NOTES,
CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL,
ON THE BOOK OF
JO SHUA:
DESIGNED AS A GENERAL HELP TO
BIBLICAL READNI ~ A  I) INSTRUCTION
By GEO:RGE BUSH,
PROF. OF HEB. AND ORIENT. LIT. N. Y. CITY UNIVERSITY.
SECOND EDITION.
NEW YORK:
IVISON & PH}INNEY, 321 BROADWAY.
CHICAGO: S. C. GRIGGS & CO., 111 LAKE ST.
BUFFALO: PHINNEY & CO. CINCINNATI: MOORE, WILSTACH, KEYS & o0.
PHILADELPHIA: SOWER & BARNES. NEWBURG: T. S. QUACKENBUSH.
AUBURN: SEYMOUR & ALWABD.
1857.




Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1844, by
GEORGE BUSH,
in the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.




INTRODUCTION
TO THE
HISTORICAL BOOKS IN GENERAL.
THAT portion of the Old Testament which contains the history of the
affairs of the Jewish nation, from the death of Moses to its conquest by
the Chaldeans, is comprised in the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel,
and Kings. These, in the Hebrew classification, are termed the Former- Prophets.  The title Prophets. is given them on the ground of the
general belief, that they were written under the prompting of a Divine
impulse; and the epithet Formner is applied in reference to the place
which they occupy in the Sacred Canon, as preceding the books of the
Latter' Prophets, an appellation bestowed upon those whose character is
more strictly prophetical, viz., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve
Minor Prophets.  The records of the nation from the time of the exile
and the return thence, down to the close of the Persian empire, are
contained in the books of Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, which the Hebrews attach to that part of the canon called the Hagiographa, in which
are included also the books of Ruth and Chronicles. How ancient this
division was, we cannot positively affirm; but it was current at least as
early as the time of Jerome and the later Talmudists.
As to the sources from which these records were derived, there is a
very great d-egree of uncertainty, although it is admitted that they are
a species of compilation, made up, for the most part, from pre-existing
documents, in the shape of annals or chronicles, which were doubtless
co-eval with the events narrated. The evidence of such an origin discloses itself repeatedly in the texture of the records themselves, as we
shall have occasion hereafter to notice, although it does not seem to
have entered into the design. of the writers to designate, by formal reference or citation, the sources from which they drew. The mere circumstance that we have, in the Sacred Canon, a number of books bearing
the names of certain individuals, does not of itself prove that the books
were originally written, or even subsequently compiled, by the persons
whose names they bear. Thus, if we admit that Joshua Wrote the book




INTROrICTION.
which has come down to us with his name, yet as he could not have
written the account of his own death, or of the subsequent events, it is
clear that some hand besides his own is to be recognized in the composition. So neither was the book of Judges written as the joint production of those whose names it bears; nor the books of Samuel by Samuel,
as a great part of the events related in them occurred after his decease;
nor the book of Ruth by Ruth; nor the books of Kings and Chronicles
by the kings, each furnishing the history of his own reign; nor, finally,
the book of Esther by Esther herself. In regard to Ezra and Nehemiah,
the case is sonmewhat different; as they expressly declare themselves
the authors, and nothing in the contents invalidates the claim. As,
then, it is as common for historical documents to bear a title derived
from the personages and the subject-matter treated, as from the writers
themselves, nothing definite can be inferred as to the authorship of any
of the sacred books from the simple name by which it is distinguished.
This is a question that is to be determined by a variety of considerations, in which the voice of tradition is entitled to weigh just in propor.
tion as there is nothing in the internal evidence of the book itself, or in
the statements of contemporaneous history, to countervail its testimony.
The question of the inspiration of these writings is not affected by the
question of their origin. Their derivation from anterior documents,
as we have remarked in regard to the book of Genesis, does not militate
with their claims to the character of absolutely truthful and infallible
records of the events which they relate. It is clear that the purposes
of a Divine revelation require the character of unimpeachable truth in
the communications which shall comprise it, and equally clear is it, that
under the superintending control of Providence, an inspired man may
make use of an uninspired document, handed down to him from a prior
period, if that document be true in itself. and adapted to the object for
which it is employed. But, in fact, nothing forbids that such preceding
documents should themselves have originated in a supernatural prompting, of which the authors were unconscious. The Divine Spirit, who
sees the end from the beginning, may have had in view an ultimate use
of the written records of his servants, which governed, unknown to
them, their form and structure from their very inception; and a song
of triumph chanted over a slain or routed foe, the memoir of a distinguished deliverer, the narrative of a siege in some " war of the Lord,"
the legend of a miracle, the inscription on a pillar or the certificate of a
sale, may have been as truly suggested, overruled, and preserved by the
Spirit of inspiration, as any precept of the decalogud, or any vision of apyqphet.  Whatever God sees fit to autahenticate, by adopting into His
word, is to be considered as having virtually the stamp of inspiration.




INTRODUCTION.                        V
The character and attributes of the several historical books will come;eparately to be considered as we enter upon the exposition of each; but
we may here remark, as to the sources from which the materials are
drawn, that there is a high probability that persons of a prophetical cha.
racter existed all along the line of the Hebrew annals, whose office it
was to record the leading events of their history, and deposit them in
the public archives of the nation. The books of Kings and Chronceles
seem to be mainly made up from these sources.
THE BOOK OF JOSHUA.
INTRODUCTION.
~ 1. Title, Author, and Age.
TRE titles of the several books in the Sacred Canon, as we have already
remarked, designate, for the most part, rather their subject-matter than
their authors. The book before us is the first that is called by the name
of an individual, and that probably for the reason now suggested, that
it relates exclusively to the important series of events in the Israelitish
history in which Joshua was so conspicuous an actor. It details the
various proceedings of this illustrious leader in the execution of the
high trust committed to him as the successor of Moses. Yet this leaves
undetermined the question respecting its true authorship. The voice
of Jewish tradition very generally ascribes the book to Joshua, and
there is nothing to be gathered from internal evidence which militates
with the conclusion that the bulk of it may have proceeded from his
hand. That certain passages, however, were, upon this supposition.
inserted at a later period, as is evidently the case in regard to the Pentateuch, may safely be admitted, without detracting from its canonical
authority or genuineness.  Indeed, should it be maintained, as is done by
some critics, that it was wholly composed after his demise, from documents penned by him or under his direction, this will still leave its claims
to a place, in its present form, in the inspired writings, unaffected. The
arguments sustaining this position have already been given in the preceding section. Yet, on the whole, the evidence appears to preponder.
ate in favor of -the opinion which makes Joshua the author, with the
exception of the parts above alluded to. We cannot, indeed, place
1*




Vi                        INTRODUCTION.
much stress upon the passage, ch. 24. 26, in which Joshua is said ta
have'written these words in the book of the law of God,' for it is
not clear that any thing more is there intended than the words uttered
on that occasion, and in which the people express their solemn engage.
ments to be faithful to the covenant.  See Note in loc. But the following considerations have more weight.
(1.) The style of the composition is remarkably pure, free from
foreign words, forms, or idioms, and so strikingly conformed to that of
the Pentateuch as to argue a date nearly co-eval with it.
(2.) The writer speaks of himself as one that participated in the transactions which he records, ch. 5. 1:' And it came to pass, when all the
kings of the Amorites which were onl the side of Jordan westward, and
all the kings of the Canaanites which were by the sea, heard that the
Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of
Israel, elntil    wewe'e passed over, that their heart melted; neither was
there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.' As it
is said, moreover, ch. 6. 25, that' Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive,
and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth isa
Israel even unto this day,' there is a strong presumption that this was not
written later than near the close of Joshua's life; and if so, he would
be as likely to have written it as any one else.
(3.) It is scarcely conceivable that so many names of persons and
places as occur in this book, should have been preserved, unless in a
cotemporary document; and from whom would such a document have
been more likely to proceed than from Joshua himself E He might
naturally be expected to record such transactions as went to illustrate
the truth of the Divine promises made to his people.
(4.) The division of the land among the different tribes was doubtless recorded at the time it was made, and it was certainly made by
Joshua in person, immediately after the conquest. The account of this
division occupies a very considerable portion of the whole book
(ch. 14-21.), and as it is difficult, in the absence of all testimony to the
contrary, to assign a reason why Joshua should not have written the
bulk of the other parts as well as this, the presumption undoubtedly is,
especially as tradition affirms it, that he is the principal author. The
truth of the tradition may fairly be taken for granted, unless the work
itself can be shown to contain internal evidence against it.
(5.) In ch. 17. 13, it is said,' It came to pass, when the children of
Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but
did not utterly drive them out.' This has the air of having been written shortly after the conquest. Had it been penned at a much later
period, the writer would scarcely have failed to mention the well known




INTRODUCTION.                        fii
fact, that the Israelites were soon seduced into idolatry by these very
tributaries. The date of the writing was undoubtedly prior to this
apostacy.
The principal objections against assigning the authorship of the
book to Daniel, are the following:(1.) In ch. 1 0. 13, the circumstance of the sun and moon being stayed
in their course is said to be written in the book of Jasher.  This testimony, it is contended, would not have been quoted by Joshua, or any
other contemporary writer, concerning transactions of recent occurrence
and unusual notorieky. The inference therefore is, that the book entitled' the Wars of the Lord' must have been written at a much earlier
period than that in which it is cited. But there is no difficulty in supposing, that, as Joshua probably composed his book towards the latter
part of his life, he might have introduced an apposite quotation from a
history or poem containing a more minute or vivid description of the
miracle, and written some years before his own.
(2.) The use of the phrase' to this day' is supposed to indicate a
period very considerably subsequent to the date of the events. Thus
ocf the stones set up in the Jordan, ch. 4. 9,' they are there'unto this
day;'-of the place where the reproach of Egypt was rolled away,
ch. 5. 9,' the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day';'-of the
valley of Achor, ch. 7. 26,' it is so called unto this day;'-of the ruins
of Ai, ch. 8. 28,' it is a desolation sntto this day;'-and so in other
instances. In reply to this it can only be said, that the phrase does not
necessarily imply any considerable length of time. If Washington had
written annals of the American Revolution in the last year or two of his
life, no one would have been surprised to hear him saying of certain
monuments or memorials of battles and victories, that they remained'unto this day.' In like manner Joshua might have expressed himself
in the same language in similar circumstances.
(3.) An argument to the same effect is derived from  the narrative
ch. 19. 48, 49, of the taking of Leshem by the Danites. This event, it
is said, appears from Judges 18. 27-29, to have occurred after the death
of Joshua, and therefore the present account of it is inconsistent with
the asserted authorship of the book. Hence some have attributed its
composition to Eleazar, some to Samuel, and some to Isaiah or Ezra.
But it is not necessary, on this account, to attempt to invalidate the
claims of Joshua to the authorship of the substance of the book. It is
not denied that occasional interpolations have been made by later hands,
and this may safely be admitted to be one, although it is to be remarked,
that Jahn and others express strong doubts whether the two narratives
refer to the same expedition, as they they vary in several particulars.




Vii                     INTRODUCTION.
(4.) It is objected that certain places are called in this book by names
which they did not acquire till some ages afterwards. But as to'the
stray city Tyre,' ch. 19. 29, Bochart contends that this is not the cele.
brated city of that name, but an inland fortified place. So the Cabul
mentioned ch. 19. 27, is affirmed by Reland not to have been the coun.
try to which that name was applied by Hiram in Solomoa's time, but a
city which in the age of Josephus had degenerated into a village. We
may observe, too, in this connexion, that the expression' house of God,'
ch, 9. 23, is not exclusively applied to the temple, but also to the tabernacle,
as the Bedouins apply the term to a tent.
On the whole, therefore, we feel little hesitation in refering the authorship of the book, as a whole, to Joshua, though we doubt not that certain
isolated passages- have been inserted by copyists or revisers at a subsequent period. We see no good reason to doubt that the history here
given is his work, as truly as the Commentaries of Caesar are his; and
in this view we are confirmed by the a pricri probabilities of the case.
Moses, it is certain, kept an accurate register of the various events that
took place during his administration in the wilderness; and as Joshua
was his constant servant and companion, he could not but be aware of
the importance of such historical memoranda, nor can it well be supposed that, having succeeded him in the same office, he should not have
continued the same practice.
~ 2. Contents, Scope, and Design.
The book relates the history of Israel while under the command and
government of Joshua; the entrance of the Hebrews into Canaan; their
conquest of the greater part of the country; the division of the territory
by lot among the several tribes; and the provision made for the settlement and establishment of the Jewish church in that country. The
length of time embraced in this history is variously stated by chronologists, at seventeen, twenty-seven, and thirty years. Between twenty-six
and twenty-seven years is the usually received and most probable period.
The leading drift of the writer is to demonstrate the faithfulness of God
in the perfect accomplishment of all his promises to the patriarchs,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and also to Moses, that the children
of Israel should obtain possession of the land of Canaan. Viewed in
this light, it is an invaluable appendage to the preceding five books of
Moses, and indeed bears to them very much the same relation as does
the Acts of the Apostles to the Gospels of the four Evangelists. The
inspired historian relates, with all the animation of one who was an
actual eye-witness and participator of the scenes described, the success.
ire miracles that favored and secured the conquest of the country, the




:NTRQDVCTION.                       fi
general zeal, activity, and obedience of Israel In prosecuting their wars,
with the occasional lapses and transgressions that interrupted the career
of their victories. We see the Divine power and faithfulness conspicuously displayed in guiding, cherishing, and defending the chosen people
amidst all the trials to which they were exposed; and while the general tenor of the narrative affords a striking emblem of the warfare of
the Christian in gaining possession of his heavenly inheritance, it ministers the most abundant encouragement to those who in sincerity and
faith throw themselves upon the superintending care of that Being, who
keepeth covenant and mercy for ever.
The following will serve as a synopsis of the contents of the several
chapters:
PART I. —The Entrance of the Israelites into Canaan.
1. The appointment of Joshua as leader of Israel, ch. 1.
2. The spies sent out to view the land, ch. 2.
3. The miraculous passage of the Jordan, ch. 1. 10-18, ch. 2. 4
4. The renewal of the covenant, ch. 5. 1-13.
PART II.- The Victories of the Israelites under Joshua.
I. The conquest of Jericho, ch. 6.
2. The capture of Ai, ch. 7. 8.
3. Fraud of the Gibeonites-conquest of the five kings-niiracle
of the sun's standing still, ch. 9. 10.
4. Conquest of Canaan completed, ch. 11.
5. Recapitulation of the conquests of Israel, ch. 12. 13.
PART III.-Division of the Country.
1. Inheritance of the two tribes and a half, ch. 13.
2. General division of Canaan, ch. 14.
3. Inheritance of Caleb, ch. 14. 15.
4. Lot of Judah, ch. 15.
5. Lot of Joseph, ch. 16. 17.
6. The Tabernacle set up, ch. 18.
7. Lot of Benjamin and the remaining tribes, ch. 18. 19.
8. Inheritance of Joshua, ch. 19.
9. Cities of refuge and Levitical cities, ch. 20, 21.
PART IV.- The last Exhortations and DeatA of Joshua.
1. The assembling of the people and first address of Joshua, ch. 23.
2. The tribes again assembled and addressed by Joshua, ch. 24.
3. The death and burial of Joshua, eh. 24.
4. The death and -urial of Eleazar, Ch. 24.




X  INTRODUCTION.
~ 3. Commentator's.
(1.) Jewish.
RABBI SCIHELOMOH BEN JIZOHAK, commonly called RASCHE, or JARCmI;
R. DAVID KIMCHI; and R. LEVI BEN GERSON, commonly denominated
RALBAG, have each of them furnished commentaries on this book, which
are found in the Biblia Rabbinica of Buxtorf, published A. D. 1618.
For a character of Jarchi, see Introduction to Judges.
i 2~'V   2'1 Yl1~16  V~l   t pirosh Yehoshqua lerabbi Yeshayl, i. e. The
Commentary of R. Isaiah on Joshua, written out, translated, and illustrated with notes, from a Manuscript in the Library of the Senate of
Leipsic, by D. GEORGE ABICHT. Leips. 1712. Republished in the Thesaur'us Novus Theologico-Philologico, or Sylloge of Exegetical Dissertations on Select Passages of the Old and New Testament, from the
Museum of Theod. Hase and Conrad Iken, Leyden, 1732, vol. i., p. 474,
seqq. This Rabbi Isaiah, the son of Elias, who is called Isaiah the
latter, flourished in the 1 3th century, and wrote commentaries on the
books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Ezra, which Masius says, in the
catalogue of Jewish authors subjoined to his Commentary on Joshua,
that he possessed in manuscript, and from  which he often quotes.
Comp. WOLFII Biblioth. Hebr. T. I., p. 705, seqq.
(2.) Christian.
MART. BORRHAI, called also CELLARIUS, Commentarii in Libros Josuce,
Judicum, Samuelis, et Regum. Basil.  1557. Fol.
VICTOR STRIGELII Liber Josuce, argunentis et scholiis illustratus. Leips.
1570, 1575. 8 vo.
ANDRENR MASI. Josuce Imperatoris Historia illustrata atque explicata.
Antverpia, 1574. Fol.
Masius, though a lawyer and a Catholic, has produced by far the:most elaborate work ever published on the book of Joshua, and probably
the most valuable commentary, with the single exception of that of Calmet, to which the Roman church can lay claim. Considering the age
in which it was written, and the limited facilities which the author
could have enjoyed for such a performance, it is truly a remarkable
work; and it will rather enhance the reader's estimation of its merit to
know, that it comes within the list of books prohibited by the Papal see
-a fate which we might be certain a priori its excellence would secure
to it. Pool, in the preface to his Synopsis, says of Masius,'Vir longlore vita et immortali memoria dignus; interpres cui parem ingenio,
judicio, rerum ac linguarum peritia, candore et modestia, haud facile
reperiesj'-a man worthy of a longer life and of an undying celebrity;




INTRODUCTION.                          XI
an interpreter, whose equal in talent, judgment, historical knowledge, skill
in languages! candor and modesty, is not easily to be found.  Similar
commendation is bestowed by Buddeus, Walchius, and other bibliographers upon the commentary of Masius; and from having it constantly
before me in the preparation of the ensuing notes, I feel no hesitation
in subscribing to the general justice of these encomiums. The work
contains, besides the commentary, the book of Joshua in the original
Hebrew, with the Greek of the Septuagint, and a three-fold Latin translation, together with a preface containing valuable readings to the Greek,
from a manuscript copy in his possession, which since his death has
unfortunately been lost to the learned world.
DAVID CHYTRJEI Praclectiones in librum Josuce.  Rostochii. 1577. 8vo.
BENED. ARIia MONTANI Liber de optimo Imperio, sive in Librum Josace
Commentarius.  Antwerp.  1583.  4to.
NICOL. SERARII Commentarius in Librqm Josue. Duob. Tom. Mogunt.
1609. Paris. 1610. Fol.
COSM)E MAGCALIANI Commentarii in sacram. Josuce historiaz, cum Appendice rerurm ab eo gestar m ante ingressumn terrce Sanctee.  Turnoni. 1612.
Tom. I., II. Fol.
Jo. DRUSii ad loca diJiciliora Josuce, Judzcum, el Samuelem Commentariuns.  Additur est Sixtini Anama  Commentarius de Decimis Mosaicis.
Franeck. 1618. 4to.
JAC. BONPRERII Josua, Judices, et Ruth Commentario illustrati.  Paris.
1631. Fol.
EMANUELIS DE NAXERA Commentarii literales et morales in Josuam, hostilibus redimitum trophais, cum appendice de Rahab et Arca.figurata. T. I
Antwerp.  1650, and T. II. Lugd. 1652. Fol.
HENR MARCELLI Commenta'riu~s in libq~rum Josuce. Herbipoli. 1665. 4to.
PHIL. LUD. HANNECKII Adnotata philologica in Josiuam. Gissm. 1665.
Svo.
Jo. ADAMI OSIANDRI Commentar'ius in Josztam, exhibens sacrum cum
exegesi textum, lectionum et versionum varietatem, conciliatas antilogias,
ehronologiam, utilium quastionum  solutionem, objectiones cum vinaiciis,
observationles philologicas, et locos cummunes doctrinales.  Tubing.  1681.
Fol.
SEBAST. SCHMIDII Prelectiones academicce in octo priora libri Josuce
capita.    Hamburgi.  1693.  4to.
For the character of Schmid as a Scriptural critic, see the list of
Commentators prefixed to the book of Judges.  His Prelections on
Joshua, which were arrested at the eighth chapter by the death of the
author, are of similar character and value with those on the succeeding
book. He affords very important aid to the commentator.




xli                       INTRODUCTION.
JAC. FELIBIEN Pentateuchus historicus, sive quinque libri historici, Josua,
Judices, Ruta, ac duo Regzum (Samuelis), ceam Commrentaziis, ex fonte Hebraica, versione Septuaginta Interpretum et variis auctoribus collectis.
Paris. 1704. 4to.
GOTTLOB WILH. MEYER Ueber die Bestan7dtheile und die (Ekonomie des
Buchs Josua. In the Theolog. Krit. Journ., edited by. Bertholdt, vol. II.,
Fasc. 4to. p. 337, seqq. Solisbach. 1815.
H. E. G. PAULUS Blicke in das Buck Josua, als Vorgeschkzcte der uffe.
tin und Samnuels, in auctoris Tkeologisck-Exegetischen Conservatorium,
P. II., p. 149, et seq. Heidelberg. 1822.
CLAUD. HENR. VAN HERWERDEN Disputatio de Libro Josuce, sive de
diversis ex quibus constat Josuce liber monumentis, deque cetate, qua eorun
vixerint auctores.  Groning.  1826. 8vo.
The object of the author is to show that the book of Joshua is coniposed of ten different documents, each of which is clearly distinguished
from the othersain style, diction, and scope. These various portions he
has designated, and contends that they are distinctly marked by certain
peculiarities of verbal usage, running through them respectively. Rosenmueller, however, objects that this is very precarious ground on
which to form a definite decision of this nature; and though he gives
the author credit for great research and acumen, he evidently deems
his conclusions of little value.
F. J. V. D. MAURER Commentar uber das Buck Joshua.  Stuttgard.
1831. 8vo.
This is mainly a verbo-critical commentary, detailing the nice points
of grammatical construction, and indicating the application of certain
philological principles, fixed by Gesenius and Ewald, to the language
of the book. In this respect it has some value, but very little in any
other. The author belongs to the freest school of biblical criticism,
and does not scruple to call all the supernatural events recorded mythical, and like De Wette and others, considers the book a sort of patchwork, made up of the shreds of pre-existing rhapsodies and fragments.
In the ensuing Commentary, as well as in all my former vols. on the
Pentateuch, I have adopted the plan of giving the Hebrew without
points, simply with a view to preserve uniformity in the appearance of
the printed page; as the insertion of the points would necessarily throw
the lines, between which they occurred, wider asunder than the rest.
By way of compensation I have endeavored to express the pronunciation
of the Hebrew words in English letters; and as for this purpose the
sounds of the vowels have to be modified by accents, the reader will
bear in mind that they are indicated as follows: —
d=a in aWl. M=a in hate. I=i in shire.  3=o in bone. ftoo in nmoo,




THE BOOK OF JOSHUA.
CHAPTER  1.                LORD, it came to pass that t:i
N OW  after the death of Mo- LORD spake unto Joshua the sr,
ses, the  servant of  the  of Nun, Moses' aminister, saying,
a Exod. 24. 13. Deut. 1. 33.
1. Note after the death of  /lIoses, high and honorable title, applied to
4,c.  The literal rendering of the Moses, not merely in the sense in
Heb. is, I And it was (or happened) which it is applied to pious and good
after the death of Moses, and the men generally, who may justly be
Lord spake, &c.'  This rendering  styled servants of the Most High, indiscloses more perfectly the use of asmuch as it is the grand aim of their
the copulative' and' in the original, lives to serve and obey him; but in
which is so employed as to bring this this connexion carrying with it a
book into immediate connexion with  reference to the peculiar nature of the
the foregoing, and thus makes it a service in which Moses was emregular continuation of the sacred  ployed, viz., that of a minister, menarrative begun and carried on by diator, deputy, or vicegerent of God,
Moses in the five preceeding books. the honored organ through whom he
In like manner the book of Ruth  communicated his will to his chosen
commences with a similar phraseol- people and managed all their varied
ogy, ilrt   And it came to pass, &c., interests. It is in this character that
although it cannot be questioned that he stands so highly commended in
there are other instances, as in the the sacred volume, having received
opening of the books of Esther and  the divine testimony to his being
Ezekiel, where the I v cannot have a'found faithful in all God's house as
copulative, but merely a conversive a servant,' and being expressly dissense; i. e., it converts, according to tinguished by this title, not only here,
a peculiarity of the language, the where God himself is pleased so to
future into the past or pretorite sense. denominate him, v. 2, but also in
-The time referred to at the opening  Rev. 15. 3, where it is said of the
of this book, was probably at the company standing upon the sea of
conclusion of the thirty day's mourn- glass, that they' sing the song of Moing for Moses, spoken of Deut. 34, ses the servant of God.' On the sense
8; or it might have been during that of ministerial ruling oftentimes inperiod; in which time also it is the volved in the term servant, see Note
opinion of some commentators that Gen. 24. 2.-   r The Lord spake unto
the spies (chap. 2, 1) were sent out. Joshua, I4c. The name of this sllas---     The servant of tie Lord. A  trious leader of Israel appears in a
2




14                           JOSHUA.                     [B. C. 1451.
somewhat different form in several might be given to his successor, it
different connexions in which it oc. seems highly probable that the in.
curs. In Num. 13. 16, we are in- structions and encouragements imformed that' Moses called Oshea the parted on this occasion were delivson of Nun, Jehoshua,' where the ori- ered from the same place.-~-q Mo.
ginal is in the first instance VlV1n ses' minister. Heb. tlZh t[ql7 mee
Aoshiia, the same name with that of shareth MoshiA6, he that served, or
the Prophet Hosea, and in the second mninistered to, Moses. The original.5V1'1,r yehloshua, having the first let- Add shirath, to minister, is used
ter of'Jehovah' (,ifi) appended. with the accusative of the person
The first of these the Gr. of the Sept. ministered to, and is found for the
represents by Avr,7, Ansi, the other by most part in those connexions, whewr
InaTovs, Jesus. The Hebrew root of the service of God is spoken of, espethe name has the import of salvation, cially that which was rendered by
and from  this the sense of Saviour the Priests and Levites. Joshua was
has been transferred into the Greek Moses' minister in the sense of an
Inovvs) Jesus. In Neh. 8. 17, we have immediate attendant, one who waited
still another form; Aide yesleua, Je- upon his person, and assisted him in
shaa, where the Gr. preserves the business; one of whose services he
usual form Incovs, Jesus. It was doubt- availed himself in a variety of ways,
lessfromthis currentusage of the Sep- as Elisha, of those of Gehazi. In
tuagint that the New Testament wri- Deut. 1. 38, it is expressed by a difters have in two instances applied to ferent, but equivalent phrase Shim
Joshua the name of the Saviour, of   >   haiomed lepatnika, who standeth
whom  he was undoubtedly an emi- before thee, a usual mode of expressnent type.  The first is Acts 7. 45, ing the idea of ministration.  The'Which also our fathers, that came Iword is rendered in some copies of
after, brought in withJesus,' i.e. Josh- the Greek, Vi7rspyos, an under-workua. The other is Heb. 4. 8,' For if man, in others, epdTrcwv, one that waits,
Jesus (Joshua) had given them rest, attends Upon, ministers to. Previous
then would he not afterward have spo- to the death of Moses, Joshua had
ken of another day.' This change of been specially designated to the ofnames, in the case of various Scrip- fice which he is now called to asture personages, appears to have been sume, Deut. 1. 38; 31. 3, 6-8; and
governed by a change of relations, for which he was peculiarly qualified
either to God or to man, as in the by his long familiarity with Moses,
case of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Dan- and by the training which he would
tel, Paul, and others. See Note on naturally receive in the station occuGen. 17. 5.  Of the  aanner of the pied under him.  An humble and
communication now made to Joshua, devoted spirit, a willingness to serve
we are not expressly informed. From  God irn the meanest employments, is
the fact that Moses and Joshua, just the best preparative, and often the
before the death of the former, were surest precursor to posts of honor
summoned together into the'taber- and dignity in the church. Whernacle of the congregation,' Deut. 31. ever this is the case, no previous
14, that the dying charge of Moses lowness or obscurity of origin is, in




B  C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  I.                           15
2 bMoses my servant is dead; unto the land which I do give
now therefore arise, go over this to them, even to the children of
Jordan, thou and all this people, Israel.
b Deut. 3. 5.
God's sight, an obstacle to advance- assurance he now received, could
ment. Persons of this character are have sustained his courage in such
often surprised to look back, and see an arduous station.-~  Go over this
from  what small beginnings they Jordan. This river, which you now
have been raised step by step, under have in full view before you, and on
the guidance of Providence, to sta- the banks of which you are entions of the most extensive influence camped.  For a description of the
and usefulness.                  Jordan, see'Illustrations of the Scrip2. Moses my servant is dead. As tures,' p. 20. It was doubtless a seToshua was of course aware of the vere trial to Joshua's faith, to be thus
fact of Moses' decease, these words called upon to make immediate precould not be intended merely to an- paration for crossing a river that was
nounce to him that event. They are now overflowing its banks, chap. 3.
equivalent to saying,' The death of 15, and for getting over which he
my servant Moses has left the people was totally unprovided with the ordiwithout a leader and a head to con- nary means, whether of boats or
duct them into the promised land.. It bridges. But as God had given the
is necessary that his place should be command, he must not doubt that he
immediately filled. Thou hast been would open a way for his people,
selected for that office, and the time though it should be by cleaving the
has now come for thee to enter upon waters and repeating the miracle
the active discharge of its duties. witnessed at the Red Sea. It was as
Arise therefore, and go at once about certain that they should be conducted
the work of thy high calling.' Proba- over the Jordan, as it was that they
bly Joshua's deep sense of his own should be led into Canaan, and to
insufficiency and unworthiness, and this the Most High had pledged himof the many dangers and difficulties self by the most solemn promises,
which encompassed his path, had renewed from age to age, from the
caused him  somewhat to despond time of Abraham  down to that of
and waver in spirit, and rendered Moses.  With a'thus saith the
necessary this direct and rousing Lord' for our warrant, we may boldly
summons, which, for the same rea- go forth in the face of obstacles that
son, God was pleased to accompany are absolutely insuperable to human
with so many encouraging promises. power.-~- Thou} and all this peoWhen it is considered that Joshua pte. That is, with the exception of
was now ninety-three years of age, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of
that he had to govern a very perverse Manasseh, to whom was granted, at
and rebellious people, and was going their own request, a possession on
to contend with. a warlike and for- the eastern side of the Jordan, where
midable enemy, it will perhaps ap- they were now encamped, Num. 32.
pear, that nothing short of the divine ---   Unto the land which I do give




16                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1461.
3 "Every place that the sole 4 dFrorm the wilderness and
of your foot shall tread upon, thia  Lebanon  even  unto  the
that have I given unto you, as I great river, the river Euphrates,
said unto Moses.                   all the land of the Hittites, and
c Deut. 11. 24. ch. 14. 9.     Gen. 15.18. Exod. 23.31. Num. 34.3-12,
to them.  Heb.;i5 71 l~M       iI limits should be from the wilderness
asher'noki nothen tiihem, which I am  of Sin, or the desert of Arabia Pegiving to them. That is, the land of tria on the South, to Lebanon on the
which I have long promised them the North; and from  the Euphrates on
inheritance, and of which I am now  the East, to the great sea, or the Mein the very act of putting them  in diterranean, on the West. The Israpossession. Though the promises of elites did not indeed. possess the full
God may be slow in fulfilling, yet extent of this grant until the time of
the accomplishment will come at David, but their failure to do so was
last; not one jot or tittle shall fail. owing entirely to their own remissThough'the vision be for an ap- ness, unbelief and disobedience, as
pointed time, yet at the end it shall was every reverse with which they
speak, it shall not lie; though it tar- met during the whole period of their
ry, wait for it; because it will surely history. They were not straitened
come, it will not tarry.'          in God, but in themselves; and the
3. Every place that the sole of your same remark holds good with regard
foot shall tread upon. That is, every to his people in all ages.-.ff And
place within the limits specified in this Lebanon.  That is, unto this
the ensuing verse.  The expression Lebanon, which was the boundary
in this, as in innumerable other ca- opposite to thatof the wilderness. See
ses, must be qualified by the connex- Note on Deut. 11. 24. The mounion. The extent of the grant is more tain range is thus particularized beexpressly defined in the striking par- cause it could doubtless be seen from
allel passage, Deut. 11. 24,'Every the spot where Joshua now stood,
place whereon the soles of your feet rearing its lofty summits towards the
shall tread, shall be yours; from the clouds in the northern extremity of
wilderness and Lebanon, from  the Canaan. Foran account of this wellriver, the river Euphrates, even unto known range of mountains, any of
the uttermost sea, shall your coast the various works in sacred geograbe.' It is to these words spoken to phy may be consulted. See also'I1Moses that allusion is made in the lustrations of the Scriptures,' p. 103.
next clause.  Indeed, nearly every The name' Lebanon' comes from
sentence in this address to Joshua, the Heb. root )j laban, white, from
occurs somewhere in the course of its summits' being so constantly covthe foregoing history, especially in ered with snow.-:~ All the land oJ
the book of Deuteronomy.           the Hittites. This clause is wanting
4: From the wilderness, 4-c. God in the Gr. version of the LXX, and in
here proceeds, in very brief terms, to the Arabic it is rendered upon (i. e. bemark out and define the boundaries yond) the land of the Hittites. But as
of the land of promise, Its utmost nothing is known tending to invtdi



B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  1.                             17
unto the great sea toward the   5 e There shall not any man be
going down of the sun, shall be able to stand before thee all the
your coast.                                 e Deut. 7. 24.
date the reading of the text, we must all the rest of their enemies.-Ir The
presume it to be genuine, and leave great sea. The Mediterranean; so
it undisturbed. It is not the name called as being the greatest in the viof a region lying without the limits cinity of the land of promise, the
above specified, or of a country pro- greatest with which the Israelites
mised in addition to that which had were acquainted, and especially so
been so long assigned, in the divine termed in respect to the smaller seas
purpose, to Israel, but it was one of in Judea, such as the sea of Gennesthe seven nations of Canaan, so often aret or Tiberias, and the Dead Sea,
alluded to in the books, of Moses, and which were comparatively mere lakes.
here probably mentioned bysynecdo- The Hebrews, however, were accusche, a figure of speech by which a tomed to give the name of V "yam, sea,
part is put for the whole. In like to every large collection of waters.
manner, in other instances, the nation -~1   Toward the going down of the
of the Amorites stands for the whole sun. Heb. 1'lVVT X12= mebo hasAsheof the Canaanitish people. As a rea- mesh, lit. the going in of the sun. The
son for the particular mention of the Heb. usage is to speak of the sun's
Hittites here, rather than any other going in instead of setting, as is cornof the devoted nations, it may be re- mon with us. According to the usual
marked, that it appears fromthe trans- analogy of rendering adopted by our
action of Abraham with the sons of version, the word toward should be
Heth, or the Hittites, (Gen. 23,) that printed in Italics, as there is nothing
they inhabited the southern borders to answer to it in the original. So
of the land about the region of Beer- also in v.15.-  1~ SXhll be your coast.
sheba and Hebron, where subse. Your border, your boundary, your
quently. the spies saw the gigantic limits.  Thus Mat. 2. 16,'Then
Anakims, who inspired them with so Herod sent forth, and slew all the
much terror. It was natural, there- children that were in Bethlehem, and
fore, that they should regard these in all the coasts thereof;' i. e. in all
people as the most formidable ene- the region or territory bordering upon
mies whom they would be likely to it. Such also is the import of the
encounter, and equally natural that word coast, as used by some of the
God, in assuring them of the com- early English writers.
plete conquest of all these nations,   5. There shall not any man be able
should specify that one which more to staed before thee. Heb. 2l'h RN
than all others they'dreaded.  He   aRs lo yithyatztzeb ish, a vman shall
would thus banish their fears where not plant or station himself. The form
they would be most certain to rise, of the sentence in our version' shall
and by promising them  a victory, not be able to stand' coInmSs from the
where they might apprehend a defeat, Lat. Vulg.W which has'nullus poteinspire them with unwavering confi- rit vobis resistere.' The Gr. has ode
dence of success in contending with cvrtaralratjZ shall not resist. But the
2*




18                           JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451
days of thy life: fas I was with  h I will not fail thee nor forsake
Moses, so g I will be with thee: thee.
Exod. 3. 12. g Deut. 31. 8, 23. ver. 9,  h Deut' 31. 6, 8. Hebr. 13. 5.
17. ch. 3. 7. and 6. 27. Isai. 43. 2, 5.
idea expressed in our version no before the men of Ai, the answer i4
doubt correctly represents the sense that they failed in the conditions on
of the original, which is not so which the promises of victory were
much to deny the fact that opposi- suspended.  These promises were
tion would be made to Joshua and not absolute. They were made with
the Israelites, for we know that their a proviso. They were to be fulfilled
enemies did often'plant themselves' on condition of the implicit faith and
against them, but rather to assert the obedience of the people, with the perinability of their adversaries to make feet understanding, at the same time,
any successful resistance. No man that God's grace was sufficient for
shall be able effectually to withstand them, and that if they sought him
thee, to maintain his ground before sincerely, they should never fail torethee, or to throw any serious obstacle ceive an adequate measure of ability
in thy way. Joshua is, however, ad- to enable them to comply with these
monished that his sufficiency was not conditions. On the occasion alluded
of himself. It was solely in conse- to, they had grossly failed in duty,
quence of God's being with himn, up- they had sinned and transgressed the
holding and prospering him, as he covenant and were therefore smitten
did Moses, that he was to be rendered  before the enemy,' because  they
thus invincible.  Those that con- were accursed,' i. e. laboring under
tended with him  were contending the Divine displeasure, Josh. 7. 12.
with omnipotence, and in this une- - Tr As I was with Mloses, so I will
qual contest they must necessarily be be with thee. Chal.' As my Word
worsted.'If God be for us who can was for Moses' help, so shall my
be against us' What Joshua had Word be for thy help.'-  If I will
himself, on another occasion, said to not fail thee nor forsake thee. Heb.
encourage the people, Num. 14. 9, 1tb[ N5 lo arpek&.  The original
God now says to him. This signal term  here rendered'fail' properly
success, moreover, was not only to signifies to let sink, to let grow slack
mark'the commencement of his en- and fall down, being generally spoterprises, but to attend himthroughout ken of the hands, and implying a
e:ts whole career. However it might loosing or relaxing of one's grasp,
be with Israel when he was gone, yet and the consequent falling down of
during his 1 fe-time he should be fa- the hands, as in Josh. 10. 6,'Slack
vored with a constant tide of tri- not thy hands (aTl  r1   l 5}R al t'umphs. If it be asked how this as- r'epj  yAdeka) from thy servants.' It
surance consists with the fact, that has a meaning directly opposite to
he met with such a serious repulse in  that of the word for laying a fir? hold,
one of his earliest expeditions, and  taking a vigorous grasp, of any thing,
that so many thousands of Israel The other is the usualword for leave,
were smitten and turned their backs forsake, abandon. The sense clearly




