The first born of Joseph — The sense is, though Ephraim was to be more potent and numerous, yet Manasseh was the first — born, and had the privilege of the first — born, which was translated to Joseph, namely, a double portion; and therefore though this was but half the tribe of Manasseh, yet they a... [ Continue Reading ]
A Lot — A distinct inheritance. The rest — Namely, those of them which had not received their possessions beyond Jordan. Male — children — This expression is used to bring in what follows, concerning his female children.... [ Continue Reading ]
He — That is, Eleazar, or Joshua, with the consent of the princes appointed for that work.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ten portions — Five for the sons, and five for the daughters; for as for Hepher, both he and his son Zelophehad was dead, and that without sons, and therefore had no portion; but his daughters had several portions allotted to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
The daughters — Not less than the son, so the sex was no bar to their inheritance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Three cities — Tappuah, and the cities upon the coast descending to the river, &c. last mentioned. Among the cities of Manasseh — That is, are intermixed with their cities, which was not strange nor unfit, these two being linked together by a nearer alliance than the rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
His border — Manasseh's, whose portion is here described, and whose name was last mentioned. In Asher — That is, upon the tribe of Asher; for though Zebulon came between Asher and them for the greatest part of their land; yet it seems there was some necks of land, both of Ephraim's and of Manasseh's... [ Continue Reading ]
Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher — As Ephraim had some cities in the tribe of Manasseh, and as it was not unusual, when the place allotted to any tribe was too narrow for it, and the next too large, to give away part from the larger to the less portion; nay, sometimes one whole tribe was taken... [ Continue Reading ]
Children of Joseph — That is, of Ephraim and Manasseh. Spake unto Joshua — That is, expostulated with him, when they went and saw that portion which was allotted them, and found it much short of their expectation. One portion — Either, because they really had but one lot, which was afterwards divide... [ Continue Reading ]
A great people — He retorts their own argument; seeing thou art a great and numerous people, turn thy complaints into action, and enlarge thy borders by thy own hand, to which thou mayest confidently expect God's assistance. The wood — country — To the mountain, as it is called, Joshua 17:18, where... [ Continue Reading ]
Is not enough — Heb. the hill will not be found, that is, obtained by us; those fierce and strong people the Perizzites and the giants will easily defend themselves, and frustrate our attempts, having the advantage of the woods and mountains. The Canaanites that dwell — That is, and if thou sayest,... [ Continue Reading ]
One lot only — Thou needest and deservedst more than that lot, of which thou art actually possessed, and thou hast power to get more; which if thou endeavourest to do, God will bless thee, and give thee more.... [ Continue Reading ]
The out — goings of it — The valleys and fields belonging or adjoining to it, for there the Canaanites were, Joshua 17:16.... [ Continue Reading ]