And they ſhall divide it into ſeven Parts.) Of equal Extent, with a juſt Reſpect, as Joſephus obſerves, not merely to the Quan- tity of Ground, but the Goodneſs of the Soil. But there was no Reſpe& to the greater or leſ- ſer Number of Perſons in each Tribe; for then theſe Men had given each Tribe their Portion, and there had been no need of a Lot. Their Buſineſs was to divide the Country into ſeven equal Portions, and leave God toappoint which Portion ſhould fall to each Tribe: Who would have no Reaſon to complain, when the Diviſion was made by themſelves. Judah ſhall abide in their Coaſt on the South, and the Houſe of Joſeph ſhall abide in their Coaſts on the North.] But the Lot of Judah, which was Southerly, and the Lot of Ephraim and Manaſſeh, which, with reſpe& to the former, were Northerly, were not to be altered. But theſe Tribes were to remain undiſturbed in their Poſſeſſions, unleſs it ſhould be found, that they had more than they needed, and others had leſs. For this was the very Reaſon of making a new and more exact Survey of the Country, than had been made before the firſt Diviſion; that there might be an Allotment made more to eve- ry one's Satisfaction; when they had a more perfect Account of all the Land. Accordingly, it is evident, that the Tribe of Judah (by com- mon Conſent, no doubt) parted with ſome of their Portion to the Simeonites, and the Danites, whoſe Lot appeared to be too ſcanty, xix. 29, 1. 1 Ver. 6. Te ſhall therefore deſcribe the Land into ſeven Parts, and bring the Deſcription hither to me.] When the Men, who were appointed to meaſure the Country, had divided it into ſeven Parts, he orders that the Deſcription, thus divided, ſhould be laid before him. ' That I may caſt Lots for you here before the LORD.) Whereby their Poſſeſſions were ſettled and eftabliſhed by a Divine Authority. For the Lots being drawn before the Sanctuary, God was deſired to declare what Portion every Tribe ſhould have. Accordingly, it was their Duty to look upon it as a ſacred Appointment, and to be contented with it ; for it was done at the very Door of the Tabernacle, as we read, xix. ult. | Ver. 7. But the Levites have no Part among you, for the Prieſthood of the LO RD is their Inhe- ritance.] He declared, what had been often ſaid before, that in this Diviſion of the Land, the Priefts and Levites were to have no Share; God having otherwiſe provided for them. See xii. 14, 32. xiv. 3. And Gad and Reuben, and half the Tribe of Manaſſeh, have received their Inheritance beyond Jordan, &c.] And as for the reſt, no Care was to be taken of them in this Diviſion ; becauſe Moſes had provided for them before they came over Jordan, | Ver. 8. And the Men aroſe, and went away. Being choſen by their Brethren (as Joſhua di- rected ver. 4.) to act in their Name. 5 And Joſhua charged them that went to deſcribe the Land, ſaying, Go, and walk through the Land, and deſcribe it, &c.) Before they went, Joſhua gave them a Charge to do the Buſineſs they went about, with Care and Fidelity; uſing their beſt Diligence to be truly and fully in- formed: And at their Return, give him an Account ; that he might put an End to all Diſputes, by deſiring God to aſſign every Tribe their Portion. That I may here caſt Lots for you, before the LORD in Shiloh.) Theſe Words ſound as if he gave this Charge to them in the Preſence of God, before the Sanctuary; that they might be excited to execute his Orders with greater Diligence. Ver. 9. And the Men went and paſſed thro the Land.] Thro' the whole Country, which they had conquered. And deſcribed it by Cities. | Set down the Name of every City, and its Villages, and the Territory about it, with its Situation. For ſo, I ſuppoſe, Joſhua charged them. Into ſeven Parts in a Book.) In which were ſeven Maps, as we now call them ; which made a Chorographical Deſcription of all the Cities, Towns, Mountains, Plains, Woods, and all other Conditions of the Soil. And came again to Joſhua to the Hoſt at Shiloh. ] For the Tabernacle being removed hither, the Camp followed it, as I obſerved, ver. 1. And here it remained till the Land was divided among the ſeven Tribes. Which could not be done in a ſhort Time ; for Joſephus ſaith they were ſeven Months in taking this Survey, and making the forenamed Deſeri tion. Ver. 10. And Joſpua.] With the Aſſiſtance of Eleazer and the Princes, xiv. 1. Caſt Lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD.) As he told them he would, ver. 6. The Man- ner of it, ſee upon Numb. xxvi. 55, 56; And there Joſhua divided the Land unto the Chi laren of Iſrael according to their Divi fions.] That is, according to the Diviſions made by the Surveyors; which were ſo juſt and equal, that all conſented the Lot ſnould determine what Part ſhould belong to them. | Ver. 11. And the Lot of the Tribe of Benja- min came up.] The Providence of God ſo or- dered it, that his Children ſhould have the firſt Lot of theſe ſeven, next to the Children of Jo- ſeph ; they two being the only Sons of Rachel, Jacob's beloved Wie. According to their Fumilies.] To be divided according to their Families. Aud the Coaſt of their Lot came forth between the Children of Judah.) Who lay on the South of them. | | And the Children of Joſeph.) For the Ephraim ites lay on the North of them. And it is ob- ſervable, that in the Bleſſing of Moſes, Benja- min is placed between Judah and Joſeph (Levi having no Inheritance among them) which Pro- hecy of Moſes by this Lot, was exactly ful- ed concerning him, Deut. XXX. 12, Ver. 64 _A\COMMENTARY Ver. 12. And their Border on the North Side was from Jordan, and the Border went up to the Side of Jericho, on the North Side.] Juſt thus the South Border of Ephraim proceeded from Jordan by Jericho, which, was in the Tribe of Benjamin. See xvi. I, 7. And went up thro the Mountain Weſtward. Thro' the mountanous Country, which lay on the North of Jericho, it wen to the We- ſtern Part of the Country. 