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  I.                             19
6  Be strong and of a good shalt thou divide for an inheritcourage: for unto this people ance the land which I sware
Ai Deut. 31. 7, 23.      unto their fathers to give them.
is, that God would keep firm hold of imous.-~-   U-nto this people shalt
his servant, would not let go of him, thou divide for an inheritance the
would not resign him uMp to the power land. Heb. ~'~fhl  tanhll, thou shalt
of his enemies. Moses had before cause to inherit. Which supposes the
given to Joshua the same assurance, previous entire conquest of the land;
couched almost in the express words and in this respect a higher degree
of this passage, Deut. 31. 6-8; and of honor was vouchsafed to Joshua
here God is pleased, in accordance than to Moses, for he was only perwith the character which he else- mitted to conduct Israel through the
where gives of' himself, Is. 44. 26, wilderness, and bring them to the
to'confirm the word of his servant,' borders of the promised land, while
and engages never to' leave or be Joshua had the glory of actually takwanting to Joshua.                ing possession of, and distributing
6. Be strong and of a good cour- the land to his people as an inheritage.  Heb.  niv 2pTl1 hazak ye- ance. God is pleased, therefore, to
emnatz.  Gr.' pXve' KaZ dWvpi@ov, be make known to him  his purposes
strong and act the man. The orig- concerning him, as a reason for his
inal terms, though nearly related, assuming all that strength and courare not precisely synonymous with age which he now enjoins upon him.
each other. They both occur, though Compare the parallel passage, Deut.
under -slightly different forms, Is. 1. 37, 38:' Also the Lord was angry
35. 3:' Strengthen ye (ql>rl hazzekf) with me, for your sakes, saying,
the weak hands and confirvm (='lgt  Thou also shalt not go in thither.
ammbtzu) the feeble knees,' from  But Joshua the son of Nun, which
which and from other passages, it is standeth before thee, he shall go in
inferred that the first,'be strong,' thither.  Encourage him: for he
properly implies that strength which shall'cause Israel to inherit it.' This
is in the hands for grasping and'encouragement' which Moses was
holding firmly any thing, while the to give to Joshua we find embodied
latter points primarily to the strength in his farewell address, Deut. 31.
of the knees in steadfastly maintain- 7, 8, 23:' And Moses called unto
ing one's position, and withstand- Joshua, and said unto him in the
ing every aggressive assault of the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of
enemy. From this view of the pri- a good courage: for thou must go
mary and literal acceptation of the with this people unto the land which
words, we obtain a better idea of the Lord  hath sworn unto their
their import when applied metaphor- fathers to give them; and thou shalt
ically, as here, to the acts of the mind. cause them to inherit it. And the
They imply the utmost degree of Lord, he it is that doth go before
vigorous and determined action, a thee; he will be with thee, he will
spirit and energy directly the reverse not fail thee, neither forsake thee A
of every thing imbecile and pusillan- fear not, neither be dismayed. And




20                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
7 Only be thou strong  and my servant commanded thee;
very   courageous,  that thou'turn  not from  it to the right
mayest observe to do according or to the left, that thou mayest
to all the law  k which  Moses
k Numb. 27.23. Deut. 31.7. ch. 11. 15.   Deut. 5. 32, and 28. 14.
he gave Joshua the son of Nun a is in this chiefly that the fortitude of
charge, ands -aid, Be strong and of a the Christian soldier is to evince
good courage: for thou shalt bring itself. He is not only to fight, but to
the children of Israel into the land'fight lawfully,' that is, in conformwhich I sware unto them: and I ity to that system of Divine instrucwill be with thee.' The Most High, tions contained in the  Scriptures.
therefore, in these words emphati- From this he is never to deviate, nor
cally reminds Joshua'of the solemn to turn away his eyes.  However
charge which Moses had given him. difficult or self-denying its injuncGod will not fail to adopt and etnforce tions, he must obey them, and rather
as his own those commands which die than depart from them, In so
are uttered by his servants in accord- doing he will find the promises ful.
ance with his will.               filled, and the Divine blessings im7. Only be thou strong and very parted as truly and as signally as did
courageous.  The Heb.. term  here Joshua himself in his arduous waremployed j1' rak, only, clearly indi- fare, —--   Which Moses my servant
cates that a condition is stated on commanded thee.  The particular
which the promise of the foregoing commands of Moses here referred to
verse shall be made good.  This are to be found in Deut. 5. 32; 28. 14,
condition is the constant and rigid and 31. 7, 8; and though originally
observance of the Divine command, delivered to all the congregation, yet
an inflexible firmness in adhering to here they are especially applied to
that code of precepts contained in the Joshua, who, as leader, stood as the
law of Moses. This he was inces- representative of the whole collective
santly to make the man of his coun- body of the people.-I  Twrn not
sel and the theme of his daily and from it to the right hand or to the
nightly study. It was in this respect left.  Heb. I='1'1ltt 1 m al tissur
mainly that his courage and fortitude mimmenu, turn not from him; i. e.
were to be evinced.  A  steadfast from Moses; where his person stands
obedience to the mandates of Jeho- for his writings. So our Saviour
vah would require a stronger princi- says,' If they hear not Moses and the
ple of courage, than his anticipated prophets,' i. e. the words of Moses.
conflicts with the most formidable The metaphor is taken from a man's
enemies.  The  important lesson pursuing a journey, who goes straight
which we hence learn is, that in forward in the direct road, if he
nothing is there more scope for the knows it, without turning aside into
display of the highest moral heroism  by-paths that lead he knows not whithan in daring, in all circumstances, ther.-.r That thou mayest prosper.
to cleave steadfastly to the word of Or, Heb. ~' r tashkiil, mayest do
God as the rule of our conduct. It wisely, mayest deal or behave under



B. C  1451.]             CHAPTER  I.                             21
prosper   whithersoever  thou   8 m This book of the law shall
goest                             not depart out of thy mouth;
inm Deut. 17. 18, 19.
standingly. The primary and most overflow with its rich contents, as
usual sense of the original is, to direct' out of the abundance of the heart
one's self wisely, to act with prudence the mouth speaketh.'  The same
and discretion, to be wise, intelligent, phrase occurs but once elsewhere in
and thence secondarily, to prosper, to the Scriptures, Is. 59. 21.'As for
have good success.  Thus 1 Sam. me, this is my covenant with them,
18. 14,' And David behaved himself saith the Lord.  My spirit that is
wisely (5!Lt1  nmasklil) in all his upon thee and my words which I
ways; and the Lord was with him.' have put in thy mouth, shall not deThese two senses of the word are so part out of thy mouth, nor out of the
intimately connected, that it is often mouth of thy seed, nor olut of the
difficult to determine precisely which mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the
of them is intended in a given pas- Lord, from henceforth and forever;'
sage. This very uncertainty, how- where it is implied that the covenant
ever, proves it to be clearly intima- promise should be deemed so preted, in the native import of the term, cious, that it should be a perpetual
that real prosperity and success in the theme of meditation and discourse;
affairs of life, is the result of a wise, that it should constantly dwell on the
discreet, and prudent course of con- tongues of those interested in it. It
duct, and inseparable from  it, and is moreover implied, in this charge
that it is vain to look for it from any to Joshua, that he was not only to
other source. Those only can rea- make the book of the law the subject
sonably expect the blessing of God of assiduous study for his own perupon their temporal affairs, who sonal benefit, but also to make it the
make his word their rule, and con- sole rule and standard of all his pubscientiously walk by it in all circum- lic and official proceedings; he was
stances; and this is the way of true to issue orders and pronounce judgwisdom.                           ments according to its precepts, and
8. This book of the law. That is, that too without exception or reserve
byway of emphasis,' the book of the -he must' do according to all that
law,' the law of Moses, to which, as is written therein.' Though appointhe well knew, God attached the ed to the rank of supreme head and
utmost importance, and of which he magistrate of the nation, he was not
speaks as if it were at that moment to consider himself elevated in the
in Joshua's hand, or at his side, as it slightest degree above the authority
continually ought to be.-  I Shall of the Divine law, or the necessity
not depart out of thy mouth. Thou of consulting it; nor should any
shalt constantly read and ponder it; Christian magistrate at this day conit shall incessantly employ thy lips; sider himself at liberty to dispense
thou shalt have thy heart so constant- with the light which beams from the
ly imbued with its letter and spirit, word of God, in regard to the great
that thy mouth shall, as it were, matters of his duty. The higherany




f2                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
but nthou shalt meditate therein thee?  Be strong and of a good
day and night, that thou mayest courage; Pbe not afraid, neither
observe to do according to all be thou dismayed: for the LoRD
that is written therein: for then thy God is with thee whitherso,
thou shalt make thy way pros- ever thou goest.
perous, and then thou shalt have   10 ~ Then Joshua commanded
good success.                    the officers of the people, saying,
9 0Have not I commanded
n Ps. 1. 2.            o Deut. 31. 7, 8, 23. p Ps. 27. 1. Jer, 1. 8.
man is raised in office, the more need Were it only an earthly monarch to
has he of an acquaintance with the whom we had devoted ourselves, we
sacred oracles, and the better will he ought to serve him with all fidelity;
be qualified by the study of them for what then should we not do for the
the discharge of his arduous duties. King of- kings, who has not only
-~f Thou shalt meditate ther'ein day chosen us to be his soldiers, but has
and night. This is the character of himself taken the field for our sakes,
the good man as described by the to subdue our enemies, and to dePsalmist, Ps. 1. 2, in words which liver us from  their assaults w?-It
are almost an exact transcript of those should be remarked, that the interrohere employed. The Heb. term for gative form of speech is often used,' meditate,' (iaMn hagah) implies that not as implying any thing doubtful,
kind of mental rumination which is but as the most emphatic mode of exapt to vent itself in an audible sound pressing either a negation or affirmof the voice. See my Comment. on ation, particularly when the speaker
Ps. 1. 2. —'IT  Make thy wayprosper- wishes to rouse and excite strongly
ous-have good success. Two differ- the attention of the hearer. Instances
ent words are here employed, the are innumerable.-IT  The Lord thy
latter of which is the same with that God is with thee. Here is somewhat
remarked upon above, v. 7, and of a remarkable change in the perwhich should probably be rendered sons, from the first to the third, but
here also,' do wisely,''conduct un- whether with any peculiar signifiderstandingly,' as otherwise it is little, cancy it is not easy to determine.
if any thing, more than a bare repe- The Chaldee renders it in reference
tition of the preceding phrase. The to the Son,' The Word of the Lord
Arab. renders it, and thy ways shall thy God shall be with thee.' Con
be directed,                      sidered as a pledge of the presence
9. Have not I commanded thee? and support of the God of heaven
I, whose authority is paramount, with all his faithful people, in their
whose power is infinite; who am able trials and conflicts, the promise is
to carry thee through all difficulties full of precious meaning. He says
and dangers, and whom  thou art to uts, in effect, what he says to
bound implicitly to obey. So in the Joshua; and what encouragement
Christian warfare, it is the God of can we desire more?
heaven whose battles we fight, and   10. Commanded the officers of the
in whose service we are engaged. people. Heb.ItZtlMshoterim. These




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  I.                            23
11 Pass through the host and Prepare you victuals; for qwithcommand the  people, saying, in three days ye shall pass over
q ch. 3. 2. See Deut. 9. 1, and 11. 31.
were under-officers, subordinate to they had entered the land of Canaan,
the  1V0J shophetim or judges, whose and eaten of the old corn of the land,
duty it was to see to the execution of ch. 5. 12.- If Within three days.
the orders of the heads of the people, Heb. t:t  tl5tZ''1S1Z within  nato
whether Moses, Joshua, or his suc- three days. The exact import of the
cessors the Judges. Deut. 16. 18; 20. Hebrew is not easily determined, and
5-9. The original is usually ren- it is variously rendered in the verdered ypaptlaregs, scribes, in the Gr. sions. The Chal. which Kimchi apversion. See Note on Ex. 5. 6, where proves, has' at the end of three days;'
the import of tHOUI) shoterin is more the Lat. Vulg.' post triduum,' after
fully discussed.                  three days; Luth.' fiber drei Tage,'
11. Prepare you victuals.   The over three days.  The prevailing
Heb. term IT'1t  tzWdal, prey, from  sense of I1V, denoting time not yet
1  tzafd, to hq unt, primarilyand prop- elapsed, favors the rendering in our
erly denotes that which is taken in version, but Winer and others suphlunting. But the usage in several pose the phrase will admit the sense
places proves that it is taken with of three days complete. The probamore latitude, and implies provisions bility we think is, that the passage
in general. In the present instance over the Jordan was not made till afit doubtless refers somewhat widely ter the lapse of three days, and that
to the subsistence, technically termed it took place on the fourth: the three
viaticum, such as the corn, oxen, days, therefore, here mentioned, are
sheep, &c., which they were now  to be reckoned exclusive of that on
enabled to obtain in the more inhab- which the proclamation was made,
ited region which they had reached. ch. 2. 22; 3. 1. Or, as the original
For although the manna was their for'shall pass,' is literally' shall be
main dependence during their so- passing,' it may mean simply, that
journ in the wilderness, yet they do within the space of three days they
not appear to have been forbidden to should have broken up from  their
supply themselves with other kinds present encampment, and commenced
of food when they had an opportuni- their march, although the actual pasty, Dent. 2. 6, 28; and at this time, sage of the Jordan may not have ocwhen they had come into a land in- curred till a day or two afterwards.
habited, where they could procure The confidence with which Joshua
such provisions, it is probable that speaks of the event, shows the unthe manna did not fall so plentifully, doubting character of his own faith
or they did not gather so much as in the promise of God.  Augustin
previously, so that they were now  thinks that Joshua acted too much on
commanded to lay in a store of other his own responsibility in fixing the
eatables to supply the deficiency. definite period of three days for passCertain it is, however, that the man- ing the river. But it is not to be
na did not entirely cease falling till supposed that he would order a step




24                          JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451
this Jordan, to go in to possess  13 Remember rtheword which
the land which the LORD your Moses the servant of the LORD
God giveth you to possess it.   commanded you, saying, The
12 IT And to the Reubenites, LORD your God hath given you
and to the Gadites, and to half rest, and hath given you this
the tribe of Manasseh, spake land.
Joshua, saying,                     rNum. 32. 20-28. ch. 22. 2,3, 4.
of this nature without being prompt- idiom of the original, particularly in
ed by Divine dictation. This was no speaking of tribes and nations; as if
doubt a part of the instructions now  the whole body, from their intimate
given him, though not expressly re- union, were regarded as one person.
corded.-  ~ Which the Lord your This is a peculiarity of the Heb. lanGod giveth you. Heb. )r: nothdn, is guage, which is of almost incessant
giving; i. e. is even now in the act occurrence, and as it necessarily esof giving. It would tend greatly to capes the notice of the English readanimate the faith and zeal of the er, though in many cases important
people, and to secure their vigorous to be known, we shall usually indico-operation, to see God, as it were, cate it wherever met with.-IT  Regirding himself to thework, and act- member the word which Moses, 4*c.
ually putting forth his power in the This engagement on the part of the
execution of his promises. It would two tribes and a half, is detailed with
not do for them to be remiss when all the circumstances attending it,
omnipotence was visibly engaged in Num. 32. 1-42; and it was proper
their behalf. This language would here to remind them of it, as, otherteach them too that the result was not wise, having arrived at the place of
to be brought about by their own their settlement, they might be instrength, and, consequently, that they duced to seek their own ease, by recould not take the glorr of it to them- maining with their wives and famiselves. -~ To possess it.  Heb. lies in the rich and fertile region of
jlhrlV  lerishtah, to inherit it; i. e. which they had come into possession.
not only to occupy it as something -~ —  The Lord your God hath given
which had happened to come into you rest. The two tribes and a half
their possession, but deriving their had already received their posses.
right from the grant of the Supreme sions on the East of Jordan, as we
Proprietor of heaven and earth, to learn from Num. 32. 33. These preenter upon as if they had received it cise words do not occur in the adby inheritance from their forefathers. dress of Moses to the two tribes and
Viewed in this light the language is a half, but the sense of them does,
peculiarly expressive.           and Joshua intended, doubtless, mere12. To the Reubenites, and to the ly to quote the substance of what MoGadites. Heb.  v'-) ZY~~'l uela- ses said.  The phrase'hath given
rtbeni velaggldi, to the Reubenite, you rest,' perhaps merely implies that
and to the Gadite; the collective sin- they were now brought to a place of
gular for the plural, a very common rest, rather than a positive state of




B. C. 1451.1              CHAPTER  I.                            25
14 Your  wives, your  little  en you, and they also have pos -
ones, and your cattle shall re- sessed the land which the LORD
main in the land which Moses your God giveth them: tthen
gave you on this side Jordan; ye shall return unto the land of
but ye shall pass before your your possession, and enjoy it,
brethren'armed, all the mighty  which Moses the LORD'S sermen of valor, and help them;   vant gave you on this side Jor15 Until the LORD have given  dan toward the sun-rising.
your brethren rest, as he hath giv-   16 ~f And they answered JoshsExod. 13. 18.                     t ch. 22. 4, &c.
rest, which they could hardly be said must have remained on the other
to enjoy till they had subdued their side of the Jordan, to take care of the
enemies. They were at rest, how- women, children, and flocks. Probaever, in contradistinction from jour- bly as many at least as seventy thouneying, and in this sense the original sand, as the sum total of the men in
word is often employed.            those tribes able to bear arms was
14. Your owives, your little ones, upwards of one hundred and ten
r4c., Heb. t=r3 tappeken, your babe, thousand. See Num. 26. 7, 18, 37.
collect. sing. for plural. —--  Ye shall   15. Until the Lor'd have given your
pass before your brethren. That is, brethren rest, as he hatit given yo~u.
as the original implies, ye shall pass That is, until he bath brought them
or cross over before, or in the presence to their place of rest; for it could not
of, your brethren. It does not appear strictly be said of either company,
to signify that they should take the that the Lord had given them rest,
front rank or lead the vasn, for such until they had so far conquered their
an intimation respecting them is no enemies as to be in no danger of bewhere else clearly given; but simply ing henceforth seriously molested by
that they should not absent them- them. But that was, at this time, by
selves; that they should be present no means the case with the two tribes
with their brethren, united with them  and a half, nor have we reason to
in the expedition. The Heb. phrase suppose, in respect to the others, that
is often used in this sense.-.Arm- the mere putting them in possession
ed. Heb. tl2nh t hlbmnashim, mar- of the promised territory would be
shalled by five. Of the import of this' giving them rest,' as long as their
expression, see Note on Ex. 13. 18, enemies remained in great numbers
where it is rendered harnessed.- unsubdued. We are led therefore to
~TAIl the mighty men of valor. Not understand from this expression, simabsolutely all the fighting men of ply the bringing them to, or planting
these tribes, but the choice of them, them in, a place of rest. The actual
the most active, bold and ener- enjoyment of the rest was a matter of
getic; for as there were only forty subsequent favor.-ST Toward the
thousand of them that passed over, sun-rising. The East; as'toward
ch. 4. 13, while the whole number of the going down of the sun,' signifies
warriors was far greater, Num. 26, the West.
it is evident that a large body of them    16. And they answered Joskhu
3




26                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
ua saying, All that thou corn- we hearken unto thee: only the
mandest us, we will do, and  LORD thy God U be with thee, as
whithersoever thou sendest us, he was with Moses.
wve will go.                        18 Whosoever he be that doth
17 According as we hearkened  rebel against thy commandment,
unto Moses in all things, so will and will not hearken unto thy
u ver. 5. 1 Sam. 20. 13. 1 Kings 1. 37.
This, as some conceive, was not the What they mean is, that they would
answer of the two tribes and a half be as obedient to Joshua as they ever
only, but the response of the whole were to Moses, when they did obey
host, who thus concurred heartily him, when they were in their best
with them in their solemn engage- moods; as obedient, in fact, as they
ments. It is not unlikely that such should have been to Moses, and as
were the real sentiments of the entire many of them generally were. The
congregation; but it seems more nat- literal rendering of the original is,
ural, from the connexion, to under-'According to all (in) which we
stand it of those who were directly hearkened to Moses, so will we hearaddressed. They afterwards received ken to thee.' This perhaps limits
the testimony of Joshua, as having the point of comparison to those cafully complied with all their stipula- ses in which they were actually obetions, ch. 22. 2-4.-~T All that thou dient, and excludes those in which
commandest us we will do, &c. Thus they rebelled. — r Only the Lord
are we required to swear allegiance thy God be with thee, &c.  Chal.
to Christ, the Captain of our salva-' The Word of the Lord thy God be
tion, the Christian's Joshua, and to for thy help, as he was for the help
bind ourselves to do'what he com- of Moses,' &c. This is not to be unmands us by his word, and to go derstood as a condition, or limitation;
wheresoever he sends us by his provi- of their promised obedience, as if
dence.                             they should say,' We will obey thee
17. According as we hearkened unto as far as we perceive the Lord is with
Moses, &c. As we obeyed Moses. thee, but no farther,' but rather as an
Nothing is more common than this earnest prayer in behalf of Joshua,
sense of the word' hearken' in the that he might constantly enjoy the Disacred writers. If it be asked, how  vine guidance, protection, and blessthis language is to be reconciled with ing; q. d.' Do not fear for us. Be
the declaration of Moses himself in assured of our constant obediences
regard to their conduct under him, Be solicitous mainly for thyself. This
Deut. 9. 24,' Ye have been rebellious is the matter of our anxiety, that the
against the Lord from the day that I Lord would be with thee, and prosknew you,' we answer, that neither per thee in all things.' To pray ferthe words of Moses, nor of the peo- vently for those in authority over us,
ple, are to be understood as holding is the surest way to render them
good unzversally, and without any ex- blessings to us and to the communiception.  They were sometimes re- ties in which we live.
be~lios, and sometimes obedient.  18. That dotl&h rbel against thil




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  II.                            27
words in  all that thou  corn-             CHAPTER  II.
mandest him, he shall be put to, ND Joshua the son of Nun
death: only be strong and of a          sent "out of Shittim  two
good courage.                                 a Num. 25. 1.
commandment.  Heb. rI Mfl-l gM [ positions (technically termed hystera1D asher yamrth et p2ika, that doth ology), so that interpreters have felt
rebel (against) thy mouth; i. e. the warranted to state as a general canon,
word or commandment of thy mouth. that there is no certain order, no formPerhaps in this they had an eye to er qor latter, in the histories of the
what Moses had said respecting the Scriptwre. Masius contends that the
Lord's raising up a prophet like unto whole series of events mentioned in
himself, and to whose word they thischapteroccurredpriortothe order
were to hearken under the severest given by Joshua, ch. 1. 10, for propenalty, Deut. 18. 18, 19. They might viding food and getting ready to cross
have supposed this prediction to be the Jordan within three days. But
fulfilled in the appointment of Joshua even if this view be admitted, it is
as Moses' successor, without know- somewhat difficult to determine the
ing, at the same time, but that it precise date of the sending forth of
might have an ulterior fulfilment at the spies. Each of the following supsome subsequent period, in a yet positions has its advocates. (1.) The
more illustrious personage.-  ~f On- spies were dispatched and returned
ly be strong and of good courage. The to the camp before the order, ch.
original for'only' (1n rak) might 1. 10, was issued. The objection
perhaps be better rendered'there- which Schmid brings to this is, that
fore,' as it undoubtedly means, ch. it would suppose Joshua to have
13. 6, when speaking of the land that acted in this matter without Divine
remained to be  possessed.  God direction; for there is no hint in the
promises to drive out the inhabitants, narrative of his having received any
and therefore commands Joshua to express intimation relative to his
divide it to the Israelites for an in- movements prior to the instructions
heritance.                         given in the first chapter, and it is
quite improbable that Joshua would
CHAPTER II.              have decided upon such a step upon
1. And Joshcua the son of Nun sent, his own responsibility.  He, theredec.  Or, Heb. t>l:l vu-yishlah, fore, with many others, adopts the
had sent.  The original will well following alternative. (2.) On the
admit of this rendering, and it is morning of the same day on which
adopted by the current of commen- the breaking up of the encampment
tators. Luther's translation is very is announced, Joshua sends forth the
express in this sense;'But Joshua spies. This he did in obedience to
the son of Nun had previously sent a Divine suggestion, which, though
spies,' &c. And this seems, on the a nt recorded, is, like many other
whole, the most probable construc- things, to be inferred from the exetion. Nothing is more frequent in cution. The spies came to Jericho
the sacred writings than such trans- in the afternoon of the same day,




28                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
which the distance, according to Jo- that as the distance from the ensephus, would well admit, and in- campment to Jericho was but of a
tended to lodge with Rahab that few hours' travel, three days' time
night. But being alarmed on account was so large an allowance for the
of the search ordered by the king of accomplishment of their mission, that
Jericho, they fled to the mountains he could not reasonably be supposed,
the same evening, and remained there to run any risk in fixing the timne of
in concealment that night and the departure at the close of that period.
whole of the next day, and in the This is perhaps sufficient, and as
early part of the third day returned every mode of understanding the
to the camp east of the Jordan. It is matter is clogged with some difficulindeed said, v. 22, that they'abode ty, we are content to abide by that
three days' in the mountains; but now  given.-~ v Out of S/littim.
this may properly be understood of Called elsewhere Abel-Shittim, unone whole day, and parts of two less the latter were the name of the
others, as is evident from the case of adjoining valley. Its precise locaour Saviour, who is said to have tion cannot now be identified, and
lain three days in the earth, Mat. nothing more is known of it than
27. 63, which is obviously to be un- that it was situated in the extensive
derstood in the same way. Comp. plain of the Jordan. It is supposed
Mat. 12. 40. If this be the right ex- to be the Abila of Josephus, and lay,
planation, Joshua may be supposed according to him, about sixty stadia,
to have commenced his march on or little upwards of seven miles from
the evening of the third day, or on the Jordan, within the boundaries
the morning of the fourth, and still assigned to the tribe of Reuben. See
have accomplished his purpose of Note on Num. 25. 1. It is supposed
setting out within the time specified, to have derived its name from the
as we have already remarked that great quantity of trees, called Shatthe phrase'within three days' may tim-wood, growing in the vicinity.
imply the period of three days com- - ~  Two men to spy secretly. The
plete.  This is the solution main- Heb. term for'spies' is be >}    metained by Masius and most of the raggelZm, from        r regel, a foot,
Jewish commentators, and is per- implying those who travelled on foot,
haps the most probable, although it for the purpose of espial. See Note
is still liable to one objection. Josh- on Gen. 42. 9. The original of' seua's sending out the spies implies cretly' is S ti hU-esh, signifying in
that his movements would be gov- strictness silently, and has reference
erned by their reports. But he could either to the manner of their being
have had no assurance that he should sent, viz. in a secret, silent way.
receive this report within the space without the privity of the people; or
of three days, and yet he gives pe- to the mode of discharging their
remptory orders for moving forward  duty, that is, noiselessly, stealthily,
within that time. Of what use then The former is probably the leading
was the information which was to import, as it is a matter of course
be gained from the reports of the and unnecessary to be intimated, that
spies! To this it may be replied, spies should perform their errand in




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  II.                           29
men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho.
a secret manner.  But it was not circumstances. Being about to besuperfluous to mention that the spies siege a fortified place, he takes the
were sent out without the knowledge requisite measures for acquainting
of the people, as from the recollection himself with its true position, its
of his own case when dispatched by strong and its weak points, that he
Moses, Joshua might have appre- may order his tactics accordingly.
hended very  disheartening effects He was indeed well aware that his
upon the timid minds of the Israel- victory was certain, and that it was
ites when they came to hear the re- the arm of Jehovah, and not his own,
ports brought back. On the general that would achieve it; but he was
policy of sending these spies on this equally assured that faith did not
occasion, when an express assurance preclude effort, and that he was to
had been given to Joshua that every proceed in the enterprise just as if,
place on which the sole of his foot every thing depended on his unaided
should tread should come into his prowess and skill. This is ever the
possession, and that no man should true mode of evincing a believing
be able to stand before him, we may dependence on the Divine blessing;
remark, that it is but in accordance to act as if all were owing to ourwith the ordinary arrangements of selves, to feel and acknowledge that
infinite wisdom as displayed in the all is owing to the favor and effectual
history of its dispensations; and we working of God himself.-~11 View
must consider Joshua, in all this the land, even Jericho. Heb.' The
transaction, as acting not from him- land and Jericho.' Explore the land
self, but from the impulse or the ex- or country about Jericho, but more
press direction of a higher power. especially the city itself.  Thus
The certainty of a promised or pre- 1 Kings 11. 1,' But king Solomon
dicted issue does not supersede the loved many strange women, and the
use of prudent means in the attempt daughter of Pharaoh,' i. e. especially
to compass it. To neglect the use the daughter of Pharaoh. 2 Sam.
of the appropriate means is to con- 2. 30,' And when he had gathered
travene the established order of the all the people together, there lacked
Divine councils, and to tempt God of David's servants nineteen men,
rather than honor him. Even when and Asahel.' Mark 16. 7,'Go your
a cloudy pillar was vouchsafed to the way, and tell his disciples and Peter,'
Israelites, to conduct their march &c., i. e. especially inform  Peter.
through the wilderness, yet it would They were to observe its site, its
seem from Num. 10. 31, that scouts various localities, its avenues of
were employed who were to serve as approach, itsfortifications, the state of'eyes' to the congregation by going the inhabitants-every thing, in fine,
before and designating the proper which would be of service to them
places for encamping. In the present in concerting the best mode of attack.
instance Joshua is prompted to do The Heb. form of the name of this
just what any discreet and skilful city is IM''In    yeriho (elsewhere
leader would have done in similar a't yer~ ho and inr1h' yerihoA), and
3*




30                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
And they went, and b came into  a harlot's house, named c IRab Heb. 11. 31. James 2. 25. a Mat. 1. 5. hab, and lodged there.
is derived, according to Gesenius, ruins, and loosely thrown together,
from r;i' y&arah, the moon, from the with flat roofs of cornstalks or brush,
shape of the plain on which it stood, wood spread over with gravel. They
or more probably according to others stand quite irregularly, and with
from rl''riak, scelnt, smell, from the large intervals; and each has around
sweet smell of the balsam, or palm- it a yard enclosed by a hedge of the
trees, the latter of which abounded dry thorny boughs of the Nubklr. In
there in such profusion that it is many of these yards are open sheds
sometimes spoken of as the' city of with similar roofs; and the flocks
palm-trees,' Deut. 34. 3; Judg. 1. 16. and herds are brought into them a'
It seems not to have been situated night, and render them filthy in the
immediately upon the river, but at extreme.  A  similar but stronger
the distance of six or eight miles, at hedge of Nubk branches surrounds
the base of the Quarantina range of the whole village, forming an almost
mountains.  The modern Jericho, impenetrable barrier. The few garnow called Riha/b, is a miserable dens round about seemed to contain
village of about fifty dwellings and nothing but tobacco and cucumbers.
two hundred inhabitants; but accord- One single solitary palm now timidly
ing to the most intelligent travellers rears its head, where once stood the
it does not occupy the site of the an- renowned "Cityof Palm-trees." Not
cient city. The latter is believed to an article of provision was to be
have stood at least four miles nearer bought here, except new wheat unJerusalem, at the very foot of the ground.'  The plain upon which
mountains, although it is admitted to Jericho stood is very extensive, and
be impossible distinctly to identify it. as numerous ruins are strewed over
The modern Jericho is thus described at a greater or less distance from the
by Prof. Robinson ('Tav., Vol. II., fountain by which it was distinp. 279):' We now returned through guished, it is probable that in consethe. village, which bears the Arabic quence of the malediction denounced
name of Eriha, or, as it is more com- against him who should rebuild its
monly pronounced, Riha, a degene- gates, the location was subsequently
rate shoot both in name and charac- changed, and perhaps more than
ter of the ancient Jericho. Situated once.-fT And came into a harlot's
in the midst of this vast plain, it re- house. The character of this woman
minded me much of an Egyptian has been a much disputed point
village. The plain is rich and sus- among commentators.  As she is
ceptible of easytillage and abundant commended by the apostle for her
irrigation, with a climate to produce faith, Heb. 11. 31, and by her marany thing. Yet it lies'almost desert; riage with Salmon, Mat. 1. 5, subseand the village is the most miserable quently came into the line of our
and filthy that we saw in Palestine. Lord's progenitors, great anxiety has'The houses or hovels are merely four been evinced to clear her reputati:an,
walls of stones taken from ancient [if possible, from the reproach of an




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  IL.                            31
infamous course of life. On this ac- besides being the natural product of
count, great pains have been taken the universal laxity of moral senti.
to show that the original term may ment on the subject, may have been
be properly rendered'hostess,' and promoted by the false religion in
so does not necessarily convey the which she was educated. All this is
idea attached to the English word said, not to excuse or justify her ini.'harlot.' But it is beyond all ques- quitous conduct, but to make it less
tion, that the legitimate and uniform  surprising that the spies should have
signification of the Heb. term is that fallen in with a person of her char.
of a' harlot,' either literal or spirit- acter, and been entertained by her.
ual.  Judg. 11. 1; i Kings 3. 16; As to her being a Hostess, or keeping
Ezek. 23. 44. So also the word is an inn, there is not a particle of evirendered in the Sept., and this ren- dence from  the original that such
dering is adopted by two apostles, was the case, nor have we any reaHeb. 11. 31; James 2. 25; though son to suppose, from the known cuswe do not consider the latter circum- toms of oriental nations, that any
stance by any means decisive as to such establishments as houses of
the genuine import of the original; public entertainment, in our acceptafor as the Sept. was the translation tion of the phrase, existed among
at this time in common use, they them. Caravanserais or khans are
adopted the expression as they found indeed found in most parts of the
it, without claiming thereby to settle East, but they are very different from
its propriety as a version of the origi- public houses, taverns or hotels, with
nal.. It is moreover to be remem- us.  These are the result of a much
bered, that Rahab lived in the midst more advanced state of society than
of a people, corrupt, abandoned and has ever prevailed in the East The
profligate to the last degree. Vices following description from Volney,
of the most enormous and debasing will give the reader somewhat of a
character were practised without re- correct idea of oriental accommodaserve, and received the sanction of tions of this nature.' There are no
every class of people. From repeated inns any where; but the cities, and
intimations in regard to the devoted commonly the villages, have a large
nations, it appears that the Divine building, called a khtan& or caravanjudgments were kindled against them  serai, which serves as an asylum for
more on account of the abominations all travellers. These houses of reof'their lewdness than any thing else, ception are always built without the
as had been the case with Sodom and precincts of towns, and consist of four
Gomorrah of old. As these sins per- wings round a square court, which
vaded all ranks, they would cease to serves by way of ilnclosure for the
be regarded as infamous, and the beasts of burden. The lodgings are
term applied to Rahab does not per- cells, where you find nothing but bare
haps indicate a character degraded walls, dust, and sometimes scorpions.
much below the ordinary standard. The keeper of this khan gives the
Suppose her, however, to have been traveller the key and a mat; and he
a harlot in the worst sense of the provides himself the rest. He must
word, the licentiousness of her life, therefore carry with him his bed, his




32                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
2 And dit was told the king   3 And the king of Jericho sent
of Jericho, saying, Behold, there unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth
came men in hither to-night of the men that are come to thee,
the children of Israel, to search which are entered  into  thine
out the country.                  house: for they be come  to
d Ps. 127. 1. Prov. 21. 30.  search out all the country.
kitchen utensils, and even his pro- 9. 9, after he had been chosen an
visions; for frequently not evllen bread apostle, and Simon is called' Simon
is to be found in the villages.' That the leper,' Mat. 26. 6, though cleansRahab had charge of such an esta- ed from his leprosy. But if she had
blishment is in the highest degree truly repented and reformed, there
improbable. Far more likely is it is no more justice in charging the
that she was, or had been, a woman sins of her former life upon her,
of loose morals, living in a private than in reproaching Abraham with
station, and that the spies came to the sin of idolatry, of which he was
her house, moved doubtless by a se- doubtless guilty before his call.cret impulse from  above, because ~r And lodged there.  Heb.  =WVl1
from its appearance, locality, or other i,12V  va-yi.shkebfe shhamaAh, and lay
causes, which we cannot now ascer- down there.  That is, they went in
tain, it seemed to them  a stopping with the design of lodging there, and
place best suited to the purpose in probably had actually lain down and
which they were now engaged; and composed themselves to rest, when
in countries but little civilized, there the arrival of the king's messengers
is never much ceremony among defeated their purpose, interrupted
travellers in applying for a night's their repose, and made it necessary
lodging.  Hospitality is almost a for them to save themselves by flight.
universal characteristic of such a Thus Gen. 37. 21,'And Reuben
state of society. But whatever may heard it, and he delivered him out
have been Rahab's character pre- of their hands,' i. e. he purposed to
vious to the destruction of Jericho, deliver him.
there is no reason to suppose that   2. Behold there came men-to searcib
after that event it was other than out the country. This could have
pious and exemplary, and such as been only a conjecture, yet they affirm
became a true penitent. The oppro- it as a matter of absolute certainty.
brious appellation, it is true, remain- As they could conceive of no other
ed, and it was not unfitting that her motive for which they had come, it
name, in the providence of God, was perhaps natural that they should
should descend to posterity with confidently assign this as the true one.
something of a stigma attached to   3. For they be come, &c.  This
it, especially as it is according to seems to have been said by way of
scriptural usage, that a person should answer to anticipated objections on
be called by a former denomination, her part, as if it were the height of
even after the grounds of it have treachery to her guests thus to deal
ceased.  Thus Matthew  is called with them.' But no, you need have
Matthew the publican,' Mat. 10. 3; no scruples on this score, for the men




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  II.                           33
4 e And the woman took the  the tine of shutting of the gate,
two men, and hid them, and said when it was dark, that the men
thus, There came men unto me, went out: whither the men went
but I wist not whence they were: I wot not: pursue after them
5 And it came to pass about quickly; for ye shall overtake.
e See 2 Sam. 17. 19, 20.   them.
are not good men, as you may have future; neglected her own king and
supposed; they have come hither as country, for strangers which she
enemies and spies, whom it will be never saw; and more feared the deno breach of the laws of hospitality struction of that city before it knew
to deliver up to justice.'        that it h'ad an enemy, than the dis4. And the womcan took the two men pleasure and mortal revenge of her
and hid them. Heb. 1IrvlZ  vattitz- king.' Bp. Hall.  It was thus that
peno, hid him, i. e. each one of them; her faith justified itself by works.
implying probably that she hid them  Had she merely assured the spies,
separately, at some distance from  that though she believed that both
each other. The original for' took,' Jericho and Canaan would fall into
should probably be rendered' had ta- their hands, yet in her circumstances
ken,' and the whole clause inclosed she could show them no kindness,
In a parenthesis.  She had, in all her faith would have been dead and
likelihood, learnt soon after their ar- inactive, and would not have justified
rival the object of their errand, and her. James 2. 25. But her conduct
aware of the danger to which they showed that it was active and lively,
would be exposed if discovered, she and the event proved that it was effihad, at an early hour, conveyed them  cacious to her salvation. So, unless
to a place of concealment; not, how- our faith leads us to incur hazards
ever, before rumors of their presence and make sacrifices for God, it is to
began to circulate about the city. be accounted of no avail.-   r There
This is justly celebrated by the apos- came men  nto mze, but I wist not
tie as an instance of high and heroic whence they were. Thus far, perhaps,
faith, Heb. 11. 31. So strong was her answer contains no violation of
her persuasion of the truth of what truth.  She admits that two men
had been announced to her, so fully came to her house, but at the time of
was she convinced, from what she their coming, she knew not whence
had heard of the wonders wrought they were. The verb in the original
for Israel, that their God was the only is in the past tense, and should be so
true God, and consequently that his rendered —' I knew not.'
declared purpose in regard to Canaan   5. About the time of shutting of the
would surely come to pass, that she gate. The gate of the city.-~' The
ventures her life upon her faith. She men went out, &c. This is the part
knew that harboring them was expos- of Rahab's conduct most difficult to
ing herself to the death of a traitor be accounted for, consistently with
to her country, and yet she runs the the commendations elsewhere berisk.' She contemns her life for the stowed upon her by the sacred wri.
present, that she may save it for the ters. That she deceived the messen



34                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
gers by a falsehood is indubitable.   (2.) Apart from the above consid.
She said the spies had left her house eration, it was truly a difficult prob.
when they were still in it. How is lem to be solved, how she should, un.
this to be reconciled with the work- der the circumstances, act according
ings of a heart made right in the to her faith. She fully believed that
sight of God? The question is cer- what the spies had told her was true.
tainly one of no easy solution; but She says not,' I fear,' or' I believe,'
in forming a judgment of her con- but' Iknow, that the Lord hath given
duct, it is fair that Rahab should you the.land.' She was satisfied that
have the benefit of every extenuating it was in vain to fight against God,
circumstance that can be adduced in and what could she do?  If she had
her favor; and such are the following. either told the truth or remained si(1.) Having been born and brought lent, she had betrayed the spies; but
up among the depraved Canaan- if she believed them  sent of God,
ites, she had probably never been could she have done this without sin?
taught the evil of lying, and least She knew, moreover, very well, that
of all where an apparently good if these two spies were put to death,
end was to be answered by it. From  it would make no difference whatthe uniform testimony of travellers ever as to the issue of the contest.
and missionaries, it is evident that The whole city and its inhabitants
among all heathen nations, particu- would at any rate be destroyed. To
larly those of the East, lying ever has what purpose then would it be to debeen, and still is, a practice of uni- liver up the spies? It would not save
versal prevalence, and of the crimi- one single life; it would only be to
nality of which they have scarcely continue fighting against God, and to
any sense. So weak is the feeling bring on herself and her family that
of obligation, as to the observance of destruction which it was now in her
strict veracity, that even apparently power to avert. By concealing the
sincere converts have the greatest spies she could in fact injure nobody,
difficulty in freeing themselves from  whereas by giving themup, she would
the habit of equivocation, and need sacrifice not them  only, but also
to be perpetually admonished on that herself and her family.'Was there
score. (See Read's Christian Brah- then any other conceivable mode by
muen.) What wonder then that Ra- which she could act according to her
hab, a poor, ignorant, heathen wo- faith, than by practising an imposiman, upon whose mind the light of a tion upon the king's officers?
saving knowledge had just begun to  (3.) By the fact of her exercising a
dawn, should have prevaricated in firm faith in the Divine testimony,
the trying circumstances in which she did virtually throw herself upon
she was placed?  How much allow- the side of Israel, and unite her inance precisely is to be made for her terests with theirs. Henceforth their
on this ground we may not know, but enemies were hers. If the CanaanGod does. To him we may leave it. ites had no right to demand the truth
That it should go somewhat in abate- of Israel, they had no right to dement- of her guilt, if guilty she were, mand it of her. If it would have
we have no doubt.                 been right for the Israelites to have




3. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  11.                              35
6 But fshe had brought them    7 And the men pursued after
up to the roof of the house, and them  the way to Jordan unto
hid them with the stalks of flax, the fords: and as soon as they
which she had laid in order upon  which pursued after them were
the roof.                          gone out, they shut the gate.
f See Exod. 1. 17. 2 Sam. 17. 19.
recourse to a stratagem to mislead an  The roofs of houses were then, as
enemy in arms, we see not why it they still are in that country, flat, and
was not equally right for her. But being furnished with such battlethat the Israelites often did resort to ments or parapets, as were comsuch expedients in carrying on their manded to the Jews, Deut. 22. 8,
wars. is beyond question, nor do the were made use of for walking or
scriptures absolutely condemn them, sleeping upon, or for depositing any
They are certainly as ]awful as war kind of goods or chattels which could
itself is. No one probably doubts not be conveniently bestowed elsethat Elisha was justified in deceiving where. See my' Illustrations of the
the Syrian army, and leading them  Scriptures,' p. 159,414, 461.-   ITHid
blinded from  Dotham, whither they them with the stalks offlaxr, &c. This
had come to destroy him, to Samaria, was probably laid upon the roof, in
where they were brought into the order to dry in the sun, preparatory
power of the king of Israel. Con- to beating and dressing it for the
sidering Rahab then as really leagued wheel on which it was to be spun.
with Israel against her countrymen, Had she kept a public-house, as some
why is she not equally to be justified have supposed, she would have been
with Elisha in imposing upon her less likely to have had her roof
enemies    If they will suffer them- spread over with such an article.
selves to be deceived by her direction  The original is explicit in saying
to pursue the spies another way, let that the flax had been spread ouLt or
them be deceived. The fidelity that laid in order' for herself,' as if for
she owed to God was entirely para- her own use; from which the infermount to that which she owed her ence is, we think, not inaptly drawn,
country, and she was bound to act that she possessed one at least of the
accordingly. Blut whetherwe justify characters of the virtuous woman,
or condemn her conduct, it can afford viz. that'she sought wool and flax,
no precedent to us. Before we can and wrought willingly  with  her
plead her example in justification of hands,' Prov. 31. 13, and perhaps, at
treachery or falsehood, we must be this time, supported herself in a way
circumstanced as she was. But this of honest industry.
it is nearly impossible we ever should   7. Unto  the fords.  Heb. 5
be.                                r1n=Yn   al hammameroth, at the pas6. She had brought them uep to the sages, or crossing-places; whether'oof of the house. This verse is also such places were crossed by boats, or
parenthetical, and designed to explain. bridges, or fording. Probably there
more particularly the circumstances were seyeral such places, and thd
of the ceonaealmest mentioxed, v. 4. pmrsuers m&y have  diided them



36                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
8 IT And before they were laid   10 For we have heard  how
down, she came up unto them  the LORD h dried up the waters
upon the roof;                     of the Red sea for you, when ye
9 And she said unto the men, came out of Egypt; and i what
I know that the LORD hath giv- ye did unto the two kings of the
en you the land, and that gyour Amorites that were on the other
terror is fallen upon us, and that side  Jordan,  Sihon  and  Og,
all the inhabitants of the land whom ye utterly destroyed.
faint because of you.
g Gen. 35. 5. Exod. 23. 27. Deut. 2.25,  h Exod. 14; 21. ch. 4. 23. i Num. 21.
and 11. 25.                        24, 34, 35.
selves into different companies, and such a powerful foe-one which was
directed their course to each of them. under the special conduct and pro-~'F Shut the gate. Doubtless with tection of an Almighty arm. Their
especial -care, and perhaps setting an very hearts quailed before the apextra guard, both to bar out enemies proach of Israel, in a certain fearful
that might be lurking in the neigh- looking for of judgment and venborhood, and to prevent the escape geance at their hands. It was proof the spies, if perchance they still bably something more than a mere
remained in the city.              natural dread of a formidable enemy;
9. I khow that the Lord hath given, it was a supernatural panic sent upon
&c. I know and am assured; I am  their spirits by the immediate power
perfectly satisfied; I have not a doubt. of God, a fearful presage of the deAn emphatic declaration implying struction that awaited them.
much more than a shrewd conjec-   10. For we have heard, &c. The
ture or strong suspicion from  exist- first of these events, the drying up of
ing circumstances that such would the Red Sea, had happened forty
be the result The words are ex- years before, and though it had propressive of the strength of her faith. duced a deep impression at the time,
The sources from which she had ob- on all the surrounding nations, yet in
tainged this information and assurance the lapse of that long interval, which
are sufficiently detailed in what fol- was a season granted them for repenlows, v. 9-12. —--     Your terror. tance, it is not unlikely that their
The dread of you. See Ex. 23. 27; alarm  had in great measure died
34. 24; Deut. 11. 25; 28. 7.- r  All away, till now it was revived again
the inhabitants of the laud faint. by their nearer approach, and by the
Heb.'are melted, dissolved, lique- recent overthrow of thie two Amorfied.' Precisely the same expression itish kings. The convictions of sinis used, Ex. 15. 15, in reference to ners are apt to come and go with the
this very event:'all the inhabitants alarming or afflictive dispensations
of Canaan shall melt away.' It ex- of God's providence. So it is said of
presses, in the strongest manner, the Israel of old, Ps. 78. 34-37,'when
eflect of the general consternation he slew them, then they sought him:
which had seized upon the devoted and they returned (changed their
nations, in view of contending with mind) and inquired early after God,




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  JI.                           37
11 And  as soon  as we  had  LORD your God, he is God in
heard these things, our hearts heaven above, and in earth bedid melt, neither did there re- neath.
main any more courage in any   12 Now therefore, I pray you,
man, because of you: for m the nswear unto me by the LORD,
k Exod. 15. 14, 15. 1 ch. 5. 1, and 7, 5. since I have showed you kindIsa. 13. 7. mn Deut. 4. 39.             n See 1 Sam. 20. 14, 15, 17.
Nevertheless, they did flatter him  men, and showed a supernatural inwith their mouth, and they lied unto fluence of God upon her soul. HEa
him with their tongues; for their can cause the rays of truth to peneheart was not right with him, neither trate the thickest shades of that moral
were they steadfast in his covenant.' midnight which broods over the minds
11. And as soon as we had heard of the unenlightened heathen, though
these things, our heart did melt. Heb. we have no evidence that he ever.::15 O21 _Y7:=1  vannishma, va- does this, except in connexion with
yimmas levivnqu, and we IHard, and some kind ofexternalinstrumentality.
our heart did saelt; spoken as if the   12. Swear unto me by the Lord.
whole nation were one person, hav- This proposal still further displays
ing one heart. The original word the sincerity and the strength of her
for'melt,' though not precisely the faith. While the people of Israel,
same with that in v. 9, is yet of kin- with the miracles of the Divine power
dred import, the metaphor being constantly before their eyes, were intaken from the melting of metals be- cessantly prone to stagger at the
fore the fire.-I  Neither did there promises and give way to unbelief,
remain any more courage in any man. she, upon the mere hearsay report of
Heb. 1ZV2I N l'l11  ti=I M1l velo these w6nders, is so firmly persuaded
sadwmoh o6d ruah baishl, neither any of their truth, that she desires to enter
more stood there up spirit in any qLan. covenant with the spies for her own
That is, no man's spirit was erect preservation and that of her family.
within him; every one's courage Though they were now in perilous
failed, and he became cowering and circumstances, shut up within the
faint-hearted.-Sf Because of you. walls of Jericho, and surrounded by
Heb. t=Z11=  mippenikem, from be- enemies, yet she treats with them as
fore you; i. e. by reason of your pre- if they had already stormed the city,
sence; a frequent idiom of the He- and had the power of life and death
brew.       H- le is God in heaven in their hands. So earnest is she in
above, and in earth beneath.  As this matter, that she would have them
much as to say,' The Lord your God ratify by an oath their agreement to
is both omnipotent and omnipresent;' save her. In like manner, a deepa remarkable confession considering rooted conviction of the danger hangthe previous ignorance and darkness ing over the head of the sinner from
of her mind.  It was at once an the curse of a violated law, will
acknowledgment of the true God, and prompt him to give all diligence to
a condemnation of the false gods and flee from the wrath to come and lay
idolatrous worship of her country- hold on eternal life, by joining him4




38                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451
ness, that ye will also  show  all that they have, and deliver
kindness unto0 my father's house, our lives from death.
and P give me a true token:         14 And the men answered her,
13 And that ye will save alive Our life for yours, if ye utter
my father, and my mother, and not this our business.  And it
my brethren, and my sisters, and shall be, when the LORD hath
oSee 1 Tim. 5. 8. P ver. 18.
self to God and his people.- iHave  ing them also within the bonds of the
showed you kindness. Heb. ~rl?  covenant.  We shall feel that our
Tirl thY  &asithi immakerm  hesed, work is but half done when our own
have done /ou kindness; and so in souls are safe.
the next clause,' That ye will also   14. Our life for yours.  Heb.
do kindness,' &e.-I IGive me a true    t     rIn   M 121    naphshinu tahtoken. Heb. hltn MI  6th imeth, a sign tikem liamoth, let our sozul be to die inor token of truth, well rendered ac- stead of you (pl.) That is, we pawn
cording to the sense;'a true token,' and pledge our lives for the security
i. e. a token which shall not deceive of yours, and those of your relatives;
me; one which I may produce as a may our livesbe destroyed, if we sufwitness of this agreement; one on fer yours to be injured. This lanthe sight of which the Israelites shall guage affords no warrant for those
forbear to hurt either me or mine.   thoughtless imprecations which are
13. Thlat ye will save alive myfa- often introduced in discourse in orther and my mother. Heb. th~D'7'1 der to give more emphasis to the;ha'hayithem, will make ar cause to live. speaker's promises or declarations.
On the peculiar import of this word, -SIlf ye utter not this our busisee Note on ch. 6. 25. It will be ob- ness. That is, if neither thou nor
served that she makes no mention of any of thy kindred (' ye') betray us
her husband, from which it is to be when we are gone, or divulge this
inferred that she was now a widow, agreement, so that others may avail
or had never been married. In ei- themselves of its conditions.' They
ther case, the fact militates altogether that will be conscientious in keeping
against the hypothesis of her being their promises, will be cautious in
a hostess, for nothing could be more making them, and may perhaps inabhorrent from Eastern notions and sert conditions which others will
usages, than a single woman's fol- think frivolous.' Henry.-IT And it
lowing such an occupation, even had shall be, &c. The preceding clause
the occupation been known among is properly parenthetical, and these
them.  But a practical remark of words should be read in immediate
more importance suggests itself in connexion with what goes before,
this connexion. The same feelings translating' theat' instead of' and'which warn us to flee the coming' Our life for yours (if ye utter not
wrath and make our own peace with this our business), that it shall be,
God, will also incite us to do all in when the Lord hath given,' &c. The
our power to promote the salvation present mode of punctuation gives a
of our families and kindred, by bring- wrong, or at least an inadequate vielw




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  II.                             39
given us the land, that q we will  days, until the pursuers  be redeal kindly and truly with thee. turned: and afterward may ye
15 Then she rlet them  down  go your way.
by a cord through the window:   17 And the men said unto her,
for her house  was upon  the  We will be 3blameless of this
town-wall, and she dwelt upon  thine oath which thou hast made
the wall.                          us swear.
16 And she said unto them,   18 tBehold, when we  come
Get you to the mountain, lest into the land, thou shalt bind
the pursuers meet you; and  this line of scarlet thread in the
hide  yourselves  there  three  window which thou didst let us
q Judg. 1. 24. Matt. 5. 7. r Acts 9. 25.  s Exod. 20. 7. t ver. 12.
of the precise scope of the passage tainoes region. Jericho, as we have
under consideration.               seen, was encompassed by a range of
15. T'he7n she let thenm down, &c. high hills. In sorne of the caves of
That is, by the help of her friends or these they might conceal themselves
domestics.  In like manner Paul for the time specified.
made his escape from  Damascus, 2   17. Te willbe blameless of this thine
Cor. 11. 33. The conversation men- oath. It shall not be our fault if the
tioned in the succeeding verses ap- said oath be not kept, provided the
pears to have taken place previous to annexed conditions be punctually obtheir being let down from the win- served on thy part. We will be free
dow; for which reason Adam Clarke from the reproach of being unfaithful
remarks, that the natural place of to our engagements. These condithis verse is immediately after the tions they go on to state in the next
first clause of v. 21. It is very un- verse.
likely that she would dismiss them    18. Thbis line of scarlet thread.
before the above-mentioned condi- Rather' this cord,' i. e. a line or cord,
tions were agreed upon; or that she consisting of such  a number of
would discourse with them of matters threads or braids, that when twisted
of so much moment after they were together, they should be capable of
let down, and were standing under sustaining the weight of a man's
the window, where others might body; for it seems to have been the
overhear them; or that she would very same cord with which they
commence speaking to them in her were let down from  the window.
chamber, and not finish till they had This was to be a mark upon the
left the house.                    house, of which the spies would in16. Get you to the mnouqntain. Heb. form the camp of Israel, so that no
1rZ 1i1i-~ I   hahrhh llu, mountain- soldier, however fierce and eager he
wards go ye. That is, to the moun- might be in the work of destruction,
tainous region in the vicinity; not to should offer any violence to the place
any particular mountain. This is an thus distinguished.  It answered,
extremely frequent sense of the word therefore, the same purpose with the
mountain' in Scripture. The Gr. blood sprinkled;upon the door-posts
has here dt rOY dpeIyvO, to the monmn- in Egypt, which secured the first-born




40                         JOSHUA                   [B. C. 1451
down by: u and thou shalt bring of thine oath which thou hast
thy father, and thy mother, and made us to swear.
thy brethren, and all thy father's 21 And she said, According
household home unto thee.        unto your words, so be it. And
19 And it shall be, that who- she sent them  away, and they
soever shall go out of the doors departed: and she bound the
of thy house into the street, his scarlet line in the window.
blood shall be upon his head, and  22 And they went, and came
we willbeguiltless: and whoso- unto the mountain, and abode
ever shall be with thee in the there three days, until the purhouse, xhis blood shall be on our suers were returned: and the
head, if any hand be upon him. pursuers sought them throughout
20 And if thou utter this'our all the way, but found them not.
business, then we will be quit  23  T So the two men returned,
and descended from  the mounu ch. 6. 23. x Matt. 27. 26.
from the destroying angel.- IThou failed to perform the conditions of
shalt bring thy father and thy mother, the covenant, and so must suffer for
&c. Heb.'ttnr taasphi, thou shalt it.-  I If any hand be upon hism.
bring together, assemble. In no other That is, so as to slay him. See a
way could Rahab's kindred be dis- like phraseology, Deut. 17. 7. Est,
tinguished from those who were to 6. 2. Job. 1. 12.
be devoted to the sword.  If they   21. According to youLr words so be
would not' perish with them that be- it. I readily agree to the terms;
lieved not,' they must convey them- they are reasonable, and I have noselves to the only place of safety. If thing to say against them.-  T And
any of them had been met in the she bound the scarlet line in the winstreets by the slaughtering Israelites, dow. Probably not immediately, for
it would have availed them nothing fear of ~xciting suspicion, but in seato say,'We belong to the house of son to avail herself of the benefit
Rahab.' The answer would be,' If of it.
you belong to the house, why are you   22. Abode there three days.  Not
not in the house' We know you three entire days, but one whole day
not.' So those who professedly be- and part of two others. They were
long to the church of Christ, if they sent out on the sixth day of the month
would be saved, must keep close to Nisan, and escaped from Jericho the
the society of the faithful. If they same night. The seventh day they
are found mingled with the world in spent in the mountains.  On the
spirit and pursuit, they have reason eighth they returned to the camp.
to. fear being overwhelmed in its de- These three days are reckoned in the
struction.                       same manner as the three days of our
19. His blood shall be upon his head. Lord's burial. Matt. 27. 64.
The guilt of his blood-shedding shall  23. Passed over.  Over Jordan.
rest wholly upon himself. He shall - Tf 7'old him all things that befeI
have no one else to blame. He has them.  Heb.'all things that found




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  III.                            41
tain, and passed over, and came moved a from Shittim, and came
to Joshua the son of Nun, and to Jordan, he and all the childtold him  all things that befel ren of Israel, and lodged there
them:                             before they passed over.
24 And they said unto Joshua,  2 And it came to pass b after
Truly Y the LoRDhath delivered  three  days, that the  officers
into our hands all the land; for went through the host;
even all the inhabitants of the   3 And they commanded the
country do faint because of us.  people, saying, - When ye see
the ark of the covenant of the
CHAPTER  III.              LoRD  your  God, d and  the
A  ND  Joshua rose early in priests the Levites bearing it,
the morning; and they re-   a ch. 2,1. b ch. 1. 10, 11. c See Num.
y Exod. 23. 31. ch. 6. 2, and 21. 44.   10. 33. d Deut. 31. 9, 25.
them.' They probably made their ror would be struck into the minds
report to Joshua alone, or to him in of the Canaanites. There is no evicompany with the elders, without dence that the Israelites were inwhose concurrence no matter of im- formed of the manner in which they
portance seems to have been con- were to cross the river, yet they went
certed or undertaken.             forward in faith, being assured that
24. Do faint because of us. Heb. they should pass it, ch. 1. 11. Duty'are melted before our faces.' From  often calls us to take one step withthis they drew the assured conclu- out knowing how we shall take the
sion, that God was about to deliver next; but if brought thus far by the
the country into their hands. Those leadings of Providence, and while
that were then deprived of their cour- engaged in his service, we may safeage, would soon be deprived of their ly leave the event to him. He will
possessions.' Sinners' frights are cleave the flood or the rock rather
sometimes sure presages of their than that the way of his servants
fall.'-Henry.                     should be obstructed.
2. It came to pass after three days.
CHAPTER  III.             In exact fulfilment of Joshua's de1. Joshua rose early in t]he mnorn- claration, ch. 1. 10, 11.
ing. That is, doubtless, on the morn-   3. Commanded the people, &e. In
ing of the third or fourth day after the name and by the authority of
the proclamationmentioned, ch. 1. 11. Joshua, not of their own motion. It
Whether the spies had at this time is not unlikely that there is somereturned or not is uncertain, though thing of a transposition here, and that
most probable that they had.-   the portion from v. 7 to 14 properly
ff Lodged there before they passed over. belongs to this place.-' T Tle priests
That is, for one night. It would be the Levites bearing it. The priests
more convenient for the congrega- who are Levites, who belong to the
tion to pass over in the day-time; the tribe of Levi. Although it was ordimiracle to be wrought would be narily the duty of the sons of Kohath,
muore conspicuous; and a greater ter- who were merely Levites and not
4*




42                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
then ye shall remove from your ye must go; for ye have not
place, and go after it.           passed this way heretofore.
4 eYet there shall be a space   5 And Joshua said unto the
between you and it, about two people, fSanctify  yourselves:
thousand  cubits by  measure: for to-morrow the LORD will do
come not near unto it, that ye wonders among you.
may know  the way by which f Exod. 19. 10, 14, 15. Lev, 20.7.  Num.
e Exod. 19. 12.        11.18. ch. 7.13. 1 Sam. 16.15. Joel 2.16.
priests, to bear the ark, Num. 4. 15, becoming awe and reverence of the
yet it appears that on solemn occa- symbol of the Divine presence. They
sions this arrangement might be de- would see, too, by this means, that inparted from, and the office performed stead of their protecting it, they owed
by the priests, Josh. 6. 6. The same all their protection to it. Another
measure was adopted when the ark reason is expressed in the words im"was carried round Jericho-when mediately following.- IT~ That ye
Zadok and Abiathar brought it back may know the way by which lye must
to Jerusalem, at the time that David go. The ark was to be their pilot
fled from Absalom, 2 Sam. 15. 29,- across the waters, and by being adand when it was lodged in the tem- vanced so far ahead of them, would
pie of Solomon, 1 Kings 8. 6; the be more conspicuous than if the peoLevites not being permitted to enter ple had gathered and pressed close
the sanctuary.- tr Remove from  around it. As it was put at such a
your place. That is, break up from  distance before them, they would all
your encampment, leave your tents, have the satisfaction of seeing it, and
commence your march, v. 14.-  would  be animated by the sight.
IT Go after it. Follow it. Go in the This was the more necessary, as the
rear of it. Hitherto, under the con- passage of the Jordan was an untrodduct of Moses, the ark had held a den way to them.-Tr Ye have not
different position. It was stationed passed this way heretofore.  HeO..
in the centre while the host was en- Mt)SI'17:t=   mittemol shilshomn,
camped, and borne in the middle of since yester'day and the third day;
the immense procession when it set i. e. never hitherto. The same form
forward. But they then had the pil- of expression occurs, Gen. 31. 2. It
lar of cloud by day and of fire by is perhaps intimated, moreover, that
night to precede them.  Now the they were now to cross the river, not
cloud is removed, and the ark is at any usual fording place, but at
transferred to the vanguard of the some point entirely new, by a passage
army, to go before.                which should miraculously open be4. TThere shall be a space-about fore them as the priests and the ark
two thousaznd cubits. Two thousand advanced.
cubits amounted to about one thou-   5. And Joshua said unto the people,
sand yards, or three quarters of a Sanctify yourselves.  Rather,'haa
mile, and this space was to intervene said,' for as he speaks of' to-morbetween them and the ark, in order row,' the charge was probably giveD
that they might be impressed with a on the day previous to the one now




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  III.                           43
6 And Joshua spake unto the Joshua, This day will I begin to
priests, saying, g Take up the h magnify thee in the sight of all
ark of the covenant, and pass Israel, that they may know that
over before the people.   And'as I was with Mloses, so I will
they took up the ark of the cov- be with thee.
enant, and went before the peo- 8 And thou shalt command
pie.                              kthe priests that bear the ark
7 f And the LoaRd said unto of the covenant, saying, When
h ch. 4 14. 1 Chron. 29, 25. 2 Chron. I
g Num. 4. 15.          1. i ch. 1. 5. k ver. 3.
current, on which they were passing before the people.  Heb. I I)'l vaover Jordan.  The command now  yisu, they bore up, i. e. upon their
given was undoubtedly of the same shoulders, according to the direction,
import with that given by Moses, on Num. 7. 9.' A noble defiance of the
the eve of the delivery of the law  enemies of Israel was thus given;
upon mount Sinai, Ex. 19. 10-14. who were challenged to attack the
They were to wash their persons and unarmed priests, or to attempt to
their garments, and to abstain from  seize the unattended ark.' Scott.
every thing that might indispose   7. And the Lord said unbto Joshua,
their minds to a serious and devout &c. Or,'for the Lord had said,' as
attention to the miracle about to be in numberless cases elsewhere. It
wrought in their behalf. A similar seems highly probable that these
command was generally given on words were spoken to Joshua before
great and solemn occasions. Lev. the preceding charge was given to
2Q0. 1, 8; Num. 11. 18; 1 Sam. 16. the people. That which constitutes
5; Joel 2. 16. The special manifes- the grou[nd or reason of a particular
tations of God's presence should he order or statement, and which is
awaited by his people in a posture of properly antecedent to it, is often by
deep humiliation, and penitence, and the sacred writers placed last.-If
prayer, and by diligent efforts to This day will I begin to lmagnify'cleanse themselves from all filthi- thee, &c.  To make thee great, to
ness of flesh and spirit.'        raise thee in the estimation of thy
6. Take uop the ark of the covenant, people, to confirm  thine authority,
&c. Joshua in giving this command and to clothe thee with honor. God
is not to be considered as acting on had before put distinguished honor
his own absolute authority, for it upon Joshua on several occasions,
would have been too much for him  Ex. 24. 13; Deut. 31. 7, but it had not
to assume the responsibility of chang- been in so public and solemn a maning the usual order of march, with- ner; now he designs to magnify him
out a Divine direction.  He was as the successor of Moses in the govmerely the organ of announcing the ernment. He was to be the visible
will of God in respect to this matter. instrument of working a mighty mirHe obeyed the commands of Heaven acle in the eyes of the nation; and
as the priests did his.-I TThey took fiom his circumstantially foretelling
iUp the ark of the covenabt, andc went how the waters should be cut off, as




44                            JOSHUA.                    LB. C. 1451.
ye are come to the brink of the will without fail n drive out from
water of Jordan,'ye shall stand before you the Canaanites, and
still in Jordan.                    the Hittites, and  the  Hivites,
9 ~ And Joshua said unto the and the Perizzites, and the Girchildren of Israel, Come hither, gashites, and the Amorites, and
and hear the words of the LORD  the Jebusites.
your God.                            11 Behold, the ark of the cov10 And Joshua said, Hereby  enant of ~the Lord of all the
ye shall know that mthe living earth passeth  over before you
God is among you, and that he into Jordan.
I ver. 17. m Deut. 5. 26. 1 Sam. 17. 26 2
I  s 19. 4 Hea 1. 10 Ma. 16. 16    nEx. 33. 2. Deut. 7. 1. Ps. 44. 2. over.
Thess. 1. 9.                        13. Mic. 4. 13. Zech. 4.14, and 6. 5.
soon as the feet of the priests should and energy, able to work for you, and
touch them, v. 13, it was demonstrated to put to confusion all your enemies.
that the secret of the Lord was with   11. The ark of the covenoart of the
him. True greatness belongs to those Lord of all the earth.  The original
with whom  God is, whom he em- will admit of being rendered,' The
ploys in his service, and upon whom  ark of the covenant, even the Lord of
his blessing rests. The honor that all the earth,' and as the Hebrew accomes from man may surround one cents favor this sense, it is adopted
with a temporary eclat, but let those by many of the Jewish commentathat aspire to lasting and solid dis- tors, although the current of versions
tinction seek it in the favor of God.  is against it. Indeed it is not a little
8.'Ye shall stand still in Jordan. remarkable that the first edition of
They were first required to pause on our presentEnglish version published
the brink of the stream, till the chan- in 1611, exhibits this very rendering.
nel was laid dry, and then they seem  It was afterwards altered, but at what
to have advanced and took their sta- time, by what authority, or for what
tion in the midst of it, till all the reasons, it is now impossible to deterpeople had passed over. As the en- mine. This usage, it is contended
tire bed of the river below the resting by Buxtorf and others, is by no means
point of the ark would become dry confined to this passage. In repeated
by the waters running off towards instances, as they maintain, the apthe Dead  Sea, the  congregation pellation' Lord' is bestowed upon
might pass over in that direction, the ark of the covenant. Thus it is
blaving  the ark on their right, and said the address is to the ark, Num.
keeping at the prescribed distance of 10. 35, 36;'And it came to pass
2,000 cubits.                       when the ark set forward, that Mo9. Come hither.  Draw  nigh to- ses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine
wards me, as many as can come enemies be scattered; and let them
within hearing.                    that hate thee flee before thee. And
10. That the living God zs among when it rested, he said, Return, O
you. Not a dull, senseless, lifeless, Lord, to the many thousands of Israinactive deity, like the gods of the el.' So also, 2 Sam. 6. 2,'And Daheathen, but a God of life, power, vid arose and went with all the peo



B. C. 1451.1]           CHAPTER  III.                             45
12 Now  therefore  Ptake  ye   14 IT And it came  to  pass,
twelve'men out of the tribes of when the people removed from
Israel, out of every tribe a man. their tents to pass over Jordan,
13 And it shall come to pass, and the priests bearing the t ark
q as soon as the soles of the feet of the covenant before the peoof the priests that bear the ark  pie;
of the LORD, r the Lord of all  15 And as they that bare the
the earth, shall rest in the wa- ark were come unto Jordan, and
ters of Jordan, that the waters u the feet of the priests that bare
of Jordan shall be cut off from  the ark were dipped in the brim
the waters that come down from  of the water, (for " Jordan overabove; and they sshall stand floweth all his banks   all the
upon an heap.                      time of harvest,)
t Acts 7. 45. u ver. 13. x 1 Chron. 12.
p ch. 4. 2. q ver. 15, 16. r ver. 11. s Ps. 15. Jer. 12. 5, and 49. 19. y ch. 4, 18, and
78. 13, and 114. 3.                5. 10, 12,
pie that were with him, from  Baale ed,'the waters of Jordan shall be
of Judah, to bring up from thence cut off, even the waters that descend
the ark of God, whose name is called from above;' but whether he speaks
by the name of the Lord of hosts.' in these words of the mass of waters
Comp. Ex. 16. 33; 1 Sam. 4. 7. Such remaining above the ark, that they
a title, however, could only be ap- were to be cut off from those below,
plied on the ground of its being the which would be speedily drained off,
visible symbolof the Divine presence, and leave the channel bare; or wheand of the close connexion subsisting ther the' waters that come down
between the sign and the thing sig- from  above,' mean those that flowed
nified.                            downwards from  the point where
12. Takce ye twelve men out of the the ark stood above, while the rest
tribes of Israel. The object of this stood as a heap, it is difficult to deselection is afterwards explained, termine. Comparing this, however,
ch. 4. 4, 5. They were now to be with v. 16, the first interpretation
chosen, and to stand ready at a mo- we think the most probable. This
ment's warning, for the service to seems to have been the first intimawhich they were set apart.         tion given to the people as to the
13. That bear the ark of the LORD, manner in which they were to cross
the Lord of all the earth. The Heb. the river, unless we suppose such a
here exhibits two different words for transposition as we have hinted at in' Lord,' the first i17n;1 Yehovah, the the note above, on v. 5.
second )1'  adon, which is also the    15. Jordan oveifloweth all his banqks
word occurring v. 11. This seems all the time of harvest.  That is, the
to countenance the idea that the time of the barley harvest; which beark itself is called by that title.-    gan in that country in our March or
If The waters of Jordan shalt be cut April. 1 Chron. 12. 15. Prof. Robof fr'om the waters that come down  inson remarks that he could find no
fron  above. More correctly render- evidence that the Jordan ever now




46                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
16 That the waters which came down atoward the sea of
came down from  above stood the plain  even b the salt sea,
and rose up upon an heap very failed, and were cut off: and
far from the city Adam, that is the people  passed  over right
beside zZaretan; and those that against Jericho.
z 1 Kings 4. 12, and 7. 46.. Deut. 3.17. b Gen. 14. 3. Nllm. 34. 3.
overflows its banks in the manner palling dangers.'Though the opthat would be supposed from the rehi- position given to the salvation of
dering of this passage; and he adds, God's people have all imaginable'I apprehend that even the, ancient advantages, yet God can and will
rise of the river has been greatly ex- conquer it.'-Hen'y.
aggerated.  The sole accounts we   16. Stood adnd rose up upona heap.
have of the annual increase of its Being checked in their course they
waters are found in the earlier scrip- continued to accumulate and swell
tural history of the Israelites; where, higher and higher, till they filled up
according to the English version, the the channel to a great distance toJordan is said to "overflow all its wards the source of the river. Prob.
banks " in the first month, or all the ably another miracle was wrought
time of harvest.  But the original in restraining the waters thus piled
Hebrew expresses, in these passages, up from deluging the adjacent counnothing more than that the Jordan try.-~T Fron the city Adamq, thlat is
"was full (or filled) up to all its beside Zaretan.  The position of
banks," meaning the banks of its these cities is not easily ascertained.
channel; it ran with full banks, or As to the first, nothing is known;
was brim-full. Thus understood, the and perhaps it was even then so obBiblical account corresponds entirely scure as to be described by its nearto what we find to be the case at the ness to Zaretan, a place of more nopresent day.'-(Research., Vol. II., toriety. This we learn from 1 Kings
p. 262). This annual swelling of 4. 12, was situated below Jezreel,
the waters of the Jordan arises from  near Beth-shean or Scythopolis, and
the melting of the snows upon Mount not far from Succoth; but Succoth,
Lebanon, in which the Jordan takes as appears from  Gen. 33. 17; Josh.
its rise. It probably took place on 13. 27, lay on the east of Jordan, not
this occasion just before Israel was far from the lake of Gennesaret, and
to pass over, and served to render the somewhere in this immediate vicinmiracle far more stupendous and un- ity, doubtless, was Adam  situated.
questionable. Indeed we may sup- — IT Passed over right against Jeripose that this season was chosen cho. It is probable that the people
expressly, in order that God might crossed the river at what was afterhave the better opportunity to con- wards called Beth-abara, or h ouse of
vince his people of his Almighty passage, which seemsto have derived
power; that they were under his its name from thisvery circumstance,
immediate care and protection; and It was here that John baptized, John
that they might never cease to con- 1. 28, and that Jesus, as well as Josh,
fide in him in view of the most ap- ua, began to be magnified.




B  C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  IV.                           47
17 And the priests that bare of the people, out of every tribe
the ark of the covenant of the a man,
LORD stood firm on dry ground   3 And command ye them, sayin the midst of Jordan,  and all ing, Take you hence out of the
the Israelites passed -.over on midst of Jordan, out of the place
dry ground, until all the people where c the priests' feet stood
were passed clean over Jordan. firm, twelve stones, and ye shall
carry them over with you, and
CHAPTER  IV.              leave them in d the lodging-place.t ND it came to pass, when where ye shall lodge this night.
all the people were clean   4 Then  Joshua  called  the
passed' over Jordan, that the twelve men, whom he had preLORD spake unto Joshua, saying, pared of the children of Israel,
2 b Take you twelve men out out of every tribe a man:
See Exod. 14. 29. a Deut. 27. 2. ch.
3. 17.  b ch. 3.12.                    a ch. 3. 13.  (t ver. 19, 20.
17. And thle priests-stood firm on uan; an usage of speech founded upon
dry ground.  Stood fixedly and the union between a leader or ruler,
immovably in the same place and and his people. Nothing would apposture, neither pressed upon by the pear from the phraseology itself to
waters, nor sinking in the mire, nor intimate that any such command had
shifting their position. It is proba- been before given, but as we know
ble, too, that they continued bearing there had, ch. 3. 12, the twelve men
the ark on their shoulders during the here spoken of are to be understood
whole time of their standing. The of those already chosento this service.
miracle recorded in this chapter was   3. Command ye thtem.  Another
in some respects more striking than instance of the phraseology noticed
that which marked the passage of above.  Joshua is addressed conthe Red Sea, as in this case it could jointly with  the people, or, perhaps,
not be pretended that the water had rather with the officers, and required
retired  from  any natural cause. to give the annexed order.-TlLeave
There was here neither wind nor themt in the lodging-place where ye
tide, to the agency of which the shall lodge this night.  This was
effect could be attributed; and if the Gilgal, as appears from v. 19, 20, a
river was actually passed, at a high place somewhat more than six miles
stage of its waters, without boats or from the river Jordan,
bridges, the evidence of the miracle   4. Whom he had prepared. Whom
was irresistible-the current must he had before chosen and appointed
have been suspendedbya supernatu- to that work, with a command that
ral power.                       they should hold themselves in readiness for it. The stones were probCHAPTER IV.             *ably each of them as large as one
2. Take you twelve men, &c. Heb. man could conveniently carry.
l~ n1rI  kehu lfskem, take ye foryouzr-  5. Pass over before the ark. These
$ewies, pl., though addressed to Josh- twelve men had probably hitherto




48                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
5 And Joshua said unto them,  6 That this  may be a sign
Pass over before the ark of the among you, that e when your
LORD your God into the midst children  ask  their fathers  in
of Jordan, and take you up eve- time  to  come, saying, What
ry man of you a stone upon his mean ye by these stones?
shoulder, according  unto  the   7 Then ye shall answer them,
number of the tribes of the chil- That f the waters of Jordan were
dren of Israel:
ever. 21. Ex. 12. 26, and13, 14. Dent. 6
20. Ps. 44. 1, and 78. 3-6. f ch. 3. 13, 16.
remained, from motives of reverence, the duty of each generation to keep
somewhat behind the ark, perhaps its successors informed.  It would
near to the eastern bank of the river. likewise serve as a standing proof in
They are now  commanded to ad- corroboration of the matter of fact to
vance, and picking up the stones those who might, in after ages, quesnear the place where the priests stood, tion the truth of the written history.
to'pass over before the ark,' and The record of this great event might
thus emerge from the bed of Jordan, indeed be read in the sacred writings,
and when arrived to deposit the but God, who knows the frame of his
stones in the place commanded. creatures, and how much they are
Otherwise the words must be under- influenced by the objects of sense,
stood to imply, that after passing over kindly ordered an expedient for keepwith the congregation, the twelve ing it in more lively remembrance
men were to pass back again to the from age to age. So he has provided
place where the ark stood, and thence the sacrament of the Lord's supper
transport the stones; which we can- to aid our understandings and affect
not but regard as a violent construc- our heartsby sensible symbols, though
tion.                              the same great truths which they re6. That this may be a sign among present are plainly delivered in words
you. A sign that shall permanently in the inspired oracles. —I WiHe-s
remain among you; a monument or' youLr children ask, &c.   Heb.'D
memorial;  a conspicuous object  ~25 q'~ ki yishalun benekem,
which shall be a standing witness of when your sons ask; i. e. your dethe wonderful event that has this day scendants; not little children merely,
happened. Heaps, or pillars of stone, but your posterity of whatever age
in commemoration of great events, Thus' children of Israel' is equiva.
such as covenants, victories, &c., lent to'sons of Israel, or Israelites.'
have been common among all na- - 1 In time to come.  Heb.')M
tions from the earliest ages. See Gen. mnhAr, to-morrow, often used in tha,
31; 46; Ex. 24. 4. In the present original to signify indefinitely allfJu
case, though there was no inscription ture time. Gen 30. 33. In like manon the stones, yet from the number ner' yesterday' is used in a general
of them, and from the place where sense for all past time, as Heb. 13. 8,
they stood, it would be evident that'Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,
they pointed to some memorable and to-day, and forever.' —--   What
transaction, and of this it was to be mean ye by these stones?  Heb. shB




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  IV.                              49
cut off before the ark of the  of the midst of Jordan, as the
covenant of the LORD; when it LORD spake unto  Joshua, acpassed over Jordan, the waters cording to the number of the
of Jordan were  cut off: and  tribes of the children of Israel,
these stones shall be for g a me- and carried them over with them
morial unto the children of Israel unto  the  place  where  they
for ever.                          lodged, and  laid  them   down
8 And the children of Israel there.
did so as Joshua commanded,  9 And Joshua set up twelve
and took up twelve stones out stones in the midst of Jordan, in
g Ex. 12. 14. Numb. 16. 40.
t     X  Vni;ni  t mA na&h ha-ebdanim ha- therefore bear their name. A comeilleh lakim, what these stones to you? pany or community is often said in
7. T7hen. shall ye answer them, That the Scriptures to do that which is
the waters, &c. This clause, as ap- done by their constituted agents.
pears from the original, requires to   9. Joshua set sqp twelve stones in the
be supplied thus,' Then shall ye an- midst of Jordan.  As it is evident
swer, These stones are designed to from  the connexion that this was
commemorate the fact that the wa- actually done by the twelve selected
ters,' &c. Such is undoubtedly the persons above mentioned, it is astrue grammatical dependence of the cribed to Joshua only as commanding
conjunction that.-    ICut off before and superintending it, just as the
the a'sk. As it were, at the sight of building of the temple is ascribed to
it, at its first approach. The clause  Solomon. Two sets of stones thererespecting the cutting off of the wa- fore were erected in memory of this
ters of Jordan occurs again in the miraculous passage, one at Gilgal,
same words towards the end of the the other in the bed of Jordan. Should
verse, to intimate, perhaps, the won- it be asked how the latter could serve
derful character of the miracle, and as a monument, placed as they were
that a fact of such a stupendous na- in the middle of the stream, and liature should be repeated again and ble to be concealed below the surface,
again in the hearing of those who we answer, that as nothing is said of
were to be instructed.- I  A memo- their being each of them, like the
rial unto the children of Israel. To  others, of a size suitable for one man
them particularly and primarily, but to carry, they might have been vastly
not exclusively; for the monument larger, and so based upon a lower
was calculated to be a witness and a heap as to be generally visible, and
standing reproof also to the heathen thus indicate the very spot where the
nations around.-   iTFor ever. For priests stood with the ark; for it is to
an indefinite period of time; as long be remarked, that the Jordan, at its
as the nation should endrle.      ordinary stages. is not a deep river,
8. The children of Israel did so. and that its wlaters are remarkably
That is, the twelve men, who acted  clear and transparent, so that an obas the representatives of the whole ject like this might probably always
body of the children of Israel and be seen except in the time of a high
5




50                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
the place where the feet of the people, according to  all that
priests which bare the ark of Moses commanded Joshua: and
the covenant stood: and they the people hasted and passed
are there unto this day.          over.
IT 10 For the priests which bare   11 And it came to pass, when
the ark stood in the midst of all the people were clean passed
Jordan, until every thing was over, that the ark of the LORD
finished thatthe LORD command- passed over, and the priests in
ed Joshua to speak unto  the the presence of the people.
freshet. From the native force of agency of Eleazar the High Priest.
the Heb. term for'set up,' which is Num. 27. 21-23. So he did on the
properly to'rear up,'' to erect,' i. e. present occasion,-~-1 The people
to raise to a considerable height, it hasted-and passed over. Perhaps unmay be reasonably inferred that they der some apprehensions that the
were placed so as to be ordinarily standing mass of waters on their
visible.-   1 In the place where the right might be suffered to give way
feet of the priests-.stood. Heb. rl while they were crossing.  Even'li1 alit   3f l tahath mnatztzab ra- where the general acting of faith is
gld hakkohanim, under the standing- strong, the weakness of nature someplace of the feet of the priests. It was times causes the spirit to waver.here that the stones were to be erected This passage of the Israelites through
but from whence they were taken is the Jordan, is not improperly considnot said. From aught that appears ered as an emblem of the Christian's
in the text they might have been transition from the dreary wilderness
gathered in the adjacent fields, as of this world to the Canaan that is
some commentators have imagined. above. When the time is arrived
-~And they are there unto this day. for passing by that unknown, untrodEither the words of Joshua, who  den path, we are apt to fear lest we
wrote this history near the close of should sink in the deep waters, and
his life, and about twenty years after never attain the wished for end. But
the event occurred, or added at a God has promised to be with us, to
subsequent period by Samuel or Ezra, make' the depths of the sea a way
or some other inspired man by whom  for the ransomed to pass over,' and
the sacred canon was revised.     to bring us in safety to the land that
10. According to all that Moses floweth with milk and honey. The
commanded Joshua. It does not ap- ark of his covenant will go before,
pear that Moses any where gave both for our guidance and protection,
Joshua a charge respecting this pas- and under its conduct we may cheersage of Israel over the Jordan. The fully bid adieu to the friends who
words therefore are to be understood stand weeping on the bank.
of the general instructions given him    11. In the presence of the people.
by Moses, requiring him to follow  Who stood upon the bank beholding
the Divine conduct in all particulars, with admiration and awe the last act
as made known to him through the of this great miracle.




