Amorites — These and the Canaanites are mentioned for all the rest, as being the chief of them for number, and power, and courage. Westward — This is added to distinguish them from the other Amorites, eastward from Jordan, whom Moses had subdued. Canaanites — So the proper place of this nation was o... [ Continue Reading ]
At that time — As soon as ever they were come to Gilgal, which was on the tenth day; and so this might be executed the eleventh day, and that in the morning: on the thirteenth day they were sore of their wounds, and on the fourteenth day they recovered, and at the even of that day kept the passover.... [ Continue Reading ]
And circumcised — That is, he caused this to be done; and, because it was to be done speedily, the passover approaching, it was necessary to use many hands in it. Children of Israel — That is, such of them as were uncircumcised. And, though it be not mentioned, it is more than probable, that the Isr... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of Egypt — This is to be restrained to such as were then above twenty years old, and such as were guilty of that rebellion, Numbers 14:1, as it is expressed below, Joshua 5:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Them — Either their parents, or the rulers of Israel, by Divine permission and indulgence; because they were now on a journey, in which case the passover also might be neglected, Numbers 9:10, Numbers 9:13. Rather, it was a continued token of God's displeasure against them, for their unbelief and mu... [ Continue Reading ]
The people — The Hebrew word commonly signifies the Gentiles; so he calls them, to note that they were unworthy the name of Israelites. Shew them — That is, not give them so much as a sight of it, which he granted to Moses, much less the possession.... [ Continue Reading ]
Circumcised — Which God would have done, As a testimony of God's reconciliation to the people, and that he would not farther impute their parents rebellion to them. Because the great impediment of circumcision was now removed, their continued travels, and frequent and uncertain removal. To prepare t... [ Continue Reading ]
Whole — Free from that pain and soreness which circumcision caused, it was indeed an act of great faith, to expose themselves to so much pain and danger too, in this place where they were hemmed in by Jordan and their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
The reproach of Egypt — That is, uncircumcision, was both in truth, and in the opinion of the Jews, a matter of great reproach, and although this was a reproach common to most nations of the world, yet it is particularly called the reproach of Egypt, either, because the other neighbouring nations, b... [ Continue Reading ]
The passover — Which was their third passover: the first was in Egypt, Exodus 12:11, the second at mount Sinai, Numbers 9:1, the third here; for in their wilderness travels, these and all other sacrifices were neglected, Amos 5:25. While they were in the wilderness, they were denied the comfort of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Old corn — The corn of the last year, which the inhabitants of those parts had left in their barns, being fled into their strong cities, or other remoter parts. The morrow — That is, on the sixteenth day; for the passover was killed between the two evenings of the fourteenth day, and was eaten in th... [ Continue Reading ]
The manna ceased — Which God now withheld, to shew that Manna was not an ordinary production of nature, but an extraordinary and special gift of God to supply their necessity. And because God would not be prodigal of his favours, by working miracles where ordinary means were sufficient. The morrow —... [ Continue Reading ]
By Jericho — Heb. In Jericho, that is, in the territory adjoining to it; whither he went to view those parts, and discern the fittest places for his attempt upon Jericho. A man — One in the appearance of a man. Drawn — In readiness to fight, not, as Joshua thought, against him, but for him and his p... [ Continue Reading ]
As captain — I am the chief captain of this people, and will conduct and assist thee and them in this great undertaking. Now this person is not a created angel, but the son of God, who went along with the Israelites in this expedition, as their chief and captain. And this appears, By his acceptance... [ Continue Reading ]
From thy foot — In token of reverence and subjection. Holy — Consecrated by my presence. The very same orders which God gave to Moses at the bush, when he was sending him to bring Israel out of Egypt, he here gives to Joshua, for the confirming his faith, that as he had been with Moses, so he would... [ Continue Reading ]