INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 14 This chapter proceeds to give an account of the countries divided to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan, Joshua 14:1; but previous to that division relates the claim of Caleb to Hebron, through a promise made unto him by Moses forty five years ago, upon his repor... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THESE [ARE THE COUNTRIES] WHICH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL INHERITED IN THE LAND OF CANAAN,.... Of which an exact account is given in the following Chapter s, particularly in the Joshua 15:1; WHICH ELEAZAR THE PRIEST, AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, AND THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS OF THE TRIBES OF THE CHIL... [ Continue Reading ]
BY LOT [WAS] THEIR INHERITANCE,.... Every tribe had its part and portion assigned to it, by the casting of lots; which was done to prevent any future quarrels, animosities and strifes among the tribes, the disposition being of the Lord; and to show the exact agreement between the lot and the divine... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES HAD GIVEN THE INHERITANCE OF TWO TRIBES, AND AN HALF TRIBE, ON THE OTHER SIDE JORDAN,.... The two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, whose inheritance is described in Joshua 13:8: BUT UNTO THE LEVITES HE GAVE NONE INHERITANCE AMONG THEM; this is frequently observed... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH WERE TWO TRIBES, MANASSEH AND EPHRAIM,.... For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES, SO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID,.... Particularly with respect to the division of the land, and making provision for the Levites; this they did by their heads and representatives, the high priest and chief ruler, and the princes of the several tribes: AND THEY DIVIDED THE... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH CAME UNTO JOSHUA IN GILGAL,.... Whither he was returned after the conquest of the kings and their kingdoms; these were not the whole tribe of Judah, but some of the chief men of it who accompanied Caleb, for the honour of him, as Ben Gersom observes, he being their prince;... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY YEARS OLD [WAS] I WHEN MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD SENT ME FROM KADESHBARNEA TO ESPY OUT THE LAND,.... Not he alone, but eleven more with him, one out of every tribe; his age he mentions, and of which, or near it, it is highly probable the rest of the spies were, to show that he and they wer... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS, MY BRETHREN THAT WENT UP WITH ME,.... Meaning the rest of the spies, excepting Joshua, that went up with him into the land of Canaan to spy it, which they might be properly said to do, since they went up a hill or mountain, in order to go into it, Numbers 13:17; MADE THE HEART OF THE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SWARE ON THAT DAY, SAYING,.... Or declared the oath of the Lord, for it was the Lord that sware to what follows; see Deuteronomy 1:34; SURELY THE LAND WHEREON THY FEET HAVE TRODDEN SHALL BE THINE INHERITANCE, AND THY CHILDREN'S FOR EVER: not the whole land of Canaan, nor all the parts of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW, BEHOLD, THE LORD HATH KEPT ME ALIVE, AS HE SAID,.... Had upheld him in life, and preserved him from many dangers in the wilderness; and had continued him not only in life, but in health to that day, according to his promise to him, that he would bring him into the land of Canaan, and that h... [ Continue Reading ]
AS YET I [AM AS] STRONG THIS DAY AS [I WAS] IN THE DAY THAT MOSES SENT ME,.... To spy the land, forty five years ago; suggesting that he was as sound in his mind, understanding, judgment and memory, and as hale, strong, and robust in his body now, as he had been so long ago; which was a wonderful in... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEREFORE GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN, WHEREOF THE LORD SPAKE IN THAT DAY,.... The mountainous part of the country, the hill country of Judea, in which Hebron, Debir, and other cities were; for it was not one particular city only that Caleb requested, but a large tract of ground; FOR THOU HEARDEST IN... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JOSHUA BLESSED HIM,.... By granting him his request, congratulating him upon it, and praying for and wishing him success in his attempt to drive out the giants, and possess their country: AND GAVE UNTO CALEB, THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH, HEBRON FOR AN INHERITANCE; being satisfied of the justness of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBRON THEREFORE BECAME THE INHERITANCE OF CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH THE KENEZITE UNTO THIS DAY,.... The time of the writing of this book: BECAUSE HE WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL; as in Joshua 14:8; Hebron signifies fellowship or communion; and this in a spiritual sense is very desirabl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE NAME OF HEBRON BEFORE [WAS] KIRJATHARBA,.... According to Jerom u, it had its name of Hebron from a son or grandson of Caleb of that name, 1 Chronicles 2:42; and if so, then it is here, and in some other places, so called by anticipation: Kirjatharba may be rendered "the city of the four"; a... [ Continue Reading ]