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  IV.                             51
12 And   the children of Reu- of all Israel, and they feared
ben, and the children of Gad,'him  as they feared Moses, all
and half the tribe of Manasseh, the days of his life.
passed  over armed before the   15 And the Lord spake unto
children  of  Israel, as Moses Joshua, saying,
spake unto them:                    16 Command the priests that
13 About forty thousand pre- bear k the ark of the testimony,
pared for war, passed over be- that they come up out of Jordan.
fore the LORD unto battle, to the   17 Joshua therefore commandplains of Jericho.                 ed the priests, saying, Come ye
14 I On that day the LORD up out of Jordan.
magnified Joshua in the sight  18 And it came to pass, when
h Num. 32. 20, 27, 28. i ch. 3. 7.      k Exod. 25. 16, 22.
12. Passed over armed before the now fully confirmed his authority,
children  of Israel.  The original and showed that He was with him.
phrase here is precisely the same That honor is ever most to be desired
with that rendered in the preceding which is the result of a strict, converse, in'the presence of' and, as we scientious, and uniform observance
conceive, does not clearly intimate of all the  Divine  precepts.that they led the van, for the order   IT lcTheyfeared him as they feared
of marching of the different tribes Moses, all the days of his life. The
had been expressly prescribed in the' his' here may refer either to Joshua
wilderness, Num. 10; and it is not or to Moses. The latter is most acprobable that it was departed from  cordant with the Heb. accents, and
on this occasion. According to this it avoids, moreover, a certain air of
order the tribe of Judah had the incongruity in the letter of the text,
precedence.. What is affirmed of as if the Israelites ox that day feared
the two tribes and a half here, we Joshua all the days of his life.
suppose, is, that in pursuance of their   15. The Lord spake unto Joshua,
promises, ch. 1. 16-18, they passed saying. This may be rendered'had
over' in the presence' of their breth- spoken,' and the whole paragraph,
ren, who were thus all witnesses to v. 15-19, be considered as a detailed
their fidelity.                   account of what is stated more gene13. Passed over before the Lord. rally, v. 11. These verses seem deThat is, probably, before the ark of signed to acquaint us with the main
the Lord, the symbol of the Divine ground or reason to which, under
presence. Otherwise it may imply God, it was owing that Joshua was'as in the sight of the Lord,'  reli- so signally magnified on that occagiously,'' conscientiously.'      sion.' The priests did not quit their
14. Magnified Joshua.  Caused station till Joshua, who had comhim to stand high in the esteem and manded them thither, ordered them
respect of the people, so that they thence; nor did he thus order them
henceforth yielded to him the same till the Lord commanded him: so
reverential fear and ready obedience obedient were all parties to the word
which they had done to Moses. God of God.' Scott.




52                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
the priests that bare the ark of of the first month, and encamped
the covenant of the LORD were min Gilgal, in the east border
come up out of the midst of of Jericho.
Jordan, and the  soles of the   20 And "those twelve stones
priests' feet were lifted up unto which they took out of Jordan,
the dry land, that the waters did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
of Jordan  returned unto their  21 And  he  spake unto the
place,'and flowed over all his children ofIsrael,saying, When
banks, as they did before.       your children  shall ask their
19 If And the people came up fathers in time to come, saying,
out of Jordan on the tenth day What mean these stones?
1 ch. 3.15.               m ch. 5. 9. n ver. 3. o ver. 6.
18. The soles of the priests' feet town in that place before the arrival
were lifted up unto the dr'y land. of the Israelites. It was situated near
Heb. 1jr1M nitteku, were plucked up. the Jordan, on the eastern extremity
As upon the entrance into the river, of the plain of Jericho. There are
the stream was cut off as soon as the at present no certain traces of the
soles of the priests' feet touched the name or the place in that region.
water, ch. 3. 15, so now as soon as   20. Did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
they touched the dry land it again Heb.     Ukh hhkim, erect, rear up. A
resumes its natural course.  This foundation of stone-work or a mound
would make it evident that the arrest of earth, was probably first laid, of
of the river was the effect solely of considerable height, and then the
Divine power, and not owing to any twelve stones placed on the top of it;
secret natural cause.-  T Flowed for twelve such stones as a man
over all his banks as they did before. could carry six miles on his shoulder,
RIeb. Itbt St:: kithmOl shilshdOm, could scarcely have made any obas yesterday and the third day.   servable pile or pillar of memorial;
19. On the tenth day of the first but erected on such a base as we have
month. That is, of the month Nisan, supposed, they would be very conjust forty years, lacking five days, spicuous, and strikingly answer the
after their departure out of Egypt. purpose for whichtheywere designed.
This was four days before the an-   21. Shall ask-in  time to come.
nual feast of the Passover, and on Heb. ttl  mAihitr, to-morrow. See
the very day when the paschal Lamb v. 6, 7. From  their number, size,
was to be set apart for this purpose, position, &c., and from  there not
Ex. 12. 3; God having so ordered it being any others near them of the
in his providence, that their entrance same kind, they would naturally exinto the promised land should coin- cite inquiries,'How came these
cide with the period of that festival. stones here.  What is meant by
- 1 And encamped in Gilgal. In them?' This would afford to parents
the place afterwvards called Gilgal, an excellent opportunity to turn to
ch. 5. 9, for here the name is given account the inquisitiveness of their
it by anticipation.  It is doubtful children, to make them  early acwhether there was either city or quainted with the wonderful worki




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  V.                            53
22 Then  ye shall let your earth might know the hand of
children know, saying, P Israel the LORD, that it is smighty:
came over this Jordan on dry that ye might tfear the LORD
land.                            your God for ever.
23 For the LORD your God
dried up the waters of Jordan            CHAPTER V.
from before you, until ye were,ND  it came to pass, when
passed over, as the LORD your          all the kings of the AmoGod did to the Red Sea, qwhich rites which were on the side of
he dried up from before us, until Jordan westward, and all the
we were gone over:                 r 1 Kings 8. 42, 43. 2 Kings 19.19. Ps.
24 r That all the people of the 106. 8. s Ex. 15. 16. 1 Chron. 29. 12. Ps.
89.13. t Ex. 14. 31. Deut. 6.2. Ps.89.'7.
p oh. 3. 17. q Exod. 14. 21.  Jer. 10. 7.
of God, and to train them up in his if he and his contemporaries were
fear. We should encourage young personally present at the passage of
people to seek instruction, and should the Red Sea,' He turned the sea into
be glad of every thing that may afford dry land: they went through the
us an occasion of making known to flood on foot; there did we rejoice in
them the wonders of redeeming love. him,' though this happened ages be22. Israel came over this Jordan on fore their time. So also our Saviour
dry land.  In commemoration of speaks as if the Jews of his day were
which remarkable fact, these stones living in the days of Moses, John 6.
are placed here.                 32,' Verily I say unto you, Moses
23. For the Lord your God dried gave you not that bread from heaven.'
up the waters of Jordan from before On the same principle Joshua speaks
you.  The parents are still supposed here.-If Tihe Red Sea, tohich he
to be speaking to their children. It dried up from before us.  This is
is remarkable that they address them  another instance of the usage just
as if they were living and present at adverted to. He speaks of the Red
the miraculous passage of the Jor- Sea's being dried up from before the
dan, whereas they then existed only people whom  he then addressed,
in the loins of their fathers. But it is whereas none of that generation
not uncommon for the sacred writers were now living except himself and
to speak of the nation of Israel, Caleb, the rest of them having perthrough every period of its existence, ished in the wilderness through unas if they were but of one generation, belief and rebellion. It is also to be
so that what really happened to those remarked, that this passage through
that lived at one age, is said to have the Jordan being here said to have
happened to those that lived at ano- been accomplished in the same manther, perhaps far remote. This gives ner with that through the Red Sea,
us a very impressive idea of the light the inference is legitimate, that the
in which God viewed that people, waters of that sea were actually
viz., as morally one, as one great col- divided like those of the river, and.ective person continually subsisting. that they did not merely retire from
Thus Ps. 66. 6, the writer speaks as the shore, as some have supposed,
5*




54                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
kings of the Canaanites a which LORD had dried up the waters
were by the sea, b heard that the of Jordan from before the childa Num. 13. 29. b Exod. 15.14, 15. ch.ren  of Israel, until we were
2.9,10,11. Ps. 48. 6. Ezek. 21. 7.  passed  over, that their heart
CHAPTER V.              On this account the same person who
1. And it came to pass, &c. As this is called'a woman of Canaan' by
verse is much more intimately rela-. Matthew, 15. 22, is called by Luke,
ted to what goes before than to what 7. 26,' a Syro-Phcenician.' —~ Had
follows, it would probably have been dried  ap  the waters of Jordan.
better to have joined it to the preced- Which they regarded as the natural
ing chapter.  The present would bulwark of their country, one too
then have commenced with an en- strong for the enemy to break through,
tirely new subject. —--   All the kings especially during the season of its
of the Amorites —and of the Canaacn- annual overflow.  It should seem
ites. As the whole land of Canaan that the Canaanites, if they had acted
was of comparatively small extent, according to the rules of war, would
the several nations, as they are called, have opposed the Israelites in their
which inhabited it, must have been passage. But the destruction of Phamere clans or hordes, and what are raoh at the Red Sea, some time betermed their kings nothing more than fore, and the recent victories over
petty chieftains, ruling over territo- Sihon and Og, had spread such a
ries scarcely larger than the coun- panic through the land, that theydid
ties in many of the states of the not dare to avail themselves of any
American union.  The term king, supposed advantage, lest they should
in modern usage, conveys the idea perish after their example.  The
of a power and dominion altogether event, indeed, shows how vain any
more extensive than was possessed attempt on their part would have
by these petty potentates. The Amo- been. It shows, too, that when the
rites and the Canaanites here men- measure of any people's iniquities is
tioned probably stand for the whole full, they shall in no wise escape the
of the devoted nations, they being vengeance of God. Whatever obspecified on account of their superi- stacles may appear to lie in the way,
ority to the rest in numbers, power, and whatever barrier an ungodly
and courage.  The nation of the world may have, or think they have,
Amorites occupied both sides of the for their defence, God will surely
Jordan; two of their kings, Sihon make a way for his indignation.
and Og, had already been slain on Opposing myriads shall be only as
the eastern side, Deut. 4. 46, 47..-  the stubble before the fire of his
~F Which were by the sea. The Medi- wrath.-~ Until wewere passed over.
terranean sea; along the coasts of These words intimate the writer to
which the Canaanitish tribes, pro. have been one of the company.perly so called, were spread. This T Their heart mielted.  In modern
region was afterwards known by the language we read of the heart meltname of Phcenieia, of which Tyre ing with pity and being dissolved
and Sidon were the principal cities, with grief. The sacred writers, on




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  V.                             55
melted; c neither was there spi- unto Joshua, Make thee d sharp
rit in them  any more, because knives, and circumcise again the
of the children of Israel.        children of Israel the second
2 IT At that time the LoRd said time.
c 1 Kings 10. 5.                  d Exod. 4. 25.
this and similar occasions, apply the materials were the edge-tools of all
same metaphor, with equal truth and nations made before the use of iron
beauty, to the operation of fear and became common.   At this day,
terror.-  ~ Neither was there spirit among most of the savage tribes inin them any more. The special prov- habiting the islands of the sea, or
idence of God is to be recognized in other barbarous climes, the same custhe panic which fell upon these na- tom prevails. Their knives, and also
tions at this particular juncture. It their arrow and spear-heads, are made
gave the Israelites just the opportu- of stone; and similar relics of the
nity they required, to administer the aborigines of our own country are
rite of circumcision, and to keep the often turned up by the plough. It is
Passover securely and without dis- not probable that the Israelites were
turbance.  Had it beer otherwise, altogether strangers to the use of iron,
and had the Canaanites attacked or were unfurnished with various
them, as Simeon and Levi did the metallic tools, as their different fabShechemites when they were sore, they rications in the wilderness force upon
would have taken them at every dis- us the belief that they must have emadvantage.                        ployed both iron and steel; hut frcm
2. At that time. As if in allusion the case of Zipporah, Ex. 4. 25, it
to the remarkable circumstances by appears to have been unlawful to use
which they were now surrounded; any kind of metal in this religious
encamped in the midst of an enemy's rite, and this opinion is confirmed by
country, and yet that enemy provi- the practice of a tribe in Ethiopia at
dentially restrained from  harming this day, who, professing to follow
them, so that they were commanded, the Mosaic institution, perform the
as if in their very sight and presence, rite of circumcision, according to
to reduce themselves to a condition Ludolf, with knives of stone. It is
of comparative weakness and help- supposed too that such instruments
lessness.' This formed a very great were not so liable to cause inflammatrial of their faith, and their prompt tion, as knives or razors of metal.and universal obedience in such crit- ~rAnd circumcise again the children
ical circumstances, manifested a con- of Israel the second time.  Heb.
fidence in the Lord's protection, and 5t Zl'1 veshfib mol, return (and)
a submission to his will, which con- circumcise. This is not to be underfirm the sentiment that this was the stood as a command to repeat circumbest of all the generations of Israel.' cision on those individuals who had
Scott.-~f Make thee sharp knives. already received it.  This would
Heb. tu't  hl='h 15  IIWY esEh lekah have been at once unnecessary and
lharboth tzurim, prepare, make ready, impracticable.  It merely implies
knives of rock, stone, or flint. Of such that they were to renew the observ



56                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
3 And Joshua made him sharp dren of Israel at the hill of the
knives, and circumcised the chil- foreskins.
ance of a rite which had been neg- vaded the country, without waiting
lected in their travels in the desert. to know what effect the invasion
The command was given now, at would have, he appoints nearly every
this early period after their entrance male in the congregation to be cirinto the promised land, (1) That the cumcised! Thus by one act disareproach of Egypt might be rolled bling the greater part of his whole
away; (2) That they might be duly army from  even standing in their
prepared to celebrate the Passover, own defence! What but a principle
of which none might eat who were of the most triumphant faith could
uncircumcised, Ex. 12. 48; and (3) have brought them to submit to such
As a trial of their faith under the cir- an injunction as this?
cumstances in which they were now    3. And Joshua made him sharp
placed, surrounded by enemies intent knives. That is, he caused them to
upon their destruction, and who be made, they were made by his orcould desire no greater advantage der.-~Circumcised the childl-en of
than such a crippled state of their in- Israel. Meaning those of them who
vaders would give them.' There is had not been already circumcised,
a general circumcision now of the those who had been born in the wilpeople, as there had been at their derness and were under forty years
coming out of Egypt; and as God of age. This he did by means of his
then closed the Egyptians in three agents. As the number to whom the
days' darkness that they could not rite was to be administered was imstir, so now he strikcth the Canaan- mensely large, and the time allotted
ites with terror, that they dare not for it short, a great many hands must
stir to hurt the people while they necessarily have been engaged in it.
were sore. Circumcision sealed the Probably any one who was himself
lease of the land of Canaan; and circumcised, was authorized to pertherefore as soon as they set foot on form it. In ordinary circumstances
it they must be circumcised.' Light- it is proper to stand upon instituted.
foot. Had Joshua acted on the prin- observances with great exactness,
ciples common to all other generals, and to have religious rites performed
when invading an enemy's country, by appropriate officers, but when pehe would either have prosecuted his culiar emergencies arise, such scruadvantages instantly, while his ene- pulousness must sometimes be waivmies were filled with terror, and ed, and -ztnaZls give way to essentzals.
crushed them before they had time God will have mercy rather than
to prepare for their defence; or he sacrifice, when only one can be renwould have fortified his own camp dered him.- T At the hill of the
to prevent surprise, and to be in con- foreskins. So called from the hilstant readiness for any emergency lock of foreskins, the result of the
that might arise.  But instead of transaction.
adopting any military plans what-  4. And this is the cause, &c. The
ever, the very day after he had in- omission in this case was probably




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  V.                            57
4 And this is the cause why were men of war which came
Joshua did circumcise: eAll the out of Egypt were consumed,
people that came out of Egypt, because they obeyed not the
that were males, even all the men voice of the LORD: unto whom
of war died in the wilderness by the LORD sware that f he would
the way, after they came out of not show them  the land which
Egypt.                           the LORD sware unto theirfathers
5 Now all the people that came that he would give us, h a land
out were circumcised; but all that floweth  with  milk  and
the people that were born in the honey.
wilderness by the way as they   7 And itheir children, whom
came forth out of Egypt, them  he raised up in their stead, them
they had not circumcised.        Joshua circumcised: for they
6 For the children of Israel were  uncircumcised, because
walked f forty years in the wil- they had not circumcised them
derness, till all the people that by the way.
e Num. 14. 29 and 26. 64, 65. Deut. 2. 16.
f Num. 14. 33. Deut. 1. 3, and 2.7, 14. Ps.  g Num. 14. 23. Ps. 95. 11. lIeb. 3. 11;
95. 10,                          h Exod. 3. 8. i Num. 14. 31. Deut. 1. 39.
with the Divine connivance, as the tinction from the race of Israel. We
people knew not the precise times know of no reason for its adoption
when they were to march, and a re- here, unless it be to intimate, that
moval immediately after the opera- they had, by their deportment, rention might have been dangerous to dered themselves unworthy the name
tender infants.  Moreover, as one and privileges of Israelites. They
design of this rite was to distinguish were doubtless those of whom it is
the Israelites from all other people, elsewhere said, that' their carcases
it was not so necessary to be admin- fell in the wilderness,' a doom which
istered while they were secluded befell them by reason of their rebelfrom the world, for forty years in the lion. -f Would not sltow  them.
wilderness. This instance, however, Heb. t:~~ haarothim, cause to see,
is not to be pleaded as authorizing i. e. would not permit them to enjoy.
the neglect or postponement of any Thus Eccles. 2. 24,' There is nothing
Divine ordinance in common circum- better for a man, than that he should
stances.                         eat and drink, and that he should
6. Walked forty years.  Led for make his soul enjoy (Heb. tr  itirn
that time a wandering, unsettled life. 1VDl~ hereh eth naphshl5, cause his soul
— ~ Till the people-were consumed. to see) good in his labor.' Ps. 4. 6,
Heb.'11 N'- t'.YV ad ki tom'Who will show  us any good V'
haggoi. It is not a little remarkable (Heb. IRqt" ef mi yarinu, who will
that the word here rendered people cause us to see, i. e. to enjoy, to have
(a11) is not the usual term employed the fruition of good).
to denote the peculiar people, but that   7. Their children whom he raised
which almost invariably designates up in their stead. Or, Heb. 1t01t
the Gentiles, or heathen, in contradis- lhkim, caused to stand, made to sur.




58                            JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
8 And it came to pass when   9 And  the  LORD  said  unto
they had done circumcising all Joshua, this day have I rolled
the people, that they abode in  away'the reproach of Egypt
their places in the camp, ktill   k See Gen. 34.25. 1 Gen. 34.14. 1 Sam.
they were whole.                    14. 6. See Lev. 18. 3. ch. 24. 14. Ezek.
20.7, and 23. 3, 8.
vive, preserved. The writer's design nected with Egypt, in whatever way,
seems to be, to state a contrast in the whether actively or passively. (1)
lot of the fathers and the children, Actively; inasmuch as the Israelites
using the term' raised up,' in oppo- themselves, while in the wilderness,
sition to' consumed,' in the preceding  did virtually reproach the Most High
verse.  The one he destroyed for in respect to the land of Egypt, grievtheir rebellion, the other he gracious- ing that they had left it, wishing
ly preserved alive, established, caused that they had died there, charging
to subsist.  See Note on Ex. 9. 16, him  with leading them  out thence
where this sense of the term is amply to slay them in the desert, and proconfirmed.  The words contain a posing to appoint a leader and to refulfilment of the promise given in turn thither.  The 14th chapter of
connexion  with  the  threatening, Numbers details these murmuring
Num. 14. 29-31.                     complaints, and shows that God was
8. Till they were whole.  Till they exceedingly angry with the people
were healed.  Heb.   Canne'"I ad on this account, and would have dehayotheim, until they lived.  The  stroyed them but for the intercession
original. is, in repeated instances, of Moses. But now the guilt of that
used to signify being restored to health. conduct was to be rolled away or
Thus Num. 21. 8,'Every one that pardoned, they were no longer on
is bitten, when he looketh upon it, account of it to be kept out of posshall live,' i.e. be recovered. 2 Kings session of the promised land; and
8. 8,' Shall I recover of this disease.' not only so, they should never have
Heb.'shall I live?' Is. 38. 21,'Lay  any more the least occasion or init for a plaster on the boil, and he ducement to vent such groundless
shall recover;' Heb.'shall live.' reproaches. By being brought into
The particle'till' does not imply Canaan in so gracious and glorious
that theyabode in their tents no longer a manner, and having every promthan during the time of their recov- ise fulfilled to them, all occasion of
ery; for they remained there while complaint was for ever cut off. (2)
keeping the Passover.  The same Passively; their bondage in Egypt
remark is to be made of the import was, in a sense, a, reproach and a
of this word in numerous other in- disgrace to them; it would be so
stances.                            accounted by other nations, while it
9. This day have I rolled away the continued, and they would be disparreproach of Egypt. It has been much  aged by reason of it. It is probable
disputed by commentators what is also that the Egyptians themselyves,
meant by'the reproach of Egypt.' seeing them wander so long in the
We take the expression, in a very  wilderness, reproached and taunted
full sense, to mean the reproach con.s them, as if brought there to be de.




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  V.                             59
from  off you: wherefore  the encamped in Gilgal, and kept
name of the place is called m Gil- the passover n on the fourteenth
gal unto this day.                day of the month at even, in the
10 ~ And the children of Israel plains of Jericho.
n ch. 4. 19.                n Exod. 12. 6. Num. 9. 5.
stroyed; but now, having entered fourteenth day of the month. That
Canaan in triumph, and being put in is, the fourteenth day of the first
possession of all the covenanted bless- month, or Nisan.-From this reings promised to the seed of Abra- markable portion of the sacred narham, of which circumcision was the rative we may learn, (1.) That in
seal, this reproach was henceforth whatever  circumstances  we  are
done away.  Both the disgrace of placed, religion should be our first
their bondage and the contemptuous concern. If ever there were circumaspersions of their oppressors, should stances which would seem to justify
cease from this time forward for ever. the postponement of religious du-~r Wherefore the name of t/he ties, one would think they were those
place is called Gilgal unto this day. of Joshua on this occasion, when he
That is,' rolling,'' rolling away.' had but just set foot on the land where
Gilgal was situated between Jericho great and powerful nations were
and the river Jordan, about one mile prepared to combat for their very
and a half, or two miles, from the existence. Yet we behold him calmly
former, and six from  the latter. and sedately engaging in the duties
Nothing of this city now remains; of religion, as if it were of vastly
but travellers are shown a pile of more consequence that God should
stones denominated Galgala, which, be honored and served in the way of
though at a considerable distance his appointment, than that the preserfrom the site of the ancient Gilgal, vation or triumph of Israel should be
is supposed by some to be the monu- secured. (2.) To place implicit conment erected by Joshua. The clause fidence in God, even in the midst of
"unto this day,' sufficiently indicates the most appalling dangers. Nothing,
that the events related in the book of to human. view, could have been
Joshua, or at least in this part of it, more rash or perilous than for the
were not consigned to writingimme- chosen people, just at this juncture,
diately upon their occurrence, but to suspend all their military preparaafter the lapse of some considerable tions, and give themselves to the
time.                             celebration of a religious festival.
10. And kept the passover.  Heb. But conscious of being in the way' and made the passover.' The third of duty, they-reposed so strong a confrom its institution. The first was fidence in the protecting power of
observed in Egypt on the eve of their Jehovah, that they gave themselves
departure, the second at Sinai on the no concern as to the many dangers
following year, Num. 9. 1, 2, while by which they were surrounded.
during the long interval down to the Provided our motives and our conpresent time it had been wholly sus- duct are right, we can be in no hazard.
pended.  Amos 5. 25. —--    On the of confiding too implicitly in God,




60                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
11 And they did eat of -the old eaten of the  old  corn of the
corn of the land on the morrow  land; neither had the children
after the passover, unleavened  of Israel manna any more; but
cakes and parched corn in the they did eat of the fruit of the
self-same day.                    land of Canaan that year.
12 IT And 0 the manna ceased   13 IT And it came to  pass
on the morrow  after they had when Joshua was by Jericho,
o Exod. 16. 33,
11. And they did eat of the old corn soon as they might lawfully do it.
of the land. Of the old grain, of what- Having previously renewed their
ever kind it were. This they proba- covenant with God and partaken of
bly found in abundance in the de- its seals, circumcision and the passserted granaries of the inhabitants, over, they wished at once to enter
whohadfled away, and betakenthem- upon the enjoyment of all the rights
selves for safety to the defenced city and privileges thereby confirmed to
of Jericho.  The original phrase, them.
however, may be rendered simply,   12. And the manna ceased on the' They did eat of the praoduct or yield- morrow. Because it was now no
ing of the earth,' in contradistinction longer necessary. God would not
from the manna which came from  have us expect extraordinary or miheaven.-~-   And  par'ched  corn. raculous supplies when they may be
That is, the new corn of the present procured by ordinary means. The
year, which they found standing in sudden cessation of the manna would
the fields. The new or green corn teach the people also very impreswas parched to enable them more sively that it was not an ordinary
easily to grind it for food.  This production of nature, that it had not
would not be necessary in respect to fallen for so long a time by chance,
old corn.-~T On the morrow after or, like the dew, in consequence of
the Passover. Meaning, probably, on fixed laws, but that it was a special
the sixteenth day of the month; for and preternatural gift of the Divine
the paschal lamb was killed and goodness. We are prone to look
roasted on the fourteenth, and the upon our common mercies as matfeast began that night, which, accord- ters of course, and God sometimes
ing to their reckoning, formed a part withdraws them to teach us our deof the fifteenth day, through the pendence more effectually.-' The
whole of which the feast continued, word and ordinances of God are spiso that the sixteenth day was the ritual manna, with which God nourmorrow after the passover, when they ishes his people in this wilderness,
were required by the Law (Lev. 23. but when we come to the heavenly
10, 11) to offer to God the wave-sheaf Canaan, this manna will cease, for
of the first fruits, and then were we shall then no longer have need
allowed to eat the rest.-   f In the of it.' Henry.
self-same day.  Perhaps importing    13. When Joshua was by Jericho,
the very great eagerness of the people Heb. Kno~t beriho, in Jericho; i. e.
to feast upon the fruits of the land as in the plains of Jericho, in the couna




13 C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  V.                             61
that he lifted up his eyes and his sword drawn in his handlooked, and behold, there stood   p Gen. 18.2, and 32. 24. Ex. 23 23. Zech.
P a man over against him q with  1.8..  cts 1. q. q Numb. 22. 3.
try or territory immediately adjoining to do still more, by' loosing his shoes
Jericho, and called by the same name i:om off his feet;' thus insisting upon
probably at some distance from the the highest acknowledgment of the
camp, whither he may have repaired Divine presence which was in use
for the purpose of observing in person among the eastern nations. (3) From
the position of the city and the most the place being made holy by his
favorable point of attack. The sixth presence, which was the special prechapter ought certainly to have com- rogative of God, Ex. 3, 5; and (4)
menced here, as the subject now en- From his being expressly called'Jeered upon is entirely new, and the hovah,' ch. 6. 2, which passage unvresent arrangement most unnatu- doubtedly forms a part of the present
rally divides the  communication narrative, as otherwise he must have
which Joshua had with the angel, appeared without any ostensible oband which is continued to ch. 6. 5. ject, neither delivering any message,
-~ Thtere stood a man. One in the making any promise, nor uttering
appearance of a man, one whom  any command, except merely that
Joshua at first took for a man. That Joshua should loose his shoes from
he was a superhuman being, how- his feet.-~ Over against him. As
ever, is evident from what follows; if with a hostile intent, in somewhat
and there seems no good reason to of a threatening attitude. The same
dissent from the established opinion phrase in the original occurs Dan.
of both ancient and modern exposi- 10. 13,'The prince of the kingdom
tors that this was no other than the of Persia wvithstood me (Heb.' stood
Son of God, the Eternal Word, ap- over against me.')-  ~  With his
pearing in that form which he was draien sword in his hand. As a symafterwards to assume for the redemp- bol of the character in which he was
tion of men. The reasons for this now to manifest himself in behalf of
opinion are, (1) The title which he Joshua and Israel. So he is elsehere gives himself,'Captain of the where termed,'A man of war,' Ex.
host of the Lord,' which is but ano- 15. 3. His appearing in this form
ther form of the name'Lord of hosts,' would serve also not only to justify
implying the ruler of all the heavenly the war in which Joshua was now
hosts, and which is evidently the ap- engaged, to show him that it was of
propriate title of Jehovah-Jesus. (2) God, who had given him his comHis acceptance of the worship or mission to kill and slay, but to enadoration which Joshua here pays courage him to prosecute it with vihim. This an angel or any created gor. If God was for him, who could
being would undoubtedly have re- be against him?  He had indeed
fused. Comp. Rev. 19. 10; 22. 9; previously received many promises
Tudg. 13. 16. Here, however, instead of success, but God is often graciously
of reproving Joshua for doing him  pleased to confirm and follow up his
too much honor, he commands him  promises, by signal manifestations of
6




62                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
and Joshua went unto him, and 8fell on his face to the earth,
said unto him, Art thou for us, and did worship, and said unto
or for our adversaries?           him, What saith my lord unto
14 And he said, Nay; but as his servant?
rcaptain of the host of the LORD   15 And the  captain  of the
am  I now come.  And Joshua LoRD's host said unto Joshua,
r See Ex. 23. 20. Dan. 10. 13, 21, and 12.
1. Rev. 12. 7, and 19. 11, 14.                 s Gen. 17. 3.
his presence and favor:' Thou meet- the tutelary Angel of the travelling
est him  that rejoiceth and worketh hosts (Ex. 23. 23), now appear in the
righteousness, those that remember different character of the Divine Dethee in thy ways.'-~ And Joshz  fender of the covenant nation; and
went cunto him. Displaying herein a as my presence formerly made Sinai
remarkable courage and intrepidity. holy (Ex. 19. 20), so now doth it sancInstead of turning away from the for- tify the spot upon which my footsteps
midable personage before him, and tread.' He probably at the same moseeking hastily to regain the camp, ment put forth some visible demonhe walks boldly up, and demands of stration of his true character, which
him whether he be a friend or a foe. at once satisfied Joshua, and filled
This undaunted bearing was the fruit him with an overwhelming sense of
of his strong confidence in God. No his majesty and glory, so that he inface of clay will intimidate him who stinctively fell on his face to the
looks upon God as his friend and earth, and offered him  those tokens
protector, and who is found in the of worship which a mortal is bound
way of duty. It is the disobedient, to pay to his Creator. How much
the obstinate, the rebellious spirit, in reason he had for this is evident from
which cowardice dwells. The good ch. 6. 2, where the august stranger
man is ever the true hero.         expressly denominates himself Jeho14. And he said, Nay, but as cap- vahU. - I What saith my Lord unto
tain of the host of the Lord am I now  his servanzt? With the profoundest
come.' I am neither Israelite nor reverence I acknowledge thee as my
Canaanite, neither friend nor foe in Lord and leader, I subject myself to
your sense of the words, for I am not thy sovereign will, and humbly wait
a mortal man, but as prince and for the orders it may seem good to
leader of the Lord's host, of the an- thee to issue.
gels in heaven, and even of that very   15. Loose thy shoe from off thy foot
power of which you are commander, This was a token of respect and revhave I now come, to instruct and aid erence usual in the east, and equivathee in the great undertaking in lent to uncovering the head with us.
which thou art engaged.'  There (See Illustrations of the Scriptures,
seems to be a peculiar emphasis in p. 129.) These are the same words
the word now (no  attaeh), as if he which the angel of the burning bust
had said,' I who formerly appeared spake to Moses, Ex. 3. 5, from which,
as the Jehovah of the burning bush and other circumstances, it is proba(Ex. 3.) and who was announced as ble that it was the same person who




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  VI.                               63
sLoose thy shoe from  off thy               CHAPTER  VI.
foot, for the place whereon thou  N OW   Jericho  was btraitly
standest is holy: and Joshua             shut up, because  of the
did so.                             children  of Israel: none went
s Ex. 3. 5. Acts 7. 33.     out, and none came in.
appeared in both places. That great in fact it is continued in the present.
and glorious Being, who knows fully  The first verse of ch. 6, is a mere
his own infinite perfections, which parenthesis, relating the state of Jeriwe are very inadequate to compre- cho at the time Joshua was favored
hend, knows what external manifes- by this encouraging  vision.  TI'he
tations of respect they justly claim  thread of the narrative respecting
of his creatures.'Outward expres- this Divine personage, commenced
sions of inward reverence, and a re- in the preceding chapter, is thenreligious awe of God, well become us, sumed, and continued to v. 5.
and are required of us, whenever we   1. Now Jericho wcas straitly s/hut
approach to him in solemn ordinan- up. Strictly, closely shut up. Hteb.
ces.' ICenry. —ITr 7'e place wheqeoe71   t5l11 r40 soge'etlh u-mes:tugereth,
thou standest is holy. Heb. 101  kho- did sltut up and swas shuzet up, or closdesh, is holiness. It was for the time aig and was closed. The original
made holy, or consecrated by the Di- expression is peculiar and emphatic,
vine presence. As soon as that was and was doubtless designed to imply
withdrawn, its peculiar sacredness the extreme care and vigilance with
also forsook it, and it was no more which the gates had been closed and
holy than any other place. Yet with  were watched, not only by night, as
the pious heart there will naturally  when the spies came, ch. 2. 5, but
be, from the laws of association, a also by day. Accordingly the Chal.
feeling of reverence for any place renders it,' And Jericho was shut up
where God has been pleased to vouch- with iron doors and fortified with
safe the special manifestation  of brazen bolts, so that none cause out
himself. Such a sentiment, howev- either to combat or to make olffrs of
er, should be guarded from degene- peace.' Tle:language alsointimates,
rating into superstition.           that the city was not only effectually
shut up and miade secure from withCHAPTER  VI.              in, but was also so closely blockaded
We fully assent to the remark of by the Israelites from without, that
Dr. Adam  Clarke, that there is there was no going out or coming in
scarcely a more unfortunate division even to its own citizens.-. tBecause
of chapters in the whole Bible than of the childrese of Israel.' Methinks
here. According to the present ar- I see how they called their council
rangement, the reader is greatly at a of war, debated of all means of deloss to know what is intended by this fence; gathered their forces, trained
extraordinary appearance of the Son  their soldiers, set strong guards to
of God, as it would seem. that the the gates ana walls; and now would
whole account of his visit is closed persuade one another that unless Iswith the foregoing chapter, whereas rael could Ify into their city, the siege




64                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C  1451
2 And the  LORD  said  unto   3 And ye shall compass the
Joshua, See, a I have given into city, all ye men of war, and go
thine  hand  Jericho, and  the round about the city once: thus
bking thereof, and the mighty shalt thou do six days.
men of valor.                       a ch. 2. 9, 24, and 8. 1]. b Deut. 7. 24,
was vain.  (So) vain worldlings hauses and walls, but for the inhabitthink their ramparts and barricadoes ants, an assemblage of people dwZelling
can keep out the vengeance of God; together in a corporate capacity. The
their blindness suffers them to look same distinction holds between the
no further than the means; the su- Latin uerbs and civitas. By Jericho
prome hand of the Almighty comes and its king, is here meant the inhanot within the compass of their fears. bitants and their king, and they are
Every carnal heart is a Jericho shut spoken of collectively as' mighty
up; God sits down before it, and dis- men of valor.'
plays mercy and judgment in sight   3. And ye shall compass —thus shalt
of the walls thereof: it hardens itself thou do six days. The address is
in a wilful security, and saith, " Aha, made in the latter clause to Joshua,
I shall never be moved."' Bp. Hall. in the singular number, as the com2. And the Lord said unto Joshua. mander and representative of the
That is, after Joshua had loosed his people.  In the former clause the
shoes from off his feet, as command- pluralis used. Such changes of pered above, ch. 5. 15. He who was son are frequent, and always worthy
before called the' Captain of the of attention, as showing the construcLord's host,' is here called'Lord,' or tive unity of people and their leaders.'Jehovah,' thus clearly proving that -It seemed good to Infinite Wisdom
it was a Divine personage; for who to appoint this method of besieging
else could promise and perform what the city, (1) To magnify his power,
follows -  IT I have given into t/hy to show in a convincing manner,
hand Jer'icho. Not only 1 will do it, both to the Canaanites and to Israel,
but I hiave done it; it is all thine own, that Omnipotence alone had achieved
as surely as if it were even now in the work, that he was infinitely
thy possession.-~T And the mighty above the need of the ordinary means
mnen of valor. The copulative'and' of obtaining a victory, and to render
does not occur here in the Hebrew. those of his enemies entirely inexThe proper rendering is,'I have cusable who should presume to withgiven into thy hand Jericho and the stand his resistless arm. (2) To try
king thereof, (who are, or, although the faith and obedience of Joshua
they are) mighty men of valor,' i. e. and his people, by prescribing a
experienced and powerful warriors, course of conduct that seemed to
men with whom, if you were to con- human wisdom the height of folly
tend on ordinary terms, you would and absurdity, and also to secure a
be unable to cope, but whom, through profound respect to all his subsequent
my assistance, you shall utterly over- institutions, however simple or conthrow. A city, in Scripture style, is temptible they might seem to the eye
often taken, not for a collection of of carnal reason. (3) To put hono,




