_Joseph. The double portion is given to him, as Ruben forfeited his birth-right. (Chaldean) (Worthington) --- Waters; or the celebrated fountain, which renders the territory so fruitful, and which was made sweet, by Eliseus casting salt into it, 4 Kings ii. 19. --- Wilderness of Bethaven, chap. xvii... [ Continue Reading ]
_To Luza. The Vulgate reads Bethel Luza, which may be supposed to be two names, (chap. xviii. 13.; Haydock) for the same city. (Menochius) (Genesis xxviii. 29.) --- Bethel was probably the country, (Calmet) or mountain, (Haydock) to the east of Luza, on the frontiers of Benjamin and of Ephraim; for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nether. See chap. x. 11. The upper Bethoron was of much less note, near the Jordan. --- Gazer was in the vicinity of Azotus, 1 Machabees xiv. 34., chap. x. 33. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Possessed it, or divided the country between them. The territories of Ephraim are henceforward described, to the end of the chapter. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Looketh to the north, &c. The meaning is, that the border went towards the north, by Machmethath; and then turned eastward to Thanathselo. (Challoner) --- Borders. It should be terminus. "The border turneth eastward," Septuagint. (Bonfrere) --- Janoe, twelve miles east of Sichem. (Eusebius) (4 King... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reeds. Septuagint, "of Cana." The vale belonged to Manasses, but the cities were ceded to Ephraim, ver. 9., chap. xvii. 19. The limits of these two tribes are very confused. (Calmet) --- Most salt. This is the title generally applied to the lake of Sodom. But here the Mediterranean is meant, which,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gazer. It is not certain when the Ephraimites rendered this city tributary, or when it threw off the yoke. The king of Egypt afterwards conquered it, and gave it with his daughter to Solomon, chap. x. 33. (Calmet) See Judges i. 29. --- The negligence of Ephraim was contrary to God's order, Exodus x... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XVI.... [ Continue Reading ]