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  VI.                             65
4 And seven priests shall bear  5 And it shall come to pass,
before the ark seven ~trumpets *that when  they make a long
of rams' horns: and the seventh  blast with the ram's horn, and
day ye shall compass the city  when ye hear the sound of the
seven  times, and  d the priests trumpet, all the people  shall
shall blow with the trumpets.   shout with a great shout: and
See Judg, 7. 16, 22. d Nuom. 10. 5.   the wall of the city shall fall
upon the ark as the appointed token for the same reason.-  ~ Th'e sevof his presence, and to confirm still ent/A day ye shall compass the city
more fully that veneration and awe, seven times.  The time was thus
with which they had always been lengthened out, both to afford a contaught to regard it.              tinued exercise of the faith and pa4. Seven trumpyets of rams' horns. tience of the people, and that the beHeb.':L    shoperotle yo- sieged and besiegers might be the
belim, trenmpyets of the jubilee, i. e. such more  deeply impressed with that
trumpets as used to be blown in the supernatural power by which the
year of jubilee, implying, perhaps, result was to be accomplished. Meg
that the entrance of Israel into Ca- are usually prone to precipitate
naan was a kind of jubilee to them, measures. God moves deliberately,
an occasion that called rather for and he would have his people wait
the sound of the trumpet of joy, than his time.' He that believeth shall
the dreadful notes of the trumpet of not make haste.'' It is the pleasure
war. No other scriptural instance of God to hold us both in work and
is adduced, in which the word  - =1' in expectation, and though he require
yobel is translated ram, though it be our continual endeavors for the subtrue that the Chaldee paraphrase duing of our corruptions, during the
favors that rendering. But its single six days of our life, yet we shall
authority on the point is not conclu- never find it perfectly effected till the
sive. The like phrase in v. 5, is, in very evening of our last day.' Bp.
the original >=1' ~"11  keren yobel, Halbl. The repeated mention of the
horn of jubilee, and proves only that number seven in this connexion, is
horns were used, without restricting worthy of notice. It has been sugthe meaning to ranms' horns.  Still gested that it might have a latent
the sense of rams' thorns, as a tra- reference to the creation of the world
ditionary sense, seems for ages to in six days, and God's resting on the
have connected itself with the phrase, seventh, which completed the first
grounded, we presume, on the fact, week, and in the present case, that
that the trumpets in question were it may convey an allusion to the
made in the shape of the horns of this preaching of the gospel for a limited
animal, and the appellation' horn of period of time, at the close of which,
jubilee' may be used figuratively for perhaps early in the seventh thousand
trumpet of jubilee, just as with us a years, all Satan's remaining bulwarks
well known musical instrument of shall fall to the ground, and the kingbrass is called' a horn,' from  its doms of this world become the king.
form, and another called' a serpent,' doms of the Lord and of his Christ
6*




66                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451.
down flat, and the people shall and let him  that is armed pass
ascend up every man straight on before the ark of the LORD.
before him.                       8 If And it came to pass, when
6 If And Joshua the son of Joshua had spoken unto  the
Nun called the priests, and said people, that the seven priests
unto them, Take up the ark of bearing the seven trumpets of
the  covenant, and  let seven rams' horns passed  on before
priests bear seven trumpets of the LORD, and blew  with the
rams' horns before the ark of trumpets: and the ark of the
the LORD.                        covenant of the LORD followed
7 And he said unto the people, them.
Pass on, and compass the city,  9 IT And the armed men went
5. The wall of the city shall fall  6. And Joshua the son of Nun
down flat. Not absolutely all the called the priests, &c. Although the
wall in the whole extent of its corn- charge which he now received repass, since that would have involved lative to the manner of besieging the
the house, of Rahab in the destruc- city was highly calculated to put his
tion, which, it is plain, was not in- faith to the test) yet he falters not in
tended, nor did it happen, v. 22. As the least, but complies as readily as
the city was completely- surrounded if human reason had nothing to obby the Israelites, the falling of the ject to so strange a procedure. We
wall would give the inhabitants no cannot but be admonished, by his
opportunity of escape. They could example, of the necessity of always
not break through the array of armed subordinating our shallow wisdom
men that hemmed' them in. The to the plain mandates of Omnipotence.
original for'fall down flat'is'fall  7. And he said unto the people.
down under itself,' or'in its place,' Heb. q8 qr'7 va-yomeru, and they
which appears to mean simply, that said; i. e. the officers acting under
the wall should fall down to its very the general orders of Joshua. But
foundations.-  ~ Ascend up every the Masorites have indicated a doubtman straight before him. The ob- ful reading, and the Chal., the Lat.
struction of the wall being removed, Vulg., and most of the versions, have
nothing stood in the way of the peo- rendered it in the singular-' he said.'
ple's advancing in a direct line, as if We see no reason, however, to quesfrom the circumference to the centre tion the correctness of the Hebrew
of a circle, and meeting in the heart text.
of the city. This is called'going   8. Passed onbefore tlhe Lord. That
up,' or' ascending,' from the necessity is, as we suppose, before the ark of
there was of climbing over the ruins the Lord, v. 4, and ch. 3. 11.-    The
of the walls on their way. Besides ark of the covenant.  The ark in
which it is common, in nearly all which were deposited the two tables
languages, to describe the approach whereon the covenant was written.
to a city as a'going up'to it. After   9. And the armed men.  Heb.
giving these directions, the Angel-  T1'5h hahalutz, the armed man, i. e,
Jehovah no doubt departed,       each armed man, collect. sing. for




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  VI.                           67
before the  priests  that blew  with your voice, neither shall
with  the trumpets, e and the any word proceed out of your
rere-ward came after the ark, mouth, until the day I bid you
the priests going on, and blow- shout, then shall ye shout.
ing with the trumpets.             11 So the ark of the LORD
10 And Joshua had command- compassed the city, going about
ed the people, saying, Ye shall it once: and they came into the
not shout, nor make any noise camp, and lodged in the camp.
e Num. 10. 25.          12 f  And Joshua rose early
plur.-ITr The rere-ward. The hind- of a reverent awe in anticipation of
er part. The original ltlZ meassepAh, the event; and would preclude all
comes from qtDR asaph, to collect, to danger of mistake as to the precise
gather up, and is equivalent to our time when they were required to
military phrase bringing up the rear, shout. If noise of any kind had been
and not improperly rendered in the allowed, they might have taken it for
margin,'gathering host.' It implies the signal of a general acclamation.
a kind and protecting care towards This would not only have been inthose who are its objects. The same effectual before the appointed time,
phraseology occurs, Is. 52. 12,'The but would have rendered them the
Lord will go before you, and the derision of their enemies.
God of Israel will be your rere-ward.'  11. So thle ark of the Lord corn(Heb. t=Z=tDW   meassiphkim, your passed the city. Or,'so he caused
gathel'rer.)  Ps. 27. 10.'When my the ark of the Lord to compass the
father and my mother forsake me, city.'  The original will admit of
then the Lord will take se up.' (Heb. this rendering, and, indeed, rather
~3[q~ yaasphini, will gather me.) requires it, as the Hephil form of the
Judg. 19. 18,' I am now going to the verb (2O   yasseb) is no where used
house of the Lord, and there is no in an intransitive sense, excepting
ran that receiveth (Zq=2a   meass]ph) Ps. 140. 9.  The procession  unme to house.' A rere-ward, there- doubtedly moved at a sufficient disfore, is that portion of an army which, tance to be out of the reach of the
moving behind the mainbody,gathers enemy)s arrows, and out of the hearup all the stragglers, takes care of ing of their scoffs. Thtey must have
any that may faint and fall by the loolked with a very contemptuous
way, sees that neither cattle nor bag- eye upon such an unwarlike mode
gage are missing, and protects or of assault, and when day after day
covers the rear of the host from the passed, and no effect followed, would
assault of enemies. The Jews think naturally become hardened in secuthe division of Dan is meant, which rity, and think the whole the mere
always brought up the rear. Num. 10. mockery of a siege, a senseless and
10. Nor mlake any noise with your childish parade. Thus they would
voice. They were not only required cry' peace and safety,' while sudden
to abstain from shouting, but to ob- destruction was coming upon them.
serve a profound silence in every' There was never so strange a siege
respect. This would be expressive as this of Jericho: here was no




68                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451.
in the morni'ng, fand the priests returned into the camp.   So
took up the ark of the LonD.   they did six days.
13 And seven priests bearing   15 And it came to pass on the
seven trumpets of rams' horns seventh day, that they rose early
before the ark of the LoRD went about the dawning of the day,
on continually, and blew  with and compassed the city after the
the trumpets: and the armed same manner seven times: only
men went before them; but the on that day they compassed the
rere-ward came after the ark of city seven times.
the LORD, the priests going on,  16 And it came to pass at the
and blowing with the trumpets. seventh time, when the priests
14 And the second day they blew with the trumpets, Joshua
compassed the city once, and said unto the people, Shout; for
f Deut. 31. 25.       the LORD hath given you the city.
mound raised, no sword drawn, no   15. The seventh day-they rose
engine planted, no pioneers under- early. Because on this day they had
mining; here were trumpets sound- to encompass the city seven times; a
ed, but no enemy seen; here were proof that the city could not have
armed men, but no stroke given; been very large, and also that the
they must walk, and not fight; seven whole Israelitish host could not have
several days must they pace about been employedin going round it; for
the walls, which they may not once as the fighting men alone amounted
look over to see what was within. to 600,000, independently of the mass
Doubtless these inhabitants of Jeri- of the people, who made a total of at
cho made themselves merry with least two millions more, the thing is
this sight.  When they had stood utterly inconceivable. A select numsix days on their walls, and beheld ber, sufficient for the occasion, was
nothing  but a walking  enemy, doubtless all that were employed. It
"What," say they, "could Israel find is evident that in the course of these
no walk to breathe them with, but seven days there must have been a
about our walls 3 Have they not sabbath.  This the Jewish writers
travelled enough in their forty years' say was the last, the day on which
pilgrimage, but they must stretch the city was taken; but this is not
their limbs in this circle. We see certain. It is not material, however,
they are good footmen, but when which day it was. That God, who
s&aall we try their hands? Do these commanded the sabbath to be set
vain men think Jericho will be won apart for rest and religious purposes,
by looking at. Or do they only has a right to suspend or alter the
come to count how many paces it is usual modes of its observance when
about our city? If this be their man- he sees fit, and his command is suffiner of siege, we shall have no great cient to make any action lawful at
cause to fear the sword of Israel." any time.
Wicked men think God in jest when   16. Shout; for the Lord hath given
he is preparing for their judgment.' you the city. As before it does not
Bp. Hall.                        appear that the people were informed




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  VI.                            69
17 ~TAnd the city shall be g ac-  18 And ye, i in any wise keep
cursed, even it, and all that are yourselves from the accursed
therein, to the LORD: only Ra- thing, lest ye make yourselves
hab the harlot shall live, she and accursed, when ye take of the
allthat are with her in the house, accursed thing, and make the
because h she hid the messengers camp of Israel a curse, J and trouthat we sent.                     ble it.
i Deut. 7. 26, and 13. 17. oh. 7. 1, 11, 12.
g Lev. 27. 28. Mic. 4. 13. h ch. 2. 4.   j. 7. 25. 1 Kings 18. 17,18. Jonah 1. 12.
how they were to cross the Jordan against which it had hardened itself.
till they came to the river's brink, so It was just, therefore, that the venon this occasion Joshua seems to geance taken should be in proportion
have forborne telling them how they to the light resisted.  The severe
were to become masters of the city, judgment upon Jericho, moreover,
till they had compassed it six times. would tend to strike terror into the
Their implicit obedience in this, as hearts of the rest of the devoted nain the former instance, strikingly tions, and make them an easier conevinced their faith, which is com- quest.-~T Only Rauab shall live, &c.
mended by the apostle, Heb. 11. 30. The Most High never forgets his'By faith the walls of Jericho fell people. When he maketh inquisition
down after they were compassed for blood, he remembereth them, whoabout seven days.'                ever else may be overlooked.-   I
17. And the city shall be accursed. Because she hid. The original has
Neb.  Ih   halyithlah'hErem, shall an extraordinary and emphatic form,
be a curse, an anathema; i. e. devoted implying that she carefully and dilito utter destruction; no spoils were gently hid them.
to be taken, no lives to be spared,   18. In any wise keep yourselves.
except those of Rahab and her fami- That is, by all means, most carefully,
ly. All was to be, if we may so say, studiously, vigilantly. This city was
consecrated to a curse. For an ac- as it were, the first fruits of Canaan,
count of the'/mrem or anathema, see and as such wholly devoted to the
on Lev. 27. 21, 28, 29. It is plain Lord. The spoil of other cities, subfrom  1 Kings, 16. 34, that Joshua sequently taken, was allowed to be
spake this by Divine direction; and divided among the captors, but this
though to human view it may carry was to be an exception to the general
the aspect of undue severity, yet con- rule.-   I And make the camp of Issidered as the enactment of Him  rael a curse.  Ieb.' put, or place the
whose judgments are righteous alto- camp a curse.' The Heb. word for
gether, we cannot question its perfect' put' has often the signification of
equity. Jericho belonged to a nation' make, constitute, render.'   The
which had filled up the measure of meaning is, that they would thereby
its iniquities, and its guilt was pecu- render themselves obnoxious to the
liarly enhanced by reason of the curse denounced upon the city.amazing  display of divine power qTAnd trouble it. Bring distress upon
which it had recently witnessed and it by provoking the Divine displeas



70                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
19 But all the silver, and gold, the people heard the sound of the
and vessels of brass and iron, are trumpet, and the people shout.
consecrated  unto  the  LORD: ed with a great shout, that kthe
they shall come into the treas- wall fell down flat, so that the
ury of the LORD.                  people went up into the city,
20 So the people shouted when every man straight before him,
the priests blew  with the trum- and they took the city.
pets: and it came to pass, when
kver. 5. Heb. 11.30
ure, and interrupting the prosperous of the Midianites were laid up. Numn.
course of your victories. Heb. t   )31. 54.
achar/tem, from'=V achar, to trouble.   20. So the people shouted, &c. More
See note on Gen. 34. 30, 31. This is literally rendered from the Heb.,' So
spoken as if in foresight of the sin of the people shouted and blew with the
Achan, to whom Joshua afterwards trumpets (i. e. the priests blew in the
said, ch. 7. 25,' Why hast thou trou- name of the people,) and it came to
bled us. The Lord shall trouble pass when the people heard the sound
thee this day.' From hence he is of the trumpets, that the people sholtcalled Achar, or trouble.  1 Chron. ed with a great shout, and the wall
2. 7.                             fell down flat, and the people went
19. All the silver' and gold. Except up,' &c. The latter clause is merely
those portions of these metals which a more detailed and exact account
were formed into idols or their appen- of what is contained in the first.
dages, in respect to which the law  Probably great numbers were killed.
was express, Deut. 7. 25,' The gra- by the falling of the wall. We are
ven images of their gods shall ye not warranted, perhaps, to speak of
burn with fire: thou shalt not desire this event as typical. Nevertheless
the silver or gold that is on them, nor it was doubtless intended to convey
take it unto thee, lest thou be snared most important instruction to all suctherein; for it is an abomination to ceeding ages. It was peculiarly calthe Lord thy God.' Comp. 1 Chron. culated to show how easily God can
14. 12.-9-   Consecrated unto the make a way for the accomplishment
Lord. Heb.;'~ 2ij" kodesh la- of his own purposes, and for the salhovah, holiness to the Lord, i. e. dedi- vation of his people. If it did not
cated exclusively to him; being first typify, it certainly well illustrates,
legally purified by passing through the victories which the gospel was
the fire, according to the ordinance, to obtain over all the principalities
Num. 32. 21-23. —--   Shall come and powers of earth and hell. No
rzto the treasury of the Lord. To be human force was to be used. Nothing
employed wholly for the service of but the simple announcement of the
the sanctuary, and not to be appro- truth, and that by the instrumentality
priated in any manner to the use of of weak and sinful men-men unany private person or priest. The learned, unskilled in logic, and unplace of deposit was the tabernacle furnished with eloquence-was the
of the congregation, where the spoils means chosen for the destruction of




B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VI.                            71
21 And they'utterly destroyed the two men that had spied out
all that was in the city, both the country, Go into the harlot's
tnan and woman, young and old, house, and bring out thence the
and ox, and  sheep, and ass, woman and all that she hath,
with the edge of the sword.        as ye sware unto her.
22 But Joshua had said unto   23 And the young men that
I Deut. 7. 2.               mn ch 2. 14. Heb. 11. 31.
idolatry, and the establishment of the as far as they were affected, wa;
Redeemer's kingdom over the earth. really the case. The Israelites were
Yet how mightily has the bare sound towards them neither more nor less
of the gospel trumpet prevailed for than instruments of punishment in
the overthrow of Satan's empire in the hands of the great Ruler of the
the world!'                     universe, who chose to slay them by
21. And  they utterly destroyed. the edge of the sword, rather than
Heb.  I'nI'rl ya'harimz, made a by earthquakes, famine, or plague.
curse, devoted  to destruction.-    Towards the Canaanites themselves,
~[ Both man and woman, young and we must admit that there was great
old, &c. In all this the Israelites severity in the order for their exteracted  strictly according  to their mination. But there was goodness
orders, Deut. 20. 16, 17, so that what- in it, yea great goodness, towards the
ever charge of cruelty or barbarity world at large; for it has shown the
may be brought against them in view  danger of unbelief and impenitencee
of their conduct on this occasion, it in such awful colors, that the proudstrikes directly at the rectitude of the est and most obdurate must tremble.
Divine judgments.  That the Ca- If it be urged that to subject women
xaanites were a nation of incorrigible and unoffending children to the horidolaters, whose morals, from  the rors of war, is inconsistent with our
most remote periods, were polluted ideas of Divine justice, we reply,
to the utmost degree, we have the that the very same observation might
highest authority for asserting. Had be made in the case of a plague or a
Jehovah, after bearing with such a deluge. In all public calamities inpeople for no less than four centuries, fants are involved, and tens of thousent upon them at last a famine or a sands die in great agony every year.
pestilence, and cut them off from the If God is the agent in these calamiface of the earth, who could deny ties,.they must consist with the most
that he had actedwith perfect justice. perfect justice and goodness, and on
Had he again caused fire to fall upon the same ground is the present order,
them from heaven, or overwhelmed fearful as it was, to be vindicated.
them by the waters of a flood, the   22. Go into the harlot's house.
same admission must have been Which had been miraculously premade. Why then should it be urged served in the general overthrow.
that he acted in opposition to any one   23. The young men. These per-.
of his known attributes, because he sons have all along hitherto been
let loose another of his judgments called simply' men,' and no intiupon them, namely war! For such, mation given of their having been




72                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
were spies went in, and brought and of iron, they put into the
out Rahab,'and her father, and treasury  of the house  of the
her mother, and her brethren, LORD.
and all that she had; and they   25 And Joshua saved Rahab
brought out all her kindred, and  the harlot alive, and her father's
left them without the camp of household, and all that she had;
Israel.                            and Pshe dwelleth in Israel even
24 And they burnt the  city  unto this day; because she hid
with fire, and all that was there- the messengers which  Joshua
in: ~only the silver, and  the  sent to spy out Jericho.
gold, and the vessels of brass
n ch. 2. 13. o ver. 19.              P See Matt. 1. 5.
poung. For an explanation of the history.  Rahab married  Salmon,
Scriptural import of the phrase the son of Nahshon, a prince of the'young men,' see Note on'Gen. 14. tribe of Judah, and thus became one
24.-~  All her kindred.   Heb. of the ancestors of David and of
t r1nh mishpe'hothy&hh, all her Christ.  Mat. 1. 5.-  ~  Unto this
families.-~' And left them witkhout day. A strong proof that the book
the camp-and made them to stay or was written in or near the'tie to
abide, till they were cleansed from  which it refers, andin all probability
the impurities of their Gentile super- by Joshua himself. — ff Because she
stition, and. prepared, by suitable in- hid the messengers. This is repeated,
struction, for admission as proselytes as if the spirit of inspiration delightinto the Israelitish church.       ed to dwell on the act which re25. Saved alive. Heb. Mrni hehA-    dounded so signally to her credit and
yahh, vivified, made to live.  The to her salvation. God takes pleasure
usage of the original is peculiar. It in reciting the good deeds of his
seems to imply that Rahab and her people.-From  the various particukindred were as good as dead, that lars recorded in the sacred narrative
they had virtually perished in the respecting Rahab, we may learn,
general destruction, but by being pre- (1) That there is no person so vile
served through it, had had, as it were, but that he may become an eminent
their lives restored to them. See the saint.  Would that all abandoned'Note on Pharaoh's being preserved, women in the world might hear of
Ex. 9. 14-16.-I  Dwelleth in Israel the mercy shown towards this harlot
even runto this day.  I-eb.  L    of Jericho! Despised and outcast as
~S~le bekereb Yisrial, in the midst of they are by their fellow-creatures,
Israel, i. e. as a communicant and par- would that they knew what compastaker of all the distinguishing priv- sion for them exists in the bosom of
ilegss of the chosen seed. It is, how- God! They usually persist in their
ever, contended byMasius and others, wickedness, through an utter despair
that this plrase implies that Rahab of obtaining the mercy and grace
lived in her posterity in the midst of which they need.  But here they
Israel, and that this clause was added might see that there was hope for the
by Ezra or some late reviser of the vilest of the vile. (2) Faith, if gen




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  VI.                             73
26 ~ And Joshua adjured them  Jericho: he shall lay the founat that time, saying, qCursed be dation thereof in his first-born,
the man before the LORD, that and in his youngest son shall he
riseth up and buildeth this city  set up the gates of it.
q l Kings 16. 34.
uine, will uniformly produce good up and beuildeth. That is, that atworks.  (3) Whatever we do for tempts to build, that enters upon the
God or for his people, because they work of building, that engages in it.
are his people, shall most assuredly  This is often the sense of' rise' in the
be richly rewarded.                sacred writers. The denunciation is
26. Joshuac adjured them.  Made here limited to the builder, and exthem to swear, caused them to bind. tends not to those who should inhabit
themselves by a solemn oath, con- the city after it was built, for that it
firmed by an imprecation upon them- was subsequently rebuilt and inhabitselves and their posterity, if they ed is evident. See below.- ~ Shall
broke it, that they would never re- lay the foundation thereof in his firstbuild the city. This he did, not on his born, &c. That is, shall lose all his
own responsibility, but by a Divine children in the interval between layimpulse, liKings 16. 34. From the ing the foundation and completing
remarkable manner in which Jericho the walls; he shall, as it were, lay
was taken and destroyed, it appears the first stone on the dead body of his
to have been the design of God to eldest son, and the'last on that of his
preserve such a memorial of the youngest.  This is said to have
event, as would teach to the latest been fulfilled in Hiel, the Bethelite,
posterity, his detestation of idolatry  1 Kings 16. 34, who rebuilt Jericho
and the vices that grow out of it. in the reign of Ahaz, and'laid the
Accordingly  Joshua here adjures foundation thereof in Abiram, his
the people by a solemn oath, and first-born, and set up the gates thereof
binds it upon them and their poster- in his youngest son Segub.' This
ity, to leave the ruins of the city as was 550 years after the utterance of
a perpetual' warning to after ages the curse. The city does not appear,
against the commission  of those however, to have lain in ruins during
crimes. It would thus serve also as the whole period from  Joshua to
a precaution to Israel to abstain from  Hiel, at least if the'city of palm
worshiping the idol deities of the sur- trees,' mentioned Deut. 34. 3, be, as
rounding nations.-Il Cursed be the is generally supposed, the same with
man before the Lord. That is, from  Jericho, for we find this an inhabited
God's presence and by his sentence. place in the beginning of Judges,
Thus Joshua is said, ch. 18. 8, to have ch. 1. 16, a short time after the death' cast lots before the Lord,' 4,. e. as of Joshua, and the same city appears
under his sanction and expecting the to have been taken from the Israeldecision from him. This was what ites by Eglon, king of Moab, Judg.
gave its terror to the penalty. As to 3. 13. Moreover, the ambassadors
what is implied in the curse of God, of David, who were maltreated by
see on Gen. 3. 14.-  ~ That risethl Hanan, king' of the Ammonites,
7




74                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
27   So the LoRD  was with accursed thing: for aAchan, the
Joshua; and "his fame was nois- son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,
ed throughout all the country. the son of Zerah, of the tribe of
Judah, took of the accursed
CHAPTER  VII.              thing; and the anger of the LORD
B UT  the children of Israel was kindled against the children
committed a trespass in the of Israel.
rch. 1.5. s ch.9. 13.a ch. 22.20. 1 Chron.2. 6.7.
were commanded to tarry at Jericho saying, To what purpose is this
till their beards were grown, 2 Sam. waste I' Whereas from John, 12. 4,
10. 4. 5. It appears, therefore, that 5, it appears that it was Judas only
there was a city which went under'who made this remark.-No man, in
this name long before the time of sinning, can be sure that the conseHiel, unless it be supposed that the quences will stop with himself. For' city' of palm trees' was a different aught he knows, they may affect the
place from  the ancient Jericho, whole extent of his relations; and
though standing in its neighborhood, this ought to make us watchful both
and sometimes called by its name, over ourselves and others, that we
which we think not improbable, espe- neither commit nor countenance
cially as Josephus speaks of the site deeds that may spread desolation over
of the old city of Jericho, as if to dis- the bosom of a whole community.
tinguish it from a more modern one. Ch. 22. 20,'Did not Achan, the son
27. The Lord was witlt JosAua, &c. of Zerah, commit a trespass on the
That is, by his powerful aid, giving accursed thing, and wrath fell on all
him miraculous assistance, magnify- the congregation of Israel'' So veing him and raising his reputation, nomous is sin, especially when it
making him acceptable to Israel, and lights among God's people, that one
formidable to the Canaanites.' No- drachm of it is able to infect the whole
thing can more raise a man's reputa- mass of Israel.' Byp. Hall,.- -In the
tion, nor make him appear more truly accursed thing. In respect to the acgreat, than to have the evidence of cursed, or devoted, thing pin taking a
God's presence with him.' Henry.  portion of the spoils of the city, the
whole of which God had commanded
CHAPTER  VII.            to be either destroyed or dedicated to
1. Committed a trespass.  Heb. the sanctuary.  Gr. Kalt evocaqiavro
~    Z' ~Y)~ yimmnelfc maal, had pre- ur5a ro- dvaOtparos, and have set apart
varicated a prevarication.  The sin for themselves some qf the anathema.
of an individual is imputed to the  — rfAchan, the son of Carmi. This
whole people. This is on the ground Achan is elsewhere called Achar,
of the constituted oneness of social trouble or the troubler, undoubtedly in
and ecclesiastical bodies. A people, allusion to the effect of his conduct
properly speaking, is but one moral on this occasion. See on v. 25 and
person. See note on ch. 1. 12. In ch. 6. 18.. In like manner Bethel,
like manner, Mat. 26. 8, it is said,' house of God, is called Bethaven,
that'the disciples had indignation, house of vanity, Hos. 4. 15, on account




B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VII.                             75
2 And Joshua sent men from   3 And they returned to JoshJericho to Ai, which is beside ua, and said unto him, Let not
Beth-aven, on the east side of all the people go up; but let
Beth-el, and spake unto them, about two  or three thousand
saying, Go up and view  the men go up and smite Ai: and
country.  And the men went make not all the people to labor
up and viewed Ai.                 thither; for they are but few.
of the idolatry practised there. No- nacherib at length destroyed it, but
thing is more common in the Scrip- though it was rebuilt after the Babytures, than for the names of persons lonish captivity, there is no vestige
and places to be changed in conse- of it to be found at the present time.
quence of, and in allusion to, certain Even in the fourth century, the ruins
remarkable events by which they of this city were scarcely visible.
may have been distinguished.- The spies sent on this occasion were
if Son of Zabdi. Called also Zimri, not to go into the city, but merely in1 Chron. 2. 6, The line of his parent- to its vicinity, for the purpose of reage is thus recited, among other rea- connoitering.- r  Beside Beth-aven
sons, that the discredit of such a foul This was a city of Benjamin, about
deed might be reflected back upon three miles north of Ai, and nearly
those of his ancestors who, by being six miles east of Bethel, which gave
remiss in their duties as parents, had name to the wilderness adjoining, ch.
been, in one sense, the procuring 18. 12. It was not the place called
cause of his sin. This is not an un- Beth-aven, Hos. 10. 5. See on v. 1.
common occurrence in the sacred -'[ Go up and view the country.
writings. It seems to have been with Heb. I.'119  9}S alu veraggelu, go
a similar design, that the genealogy vup and foot the country. So afterof Zimri is given, Num. 25. 14. In wards' and viewed,' Heb. I'MT) yelike manner the praise of the excel- raggelt, and footed.
lence of a son redounds to. the honor   3. Let not all the people go up, &e
of the line from which he springs. A  The easy conquest of Jericho had
warning is hereby administered to probably rendered the people preparents, to give the most diligent sumptuous.  They concluded that
heed in training their offspring in the God would of course interpose for
fear of God; lest they be a reproach them just as he had done before. The
to their memories when they them- counsel here given was based, as it
selves are no more.               would seem, upon a culpable assur2. Sent men from  Jericho to Ai. ance of success in the neglect of the
Called also Hai, Gen. 12. 8, and Aija, proper means. To confide in God
Neh. 11. 31, a city near the northern was right; but to expect his aid while
limit of the tribe of Benjamin, about they neglected to use their own enten miles north of Jerusalem, and deavors, was nothing short of downnearly two east of Bethel. After its right presumption. So prone is hudestruction by Joshua, it was again re- man nature to extremes. The first
built by the Benjamites and inhab- spies that were sent out by Moses
ited by them till the captivity. Sen- brought back the most disheartening




76                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
4 So there went up thither of* of them  about thirty and six
the people about th.ree thousand men: for they chased themfrom
men: b and they fled before the before the gate even unto Shemen of Ai.                        barim, and smote them  in the
5 And the men of Ai smote going  down: wherefore  cthe
b Lev. 26. 17. Deut. 28. 25.  c h. 2. 9, 11. Lev. 26. 36. Ps. 22. 14.
report. The Canaanites were invin- Henry well remarks, that'few  as
bible, and they would surely fall be- they were, they were too many for
fore them. Those sent to Ai were them.' It appears from ch. 8. 25, that
as much on the other extreme. Their Joshua slew in one day, twelve thouenemies are contemptible, and they sand of the citizens of Ai, and yet
can easily carry all before them. the spies reported the place meanly
Even Joshua himself seems to have garrisoned, and proposed to send
formed his measures without taking against it only a dethchment of two
the usual precaution of consulting or three thousand!
God as to his duty.  The result  5. Chased them-even unto Shebashowed that they should at least have rim. Heb. ~t~''=I hash-slheb&rim,
had some intimation from heaven, to the breaches, breakings, or shliverthat a part of the force was to be dis- ings; so called probably from the
pensed with in this instance. But event, because the ranks of the Israthe truth is, they were now under the elites were stterly broken and the peoDivine displeasure; sin unrepented ple, panic-struck, fled in the utmost
had interrupted the communications confusion.-. —-   Smote them in the
of God's will, and where that is the going dowln. That is, in the descent
case with a people or an individual, or declivity of the hill on which the
all goes wrong. No one can have se- town stood. The effect of this defeat
curity that he is planning or acting would naturally be (1) to serve as an
right, while the light of the Lord's evidence of God's displeasure, and a
countenance is hidden by sin. The solemn call upon them  to humble
pledge of the Divine blessing iswant- themselves under his mighty hand,
ing, and he is not to be surprised if and institute a rigid self-examination
all his counsels are carried headlong. to discover if possible the cause of so
--— T Make not all the people to labor sad a reverse.  (2) To harden the
thither. That is, to labor and fatigue Canaanites and make them more sethemselves by going thither, probably cure than ever in their sins, promptimplying the ascent of a mountain- ing them to say of Israel, as the eneous region; an advice by which they mies of David said of him, Ps. 71.
obviously consulted the ease rather 11,'God hath forsaken him; persethan the safety or glory of the people. cute and take him, for there is none
It is perhaps in allusion to this inci- to deliver him.'  Thus their ruin,
dent, that Solomon says, Eecles. 10; when it came, would be the more
15,' The labor of the foolish weariethA dreadful. The Christian may derive
every one of them, because he know- some profitable hints from this narra.
eth not how to go to the city.' —-. tive as to the conduct of the warfare
~ For they are buet few. On which in which he is engaged. Notwith



B. C  1451.]           CHAPTER  VII.                             77
hearts of the people melted, and  and the elders of Israel, and
necame as water.                  e put dust upon their heads
6 IT And  Joshua  drent his  7 And Joshua said, Alas! O
clothes, and fell to the earth  Lord GoD, fwherefore hast thou
upon his face before the ark of at all brought this people over
the LORD until the even-tide, he   e 1 Sam. 4. 12. 2 Sam. 1. 2, and'13. 19.
Neh. 9.1. Job 2.12. f Exod. 5. 22. 2 Kings
d Gen. 37. 29, 34.      3. 10.
standing the Canaan which he seeks concern he expressed for the loss of
is the gift of God, yet it must be ob- so many lives evinced a heart full
tained by a manly and continued of tender and generous sympathies.
conflict with our spiritual enemies. Common generals would have acHe must not despise any as too weak, counted the loss of thirty-six men as
nor fear any as too strong. As to nothing; but th.e blood of Israel was
the weak especially, he should re- precious in the sight of Joshua.
member that there is none so weak We might have expected, too, that
but he will be able to overcome us if he would have blamed the spies for
we indulge a careless habit, or con- deceiving him  in  relation to the
fide in an arm  of flesh.- 1  Tihe strength of the city; and have punhearts of the people melted and became ished the soldiers for cowardice;
as water. That is, were utterly dis- but he viewed the hand of God, racouraged.  Thus the very effect ther than of man in this disaster; and
which was threatened to be produced this led to what all must admire, his
on the devoted nations by the ap- deep humiliation before God. But
proach of the Israelites, was now in his tender regard for the honor of
the righteous judgment of God the Divine name was that which
wrought in the hearts of his own eminently distinguished him on this
sinning people. See on Ex. 15. 15; occasion;' O Lord, what wilt thou
Josh. 2. 9, 11.                   do unto thy great name V  This was
6. Joshlua rent his clothes. A usual the plea which Moses had often used,
mode, among the ancients, of ex- and to which God had paid especial
pressing the highest degree of sor- regard; and the man that feels it in
row or grief. See my Illustrations of his soul, and urges it in!sincerity and
the Scriptures, p. 156. It was not so truth, can never be ultimately foiled.
much the defeat itself as the un- 1-1     Put dust upon their heads.
doubted  though  unknown guilty Rending the clothes, beating the
cause of it that distressed Joshua. It breast, tearing the hair, putting dust
showed evidently that, for some rea- on the head, and falling down prosson or other, the Lord's hand was trate, have always been among Eastturned against them, as otherwise it ern nations the usual marks of deep
would not have been possible for the affliction and distress.
enemy to have prevailed.-   Until   7. Wherefore hast thou brought this
even tide. Thus spending the whole people, &c. Heb. ~Zyi    ~Y'T heday in fasting and prayer. We can- abart& haabir, passing, caused to
not but highly applaud the conduct pass, i. e. by a most stupendous mirof Joshua on this occasion. The acle. This prayer of Joshua ax
7*




78                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
Jordan, to deliver us into the   8 0  Lord, what shall I say,
hand of the Amorites, to de- when Israel turneth their- backs
stroy us? would to God we had before their enemies!
been content, and dwelt on the   9 For the Canaanites, and all
other side Jordan!                the inhabitants of the land shall
pears at first view to have been thou hast wrought in bringing us
prompted by a murmuring, cor- over Jordan would seem to be unaplaining spirit very much akin to vailing, and all thy past mercies
that manifested by the children of abortive.  To all human view it
Israel on several occasions, in the would have been better for us to have
wilderness. Ex. 14. 11, 12; 16. 3; remained on the other side of Jordan,
Num.. 14. 3. Taken according to the and we shall be strongly promptled to
letter it has an air of bold and rather wish that that had been the case, for
irreverentremonstrance,whichwould it will be inferred from the event,
not have been expected from  the that thy sole purpose in bringing us
pious Captain of Israel, especially in hither, was to deliver us into the
a season of fasting and prayer, when hands of the Amorites for our dehe appears to have been most pro- struction, rather than to deliver them
foundly humbled. But much of this, into our hands.' This we have no
undoubtedly, arises from  the diffi- doubt is the real drift of Joshua's exculty of transfusing the precise im- postulation, and as nothing in the
port of the original into English. answer which God makes to him
The expressions' to deliver,''to de- carries the air of reprehension or re-.stroy,' according to a very common buke, we see no reason to think that
idiom, imply not the design, but sim- any thing of the kind was merited.
ply the event. Joshua would not in- His words were evidently prompted
timate that God had.led the people by the most commendable feelings.
into Canaan with the express inten- He felt for the thousands of Israel
tion of delivering them into the hands whom he considered as abandoned
of their enemies, but he humbly in- to destruction. He felt, too, for the
quires why he had permitted an oc- glory of God, for he knew that should
currence that seemed likely to issue Israel be destroyed, God's great name
in such an event, one entirely foreign would be blasphemed among the heato the original purpose. Before the then.  He therefore uses an arguphrase' would to God,' &c., the word ment based perhaps on the very'and' occurs in the Hebrew, which words of God himself, Deut. 32. 27,
is totally disregarded by our trans-'Were it not that 1 feared the wrath
lators, requiring the sentence to be of the enemy, lest their adversaries
filled out by some such addition as should behave themselves strangely,
this:-' to destroy us, and (to cause and lest they should say,' &c.
us to say) would to God we had been   8. What shall I say, &c.  Hebh
content,' &c. It is as if he should' what shall I say after (i. e. since,
say;-' Should thy promises, 0 Lord or seeing that) Israel hath turned the
God, now fail of accomplishment on neck before his enemies.'  What
account of our sin, the geat miracle construction shall I put upon it, oi




B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VII.                            79
hear of it, and shall environ us   11 iIsrael hath sinned, and they
round, and gcut off our name have also transgressed my covefrom the earth: and h what wilt nant which I commanded them:
thou do unto thy great name?  kfor they have even taken of the
10 ~T And the LORD said unto accursed thing, and have also
Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore stolen, and'dissembled also, and
liest thou thus upon thy face?
g Ps. 83.4. h See Ex. 32. 12. Num. 14. 13.  i ver. 1. k ch. 6.17, 18. 1See Acts. 1,2.
how shall I answer the reproaches in this humble posture, and bemoanand taunts of thine enemies, when ing in bitterness of soul the disaster
Israel, thine own people, for whom  that had befallen Israel; but merely
thou hast done such great things, implying that it was now enough;
and to whom thou hast made such that God would not have him any
glorious promises, when they turn longer continue that mournful postheir backs in ignoble flight before ture; that he had other work to do
their enemies I  He speaks as one than to spend time in grieving and
at a loss what to think of the unhap- afflicting himself in view of what
py event that had just occurred; as was past; that he must arise and set
if nothing more strange or marvel- about discovering the accursed thing,
lous could have happenedthan the de- and casting it out; in a word that he
feat of the chosen people.       must lay aside his mourning weeds,
9. What wilt thou do to thy great and enter upon that which was esname? i. e., What wilt thou do in re- pecially and pre-eminently at present
spect to thy great name' How wilt incumbent upon him.'For every
thou preserve its: glory unstained thing there is a season, and it behoves
when such a flood of obloquy shall be us to see that the time is not spent iln
pouredupon itbythe scoffing heathen. empty lamentation which God would
The cutting off of our name, though have devoted to vigorous action in
that would vastly disparage thy power reforming what is amiss.' Henry.
and faithfulness, yet that is a matter   11. Israel hatA sinned. For a view
of less consequence; but, O Lord, of the reason why this is spoken of
how wilt thou consult the honor of as the act of the whole body of Israel,
thine own blessed and glorious name, see Note on v. 1. —T Have also
were such an advantage to be given transgressed my covenant. That is,
to the adversary   Comp. Ex. 32. 12; have broken the conditions of the
Num. 14. 13; Joel 2. 27.         covenant or agreement of general
10. Get thee up. Heb.     U l/tm  obedience into which they had before
lak, rise, or stand up for thyself.-   entered, Ex. 19. 8; 24. 7; or, have
I Wherefore liest thou thus Fupon thy transgressed the particular precept
face? Heb.'wherefore this, (that) relative to the accursed thing, ch. 6.
thou art falling down upon thy face?' 19. Covenant, in the Scriptures, often
i. e. continuing to fall, doing it again has the sense of command, precept,
and again. Not the language of re- ordinance.- ~r  Have also stolen.
buke, as though God were displeased Have sacrilegiously taken and apwith Joshua for prostrating himself propriated to their own use the por



80                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C  1451.
they have put it even among and say, PSanctify yourselves
their own stuff.                  against to-morrow: for thus
12 "'Therefore the children of saith the LoRD God of Israel,
Israel could  not stand before  Ihere is an accursed thing in
their enemies, but turned their the midst of thee, O Israel: thou
backs before their enemies, be- canst not stand before thine enecause  "they  were  accursed: mies, until ye take away the
neither will I be with you any accursed thing from among you.
more, except ye destroy  the   14 In the morning therefore
accursed from among you.          ye shall be brought according
13 Up, ~sanctify the people, to your tribes: and it shall be,
that the tribe which qthe LoaD
m See Num. 14.45. Judg. 2.14. i Deut.
7. 26. ch. 6. 18. o Exod 19. 10.        p ch. 3. 5. q Prov. 16. 33.
tion which I had reserved to myself,   13. Up, sanctify the people. That
and ordered to be brought into the is, command and see that they sanctreasury. -ST   And dissembled also. tify themselves.  Cause  them  to
Have covered the deed with deep purify their persons by legal washdissimulation; insteadefingenuously ings, but more especially to put themconfessing the sin and imploring selves into a suitable frame of mind
pardon, have studiously endeavored to appear before' God, and submit to
to hide it, as if by concealing it from  the Divine scrutiny. Although the
their brethren they had concealed it act of Achan had been perpetrated
from me also. The crime is recited with so much caution that it was unwith  the utmost particularity, in perceived by any human being, yet
order that its various aggravations the eye of God had been upon it, and
may be more impressively set forth. he declared to Joshua the true reason
----  Have put it even among their' of his displeasure, and of Israel's deown stuff. Among their own goods. feat.  But, though he revealed the
12. Because they were accursed. In fact, he did not name the person that
exact accordance with the threaten- had committed it, but left that to be
ing before denounced against them, discovered in a way more impressive
ch. 6. 18. Joshua was thus informed to the nation, and more merciful to
that this, and nothing else, was the the offender, inasmuch as it gave
ground of the controversy which God him time for repentance and volunnow had with his people. They had, tary acknowledgment. —-    There is
by their iniquity, put themselves out an accursed thing, &c. The crime
of the range of his protection and of sacrilege has been committed in
blessing, and unless summary pun- themidst of thee, O Israel.
ishment was executed upon the of-  14.'Ye shall be broZught.  Heb.
fender, they would transfer upon         nikrabtem, ye shall come near.
themselves the very curse denounced i. ce. to the tabernacle, or to the ark,
against their adversaries.-  ~f Ex- wherever that might now be deposit.
cept ye destroy the accursed. The ac- ed. Persons deputed from each tribe,
cursed person with all that pertains to represent it, shall successively
to himw, v, 24.                  come to appear before me, and re.




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  VII.                              81
taketh shall come according to  he and all that he hath: because
the  families thereof; and the  he hath  transgressed the covefamily  which  the LORD  shall nant of the LORD, and because
take shall come by households; he thath wrought folly in Isand the household which the rael.
LORD shall take shall come man   16 IT So Joshua rose up early
by man.                            in the morning, and brought Is15 rAnd it shall be, that he rael by their tribes; and the
that is taken with the accursed  tribe of Judah was taken:
thing shall be burnt with fire,   17 And he brought the family
r See 1 Sam. 14. 38, 39.        ver. 11. t Gen. 34. 7. Jodg. 20. 6.
ceive  my orders. -r  The tribe so regarded in the judgment of heaqwlic/h t]he Lord taketh. That is, the ven.-   ff He and all that he hatlh.
tribe which shall be discovered or Elis sons, daughters, cattle and goods,
declared guilty by the lot. The tribe &c., all being in the Divine estimathus indicated is said to be'taken by tion, in consequence of their connexthe Lord,' because the lot was dis- ion with him, considered as infected
posed of by him, according to Prov. with the taint of his guilt, and there16. 33; the transaction was specially fore exposed to share with him  in
overruled by him  in his mysterious his condemnation. This may appear
providence for the detection of the to human view a severe, if not an unguilty.  Of the sacred use of lots, just sentence, but we can only say it
see 1 Sam. 10. 20, 21; 14. 41, 42; is in strict accordance with the genActs 1. 24, 26.  The original for eral analogy of God's providence in'take' has the import of arresting, this world, and as such is to be unseizing, being the appropriate term  hesitatingly acknowledged as bearfor the apprehension of criminals.   ing the impress of perfect equity and
15. He that is taken with thle ac- justice.-91 Hath wroughAt folly inr
cursed thing.  leb. t3e' ba'herem, Israel. That is, a base, foolish and
in the accursed thing. That is, he sinful deed, such as every wise and
that is divinely pointed out as being well principled man would utterly
involved in the guilt of the accursed condemn.  In this sense the term
thing.-IT Shall be bmrnt with fire.'folly' frequently occurs. See Gen.
The doom expressly appointed for 34. 7; Deut. 32. 21; 2 Sam. 13. 12.
persons or things accursed, Deut. 13. It was a conduct that brought shame
15, 16. In addition to this, and pre- and disgrace upon a nation, sustainviously to it, the culprit, as appears ing the reputation of a wise and unfrom v. 25, was to be stoned to death derstanding people.
at the hands of the congregation.   17. And he brought the family of;
This was the punishment ordained Judah. That is. the several families,.
for blasphemers -and presumptuous the collection of families, collect.
offenders, Num. 15. 30, 35. We do sing. for plur. —IT He brought the
read that Achan verEaltly blasphemed, family of the Zarhites, man by man.
but all high-handed, deliberate trans- It was ordered, v. 14, that all Israel
gression is virt ual blasphemy, and is should come near by tribes, and one




82                          JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451
of Judah; and he took the fam- the son of Carmi, the son of
ily  of the Zarhites; and he Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of' the
brought the family of the Zar- tribe of Judah, Uwas taken.
hites man by man; and Zabdi  19  And  Joshua  said  unto
was taken:                        Achan, My son, Xgive, I pray
18 And he brought his house-    1 am. 14.42. x See  Sam. 6.6. Jer
told man by man; and Achan 13.16. John 9.24.
tribe was to be fixed on; then that That family comes now by its housetribe came by its families, and one holds, and lo, the household of Zabdi
family was'fixed on; then came that is taken. Whither now shall Achan
family by its households, and one flee, and where is the hope of conhousehold was fixed on; and finally cealment with which he lulled his
that household coming man by man, soul to sleep in its guilt and crime?
one man was fixed on. In the pre.- The family of Zabdi advances, an(i
sent passage there appears to be some the last lots are given forth; and beconfusion in this prescribed order of hold, Achan, the son of Carmi, is
selection. In spea.king of Zarhi the found and stands among the many
phrase'by households' is left out, thousands of Israel, pointed out by
and' man by man' expressed twice. the unerring finger of God, as the
The probability is that a slight error man who had taken the accursed
has crept into the original text; in- thing, and made himself a curse by
stead of ~~  laggebariwn, man by this presumptuous act of sacrilege.man, v. 17, the true word is undoubt-' We may well imagine how Achan's
edly Vl:='  lebottim, by. louselholds, countenance changed, and what horn
and this reading, according to Ken- ror and confusion seized himj when
nicolt, is preserved in six Hebrew  he was singled out as the delinquent,
copies, and in the Syriac version.-  when the eyes of all Israel were
The Israelites are summoned before fastened upon him, and every one
the Lord, and the hour of recompense was ready to say, Have we found
is at hand. The lots are gone forth. thee, O our enemy!' Henry.
At first Achan might stand enwrap-   19. And Joshua said untoAch7an, My
ped in security, and little fearful that son. Adopting this affectionate style
among the mighty multitude assem- of address to show that the present
bled around him, he alone should be severe proceedings against him were
detected; but this groundless confi-l not prompted by any personal ill will,
denuce could not long abide. The or an angry spirit of revenge. Though
tribe of Judah, to which he belonged, he was obliged to act as a magistrate,
is taken; and the probabilities of dis- yet he was willing Achan should
covery are vastly increased. Some know that he felt as a father, and in
rising fear begins to struggle with so doing proposed a noble example
his self-possession, and now his heart to all who have the administration
throbs with a quicker and louder of justice,'not to insult over those
alarm; for the family of the Zarhites, who are in misery, though they may
of which he was a member, is select- have brought themselves into it by
ed, as containing the guilty man. their own wickedness, but to treat




B3. C. 1451.]          CHAPTER  VII.                            83
thee, glory to the LORD God of  20 And Achan answered JoshIsrael, y and make confession un- ua, and said, Indeed I have sinto him; and'tell me now what ned against the LORD God of
thou hast done, hide it not from  Israel, and thus and thus have
me.                               I done.
y Num. 5 6,7. 2 Chron. 30. 22. Ps. 51.  21 When  I saw  among the
3 Dan. 9. 4. z Sam. 14. 43.
even offenders with the spirit of meek- you have endeavored to impose on
ness, not knowing what we ourselves us; and by thus confessing your sin
should have done, if God had put us give praise and honor to God, who
into the hand of our own counsels. condemns all imposture and falseHenry.-  ff Give glory to the Lord hood; and whom you will thus acGod of Israel. Heb. C11Z teen sinm  knowledge to be right in your conkabod, put, appoint, ordain, glory to demnation.' Nothing should be more
the Lord God. That is, by confess- deeply impressed upon the mind of
ing the truth, by honestly pleading the sinner, than that the humble and
guilty to the charge, by ingenuously penitent confession of guilt tends diacknowledging the sin and the jus- rectly to the gloryof God, and that
tice of the punishment which it in- withholding confession is robbing
curred. By so doing he would not him of his right, as well as incurring
only ascribe to God the glory of his his displeasure. —'  Tell me now
omniscience, from which no secrets what thou hast done. The testimony
are hid, in detecting and exposing of God would have been sufficient,
the crime, but also of his justice in who could neither deceive nor be depunishing it.  He would in fact ceived. Joshua also, who was now
thereby most effectually give him  knowing to his crime, might have
the praise of all his perfections, and declared it, but he could not prove it;
consult the best interests of his soul and as it was intended that the offenin the world to come.  It appears der should be made a public monu*om a similar usage in several other ment of justice, and be held up as a
instances, that God regards the con- warning to the whole nation, it was.fession of the truth as very intimately desirable that the most indisputable
connected with giving him glory. 2 evidence of his guilt should be adChron. 30. 8. Thus, Luke 23. 47, duced. He is made therefore himself'Now when the centurion saw what to supply a testimony which none
was done, he glorified God (i. e. gave could controvert or doubt; even to
him glory), saying, certainly this was bear witness against himself. Joshua
a righteous man.' John 9. 24,' Then requires this confession to be made to
again called they the man that was him, because he stood, both to Achan
blind, and said unto him, Give God and to the people, in God's stead. It
the pratse; we know that this man is was in effect the same, therefore, as
a sinner;' on which passage Mr. making it to God himself.
Barnes remarks,' The meaning here   20. Indeed Ihave sinned, &c. The
is not, " give God the praise for heal- confession, though not made till it
ing you," but confess that you have was extorted, was finally made with
declared to us a falsehood; and that great frankness and ingenuousness.




84                         - JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451.
spoils a goodly Babylonish gar- coveted them, and took them,
ment, and two hundred shekels and behold, they are hid in the
of silver, and a wedge of gold earth in the midst of my tent?
of fifty shekels weight, then I and the silver under it.
He recites the circumstances of the object.  The desire of gratification
act in all their particulars, and with is then formed, and the determinaall their aggravations; attempts no tion to attain it fixed. Then comes
excuse or extenuation; complains not the act itself, followed by its bitter
of the severity of the sentence, nor and fearful consequences. In this
seeks to prevent or delay its execu- instance the temptation entered by
tion; from which we may indulge the eye; he saw those fine things as
the hope, however feeble, that the poor Eve saw the forbidden fruit; and he
culprit found mercy for his soul.    allowed his eyes to gaze and feast
21. A goodly Babylonish garment. upon the interdicted objects.  The
Heb.'IN2): hlTq addereth Shinar, a sight inflamed his desire; and he
splendid or costly robe of Shinar, ren- coveted them. The next step was to
dered' Babylon~ish garment,' because carry out the feeling into act; thee
Babylon or Babel was situated in the desire prompted him to take them, as
plain of Shinar. Bochart and Cal- he actually did, and thus accommet have shown at large that Baby- plished the fearful deed. So natulonish robes were very splendid and rally does lust, when it hath conin high repute. Ezek. 23. 15. Jose- ceived, bring forth sin, and sin when
phus calls it'a royal garment woven finished bringeth forth death. The
entirely of gold.' The word signifies only way to avoid sin in action is to
such a robe or mantle as princes wore quench its incipient workings in the
when they appeared in state, Jon. 3. 6, heart, to mortify sinful desires, espeand this probably belonged to the cially the desire of worldly wealth,
king of Jericho.-I' Two hundred the source of such untold evils in the
shekels of silver. In weight, not in world. We are ever in this world
coin. Its value in our currency was surrounded by incitements to sin, but
a little upwards of one hundred dol- we are to pass in the midst of them,
lars.-  ~f A wedge of gold. Heb. like the Israelites among the spoils
-Mt 1S7 leshon zahab, a tongue of of Jericho, under the abiding imgold, i. e. what -we understand by an pression that the interdict of Heaven
ingot of gold, a corruption, according is upon the least forbidden indulto A. Clarke, of the word lingot, from  gence. And as the eye is the great
the Lat. lingqgla, signifying a little inlet to that mischief which works
tongue. —~ I coveted them and took upon the heart, our only safety is in
them. The three words occurring in making, with Job, a covenant with
this narrative,'I saw —I coveted-I our eyes, and continually uttering
took,' strikingly express the rise, pro- the prayer of David,' Turn away
gress, and consummation of crime. mine eyes from beholding vanity,
The whole process is here laid open. and quicken me in thy way.'- -
The inward corruption of the heart 1' And the silver under it. That is,
is first drawn'forth by some enticing under the. Babylonish garment; covy



B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VII.                            85
22 ~. So Joshua sent messen- Ithe children of Israel, and laid
gers, and they ran unto the tent, them out before the LORD.
and behold, it was hid in his  24 And Joshua, and all Israel
tent, and the silver under it.   with him, took Achan the son
23 And they took them out of of Zerah, and the silver, and the
the midst of the tent, and brought garment, and the wedge of gold,,nem unto Joshua, and unto all and his sons, and his daughters,
ered with it, concealed by it,or wrap- life and death, may exact the debt
ped up in it.                     which all owe in any way or time
22. So Joslhua sent messengers. To that seemeth to him good, we know
put to the test the truth of his confes- i not who can question the righteous-.sion.-~~ And they ran unto the tent. ness of his judgment on this occasion.
gan, not only to show their alacrity If evil, no injustice would be done
a obeying Joshua's orders, but to them, and if good, they would the
show also how uneasy they were till sooner be taken to their reward;
the camp was cleared of the accursed and we can easily conceive that the
thing, and the Divine favor regained, death of a few persons at this par-~1 It was hid. That is, the parcel ticular juncture, and under the solof things mentioned v. 21, 24.    emn circumstances in which they
23. Laid thenm out before the Lord. now stood, might be attended with the
Heb. nlnl'   WP~ 1D]V1' yatzilkur  happiest results.  They were now
lipAhn  Yehovah, powured themr out be- in the commencement of their nafore the Lord. That is, before the tional existence in Canaan. It was
ark of the covenant, the hallowed necessary that the people should
sign of the Lord's presence, where know, by a fresh demonstration,
Joshua and the elders were awaiting what a God they had to do with.
the issue of the transaction.     Whilst they learned from his mer24. And his sons and his daughters. cies how greatly he was to be loved,
As no intimation  is given  that they needed also to learn from his
Achan's sons or any of his family judgments how greatly he was to be
were accessary to his crime, we are feared. This lesson would be effectnot warranted, perhaps, in supposing ually taught them by the present act
that they were now condemned to of severity, and the death of a sinsuffer on that account; although it gle individual might, by its admonimay be admitted that he could not tory influence, be the means of aftervery easily have concealed the arti- wards preventing the death of many
cles in the midst of the tent without thousands.-~ 1 His oxen, and his
some of its inmates being privy to it. asses, and his sheep. Brute beasts are
But the supposition of their guilt we of course incapable of sin and so of
do not deem necessary to vindicate punishment, properly so called, but
the equity and justice of the sentence. as they are made for man's use, and
As all lives are really forfeited by are daily killed for food, there seems
sin; as the ungodly deserve worse no impropriety in taking away their
punishment than temporal death, lives for moral purposes, to show us
and as God, the supreme arbiter of more impressively the destruetivo
8




86                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
and his oxen, and his asses, and hast thou troubled us? the LORD
his sheep, and his tent, and all shall trouble  thee  this  day.
that he had: and they brought "And all Israel stoned him with
them unto a the valley of Achor. stones, and burned them  with
25 And  Joshua  said  bWhy  fire, after they had stoned them
aver. 26. ch. 15.7. b ch. 6.18. 1 Chron. with stones.
2. 7. Gal. 5. 12.                             c. Deut. 17. 5.
and detestable nature of sin. The 1 Chron. 2.'7. See on ch. 6. 18.
truth is, the animal world being How strikingly did Achan's conduct
originally formed for the service verify the saying of Solomon, Prov.
of man, is to be considered  as 15. 27,'He that is greedy of gain
a kind of appendage to him  and troubleth his own house;' and how
so is made to share in his lot, clear from this instance, is it that sin
whether of weal or wo.  On this is a very troublesome, as well as a
principle the earth with its various very wicked thing, and that not only
tribes felt the effects of the curse to the sinner himself, but to all around
when Adam sinned, and the whole him. When Ahab met Elijah, he
creation has groaned in bondage ever cried, in the consciousness of his
since. Occurrences like that men- own offences,'Art thou he that
tioned in the text are merely illus- troubletlh  Israel 2''I have  not
trations of this general law.-  troubled Israel,' answered the indig~And they broughit them unto the val- nant prophet,'but thou and thy
ley of Achor. Heb.:P'r1 vayaaln, father's house, in that ye have forbrouqght them up, made them go up or saken the commandments of the
ascend. Persons are generally said Lord.' Such was virtually the lanto descend to a valley, but the phra- guage of Joshua to Achan on this
seology here is probably founded on occasion. —~ And all Israel stoned
the relative situation of the valley him with stones. The burning thereand the camp. In going to it they fore commanded, v. 15, must have
may have been obliged to travel reference to the dead body. He was
some distance over the hilly country, first stoned, and his carcase then contowards the interior. This would be signed to the flames, himself and all
ascending from the Jordan, and that his sharing the same fate.' He persuch was the fact is to be inferred ished not alonein his iniquity.' The
from ch. 15. 7. The valley is called punishment is said to have been exeAchor by anticipation. It was so cuted by'all Israel,' not because
named from the event.             every individual without exception
25. Why hast thou troubled us? had a hand in it, but because all were
the Lord shall trouble thee this day. present as spectators, all were conThis is said in allusion to the words senting to the act, and as many as
of the warning, ch. 4. 18,' Lest ye could be were active agents in it in
make the camp of Israel a curse and the name of the rest. This showed
trouble it.' From this circumstance the universal detestation of the deed,
his name Achia seems to have been and their anxiety to avert from them
changed toAchkr, troublei. e. troubler. the Divine displeasure.




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  VII.                             ~7
26 And they d raised over him  from the fierceness of his anger:
a great heap of stones unto this wherefore the name of that
day.   So  e the  LORD  turned  place was called,' The valley
of Achor, unto this day.
d ch. 8. 29. 2 Sam. 18. 17. Lamn. 3. 53.
* Deut, 13. 17. 2 Sam. 21, 14.        f ver. 24. Isai. 65. 10. -Ios. 2..15.
26. Raised over him a great heap rative we may deduce the following
of stones. As a monument to per- reflections.
petuate the memory of this transac-   (1)The deceitfulness ofsin. Achan,
tion, and to serve as a warning to all at first, had in mind only the satisfuture generations to beware of pre- faction he should feel in possessing
sumptuous sin. The burying place the Babylonish  garment and the
of Absalom was distinguished by a wedge and shekels of gold and silver.
similar erection, as a monument of The ideas of shame and remorse and
his disgrace to future ages. 2 Sam. misery were hid from him. But ah!
18. 17. --     Unto this day. That is, with what different thoughts did he
that remaineth unto this day. In a contemplate his gains, when inquisiparallel passage, ch. 8. 29, the sup- tion was made to discover the offendplementary words' that remaineth' er! How would he begin to tremble
are inserted in the text.-IT~ Ts Iwhen he saw that his own tribe was
called the valley of Achor. Or, Heb. selected as containing the guilty per-'1=Y VP) 7mtak akor, the valley of,son! How would his terror be introuble, from  the event.  In Hos. creased when he saw his ownfamily
2. 15, the valley of Achor is said to pointed out! and what dread would
be given to Israel as a' door of hope,' seize upon him when the lot fell upon
in allusion to the transaction that his household!  What a paleness
now occurred here, and implying, would spread over his cheeks, and
perhaps, that when they had repented what a trembling would take hold
and put away the accursed thing, of his limbs! W hat now becomes
then there would begin to be a door of all his expected enjoyments t
of hope concerning them, and that What beauty does he now see in the
the very places, which had before splendid garment, or what value in
been the scenes of troublesome judg- the shining metals. Ah! could he
ments and the memorials of wrath, but recall the act. which has thus
should henceforth become only the brought him to shame and ruin! But
mementos of the most signal mercies. it is too late! The deed is done, and
Compare Ezra 10. 2. Where sin is the sense of guilt, as with the fangs
seen and lamented. and decisive steps of a serpent, has fastened itself upon
taken towards reformation, there are his inmost spirit! Thus too with the
tokens for good, and even gross transgressor of every name.  The
offenders may receive encourage- thief, the adulterer, the seducer, in
ment.  God is always pleased to the commission of crime, thinks only
have the monuments of his displea- of the pleasure the gratification of
sure converted, by the conversion of his lusts will afford. But he has no
sinners, into the remembrancers of sooner attained his object than his
kindness.-From the foregoing nar- before blinded eyes are opened, and




88                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
CHAPTER  VIII.             be thou dismayed: take all the
IND  the  Lord  said  unto people of war with thee, and
Joshua, a Fear not, neither arise, go up to Ai: see, Ib have
a Deut. 1. 21, and 7. 18, and 31.8. ch. 1. 9.  b c~h. 6. 2.
the enormity of his sin stares him        CHAPTER  VIII.
full in the face. Then he finds that   I. Fear' not, neither be thou disit stings like a serpent and bites like mayed. The sin of Achan and its
an adder.                         consequences had probably weighed
(2) The certainty of its exposure. deeply on the spirits of Joshua, grievAchan took greatprecautions to con- ing and discouraging him, so as to
real his iniquity, but it was unavail- render this renewed exhortation pelang. Men may hide their wickedness culiarly seasonable at this time.
from their fellow men, but not from  When we have faithfully put away
God. His providence will sooner or the sin that separated between God
later bring the hidden iniquity to the and us, we may confidently expect
light, and for the most part in this the light of his countenance to be reworld.  But certainly in the great stored to us, and that he will animate
day of the revelation of all things. us with such encouragements as shall
To every sinner therefore may the banish the fear of our most formidasolemn warning be addressed,'Be ble enemies. —   T'ake all the people
sure your sin will find you out.'    of war with thee. This can hardly
(3) The awfulness of its reward. be understood of the whole number
Who does not shudder at the thought of men of war in the congregation,
of that vengeance which was exe- which amounted to upwards of six
cuted on Achan and his family'l hundred thousand. It is more probWho does not see how fierce the in- able that by'all the people of war'
dignation of God against sin was, is to be understood the thirty thouwhen the sin of one single person pre- sand men mentioned v. 3, the choivailed more to provoke him against cest part, the flower of the host, those
the whole nation, than the innocence who were most experienced in warof the whole did to pacify his wrath like affairs. The main body of the
against the individual; when  in soldiery remained in the camup at
fact nothing but the most signal pun- Gilgal.-  ~ I have given. I have
ishment of the individual could re- purposed to give. The event is cerconcile him to the nation to which tain, that they shall be delivered into
he belonged. Yet was all this but your power.-   And his land. That
a faint shadow of the indignation is, the territory immediately adjoinwhich he will manifest in a future ing the city, and under the jurisdicworld. We should profit from such tion of the king.
a history as this. We should learn   2. Thou, shalt do to Ai and her klng
to dread the displeasure of the Al- as thoue didst unuto Jericho and her
mighty, and to glorify him now by king.  That is, in general, in the
an ingenuous confession, that he may main, not in every particular. Ai
not be glorified hereafter in our eter- was to be overcome and destroyed,
nal condemnation.                 and in this respect its fate was to re



B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VIII.                           89
given into thy hand the king of unto yourselves: lay thee an
Ai, and his people, and his city, ambush for the city behind it.
and his land.                      3 I So Joshua arose, and all
2 And thou shalt do to Ai and the people of war, to'go up
her king, as thou didst unto against Ai: and Joshua chose
0Jericho  and her king;  only out thirty thousand mighty men' the spoil thereof, and the cattle of valor, and sent them  away
thereof, shall ye take for a prey  by night.
c ch. 6. 21. d Deut. 20. 14.
semble that of Jericho. But the pre- and it is obvious that if it was right
cise manner of its destruction was for them to overpower their enemies,
not the same; the king of Ai was not it was equally right to out-wit them,
to be put to death by the sword, as if they could do it.'No treaties
the king of Jericho had been, nor were violated, no oaths broken, no
was a curse denounced against him  falsehoods uttered; and it cannot be
that should rebuild Ai, as was the requisite to inform our enemies of
case in regard to Jericho.-  ~ Only our intentions and purposes, however
the spoil thereof-shall ye take to your- they may be deceived by appearselves. This was the grand point of ances. Butperjuries, lies, and infracdifference in the prescribed manner tions of treaties cannot, in any war
of treating the two cities. In the one or in any case, he allowable or excase, the spoil was granted to the cusable.' Scott.
people; in the other not. There was,   3. So Joshua arose to go up against
therefore, no danger of their commit- Ai. That is, set about the business
ting the same trespass here that they of going up, took measures preparahad there.' Observe how Achan, tory to it, consulted and laid the plan
who catched at forbidden spoil, lost of operations. It does not express
that, and life, and all; but the rest of the fact of their actually marching
the people, who had conscientiously towards Ai, for this is inconsistent
refrained from  the accursed thing, with what follows, but according to
were quickly recompensed for their a familiar idiom of the Hebrew, on
obedience with the spoil of Ai. The which we have remarked before, ch.
way to have the comfort of what God 6. 25, merely implies their entering
allows, is, to forbear what he forbids Iupon the preliminary measures.' To
us. No man shall lose by his self- arise,' in innumerable instances in
denial.' Henry. —- Lay thee an am- the scriptures, means nothing more
bush for thle city behind it. That is, than to address one's self to a particuon the west side of the city, as the lar business, to set about it, to engage
Israelites, at the time of receiving in it.-~f Chose out thirty thousand
this command, were on the east side mighty men. The whole number of
of it, and the orientals, in designating men to be employed on this occasion.
the relative position of places, were -- T And sent them away by night.
always supposed to face the east. That is, as we suppose, not the whole
This stratagem is to be justified on of the thirty thousand, but the party
the ground that God commanded it, of five thousand expressly mentioned
8*




90                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451.
4 And he commanded them, at the first: therefore we will
saying, Behold eye shall lie in flee before them.
wait against the city, even be-  7 Then ye shall rise up from
hind the city: go not very far the ambush, and seize upon the
from the city, but be ye all ready: city: for the LORD your God
5 And 1, and all the people will deliver it into your hand.
that are with me, will approach   8 And it shall be when ye have
unto the city: and it shall come taken the city, that ye shall set
to pass when they come out the city on fire: according to
against us, as at the first, that the commandment of the LORD
fwe will flee before them,       shall ye do.  gSee, I have com6 (For they will come  out manded you.
after us) till we have drawn   9 IT Joshua therefore sent them
them  from  the city; for they forth; and they went to lie in
will say, They flee before us, as ambush, and  abode  between
e Judg. 20. 29. f Judg. 20. 32.       g 2 Sam. 13. 28.
v. 12. The next verse, as well as v. is, the party of 5,000 just spoken of
9, seems to limit it to those who were as sent away by night.'to lie in wait,' and these were un-   5. All the people that are with me.
questionably the five thousand, and That is, the 25,000 remaining after
not the whole detachment specified the 5,000 were sent away, and whom
above, who could not well have exe- he kept for a lure to draw out the
cuted such a design without being inhabitants of Ai from the city.discovered. It is true that, according ~f As at the first. As on the former
to this interpretation, we must suppose expedition, when Israel was so sadly
the pronoun'them' to be put before worsted.
its antecedent, which is left to be in-   6. Till we have drawn them. Heb.
ferred from the tenor of the ensuingo  tDti1 hkattikenf, till we have pulled,
narrative, but this is no unusual or plucked them.
thing with the sacred writers. See   7. Then shall ye rise zup from the
Ex. 14. 19; Ps. 87. 1; 105. 19; Prov. ambush. Upon the signal given, v. 18.
7. 8. On any other mode of con-   8. Ye shall set the city on fire. Prostruction it is extremely difficult to bably this means nOi more than that
make out a consistent narration of they should kindle a fire in the city,
the facts, unless it be supposed that the smoke of which should be an inthe verbs here should be rendered dication that they had taken it. Had' had chosen,' and' had sent,' and the they set fire to the whole city, the
entire portion, from this place to the spoils which were to be divided
end of v. 9, be taken as a parenthesis, among the people, would have been
which is not improbable. The rea- all consumed. It appears, moreover,
sons for sending an ambuscade by from v. 28, that the city was not burnt
night are too obvious to require re- till afterwards.
mark.                              9. Joshua therefore sent them forth
4. And le commanded them. That That is, the detachment of five thou



B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VIII.                         91
Beth-el and Ai, on the west side now there was a valley between
of Ai: but Joshua lodged that them and Ai.
night among the people.           12 And he took  about five
10 And Joshua rose up early thousand men, and set them  to
in the morning, and numbered lie in ambush between Beth-el
the people, and went up, he and and Ai, on the west side of the
the elders of Israel, before the city.
people to Ai.                     13 And when they had set the
11 h And all the people, even people, even all the host that
the people of war that were with was on the north of the city,
him, went up, and drew nigh, and their liers in wait on the
and came before the city, and west of the city, Joshula went
pitched on the north side of Ai: that night into the midst of the
h ver5..          valley.
sand spoken of above, and designated ure that concerned the interests of the
by the pronoun'them,' v. 3.-  people.
~T Joshua lodged that night among   12. And he took about five thousand
the people. That is, the people of men. Rather,'he had taken.' The
war, as they are called, v. 11, or in rerse is apparently thrown in as a
other words the 25,000. Others sup- parenthesis, with a view to give a
pose the night was spent at the camp more particular explanation of what
at Gilgal, with the main body of the is said, in a general way, v. 3, 9. Inpeople. But this is less likely.  cidents omitted in their proper place
10. Numbered the people. Or, Heb. are often brought in, in this manner,'7~t1 Lva-yiphtkod, visited, inspected, in order to prevent the interruption
mustered, set in order. This again of the previous narrative.
probably means the band of 25,000,   13. Their liers in wait.  Heb.
whom he carefully reviewed- to see'their lying in wait, their ambusthat they were in perfect readiness, cade,' abst. for concrete.  Or it
and that none had withdrawn them- maybe rendered' their heel,' i. e. the
selves during the darkness of the hinder part of the army, referring to
night preceding. It would thus also the party that lay in ambush.appear more clearly when the work  rF Went that night into the midst of
was done, that it was effected without thle valley.  That is, as is most
any loss of men, whereby a new  likely, very early in the morning,
ground of encouragement and con- when it was yet darr, as John 20. 1.
fidence in God would be afforded. It seems hardly probable, that when
-~  He and the elders of Israel. As every thing was ready they should
a kind of council of war, to give have remained inactive during a
more weight and solemnity to the whole day. We prefer the opinion
proceeding, and to see to the just and that Joshua, having sent away the
equal distribution of the spoil. The five thousand in the evening of the
elders were usually associated with previous day, and having taken a
the leader in every important meas- few hours' sleep with the 25,000, rose




92                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451
14 ~ And it came to pass when  knmade as if they were beaten
the king of Ai saw it, that they before them, and fled by the
hasted and Pose up early, and way of the wilderness.
the men of the city went out  16 And  all the people  that
against Israel to battle, he and were in Ai were called together
all his people, at a time appoint- to pursue after them: and they
ed, before the plain: but he pursued after Joshua, and were
iwist not that there were liers in drawn away from the city.
ambush against him behind the   17 And there was ndt a man
city.                              left in Ai, or Beth-el, that went
15 And Joshua and all Israel not out after Israel: and they
i Judg. 20. 34. Eccles. 9.12.          k Judg. 20. 36, &c.
at a very early hour, perhaps a rendered where it occurs in Judg.
little after midnight, and had them  20. 38.
inspected, which might be speedily   15. Made as if they were beaten.
done by the aid of the officers, and Turned their backs.  Heb. 1a:=1
then went, at so early an hour that yinnagefr, were beaten or smitten; but
it might still be called night, into rightly understood, as here rendered,
the valley, perhaps alone, to suppli- of apparently suffering themselves to
cate -God for a blessing on the en- be beaten, to make a show or preterprise in which he was now en- tence of being beaten.  See a like
gaged, and which had come so near phraseology, Gen. 42. 7; 2 Sam. 13.
to its crisis; or, it may imply that 5.- ~Flfed by the way of the wilderat this time he led the army througbh ness.  Lying between Ai and Jerithe valley, and when the day dawned cho or Gilgal.
appeared in full view  of the city,   16. And all the people that were in
from  whence the king and people Ai. That is, all who had not sallied
immediately sallied out in pursuit.  out before, all the men able to bear
14. When the king of Ai saw it, arms who remained behind when
they hasted and rose ulp early. That the first body of pursuers issued forth
is; when the king was informed of from the city. Some portion of the
it, by the city guards, an alarm was population, however, was still left,
immediately given, and the citizens who were afterwards slain, v. 24.
who had not yet risen hurried from  The original word for'were called
their beds, and soon commenced the together' is'l"t? yizz&ekti, which
pc-usuit.' To see,' in scripture usage, properly signifies were cried together,
often has the sense of to kiow, to that is, were summoned by mutual
learn, to understand. — If He and all shouts and vociferations.-  T 1Were
his people. That is, all the men of drawn away. Heb.1' jrV1 yinnathekR,
war; for the rest, the old men, the were pluncked or pulled.
women, and children, remained in   17. Was not a man left in Ai. Not
the city, as appears, v. 24. —~  At a a man that was able to bear arms,
time appointed.  Heb. b'a1t   moWd, not one fit for military service.either an appointed time, or a con- ~r Or Bethel. This city, situated at
certed signal, as the same word is three miles distance from  Ai, was




B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VIII.                           93
left the city open, and pursued  city  ascended  up  to  heaven,
after Israel.                     and they had no power to flee
18 And the LORD said  unto this way or that way: and the
Joshua, Stretch out the spear people that fled to the wilderthat is in thine hand toward Ai; ness turned back upon the purfor I will give it into thine hand. suers.
And Joshua stretched out the   21 And when Joshua and all
spear that he had in his hand Israel saw that the ambush had
toward the city.                  taken  the city, and that the
19 And  the  ambush   arose smoke of the city ascended, then
quickly out of their place, and they turned again, and slew the
they ran  as soon  as he had men of Ai.
stretched out his hand, and they   22 And the other issued out
entered into the city, and took of the city against them; so
it, and hasted, and set the city they were in the midst of Israel,
on fire.                          some on this side, and some on
20 And when the men of Ai that side: and they smote them,
looked behind them, they saw, so that they'let none of them
and behold, the smoke of the remain or escape.
I Deut. 7. 2.
probably confederate with it, and assistance, a pledge of the secret effiaiding it with forces on the present eacy of the Almighty arm in securing
occasion.                         them the victory. This seems highly
18. Stretch out the spear that is in probable from v. 26.-~ Set the city
thine hand. That is, hold extended onfire. See on v. 8.
or stretched out, continue it in that   20. HIad no power to flee. Heb.
position. Comp. v. 26.  This was Vbo1  tN lE yl&day/im, no hand, i. e.
probably agreed upon as the signal no place, no quarter, no direction to!o be given by Joshua to the men in which to flee, being hemmed in on
ambush, to notify tihem of the precise every side. Most of the ancient vermoment when to issue forth from  sions, however, render with ours,
their retreat and rush into'the city.'power, ability, strength,' in which
if, as some commentators suppose, sense it is certain that'hand' is
a flag or a burnished shield were sometimes used.-,TPu6rsuers. Heb.
fixed to the end of a long spear, pike,   Vn rodEph, pursuer, collect. singt.
or lance, making it conspicuous from    21. Whe'n all Israel saw. That is,
a distance, it would still better an- all the Israelites then present, all
swer the purpose intended.  Con- that were employed in this service.
joined with this there might have Such general expressions are often
been, as far as we can see, another to be limited by the tenor of the narobject in thus elevating the spear on rative.
this occasikn; viz. that it should   22. And the other. Heb. h1}*  veserve like the lifting up of Moses' WlleA, and these, i. e. those who had
hands in the battle with-Amalek, as formed the ambush.-  ffSo that they
a token of the Divine presence and let none of them remain or escape




94                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
23 And the king of Ai they were consumed, that all the Isratook alive, and brought him  to elites returnedunto Ai, and smote
Joshua.                            it with the edge of the sword.
24 And it came to pass when   25 And so it was, that all that
Israel had made an end of slay- fell that day, both of men and
ing all the inhabitants of Ai in women, were twelve thousand,
the  field,  in  the  wilderness even all the men of Ai.
wherein they chased them, and   26 For Joshua drew  not his
when they were all fallen on the hand back wherewith he stretchedge of the sword, until they  ed out the spear, until he had
Heb.' so that there remained not to which the phrase'men of Ai' occurs
them  a survivor (i. e. one taken in v. 20. 21, as also the sing.'man,'
alive) or one that escaped.' They v. 17. The assertion of the verse we
were all indiscriminately put to the suppose to be, that the number of the
sword, with the single exception men- men of war who perished, together
tioned in the next, verse.         with their whole families, old men,
23. TIle king of Ai they took alive. women, and children, was twelve
He was reserved for a more. exem- thousand. The latter are not expressplary and ignominious death as a lybut implicitly included in the enuwarning to other kings who, like him, meration, and the proportion which
might be disposed to defy the power they bore to the fighting men is a
of Israel.                         mere matter of inference.  They
24. Smote it witi the edge of the were probably at least thrice as many.
sword. Heb.  VIM 7I  lep/li'hereb,   26. For Joshua drew not hzs hand
with the mouth of the sword. That back, &c. The object of these words
is, the old men, women, and children seems to be to assign the reason of
who remained in the city, who had the utter and unsparing destruction
not joined in the pursuit, v. 16. 17.   of the people of Ai. The movements
25. Both of ~men and women. Heb. of Israel were directed by the uplifted
rl=['Ar)n V2     mizsh ve-ad ishah, spear of Joshua.  As long as that
from  the man to the  woman.-  continued stretched out they were
~I Twelve thousand, ecven all the men of to persist in the work of slaughter.
Ai. It seems scarcely credible that When it was let down they were to
this number should have included all cease. This shows that the stretchthat were slain on this occasion, as it ing out of the spear was not designed
would leave the fighting men not merely as a signal to the men in ammore than two or three thousand, and bush, for in this case the continuance
yet this mere handful daring to go of the act would have been unnecesforth against a force of between twen- sary. It was doubtless intended to
ty and thirty thousand! Can we be- answer the same end as the uplifted
lieve them  so infatuated, doomed hands of Moses on the occasion bethough they were to destruction?  fore referred to, that is, as a -visible
We are constrained therefore to un- sign of the presence and agency of
derstand the twelve thousand of the Omnipotence in behalf of his people
eftective men of arms, the sense'in as long as it continued to be extend



B. C. 1451.]          CHAPTER  VIII.                            95
utterly destroyed all the inhabit-  28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and
ants of Ai.                       made it 0an heap for ever, even
27 mOnly the, cattle and the a desolation unto this day.
spoil of that city Israel took for  29 PAnd the king of Ai he
a prey unto themselves, accord- hanged on a tree until even-tide,
inog unto the word of the LORD  qand as soon as the sun was
which he "commanded Joshua. down, Joshua commanded that
o Deut. 13. 16. P ch. 10. 26. Ps. 107. 40.
m Numb. 31. 22, 26. n ver. 2.  and 110. 5. q Deut. 21. 23. ch. 1C. 27.
ed. To the judgment of sense there still continue as did the slaughter of
was perhaps little connexion between the Aiites while Joshua's outstretched
Joshua's holding forth his spear and spear was not withdrawn.- r  Until
the success of the combatants at a he had utterly destroyed. Heb. t"'~IMi
distance, and it might have appeared he'herim, had devoted to a curse.
that he would have been better em-   28. Made it an heap for ever. Heb.
ployed at the head of the army, ani- i51Y hr tel ol[am, an heap of eternity,
mating and directing them. But he i. e. an everlasting heap, a perpetual
knew who alone could give the vie- pile of ruins. The meaning is, it was
tory, and that a compliance with made such for a long time, through
God's commands was the surest a long tract of ages; a frequent
means of obtaining help from Him. sense of the phrase' for ever.' It
Hence without any apprehensions as seems to have been rebuilt about a
to the issue, he maintained his stand thousand years afterwards, by the
before God, and held forth his spear Benjamites, Neh. 11. 31, under the
till all his enemies were destroyed. name of Aija or Aiya.-   I Unto this
Such is the confidence and persever- day. Near the close of Joshua's life.
ance which the Christian is to evince   29. The king of Ai he hanged. The
in his conflicts with sin and Satan, kings of the devoted nations were
notwithstanding the apparently little dealt with with more exemplary seconnexion between his poor efforts verity than the common people, beand the destruction of such mighty cause they were more deeply crimifoes. It- is perhaps in allusion to this nal, both in having formerly by their
circumstance that the phrase' stretch- connivance encouraged the abominaing out the hand against' is employ- tions of their subjects, and in now
ed by the prophets as equivalent to instigating them to resistance, when
contending with, or fighting against. they might and should have known
Thus Is. 5. 25,-' Therefore is the an- that resistance was vain. In the preger of the Lord kindled against his sent case, though the king of Ai wait
people, and he hath stretched forth] his taken alive and brought to Joshua,
hand against them, and hath smitten yet it is not certain that he was not
them: and the hills did tremble and first put to death in some other way,
their carcasses are torn in the midst and his body hung upon a tree after
of the streets. For all this his anger his execution as a mark of the utis not turned away, but his hand is most disgrace and detestation. Upon
stretcked out still,' i. e. his judgments consulting the following passages,




96                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
they  should take his  carcass heap of stones, that remainetk
down from the tree, and cast it unto this day.
at the entering of the gate of the   30 IT Then Joshua built an alcity, and rraise thereon a great tar unto the LORD God of Israel
r ch. 7. 26, and 10. 27: s Deut. 27. 4, 5.  sin mount Ebal
this opinion will appear far more had entered Canaan, Dent. 27, 2, they
plausible than the one which main- seem to have penetrated in a body
tains that he was first hung, a mode through the mountainous regions that
of capital punishment that does not intervened till they came to the apappear to have been customary in pointed place, although no details of
those early days, ch. 10. 26; 2 Sam. 4. the journey thither are given. View12; 1 Sam. 31. 8-10.-~As soon as: ed in connexion with their then prethe sun was down. This was accord- sent circumstances the incident was
ing to the law, Deut. 21. 22, 23,' If a a remarkable one. While engaged
man have committed a sin worthy of in the mid career of conquest, the.
death, and he be to be put to death, business of the war is suddenly susand thou hang him on a tree; his pended, and instead of pushing their
body shall not remain upon the tree, victories on every side, after masterbut thou shalt in any wise bury him  ing the frontier towns, they comthat day.' — f Cast it at the enter'ing mence a peaceful march into the
of the gate. The gates of cities were heart of the country to attend upon a
usually the places of judgment, of the religious solemnity! But God had
transaction of the most important ordered it, and they cheerfully obeypublic business, and of general re- ed. Whatsoever else stands still, the
sort and rendezvous. We know of service of God must go forward.
no other reason for casting the dead Whatever other interests may suffer,
body of the king of Ai in this place, our spiritual concerns must receive
than that it was the most public place attention. But in truth there is no
that could be chosen, one that would danger that our worldly interests will
stamp the act with the utmost possi- suffer in consequence of a paramount
ble notoriety.                    regard to the one thing needful. God
30. Joshua built an altar-in mount will take them into his own hand,
Ebal. This was in obedience to the and see that we are no losers by any
command given Deut. 27. 42-48, on thing done for him. In the present
which see Notes. Mount Ebal, as instance, we see that his providential
well as mount Gerizim, was situated care was wonderfully exercised tonear Shechem in what was afterwards wards his faithful servants. Though
the tribe of Ephraim, and not far in the midst of an enemy's country,
from the ancient Samaria. It was at as yet unconquered, yet they passed
a considerable distance from the camp on unharmed, the terror of God havyat Gilgal, yet as it was a ceremony ing fallen upon the cities round about,
that had been expresslytcommanded, as when Jacob some ages before had
and the performance of which was passed through this very region on
not to be delayed any longer than his way to Bethel, Gen. 35. 5. The
was absolutely necessary after they I way of duty is the way of safety.



B. C. 1451.]           CHAPTER  VIII.                              97
31 As Moses the servant of the I in the presence of the children
LORD  commanded the children  of Israel.
of Israel, as it is written in the   33 And all Israel and  their
tbook of the law of Moses,  an elders, and  officers, and their
altar  of whole  stones, over judges, stood on this side the
which no man hath lifted up  ark and on that side before the
any iron: and  u they  offTered priests the Levites, Y-which bare
thereon burnt-offerings unto the the ark of the covenant of the
LORD, and. sacrificed  peace- LORD, as well  the stranger, as
offerings.:1.                   he that was born among them;
32  T And!:'-he wrote  there half of them over against mount
upon the stones a copy of the Gerizim, and half of them  over
law  of Moses, which he wrote against mount Ebal; a as Moses
tEx. 20. 25. Deut. 27. 5,6. u Ex. 20. 24.  y Deut. 31.9, 25. zDeut. 31.12. a Deut.
x Deut. 27. 2, 8.                  11. 29, and 27. 12.
The object of erecting the altar was which purpose they were previously
to offer the sacrifices spoken of in the to be plastered over. —9   A copy of
next verse. It was a federal trans- the law. IHieb. InW    rl=) mqishnih
action in which they were now en- torah, a repetition, a duplicate of the
gaged. The covenant was now to law. That is, a copy of the blessbe renewed upon their taking posses- ings and curses commanded by Mosion of the land of promise, and a for- ses; not a copy of the decalogue, as
mal profession made of their subjec- some imagine; nor of the book of
tion to the law, and of their depend- Deuteronomy, as others think; much
ence for success in all their enter- less of the whole Pentateuch; but
prises upon the blessing of the Most simply that part of the law which
High. All this it was proper should contained the blessings and curses,
be ratified by sacrificial offerings.   and which was to be read.on this
31. Over which no man hath lifted solemn occasion. See Note on Deut.
up any iron. Rather'had lift up.' 27. 8.
The writer does not intend to quote   33. Before the priests, the Levites.
the precise words of the law, but That is, in view of the priests, the
merely to say that Joshua construct- Levites; not that the elders, officers,
ed an altar in accordance with the and judges stood nearer the ark than
precept of Moses, Ex. 20. 25; Deut. the priests, but that they so surround27. 5; viz., one over which no man ed the ark that the priests who were
had lifted up an iron tool.        carrying it had a full view of them.
32. Wrote there cupon the stones. In like manner it might be said that
Upon comparing this with the injunc- a great crowd in a funeral were betion, Deut. 27. 2-7, it appears quite fore the bearers and pall-bearers, if
obvious that in addition to the altar they stood full in their view.-  -
they were required also to erect a f Over against noulnt Gerzzims and
number of stone pillars, and that the over against mownt Ebal. For an
writing was to be done upon the pil- account of these mountains see on
lars, instead of upon the altar, for Deut. 11. 29.  The two divisioms
9




198                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
the servant of the LORD had  ones, and  ethe  strangers that
commanded  before, that they were conversant among them.
should bless the people of Israel.
34 And afterward b he read all          CHAPTER  IX.
the words of the law,  the bless-  AIND it came to pass, when
ings and cursings, according to         all the kings which were
all that is written in the book on this side Jordan, in the hills,
of the law.                       and in the valleys, and in all the
35 There was not a word of coasts of athe great sea over
all that  Moses  commanded, against Lebanon, bthe Hittite,
which Joshua read not before and the Amorite, the Canaanite,
all the congregation of Israel, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and
dwith the women, and the little the Jebusite heard thereof;
2 That they  gathered them
b Deut. 31. 11. Neh. 8. 3. c Deut. 28. 2,
15, 45, and 29. 20, 21, and 30. 19. d Deut.  a Numb. 34. 6. b Exod. 3. 17, and 23. 23.
31. 12. e ver. 33.                c Ps. 83.3, 5.
seem not to have stood upon the sum- sent, giving a solemn and heedful
mit of the mountains, but were ranged attention to what was read. Childalong their base and some way up ren would be deeply impressed by
their sides, that they might be nearer the solemnities of the scene, and a
the ark, which occupied the valley salutary fear of offending God would
between, and more conveniently hear sink into their tender hearts.-~ T  The
the reading of the law. -T     That strangers that were conversantamong
they should bless thepeople. And curse them. HIeb. ~t~l8; 315~1 1  ~  haugger
also, though the last is not expressly hahOlek bekirbaem, the stranger that
mentioned; it is however plainly to walked  among  them.  Proselytes,
be inferred, both from the original No other strangers can well be supcommand of Moses, Deut. 27. 13, and posed to have been present at this
from  the phraseology of the next time.
verse.
34. And afterward he read. That         CHAPTER  IX.
is, he commanded the priests or Le-   1. On this side Jordan. The west
vites to read, as is evident from Deut. side; where the children of Israel
27. 14. In innumerable instances in now were, and where the writer was
the Scriptures, a person is said to do at the time of penning this narrative.
that which he orders or procures to -IT Heard thereof. That is, of the
be done.-~ I The words of the law, remarkable events which had transthe blessings and cursirngs. All the pired since the Israelites had entered
sanctiqns of the law; from which Canaan; of the sacking of Jericho
and from v. 35, it would seem that and Ai, and of their being now asmuch more was read on this occasion sembled together at Mouv; Ebal.
than was written on the stones.     2. They gathered themoelves together
35. With the women aend little ones. to fight. - Entered into a league,
It was a word that concerned all, and agreed to form  a confederacy.  It
all of all sexes and ages were pre- does not appear that they actually




B. C'. 1451.]           CHAPTERP  IX.                            99
se,,rves togtther, to fight with   3 IT And when the inhabitants
Jo.4:isua and with Israel, with one of d Gibeon e heard what Joshua
accolrd.                          had done unto Jerichoand to Ai,
d ch. 10. 2. 2 Sam. 21. 1, 2. e ch. 6. 27.
united their forces at this time, but unite against the common enemies
they now  consulted  together and of God's kingdom among men.
agreed to do it. Subsequent events,   3. The inhabitants of Gibeon. Gibhowever, seem  to have deranged eon was a city of the Hlivites, probatheir plans, and prevented a combined bly its capital. In the division of the
attack till some time afterwards.- land it fell to the tribe of Benjamin,
In this conduct we see, as in a glass, and was situated on a hill about six
the strange infatuation of the wicked! miles north of Jerusalem. At the
Though seeing and feeling that the present time, a small village called
hand of God is unquestionably. Geeb, occupies the site of the ancient
against them, yet, instead of repent- city. The inhabitants of this place
ing and humbiling themselves before declined entering into the alliance
him, these devoted kings, who, like offensive and defensive above menAhaz,'in their distress trespassed tioned. This might have been owing
yet more against the Lord,' madly to their form  of government, which
seek by power and policy to counter- left more scope for the good sense of
act and defeat his designs!' Thou the people. Had they had a king,
hast stricken them, but they have of which we nowhere read, he would
not grieved; thou hast consumed probably have been induced, in the
them, but they have refused to receive pride of his heart, to join the concorrection; they have made their federacy; but this city, with the three
faces harder than a rock.'-~f With others mentioned v. 17, seem to have
one accord. Heb. l'rtt biy phA ehdd, been governed by elders or senators,
with one mouth; expressive of their v. 11, who consulted the common
entire unanimity in the measure. safety more than their own personal
Though of different clans, having dignity. In this case of the Gibeondifferent interests, and doubtless here- ites, we may see a striking instance
tofore often at variance with one of the different effects produced by
another, yet they are ready to make the same tidings upon differentminds.
common cause against the people of The news of the victorious progress
God, showing that the hatred of the of Israel excites the several kings to
righteous is one of the strongest bonds resistance, but moves the Gibeonites
of union between wicked men.' And to think of making peace with their
the same day Pilate and Herod were invaders. In the same manner the
made friends together; for before Gospel message is a savor of life to
they were at enmity between them- some, and of death to others. Some
selves.'  What an admonition to it irritates and provokes to deadly
Christians to cease from dissension, and self-destructive opposition, others
to give up their petty feuds and ani- it softens, melts, persuades to surrenmosities, to sacrifice party interests der, and brings to saving repentance.
to the public welfare, and cordially In such a difference Divine sover



100                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
4 They did work wilily, and sacks  upon  their  asses, and
went and made as if they had wine-bottles, old, and rent, and
)een ambassadors, and took old bound up;
eignty must be acknowledged, though them. They should have acknow.
the obstinately impenitent are left ledged that it was their heinous sins
without excuse.                   which were at the bottom of all their
4. They did work wvilily. Heb. troubles; and having humbled them-'they also did work wilily,' i. e. cun- selves in deep repentance, and trustningly, shrewdly, craftily. The term  ing to Providence for the issue, should' also,' which is omitted in our trans- have come to the Israelites, and simlation, but occurs in the original, ply submitted themselves without opcarries in it a reference to the course position or fraud, and there is every
adopted by the Canaanitish kings. reason to believe theywould have been
They adopted the measures which spared, as Rahab and her relations
seemed to them the wisest and most had been. Lying and hypocrisy alpolitic, under the circumstances. In ways defeat themselves in the long
like manner the Gibeonites also de- run; their success is only temporary,
termined to exercise their ingenuity while truth and honesty will always
in the present emergency, but they ultimately redound to the safety,
had recourse to a subtle stratagem, prosperity, and happiness of those
entirey different from the more open, who adhere to them. —IT As if they
straightforward, but ruinous course had been ambassadors. The root of
pursued by their neighbors. As to the I 12 tzir, ambassador, properly demoral character of this device of the notes a hinge; because an ambassaGibeonites, we can only say of it, as dor is a person upon whom the busiour Saviour said of the unjust stew- ness of his embassy turns as upon a
ard,'they acted wisely in their gene- hinge. So the Latin cardinalis, carration;' they did what the common dinal, from cardo, a hinge, was the
maxims of mere worldly prudence title of the prime minister of the erndictatedunder the circumstances, and peror Theodosius; but it is now apyet their fraud and prevarication can- plied only to the Pope's electors and
not be justified, nor have we any rea- counsellors, though the original reason to think they fared so well by em- son probably holds with equal force
ploying it, as they would have done here too. They are the hinges upon
without it. A more simple and up- which the vast and complicated inright course would undoubtedly have terests of the Papacy turn. See Note
secured to them far greater advan- on the'lords' and'princes' (Heb.
tages. Some correct notions of the axles) of the Philistines, ch. 13. 3.
God of Israel they had certainly form-.-9   Took old sacks.' Of course they
ed, v. 9, 10, and these should have profess to do what they would actuprompted some other expedient than ally have done had they really come
that of lying and deceit. They should from a distant place. Hence we learn
have followed up the little light they that at this time little accommodation
had, and inquired into the procuring except that of lodging, if that, was
causes of God's severity against expected upon a journey, and that




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  IX.                           101
5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garevery one carried provisions and and all those who lead a wandering
drink with him, as at present. This life, keep their water, milk, and other
rendered necessary their sacks, doubt- liquors in leathern bottles.  They
less for containing their provisions keep more fresh in them than in any
and baggage.  All travellers now  other way.  These. leathern bottles'
carry sacks with them for such pur- are made of goat skins. When the
poses. If they can afford it, these animal is killed they cut off its feet
sacks are large, containing a strange and its head, and then draw it out
assortment of articles-of dress, bed- of the skin, which is thus left nearly
ding, food, and even of pots and pans whole.  They afterwards sew up
for cooking the necessary meals. the places where the legs and the tail
These are usually carried on ani- were cut off, and when it is filled
mals hired for the purpose, or on the they tie it about the neck. These
animal which the servant, if any, nations and the country people of
rides.  A poorer traveller reduces Persia never go a journey without a
his baggage to narrower limits, so small leathern bottle of water hangthat he wants but small bags, which, ing by their side like a scrip. These
being thrown over the back of his bottles are frequently rent, when old
ass or mule, he rides upon himself. and much used; but they are capaThose who have but one ass to carry ble of being repaired.  This they
themselves and baggage, frequently do  sometimes  by putting  in  a
dismount and walk a considerable piece, sometimes by gathering up the
part of the way to relieve their wounded place in the manner of a
beasts.  This may account for the purse; sometimes they put in a round
manner in which the clothes and flat piece of wood, and by these
shoes of the Gibeonites were'supposed means stop the hole. Similar bottles
to have been worn out by long tra- are still used in Spain, and are callvel, although they had asses on ed borrachas. See Bierder's Orient.
which to ride. The bags which tra- Cust., vol. i., p. 54.
velfers use are commonly of stout   5. Old shoes and louted. This latwoollen cloth or carpeting, some- ter epithet, in the time of Shakspeare,
times strengthened with leather to when applied to shoes, meant such
keep out the wet. Bags of hair cloth as had nails driven into the soles to
are also sometimes used for this pur- strengthen them. (Cymb., Act IV.,
pose, and almost always for carrying Sc. 2.) In this sense it may be derived
the corn and chopped straw for the from the French word clou, a nail.
cattle.' Psct. Bib. —~r And wine But this does not seem to correspond
bottles, old, &c. Pretending to have well with the original,which is a dericome from a very distant country, vative from a root signifying to spot,
and that their sacks and the skins to patch, to spotwith patches. For this
that served them for carrying their reason itis supposed byAdam Clarke,
wine and water were worn out by with much plausibility, to come from
the length of the journey. Sir John the old Saxon clut, a clout, a rag, or
Chardin informs us that the Arabs, small piece of clotli, used for piecing
9*




102                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
ments upon them; and all the said unto him, and to the men
bread of their provision was dry of Israel, We be come from  a
and mouldy.                       far  country:  now  therefore
6 And they went to Joshua make ye a league with us.
funto the camp at Gilgal, and                  f ch. 5. 10.
or patching. This makes our pre- dom used till previously soaked in
sent version to express very precisely water. The bread of the Gibeonites
the spirit of the original. As their may have been something of this
shoes or sandals were made of skins sort. There is another kind of bread,
in those early ages, it means that which will keep as well, or better.
those they now wore were in a mise- This is the thin broad sheet of crisp
rable tattered condition, having been wafer-bread, as thin as wrapping
often patched, pieced, or mended.-    paper, the preparation of which has
~ The bread of their provision was been described in the note to Lev. 2.
dry and mouldy.  Heb. ~t)'1    nik- 4.  But this is seldom used for a
kftdim, pricked, i. e. spotted, speckled; journey, being speedily reduced to
bread marked with spots of mould, powder by the action in travelling.'
to which the original term is here Pict. Bib.
applied.' The bread commonly used   6. And to the men of Israel. Heb.
in the East is calculated to last only 5   I'I e'R ish Yisrail, the man or
for the day on which it is baked; manhood of Israel; collect. sing. for
in a day or two more it becomes ex- plur. Not to the whole body of the'ceedingly hard and unfit for use. people, but to the heads, elders, or
This common bread could not there- princes of the congregation, v. 15-21,
fore be that usually employed for who in all important matters acted in
daily food, for then its dry condition the name of the rest. In this sense,
would not serve as an indication of as a term of eminence or dignity, the
the length of the journey they had original  mIR ish, nman, is often used.
taken. It must rather have been a -SMake ye a league with us. Heb.
sort of bread which will keep a con- rn'It' Vti  kzr'tho berith, cuLt a covesiderable time, though it does ulti- naant with us; on which see Notes
mately become hard and mouldy. on Gen. 15. 10. The assertion that
They have such bread in the East, they came from  a far country, is
the use'of which is almost exclu- made as a reason for the Israelites
sively confined to travellers. It is a complying with their request. From.Kind of biscuit, usually made in the v. 24 it appears that they were well
shape of large rings, nearly an inch acquainted with the Divine mandate.hick, and four or five inches in di- in regard to the destruction of the
ameter.  The bread is, when new, devoted nations, and they may have
very firm, and rather crisp when heard of the exception mentioned
oroken; but, not being so well pre- Deut. 20. 15 in favor of the cities
tared as our biscuits, it becomes which were very far off, and which
gradually harder, and at last mouldy were not of the cities of these na.
brom the moisture which the baking tions.  Of this exception they in.
nad left in it. In general it is sel- tended to take advantage.




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  IX.                           103
7 And the men of Israel said 8 And they said unto Joshua,
unto the gHivites, Peradventure iWe  are  thy  servants.  And
ye dwell among us; and hhow  Joshua said  unto  them, Who
shall we make a league with are ye? and from whence come
you?                             ye?
ch. 11. 19. h Exod. 23. 32. Deut. 7.2,  9 And  they  said  unto him,
and 20. 16. Judg. 2. 2.                i Deut. 20. 11. 2 Kings 10. 6.
7. And the men of Israel.  Heb. submit to any terms you may see fit
~[q~  w1ZsI1 ve-ish Yisrael, and the to propose.  Fix your cwn condiman of Israel; i. e. the elders or tions, even should they require us to
princes, as above.-   Said uqnto the become your tributaries and bondHivites. Heb.' the Hivite.' This is men for life. They clogged their purthe first intimation of the particular pose with no reservations.  They
nation to which the Gibeonites be- surrendered themselves unconditionlonged. In Josh. 11. 19 it is stated still ally to the mercy of Joshua and the
more expressly.- IT Peradventure princes of Israel. Liberty, property,
ye dwell among us. Heb. Ebb be- military renown, were all merged in
kirbi,'dwell in my midst.'  They the paramount desire for preservaspeak, in the confidence of faith, as tion from  the edge of the sword.
if they were already actual possess- They did not appeal to the avarice
ors and occupants, old settled inha- of Israel, as the Shechamites and
bitants, of the region which God Samaritans, in after days, appealed
had covenanted to give them.-   to that of Ishmael, the son of NeheITAndhow shallwemake a leaguewith miah, Jer. 41. 8,'Slay us not, for
you?  Seeing God has expressly for- we have treasures in the field, of
bidden our forming any such alli- wheat, and of barley, and of oil,
ance, Ex. 23. 31; 31.; 34. 12. Deut. and of honey;' but they made an
7. 2. They speak as acting entirely unlimited offering of themselves, and
according to orders, and as having of their possessions, to be dealt with
no discretion in the case; and by as Joshua might choose.'All that
putting their answer into the form  a man hath will he give for his life.'
of a question do virtually appeal to How worthless then should any sathe consciences, the innate sense of crifice appear, compared with the
right, of these heathen people, for life of the soul! One thing is needthe propriety of their conduct in re- ful; that secured, the rest is of but
fusing. A contrary course even the little value.- IT Whto are ye? and
Gibeonites themselves knew was not from whence come ye? Probably this
even to be thought of. Some duties very intimation of such unconditional
are so obvious that we may unhesi- submission tended to excite the sustatingly take it for granted that the picions of Joshua, especially as they
consciences of the worst of men do were so backward to name the counreally side with us in regard to them. try from whence they came.
8. We are thy servants. We are   9. Because of the name of the Lord
willing to make any concessions; do thy God..Because of what we have
but grant our request, and we will heard of that name; because of the




104                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451.
kFrom  a very far country thy all the inhabitants of our coun.
servants are come, because of try spake to us, saying, Take
the name of the LORD thy God: victuals with you for the jour
for we have'heard the fame of ney, and go to meet them, and
him, and  all that he did  in say unto them, We are your
Egypt,                            servants: therefore now  make
10 And mall that he did to the ye a league with us:
two kings of the Amorites, that  12 This our bread we took hot
were beyond Jordan, to Sihon for our provision out of our
king of Heshbon, and to  Og houses on  the day we came
king of Bashan, which was at forth to go unto you; but now,
Ashtaroth.                        behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
11 Wherefore our elders, and   13 And these bottles of wine
k Deut. 20. 15.  Ex. 15. 14. Josh. 2. 10. which we filled, were new, and
m Num. 21. 24, 33.
reverence with which it has inspired lar form of government.- -   Go to
us; and because we are convinced meet tlem.  Had they deferred till
that it is above every name. They the Israelites came to the gates of
pretend to have been moved mainly their cities, it would have been too
by religious motives in taking this late; their yielding themselves up
journey, which was in part doubtless would have been of no avail. So
true, but it was truth mixed with the way to avoid a judgment is to
both falsehood and hypocrisy. This meet it by repentance. Sinners should
pretence, however, was one well cal- imitate the example of these Gibeculated to prevail with the Israelites, onites, and while God, who is comfor those who are guileless them- ing to make war against them,'is
selves are least suspicious of guile yet a great way off, should send an
in others, and nothing wins more ambassage and desire conditions of
upon the simple-heartedness of good peace.' We have as clear evidence
men than the appearance of piety of God's determination to destroy
and devotion where it was little or all the ungodly, as the Gibeonites
not at all expected.-.~f All that he had of his purpose to root out the
did in Egypt.  They artfully con- Canaanites.  Let us learn then of
fine themselves to the mention of these heathens; learn to come to Jeevents that happened a long time sus ere it be too late. Let us not
ago, avoiding any allusion to those stay till besieged by sickness and
of more recent occurrence, such as death. Nor let us come covering
the dividing of Jordan and the de- our design with falsehoods, but construction of Jericho and Ai, as if fessing the whole truth. In the old
willing to have it believed that they and tattered garments of our native
lived so far off that the tidings of vileness we mnay come. Christ, the
them had not yet reached their ears. true Joshua, will receive us and
11. Wherefore oxr elders,-spake to make with us a league of life and
us. Another evidence that they did peace; but let us come saying at first
not live under a kingly but a popu- as they did after their imposture was




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  IX.                              105
behold they be rent: and these  victuals,  and asked not counsel
our garments and our shoes are  at the mouth of the LORD.
become  old by reason of the   15 And Joshua ~made peace
very long journey.                   nNumb.  21. Isai. 30.1, 2. See Judg.
14 And the men took of their 1. 1. 1 Sam. 22. 10, and 23. 10, 11, and 30.
8. 2 Sam. 2. 1, and 5. 19. o ch. 11. 19. 2
Sam. 21. 2.
discovered,'Behold, we are in thine the circumstance is mentioned here
hand: as it seemeth good and right as a severereflectionupon the princes
unto thee to do unto us, do.'       of Israel for neglect of duty, for
14. And the men took of their vic- rashness, credulity, and impolicy.
tuals. Chal.'And the men assented They rushed precipitately into an
to their words, and consulted not the alliance which they had no right to
oracle of God.'  By the' men' are form without the express sanction of
meant those who are elsewhere term- Jehovah, and their'lips became a
ed the princes of the congregation, snare to their souls.' In like manner
v. 18. 19. They took the victuals how often do men now involve them
into their hands not to eat of them, selves in dangers and difficulties,
but to satisfy themselves of the truth  and hedge up their own way with
of their statement.  Some suppose troubles, because they ask not counthe meaning to be that they ate to- sel at the mouth of the Lord. They
gether with the Gibeonites in token listen with a yielding ear to plausiof friendship, as is still common in ble representations, hurry forward in
the East, but this is less likely, espe- their chosen  schemes, and enter
cially as the words may be rendered, heedlessly into doubtful connexions' they received the men by reason of without weighing the consequences.
their victuals.' —~r And asked not But sooner or later we shall find that
counsel at the mou6tA of the Lord. no business or interest truly prospers
That is, instead of asking as they in which we engage without the
ought to have done at the lips of the counsel and approbation of Heaven,
high priest, whose duty it was to in- and with shame and sorrow shall
quire through the medium  of the seek to him  to retrieve the evils
Urim  and Thummim, Ex. 28. 30; which our rashness has procured.
Num. 27. 21; 1 Sam. 30. 7, 8. It is Let it then be engraven upon the tabby no means certain, if they had lets of our hearts, that no proposed
sought the Divine direction, that course of conduct can be so clear to a
they would have been commanded  Christian as to excuse him from the
to reject the suit of the Gibeonites duty of seeking direction front above.
and show  them  no mercy.  The    15. Joshua nade peace with them,
probability is, that upon any of the &c. Agreed to receive them  into
devoted nations voluntarily coming a friendly connexion with the Israforward, professing repentance, re- elites, and to respect their lives and
nouncing idolatry, and embracing property. It has been doubted by
the true religion, the Israelites would  sorme whether the  Israelites were
have been authorized by God to spare bound by an oath that had been obtheir lives. See on ch. 11. 19.. But tained from them by means of a gross




106                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
with them, and made a league cities on the third day.  Now
with them, to let them live: and their cities were p Gibeon, and
the princes of the congregation  Chephirah, and  Beeroth, and
sware unto them.                  Kirjath-jearim.
16 I And it came to pass at  18 And the children of Israel
the end of three days after they  smote them  not, qbecause the
had made a league with them, princes of the congregation had
that they heard that they were sworn unto them  by the LORD
their neighbors, and that they  God of Israel.  And all the condwelt among them.                 gregation murmured against the
17 And the children of Israel princes.
journeyed, and came unto their   P ch 1. 25, 26,28. Ezra2. 25. q Eccles.
5. 2. Ps. 15. 4.
imposition. But it is plain that they ought we to feel the force of those
thought themselves solemnly bound compacts and promises which are
by it, and were apprehensive that wholly lawful and right!  How
the wrath of God would fall upon religiously and scrupulously should
them if they broke it. That they were every promise be performed!
right in this, and that their adherence   16. That they dwelt among them.
to their oath was acceptable to God, Heb. q~   bekirbo, dwelt in his
is to be inferred, (1) From his ex- midst, collect. sing., the very thing
pressing no displeasure at the time, which Joshua feared, and of which
and from the subsequent tenor of his he hinted his suspicion, v. 7.' They
dealings towards them, which was that suffer themselves to be deceived
kind, and favorable, not implying re- by the wiles of Satan, will soon be
buke, nor savoring of disapprobation. undeceived to their confusion, and
(2) From the fact that he long after- will find that to be near, even at the
wards severely avenged the wrong door, which they imagined was very
done by Saul to the Gibeonites in far off.' Henry.
violation of this treaty. Let us learn   17. And the children of Israel jourfrom this the binding nature of an neyed and came unto their cities, &c.
oath. It lays a bond upon the soul This might better be rendered,'For
from which we cannot be released. when the children of Israel journeyEven when an oath has been taken ed, they came unto their cities.' Acwhich it is unlawful to keep, still we cording to the present translation they
are not to consider that it is a light learnt the fraud practised upon them.
matter to dispense with it, or that we some days before they arrived at
stand in the sight of God just where their cities.  The contrary suppowe did before it was taken.  We sition seems the most probable, and
have in fact laid upon ourselves a we presume the 17th verse is inload of obligation which he only can tended to inform us how they became
take off. It is he only who, in view  possessed of the information men
of our unfeigned repentance for hav- tioned in the 16th.
ing taken it, can relieve the con-   18. The congregationt murmured.
science of the awful burden which Principally, no doubt, because they
rests upon it. How much more then were deprived of the spoils of the




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  XI.                         107
19 But all the  princes said r wrath be upon us, because of
unto all the congregation, We the oath which we sware unto
have sworn unto them  by the them.
LORD God of Israel: now there-  21 And the princes said unto
fore we may not touch them.   them, Let them  live; but let
20 This we will do to them; them be'hewers of wood, and
we will even let them live, lest  r See 2 Sam 21. 1, 2, 6. Ezek. 17. 13, 15,
18,19. Zech. 5. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 5. s Deut. 29.11
Gibeonites. Though they did sub- to interfere with or prevent their demit to the restraints laid upon them  struction.' But he would not resort
by this league, yet it was with an ill to any shifts or quibbles to elude the
grace; they were vexed to have their oath.  Like the good man of the
hands thus tied by their rulers, and Psalmist, though he had sworn to
vented their disaffection in the most his own hurt, he would not change.
unequivocal manner. Some of them, Having made a solemn compact, he
however, might have honestly re- would abide by it at all events. If
sented what they deemed a flagrant he had now broken his covenant the
breach of the Divine commandment, whole people of Canaan would have
There is often, nay generally, more represented him as a violator of his
conscience and principle among the engagements; it was therefore better
common class of the people, than to fulfil his agreement, however hasty
among those placed in authority over and ill-advised, than by departing
them, although this remark is not to from it to give occasion to the enebe Construed to the disparagement mies of God to blaspheme. His anof Joshua.                       swer takes it for granted that the
19. We have sworn unto them. sentiments of the people accorded
Chal.' We have sworn to them by with his own as to the solemn oblithe Word of the Lord.' They plead gations now resting upon them.neither the lawfulness nor the pru- ITMay not touch them. May not hurt
dence of the oath, but only its obli- or injure them. For this sense of
gation when taken.  Although they the word see Gen. 26. 11; Ruth 2. 9;
had been deceived in the business, Job 1. 11; Ps. 105. 15; Zech. 2. 8.
and the covenant had been made on Chal.' May not give them damage.
a supposition which waz afterwards -1T  We will even let them live
proved to be false, yet having sworn  Chal.'We will make them to sur
by Jehovah, they did not feel at li- vive.'
berty to break their compact. It has   21. And the princes said unto them.
been suggested that Joshua might Rather'said concerning them,' as the
have taken advantage of their own original for -'unto' often signifies.
words to annul the treaty, and said See on Gen. 20. 2.-~-Let them be ewto them,' Ye are come, according to ers of wood and drawers of water. Let
your own statement, from  a far them be taken at their word, v. 8, and
country; but these cities are near at made public servants, to be employhand; theirinhabitants therefore are ed in the most menial offices and
not the people with whom we have drudgeries which the service of the
covenanted, and ye have nothing to do sanctuary might require. The ex




108                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451,
drawers of water unto all the saying, Wherefore have ye becongregation;  as the princes guiled us, saying, u We are very
had tpromised them.               far from you; when xye dwell
22 IT And Joshua called for among us?
them, and he spake unto them,  23  Now   therefore  ye  are
t ver. 15.                   u ver. 6. 9. x ver. 16.
pression is proverbial for the low- them with the result.' He does not
est and most servile employments of load them with ill names, does not
whatever kind, as appears from Deut. give them any harsh, provoking lan.
29. 10, 11, where Moses thus recites guage, does not call them, as they dethe order of the different classes of served to be called, base liars, but
the people,' Ye stand this day all of only asks them, "Why have ye beyou before the Lord your God; your guiled us'" Under the greatest procaptains of your tribes, your elders, vocations it is our wisdom and duty
and your officers, with all the men to keep our temper and to bridle our
of Israel, your little ones, your passion; a just cause needs not anwives, and thy stranger that is in ger to defend it, and a bad one is
thy'camp, from the hewer of thywood, made never the better by it.' Henr'y.
unto the drawer of thy water.'-    23. Now  therefose ye are cursed.
af Unto all the congregation. To all Ye shall be subjected to a severe cathe congregation considered as one lamity. Ye shall pay a bitter pengreat worshipping body, whose reli- alty for your deception. Ye shall
gious rites were concentrated at one subject yourselves and your children
place, and not to all the several fami- to the curse of a degrading bondage,
lies in their private capacity, as re- and thereby shall the ancient denunsiding in their tents.  They were to ciation against your ancestor be fulbe made public and not private ser- filled;-' Cursed be Canaan, a servants.-  TAccording as the princes vant of servants shall he be.' Had
had promised them.  Rather, HIeb. they dealt fairly and ingenuously'had purposed, ordained, fixed upon with Israel, their lives would no
concerning them;' that is, in a previ- doubt have been spared on more faous consultation. The whole verse, vorable and honorable terms. As it
however, as it stands in the original, was, however, it cannot be doubted
is exceedingly intricate, and com- that their punishment was overruled
mentators are very much divided as and turned to a signal blessing to
to its true construction. It would them.  They were hereby brought
seem from  the next verse that no- into a situation where they would nathing had as yet been said directly turally acquire the knowledge of the
to the Gibeonites.               true God and of his revealed will,
22. Wherefore have ye beguiled us? were made to dwell in the courts of
The mode of their treatment having the Lord's house, were honored with
been previously resolved upon in a near access to h.imi in the services of
council of the elders or princes of the sanctuary, and thus placed in cirthe nation, Joshua now summons cumstances eminently favorable to
them into his presence and acquaints their spiritual and eternal interests,




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  IX.                            109
Ycursed, and there shall none of mnanded his servant Moses to
you be freed from  being bond- give you all the land, and to demen, and zhewers of wood and stroy all the inhabitants of the
drawers of water for the house land from before you, therefore
of my God.                         b we were sore afraid of our lives
24 And they answered Joshua, because of you, and have done
and said, Because it was cer- this thing
tainly  told thy  servants, how   25 And now, behold, we are
that the LORD thy God acom- Cin thine hand: as it seemeth
Y Gen. 9. 25. z ver. 21. 27. a Exod. 23.
32. Deut. 7. 1, 2.
32. Deui. 7. 1f, 2.b Exod. 15. 14 cGen. 16. 6.
If David could say,'I had rather be been performed by the Gibeonites,:- door-keeper in the house of my would have devolved upon the IsraTod, than to dwell in the tents of elites, and that too upon the men, and
wickedness,' surely these poor be- not the women of the congregation,
nighted heathen may well have es- for only males were employed about
teemed their lot a blessing, hard and the sanctuary.- 9  For the house of
toilsome and humble as it was. They nmy God. Chal.'For the sanctuary
are supposed to have been afterwards of my God,' spoken primarily of the
called Nethinim, i. e. persons given, tabernacle, which was at that time
dedicated, consecrated to the service the seat of worship, but with an ulteof the sanctuary and the assistance rior reference to the temple which
of the Levites. See v. 27; 1 Chron. should be afterwards erected.
9. 2. —— r  There shall none of you be   24. And they answered, &c. The
freed from  being bondmen.  Heb. words in which they make reply are
A'mp t=)7r  are N;  1o yikklareth mik- well weighed. It is a delicate and
kem bbld, there shall not be cut off very cogent appeal to the humanfroms you a servant; i. e. the line of ity and piety of Israel. They offer
servitude shall be kept up; a sen- the best excuse for themselves which
tence by which the bondage imposed their conduct would admit. They
upon them should be entailed upon attempt not to justify their prevaricatheir posterity. Mr. Harmer under- tion, but in effect beg pardon for it;
takes to show from Shaw and other pleading that it was purely to save
travellers, that these were the em- their lives that they had recourse to
ployments of females in the East, and it. No one who feels the force of
that consequently the bitterness of the law of self-preservation but must
their doom consisted not so much in make great allowances for them, esbeing subjected to a laborious ser- pecially as they were not prompted
vice, as in being degraded from the by the fear of man, but of God himcharacteristic employments of men self, whom nothing can resist.
to those of women. There may be   25. We are in thine hand. Chal.
some force in this remark as applied'I We are delivered into thine hand.'
to domestic civil life, but here the In thy power, at thy disposal, having
case is different_ it is certain that nothing'more to say for ourselves.
these menial services, if they had not — 11 As it seemeth good and right
10




110                       JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
good and right unto thee to do gregation and for the altar of the
unto us, do.                     LORD, even unto this day, in
26 And so did he unto them, the  place  which  he  should
and delivered them  out of the choose.
hand of the children of Israel,
that they slew them not.                 CHAPTER  X.
27 And Joshua  made  them  N0OW  it came to pass, when
that day d hewers of wood and 1'  Adoni-zedek king of Jerudrawers of water for the con- salem  had heard how  Joshua
d ver. 21, 23.                    e Deut. 12. 5.
unto thee-do. Whatever justice and which he should choose. That is, the
mercy dictate to thee to do unto us, place which he should choose for his
that perform.  They expect justice sanctuary, whether it were the taberbecause they deceived the Israelites; nacle or temple; for here were their
yet they hope for mercy because they services more especially, though not
were driven to this expedient for fear exclusively, to be bestowed.  They
of losing their lives. This willing were not to keep possession of their
submission of the Gibeonites may be cities, for we afterwards find that
improved by us. They accounted it three of them fell to the lot of Benno great matter to cede their cities, jamin, and one to that of Judah;
and to spend their days in servitude, nor were they to be at their own disseeing God had spared their lives. posal, but were most of them probaAnd shall we think much of.sacri- bly dispersed through the cities of
ficing any temporal interests, or of the priests and Levites, and came up
performing any self-denying duties, with them in their courses to serve at
when we have reason to think that the altar, out of the revenues of which
God has spared the life of our souls I. they were doubtless maintained.
If we look for mercy at the hands
of Jesus, all that we have and are       CHAPTER  X.
must be the Lord's. We must be   1. Adoni-zedek. This name, sigwilling to be anything and do any- nifying lord of righteousness, is very
thing that he appoints for us.   nearly akin to that of Melchizedek,
26. And so did he unto them. That king of righteousness, who reigned
is, he dealt with them according to at the same place upwards of 400
justice and mercy; he delivered years before. He might have been
them out of the hands of the people, a descendant as well as successor of
who would fain have slain them, and this distinguished personage, or the
yet he doomed them to servitude as name, in one form or the other, may
a just retribution for their offence.   have been common, like Pharaoh in
26. And Joshua made them, &c. Egypt, orAbimelech in Gerar, to the
Heb. 1t=1  yittenam, gave them, royal line. How the epithet rightwhence the epithet i'rct nethinim, eous came to be connected with the
given, Lat. dediti or deodati, applied title of the kings of this remarkable
to them Ezra 2. 43, 58  8. 20; Neh. city it is not possible now to deter3.26. See on v. 21.-  f In the place mine.  Viewed in connexion with




B. C. 1451.]              CHAPTER  X.                             11
had taken Ai, and had utterly and Chow the inhabitants of
destroyed it; "as he had done Gibeon had made peace with
to Jericho  and her king, so he  Israel, and were among them;
had done to bAi and her king;  2 That they d feared greatly,
c ch. 9. 15. d Exod. 15. 14, 15, 16. Deut.
a ch. 6. 21. bch. 8. 22 26, 28.  11. 25_.
its subsequent history, it must be re- which Abraham  saw in the future
garded as not a little remarkable, sacrifice that was to be offered up in
though from the case of this individ- the latter day on that same memoraual it does not appear to have been ble mount or in its immediate vicinialways a true index of the character ty. Moriah, one of the mountains
of him who bore it.-1~ King of Je- of Jerusalem, signifying vision of
rusalem. The name Jeru'salem here God, is derived from the same root,
occurs for the first time in the scrip- and was probably so called for the
tures. The original designation of same reason.  After coming into the
the city seems to have been Salem, possession of the Jebusites, it was
Gen. 14. 18; Ps. 76. 2, as it was called occasionally called Jebus, Josh. 18.
in the time of Melchizedek, though 28; Judg. 19. 10, 11, from the inhawhether he were its founder is alto- bitants, but it seems never to have
gether uncertain. It was afterwards been familiarly known by that appelcalled ~}l2'l1   Yerusshalayim, Jerus- lation among the Israelites.  It is
salem, a name supposed to be com- probable that the city retained in the
pounded of WIf'" yiri' (from  t[q~ main the name of Salem, which it'haae, to see), and hteZ shclam, peace, had in the days of Abraham, till the
and signifying vision of peace, or Israelites came into the land of Camore literally, they shall see peace, in naan, and that it was called JeruLsa.
prophetic allusion to the gospel of  lem by them when they first took pospeace, which was afterwards to issue session of it. Consequently it is so
from thence. Reland, Schultens and called by anticipation in this place.
others, it is true, derive it from l1'  It was doubtless overruled in proviyerfusA and ltpI shiAlam, possession of dence that a name should be bestowpeace, but we prefer the former, and ed on the place pre-intimating the
are not unwilling to believe, with nature of the glorious events bywhich
Masius, that the name carries in it a it was afterwards to be distinguished.
latent reference to the incident men- — ~ Had utterly destroyed.  Heb.
tioned, and thewords employed Gen.;72 ~ ya'harimah, had  made a
22. 14,'And Abraham  called the curse, had devoted.'-~ Were among
name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as them. Had made alliance with them,
it is said to this day, In the mount of had come over to their interest, had
the Lord it shall be seen.' The He- put themselves under their protecbrew i-iqI"?yireh or jireh, seems to tion, and so were entitled henceforth
have been affixed to the ancient de- to dwell together with them in the
nomination Salem, and thus to have country without being exterminated
formed the word Jetsusalem, mysti- or disturbed.
cally pointing to the vision of peace   2. That taey feared greatly. He




112                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
because Gibeon was a great phia king of Lachish, and unto
city, as one of the royal cities, Debir king of Eglon, saying,
and because it was greater than   4 Come up unto me, and help
Ai, and all the men thereof were me, that we may smite Gibeon e
mighty.                            e for it hath made peace with
3 Wherefore Adoni-zedek king Joshua and with the children of
of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham  Israel.
king of Hebron, and unto Piram 5 Therefore the five kings of
king of Jarmuth, and unto Ja-               e ver. 1. ch. 9. 15.
and his people; from  which it ap- buke of the despotism that prevailed
pears that under the term' king' in among themselves. But their avowthe preceding verse we are to under- ed motive undoubtedly was to punish
stand also the people whom  he re- the citizens of Gibeon for making
presented.-:' As one of the royal peace with Joshua, as if they had
cities.  Heb.          Shh'1 r   thereby acted the part of traitors to
kea'hath &rai haramamikdkdh, as one the country and greatly strengthened
of the cities of the kingdom. Not that the common enemy. In this incident
it was actually a royal city, the seat we see what usually takes place when
of a king, but it was like one, being any of the enemies of Christ submit
a capital city and  having  others themselves to him. Their former
subordinate to it, ch. 9. 7.  Chal. friends and companions consider'"As one of the cities of the kingdoms.' them as deserters from their standIt was great, well inhabited, and well ard, and are often bitterly exasperatfortified, after the manner of those ed against them.'He that departeth
cities which served for royal resi- from evil maketh himself a prey.'
dences. But they were undoubtedly Or if their opposition does not amount
a small but. powerfifl republic, gov- to actual enmity, it will at least show
erned by elders, as we hear nothing itself in a way of contempt and ridihere or elsewhere of their having a cule. Satan too is indignant at losking. See on ch. 9. 3.            ing one of his vassals; and not only
3. WherTefore  Adoni-zedek  sent. stimulates his subjects to commence
Because he was most exposed to dan- hostilities against them, but labors by
ger, Jerusalem being only six miles all possible wiles and devices to bring
from Gibeon, and midway between them back again to their former bondthat and the camp at Gilgal, and be- age. There is the same enmity excause also he might have possessed isting against the cause of Christ now
some degree of precedency over the as ever. Earth and hell will still
other kings mentioned.             combine against his Church, and
4. That we may smite Gibeon, every one that enters into covenant
That is, the Gibeonites. It is very with him will, like the Gibeonites,
conceivable that Adoni-zedek and have a powerful confederacy to conhis associates may have been glad of tend with.
a plausible pretext for attacking the    5. The five kings of the Amorites,
Gibeonites, as their more liberal form  The name of this people is often taof government was a standing re- ken in a large sense for that of the




B. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  X.                           113
the Amorites, the king of Jeru- hosts, and encamped before
salem, the king of Hebron, the Gibeon, and made war against it.
king of Jarmuth, the king of   6 IT And the men of Gibeon
Lachish, the king  of Eglon, sent unto Joshua g to the camp
fgathered themselves together, to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy
and went up, they and all their hand from  thy servants; come
up to us quickly, and save us,
f ch. 9.2.                    a ch. 5. 10, and 9. 6.
Canaanites generally, or any one of in their extremity but to these their
them, doubtless from their being the natural defenders. So when the
most powerful of the distinct tribes powers of darkness, like mighty Amthat inhabited the country. Strictly orites, assail the children of God, to
speaking, the people of Hebron were whom shall they betake themselves
Hittites, ch. 11. 19, and those of Je- but to Christ, their true Joshua! It
rusalem, Jebusites, ch. 15. 63; and is when we are encompassed with
in one place, 2 Sam. 21. 2, the Gibe- evils that we feel the value of that
onites themselves, though generally covenant into which we have entered
termed Hivites, are said to be'of with him.  If we attempt to resist
the remnant of the Amorites.' The our enemies in our own strength, we
probability is, that the Amorites, be- shall infallibly be vanquished; but
ing a numerous and powerful peo- if we betake ourselves to the Captain
pie in the Moabitish territory, sent of our salvation by fervent prayer,
zut colonies to these several places, we cannot but succeed.-' Slack
which, having subdued the original Inot thy hand from thy servants. Do
inhabitants, communicated their own not leave them to the fate which
name very extensively over the coun- threatens them, put forth vigorous
try.- ~f Made wacr against it. Put efforts for their deliverance, relax not
themselves in a warlike attitude, the hold which thou hast by covemade ready for an assault, were on nant taken of them. Happy the men
the eve of attacking them.       of Gibeon, that in this awful mo6. Sentunto Joshua. They trusted ment, this very crisis of their fate,
to the compassion, the nobleness, the they had an interest in Joshua and
generosity, if not the justice of their the armies of Israel I Happy every
new ally. They doubted not that he, trembling suppliant at the throne of
would consider himself bound in mercy, if he be interested by faith in
honor and conscience to succor and the Almighty Joshua, who hath the
defend them, although it may not armies of the living God at his comhave been expressly stipulated for in mand! Could a heathen say, when
the articles of the treaty.  It was a bird pursued by a hawk flew into
because of their confidence in Is- his bosom,'I will not surrender thee
rael and their having thrown them- to thine enemy, as thou hast come to
selves entirely upon their protection me for sanctuary.' Shall not the
that they were now marked out as Saviour then be an unfailing refuge
objects of the vengeance of their en- to those who fly to him in their exemies, and to whom should they go tremity. See on ch. 1. 5.-  ~ That
10*




114                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
and help us: for all the kings 8 IT And the LORD said unto
of the Amorites that dwell in Joshua,'Fear them  not: for I
the mountains are gathered to- have delivered them  into thine
gether against us.                hand; kthere shall not a man
7 So Joshua ascended  from  of them stand before thee.
Gilgal, he, and hall the people   9 Joshua therefore came unto
of war with him, and all the them  suddenly, and went up
mighty men of valor.             from Gilgal all night.
h ch. 8. 1.             i ch. 11. 6. Judg. 4.14. k ch. 1. 5.
dwell in the mountains.  Heb. qT we may remedy, makes us no less
IL'W  yoshebd hcihr, dwellers or in- actors, than consent. We are guilty
habitants of the mountain; i. e. of of all the evil we might have hinthe mountainous regions. The allu- dered.' Bp. Hall.
sion is to the tract lying to the south-   8. And the Lord said unto Joshiua.
west of Jerusalem called'the hill More correctly'for the Lord had
country,' Luke 1. 39, 65, in which said;' as we cannot suppose that
were situated the four cities men- Joshua undertook this expedition betioned above, v. 3.               fore he had sought counsel of God,
7. And all the mighty men of valor. and received the encouragement conRather,' even all the mighty men of tained in the ensuing words. Withvalor;' so the particle translated out some such encouragement as'and' is used in hundreds of in- this, Joshua might have thought that
stances, and it is not easy to suppose this formidable host was sent against
that' all the people of war,' and' all him and his new allies as a judgthe mighty men of valor,' constituted ment upon him for negotiating an
two separate portions of the host. unlawful treaty. The verse properly
The meaning is simply that he went falls into a parenthesis.-  ~ I have
up with an army of picked men, delivered them into thy hand. The
men of approved valor and tried usual form of speech to express the
skill, to defend the Gibeonites, their absolute certainty of a future event.
new allies, against their invaders.  9. Wen1t up from Gilgal all night.
A sufficient force would of course The distance from Gilgal to Gibeon
be left to guard the camp at Gilgal. was about twenty-six miles. By a
Instead of taking any advantage of forced march this distance might
the mere letter of their compact, and havebeen accomplished in one night;
saying that they never promised to but the words do not necessarily rerun the hazard of their own lives to strict us to this period of time. They
save theirs, he nobly acts on its spi- imply only that he travelled all night,
rit, and resolves that they shall be to which, if we please, we may add,
no losers by the confidence they part of the preceding or of the followhave reposed in him; that they shall ing day. The clause quoted reads
not suffer by any calamity which he somewhat awkwardly as it now
can avert.' To a good mind the stands, from its-seeming to put the
strongest obligation is another's trust; march after the arrival. By omitand even permission in those things ting the word' and,' which does not




B3. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  X.                              115
10 And the LORD ldiscomfited   11 And it came to pass as they
them  before  Israel, and  slew  fled from before Israel, and were
them  with a great slaughter at in  the going  down  to  BethGibeon, and chased them  along horon,' that the LORD cast down
the way that goeth up -to Beth- great stones from  heaven upon
horon, and smote them to   Aze- them  unto Azekah, and  they
kah, and unto Makkedah.
1 Judg. 4. 15, 1 Sam. 7. 10,12. Ps. 18. 14.  o Ps. 18. 13, 14, and 77. 17. Isai. 30. 30.
Isai. 28. 21. n mch. 16. 3, 5. i ch. 15 35.    Rev. 16. 21.
occur in the original, and inclosing horon. The tribe of Ephraim  conthe remainder in a parenthesis (' he tained two places of this name, the
had gone up from Gilgal all night,') upper and lower. The latter is here
every thing is made plain. Though probably referred to, which lay twelve
he had received the positive assur- or fifteen miles to the north-west of
ance of a victory, yet he neglects Jerusalem, and where Dr. Clarke
no prudent means of effecting it, and says there is now an Arab village
therefore adopting a military strata- called Bethoor, or as Prof. Robinson
gem, comes upon them by surprise. writes it Beit'Ur.-  Azeka]h. A' God's promises are not intended to city of Judah, situated about twelve
slacken or supersede, but to quicken  miles west froff Jerusalem. Euseand encourage our own endeavors.' bius and Jerome inform us that there
Henry.                             was a town in their time about this
10. The Lord discomfited them, place named Ezeca, which was proOr, Heb.  tITM  yehetmmn6m, struck bably the same with the ancient Azewith dismay, confounded. It is the kah here mentioned. On referring
word employed Ex. 23. 27, in describ- to the map it will be seen that the
ing the effect that should be produced conquered kings fled to the northby Divine power upon the enemies west of Gibeon, while the residue of
of Israel, though there rendered less their army wheeled off more southaccurately'destroy.' It occurs also erly, flying towards Azekah.Ps. 144. 6; 2 Chron. 15. 6.-fAnd  ~1 Makkedalb. This place was also
slew them with a gr'eat slauighter. Or, in the tribe of Judah, about fourteen' he slew them,' i. e. Israel slew them. miles southwest of Jerusalem.
In consequence of the panic into   11. The Lord cast down great stones
which the Lord had thrown them, from  heaven upon them. That is,
his people were enabled to effect a hail-stones of an extraordinary size,
great slaughter. The direct work of and capable of doing dreadful exeGod on the occasion appears to be cution in their fall from  heaven.
described, v. 11.-  ~  At Gibeon. Some have indeed contended that
Heb.')1.Vf  begibon, in Gibeon; not stones, in the common acceptation of
in the city, but in the adjoining terri- the word, or rather meteoric stones,
tory or domain called by the same are intended, and that such stones
name, as Joshua is said, ch. 5. 13, to have actually fallen from the clouds
be in Jericho, when he was merely or from a greater height is an inconin the immediate vicinity.- rBet- testible fact. But there is no good




116                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
died: they were more which died the children of Israel slew with
with hailstones than they whom  the sword
reason to suppose that any such phe- ple against their enemies, and that
nomenon is alluded to here, for it is while in falling they slew multitudes
immediately added, as if to preclude of the fugitive Canaanites, they
any ground of mistake, that'they should not have harmed one of their
were more which died with hailstones pursuers!  The following account
than they whom the children of Is- of a similar phenomenon happening
rael slew with the sword.'  The in our own times is graphically deSept. in both places translates it by scribed by one of our own countryMtOo xaS'as, hailstones; Josephus men, who was something more than
calls it'a violent tempest of hail- an eye-witness of its effects. The
stones of prodigious size;' and the letter is dated Constantinople, Aug.,
author of Ecclesiasticus, ch. 46. 6, 1831.' We had got perhaps a mile
thus speaks of the event:'Withhail- and a half on our way, when a
stones of mighty power he made the cloud rising in the west, gave indibattle to fall violently upon the na- cations of an approaching rain. In
tions, and in the descent of Beth-horon a few minutes we discovered some.
hedestroyedthemthatresisted.' That thing falling from the heavens with
God has, on other occasions, made a heavy splash, and of a whitish apuse of hailstones to destroy both men pearance. I could not conceive what
and cattle, is clear from the instance it was, but observing some gulls near,
of the plague of hail in Egypt, Ex. 9. I supposed it to be them darting for
18, and in the predictions of Ezekiel fish; but soon after discovered that
against Gog, ch. 33. 22, the Most they were large balls of ice falling.
High is introduced as threatening Immediately we heard a sound like
that'he would plead against him  rumbling thunder, or ten thousand
with pestilence, and with blood, with carriages rolling furiously over the
an overflowing rain, and great hail- pavement.  The whole Bosphorus
stones, fire and brimstone.' God him- was in a foam, as though heaven's
self, moreover, speaks to Job, ch. 38. artillery had been discharged upon
22, 23, of treasures or magazines of us and our frail machine. Our fate
snow and hail, which he has reserv- seemed inevitable; our umbrellas
ed for the day of battle and war. But were raised to protect us; the lumps
although we have no doubt that a of ice stripped them into ribands.,sower of hailstones is here intend- We fortunately had a bullock's hide
ed, yet we are equally convinced in the boat,under which we crawled
that this shower, though  atzural in and saved ourselves from farther initself, was supernaturally employed  jury. One man, of the three oarson this occasion.  They probably men, had his hand literally smashed;
far exceeded the usual size, and it another much injured in the shoulcertainly indicates a miraculous in- der; Mr. H. received a severe blow
terposition of Providence that they in the leg; my right hand was someshould have fallen at the very crisis what disabled, and all more or less
when God promised to assist his peo- injured.  A smaller kaick accom



B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  X.                           117
12 ~T Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the
paniedwith my two servants. They dere.  Tle sun was out in all its
were both disabled, and are now in splendor, at a distance all looked
bed with their wounds; the kaick smiling and charming, but a nearer
was terribly bruised.  It was the approach discovered roofs covered
most awful and terrific scene that I with workmen repairing the broken
ever witnessed, and God forbid that tiles, desolated vineyards, and shatI should be ever exposed to such an- tered windows. My porter, the boldother. Balls of ice as large as my est of my family, who had ventured
two fists fell into the boat, and some an instant from the door, had been
of them came with such violence as knocked down by a hailstone, and had
certainly to have broken an arm or they not dragged him in by the heels,
leg had they struck us in those parts. would have been battered to death.
One of them struck the blade of an Of a flock of geese in front of our
oar and split it. The scene lasted, house, six were killed, and the rest
perhaps, five minutes; but it was five dreadfully mangled. Two boatmen
minutes of the most awful feeling were killed in the upper part of the
that I ever experienced. When it village, and I have heard of broken
passed over, we found the surround- bones in abundance.  Many of the
ing hills covered with masses of ice, thick brick tiles, with which my roof
I cannot call it hail; the trees strip- is covered, are smashed to atoms,
ped of their leaves and limbs, and and my house was inundated by the
everything looking desolate.  We rain that succeeded this visitation. It
proceeded on our course, however, is impossible to convey an idea of
and  arrived  at our destination, what it was. Imagine to yourself,
drenched and awe-struck.  Up to however, the heavens suddenly frozthis hour, late in the afternoon, I en over, and as suddenly broken to
have not recovered my composure; pieces in irregular masses, of from
my nerves are so affected as scarcely half a pound to a pound weight, and
to be able to hold my pen, or commu- precipitated to the earth. My own
nicate my ideas.  The scene was servants weighed several pieces of
awful beyond all description. I have three-quarters of a pound; and many
witnessed repeated earthquakes; the were found by others of upwards of
lightning has played, as it were, a pound. There were many which
about my head; the wind roared, and fell around the boat in which I was,
the waves have at one moment thrown that appeared to me to be as large as
me to the sky, and the next have sunk the swell of a large-sized water deme into a deep abyss.  I have been canter.  You may think this roin action, and seen death and de- mance. I refer to the bearer of this
struction around me in every shape letter, who was with me, and witof horror; but I never before had the nessed the scene, for the truth of
feeling of awe which seized upon me every word it contains.'  Coma. Po?an this occasion, and still haunts, and ter's Letters /frow Constanetinople and
I feel will ever hiaunt me. I return- its Environs, Vol. i. p. 44.
ed to the beautiful village of Buyuc-   12. Then spake Jos!hta to the Lord.




118                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451
LORD delivered up the Amorites he said in the sight of Israel,
before the children of Israel, and P Sun, stand thou still upon
P Isai. 28. 21. Hab. 3.,11.
That is, before, in the presence of,    i He said in the sight of Israel, Sun,
having a reference to. Chal.'Then  stand thou still, &c. Or, Heb.'he
declared Joshua before the Lord.' said, In the sight of Israel, Sun, be
There is nothing said of a direct thou silent in Gibeon.' The verb in
address to Jehovah, though we can- the original (MIT d6m) generally rennot doubt that such an one was made dered cease, rest, be still, keep silence,
on the occasion, but the address here properly implies cessationfrom action
mentioned was to the sun and moon. or noise, rather than from motion,
The phraseology in the original is and is perhaps most frequently,used
not that which is usually employed metaphorically to signify a silent,
to intimate a direct address whether submissive frame of spirit, a subdued,
in prayer or otherwise from one per- patient, expectant attitude of soul,
son to another. Instead of MM  ~q >  like, that of the Psalmist when he
to Jehovah, it is;~5   properly im- says, Ps. 62. 1, using this very word,
porting before Jehovah, or in reference' Truly my soul waiteth upon (Heb.
to him. It is a similar mode of ex- M'1cll dtammiyah, is silent to) God.'
pression to that employed by Paul, See also Sam. 14. 9; Ps. 4. 4; 37. 7;
1 Cor. 14. 2,' He that speaketh in an Is. 23. 2. It is usually spoken of an
unknown tongue speaketh not unto intelligent agent, and as the import
men but qunto God;' i. e. not directly of the Heb. word for sun, is servant,
to God, but so that God understands or minister, it is used with great prohim, God takes cognizance of what priety here as expressive of the comhe says. 2 Cor. 5. 13,' For whether mand of a master to a servant tc
we be beside ourselves it is to God,' pause, to rest, in his routine of ser.
i. e. in reference to God, he is the vice, and to assume a still, quiet,
ultimate  object of it.  So here patient posture, indicative of the most
Joshua's speaking was not directly entire subjection, and as if waiting
to God, but there was a unison be- for further orders. Such is the gentween his spirit and the spirit of God uine force of the original, which
in his speaking, and he had all along cannot perhaps be fully expressed in
a believing reference to God. See on any version.-The phrase'in Gibev. 14. Seeing the day far spent, on,' means in this connexion over
Joshua feared that he might not have Gibeon, implying that Joshua looked
time to complete the victory which off to a distance and saw the sun
he had so auspiciously begun, and apparently standing over the city or
being suddenly prompted from above, cities of Gibeon.-As to the nature
and inspired with Divine confidence, of the miracle itself, on which much
he commanded, in the name of Je- has been written, it may be remarked,
hovah, the occurrence of a stupen- (1) That the scriptures generally
dous miracle in order to prolong the speak in popular, and not in scientific
day till the destruction of his ene- language; that they describe the
mies was completely effected.-  things of the natural world, not ac



B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  X.                            119
Gibeon, and thou Moon, in the 13 And the sun stood still, and
valley of qAjalon.                the moon stayed, until the peoq Judg. 12. 12.
cording to strict philosophic truth, effects, not only upon the globe itself
but according to appearance and but perhaps upon the entire solar syscommon apprehension. Thus they tem, and theequilibrium of the whole
speak of the sun's rising and setting, material universe.  But the more
of the ends of the earth, of passing probable explanation in our opinion
from one end of heaven to another, is, that the phenomenon related was
&c. Indeed, it was only in this way merely optical; that the rotatory
that Joshua could have conveyed any motion of the earth was not disturbclear idea to the people of what he ed; but that instead of this the light
intended to express by the command. of the sun and moon was supernatuHad he uttered the words,'Earth, rally prolonged by the operation of
stand thou still upon thine axis;' the same laws of refraction and rethey would have thought him abso- flection that ordinarily cause the sun
lutely distracted.  He spake there- to appear above the horizon when he
fore in the common popular style is in reality below it. He who creatadopted by philosophers themselves ed the heavenly luminaries, and esin ordinary discourse, and every one tablished the laws which regulate
can see that this was obviously the the transmission of light, may at this
proper mode. Nor can any one ob- time have so influenced the medium
ject to this diction in the sacred through which the sun's rays passed,
writers without virtually entering his as to render his disk still visible long
protest against the every-day lan- after the time when in ordinary cirguage of all enlightened countries on cumstances it would have disappearthe earth. Whether, therefore, the ed. This would of course have had
sun or the globe be supposed to have all the visible effect of actually bringbeen arrested in its career on this ing the earth to a pause in its revooccasion, is immaterial to the truth lution round its axis, and as this anof the narrative, as the appearance, swers all the demands of the text, we
in each case, would be the same, and are not solicitous to seek any more
it is the appearance, and not the re- satisfactory solution of the difficulty.
ality, which is described. (2) Of the -   T Tholu moon in the valley of Ajaprecise mode in which the miracle lon. That is, over the valley of Ajatook place, two solutions may be lon. A city of Benjamin in thenear
given, though it must necessarily neighborhood of Gibeon, so near, in
ever be impossible to determine posi- fact, that what is here termed the
tively which of them is the true one. valley of Ajalon, seems, in Is. 28. 24,
The effect may have been owing to in allusion to this event, to be called
the actual cessation of the earth's mo- the valley of Gibeon. Junius and
tion round its axis. This, however, Tremellius, for the most part exwithout an equally miraculous in- tremely judicious commentators, unterference of the Almighty, would derstand the import cf the command
have produced the most tremendous to be, that the sun should stay itself




120                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451L
ple  had  avenged  themselves Jasher?  So the sun stood still
upon their enemies.'Is not in the midst of heaven, and
this written  in  the  book  of hasted not to go down about a
r 2 Sam. 1. 18.        whole day.
from setting over Gibeon, and the and the praises of their most distiamoon from rising or advancing over guished heroes.-  I In the midst of
Ajalon, because the appearance of heaven. Heb. t1l=7'IrM  bahatzz
the moon is the signal for the coming hashshlmayinm, in the division, or the
on ofnight, which Joshua would now  half of the heavens; i. e. above the
have to be delayed. Certain it is, horizon, where the upper is divided
that the light of the moon, even when from the lower hemisphere of heaseen, is of very little service while ven. Some have supposed it to mean
the sun is above the horizon, and as the same as' in the meridian of heawe suppose the sun itself to have ven,' but at that hour of the day how
been at this time near the horizon, could the moon be visible, or how
we take this command to the moon did Joshua know but he should have
to be introduced merely as a poetic ample time, before sunset, to comornament to make out the parallel- plete the victory. The other view
ism so common to the poetical style is, therefore, we'think, to be prefer.
of the Hebrews. It is in fact doubt- red.- ~Hasted not to go down about
ful whether the whole passage be not a whole day. Heb.' hasted not to go
a quotation from the book of Jasher down  chy   t1!qZ key6om tamim, as at
mentioned below, and whether that the perfect day; i. e. as it naturally
book were not a collection of nation- does when the day is finished, when
al songs or lyric poems composed in the ordinary space of a day has
praise of Joshua and other distin- elapsed. This we conceive to be the
guished heroes and champions of true force of the original, though
Israel.                           aware that it requires one to be ac13. Written in the book of Jasher. quainted with the Hebrew in order
Or, Heb. Iu'tz ~bD slpher hay&shagr, to feel the force of the evidence in
the book of the 2pright; i. e., per- favor of such a rendering. Such an
haps, of eminently good and upright one, however, upon turning to the
men, men distinguished at once for original of Ex. 31. 18; Dent. 16. 6;
moral worth and military prowess. 24. 13; Ps. 73. 19, will find, if we
As this book is generally supposed mistake not, ample proof of the corto have long since perished, though fectness of this interpretation. The
affirmed by some of the Jews to be meaning, as we understand it, is not
still in existence, it is impossible to that the day was miraculously lengthdetermine with certainty what it was. ened out to the extent of twelve hours,
Mention of it occurs again 2 Sam. or another whole day, but simply
1. 18,where David's lamentation over that when the ordinary duration of a
Saul is said to be extracted from it. day was completed, the sun still deIt was probably a collection of po- layed his setting, but for how long
ems, or national ballads, celebrating a time we are not informed: long
the chief events of the wars of Israel enough, however, we may presume,




B. C. 1451.]              CHAPTER  X.                              121
14 And there wasl no day like   15'T "And Joshua  returned,
that before it or after it, that the and all Israel with him, unto the
LORD hearkened unto the voice  camp to Gilgal.
of a man: for t the LORD fought   s See Isai. 38. 8. t Deut. 1. 30. ver. 42,
for Israel.                         and ch. 23. 3. u ver. 43.
for fully accomplishing the object Israel.  Chal.'For-the Lord fought
for which the miracle was granted.  by his Word.'  This seems to be
14. Tliat the Lord hearkened munto added as if in answer to the natural
the voice of a msan. Chal.' That the inquiry,'Why was such a mirac'e
prayer of man should be heard be- wrought on this occasion? To what
fore the Lord.' That is, for such a was it owing that Israel was so fapurpose. Not that this was the first vored?' Because, says the writer,
time that the prayers of a mortal had  the Lord fought for them.  He was
power with God, for those of Moses engaged on their side; and it was in
had often prevailed with him, but he consequence of his purpose and his
had never before hearkened to the promise to befriend them,v. 8, 12, that
voice of man to alter so signally the he graciously heard the prayer of
course of nature, or to grant such an Joshua.
illustrious display of his power in   15. And JoshJua returned to Gilgal.
behalf of his people. At the voice The occurrence of this verse in this
of a man, the sun that rules the day place has occasioned great perplexwas stopped, as he descended, and ity to commentators. As it is verbathe moon that governs the night, as tim the same as the last verse of this
she arose in the east.  These eyes of chapter, and is wanting in some of
the lower world, which were proba- the  ancient versions, many  have
bly the gods whom  the Amorites thought that it was inserted here by
worshipped, were compelled, as it the error of some transcriber, and
were, to stand still and look down  that the only way to obtain a correct
upon their mistaken idolaters, who view of the thread of the narrative is
might cry to them for life and deli- to neglect it altogether.  It cannot,
verance.  The passage imports that it is said, be supposed that Joshua
the command of Joshua was in efect, should have broken off in the mid-cathough not in form, a prayer to Je- reer of his victory, and just after the
hovah for the performance of the above-mentioned miracle marched
miracle. In like manner that which his army twenty or thirty miles to
seems to have been uttered byElijah, Gilgal, and then have immediately
1 Killgs 17. 1, as a prophecy, is spo- returned again to the scene of action
ken of by James, ch. 5. 17, as a to complete the work of conquest.
prayer. Probably no miracles were What could be the object of such a
wrought by the ancient prophets or strange diversion of his forces at
servants of God but in connexion such a crisis?  But we are inclined
with the most fervent'in-wrought' to consider it as inserted here mereprayer.  It is only by earnest prayer ly by anticipation.  The  writer's
that we take hold of the strength of drift is apparently to close the geneGod. --— r For tlhe Lord fought for ral account of the -ngagemernt.de11




1'22                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1451.
16 But these five kings fled, the cave, and set men by it for
and hid themselves in a cave at to keep them:
MIakkedah.                          19 And stay ye not, but pur17 And it was told Joshua, sue after your enemies, a.d
saying, The five kings are found smite the hindmost of them;
hid in a cave at Makkedah.        suffer them  not to enter into
18  And  Joshua  said, Roll their cities: for the LORD your
great stones upon the mouth of
scribed above by saying that when it after the miracle, and for this purt
was ended Joshua and the Israelites pose have taken the 15th v. from th.
returned to the camp; not, however, ensuing narrative.
that this took place immediately;   16. It a cave at Makkedah. Heb.
there were some additional incidents,, j    bemakkk'dh, in Makkedah;
that occurred prior to that return, that is, in the vicinity of Makkedah,
which are too important to be over- in the region adjoining the city, not
looked in the history, and which he in the city itself. See what is said
here takes occasion to relate. This above of the phrase'in Jericho,' ch.
he does in the ensuing verses, 16- 5. 13, and'in Gibeon,' ch. 10. 10.
42, after which he inserts again, in Compare too with this what is said
its proper place, the account of Am. 9. 2-4, of the vain attempts of
Joshua's return to the camp. The God's enemies to conceal themselves
repetition of the words at the end of from his presence.
the chapter seems designed to cor-  18. Set men by it. Heb. 1'l"tilh
rect the misapprehension that might VI,"I'5}Y  haphlkidu albh  an&arise, on reading them in their first shim, give men charge over it.
connexion, as to the precise time to   19. Smite the hindmost of them.
which they refer. This we regard Heb. =n'=t zinnabtem, cut of the
as a safer solution of the difficulty tail, as the rear-guard of an army is
than to suppose an error in the copy- called. The Vulg. of Jerome renist, which in this instance seems to ders it,'cut off the last of the fugius improbable.  It is not, however, tives.' Arab.,'Clip off their hindto be disguised, that the entire con- most.'  The original term  occurs
text, v. 11-15, has very much the only once elsewhere, Deut. 25. 18.
air of a supplementary insertion, as' Servants, dependants, or courtiers,
it evidently breaks the continuity of in the East, alwaysfollow their supe.
the narrative, which requires v. 16 riors. Should one of them cease to
to come in immediate connexion serve or follow his master or patron,
with v. 11, and is marked by a higher having gained his end, another on
and somewhat poetical style of ex- seeing this, asks, "Where is your
pression. If such a conjecture may tail "-"' The tail has been long iri
be admitted, it will perhaps account my way, I have cut it off."' Roberts.
for the occurrence of v. 15 in this - ~' Suffer them not to enter into
connexion. The author may have their cities. Heb.'Give them not to
seen fit to append to his inserted mat- come to their cities.' Where they
ter an intimation of what Joshua did would recover strength and renew




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  X.                           123
God hath delivered them  into rest which remained of them enyour hand.                        tered into fenced cities.
20 And it came to pass, when   21 And all the people returned
Joshua and the children of Israel to the camp to Joshua at Makhad made an end of slaying them  kedah in peace: xnone moved
with a very great slaughter, till his tongue ~against any of the
they were consumed, that the children of Israel.
x Exod. 11. 7.
the war. It seems, however, from  bark against them.  Comp. Judith
the next verse, that a few stragglers 11. 13.  They were struck dumb
succeeded in getting refuge in these with astonishment; they were so
defenced cities, but they were soon utterly confounded by the display of
followed thither and destroyed.   supernatural power put forth in be20. When Joshua a'nd the children half of Israel, that they presumed not
of Is'rael, &c. That is, Joshua by the to breathe a whisper of insult or rechildren of Israel, by their agency. proach. As the Israelites marched
It is evident from v. 21 that Joshua in triumph through their towns and
did not accompany them in person, villages, so far from venturing to lift
but awaited their return at Makke- a hand against them, theydid not even
dah. It is, however, entirely accord- open their lips. It is a proverbial
ing to scripture analogy to speak of expression, intimatinga freedom from
that as done by a commander, which any kind of insult or molestation
was done by the soldiers under his' When a person speaks of the fear
authority and control. The phrase to which his enemy is reduced, he
may also be rendered,' Joshua, even says, " Ah! he dares not now to shake
the children of Israel.'          his tongue against me."' "He hurt
21. All the people returned to the you! the fellow will not shake his
camp at Malckkedah.  That is, the tongue against you."' Roberts. See
whole detachment which Joshua had a similar mode of speech Ex. 11. 7.
sent out to scour the country and cut The Chal. renders it,' There was no
off the remaining straggling Canaan- hurt or loss to Israel, for which any
ites. Probably a temporary encamp- man should afflict his soul.' Whether
ment had been formed here for the or no this be the sense of the words,
accommodation of the army after the such was no doubt the fact. When
victory, in consequence of the kings the army came to be reviewed after
being imprisoned in a cave near it. the battle, there was none slain, none
-~TIn peace. Safe and sound. See wounded, none missing, not one IsraGen. 28. 21; Judg. 8. 9. Vulg.' Un- elite had occasion to lament the loss
hurt and in the same number.'-   of a friend or the loss of a limb.
~None moved his tonrgule. That is, The original is very express thatnot
none of the Canaanites; or, as the one single Israelite was harmed either
verb has no nominative, we may un- by word or weapon. So complete,
cerstand' dog,' from Ex. 11. 7; im- so superhuman, so glorious was the
plying that their victory was so com- victory. Such a consummation fitly
plete, that not even a dog dared to shadows forth the glorious end of that




124                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451
22 Then  said  Joshua, Open  they brought out those  kings
the  mouth  of the  cave, and unto Joshua, that Joshua called
bring out those five kings unto  for all the men of Israel, and
me out of the cave.                said  unto  the captains of the
23  And  they  did  so,  and men of war which went with
brought forth those five kings him, Come near, Yput your feet
unto him  out of the cave, the upon the necks of these kings.
king of Jerusalem, the king of And they came near, and put
Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, their feet upon the necks of
the king of Lachish, and the them.
king of Eglon.                      25 And Joshua said unto them,
24 And it came to pass, when   Y Ps. 107. 40, and 110. 5, and 149. 8, 9
Isai. 26. 5, 6. Mal. 4. 3.
warfare in which, as soldiers of Jesus of the army by whom the recent vicChrist, we profess to be engaged. tory had been obtained. We have
When the last enemy shall be de- already remarked, in the notes on
stroyed, the last alarm hushed, the ch. 9. 6, that the term'men' is often
last victory gained, and all the ran- used in a peculiarly emphatic sense,
somed of the Most High shall come to denote the chief men, or the princes
to the camp of their Almighty Leader, of the congregation.  A  passage
in final peace and rest, all the envy, strikingly confirmative of this usage
the opposition, the hatred, the malice occurs Deut. 29. 10,' Ye stand this
that was cherished against the Sa- day all of you before the Lord your
viour and the saints, will have be- God; your captains of your tribes,
come extinguished for ever.' The your elders and your officers, (with)
ransomed of the Lord shall return, all the men of Israel.'  Here the
and come to Zion with songs, and'with,) as indicated by the Italics, is
everlastin, joy upon  their heads; not found in the original, and the
and sorrow and sighing shall flee sense undoubtedly is,'even all the
away.''                   men of Israel,' making the clause to
22. Then said Joshua, Open the stand simply in opposition with what
mouth of the cave, &c. Rosenmutller, goes before.-~  Put you'r feet tpon
after Usher, suggests that this was the necks of these kings. Not as a
probably done the next day after the personal insult to the kings, but syimdefeat of the confederated kings; but bolically, in token not only of the prealthough it is clear that a vast sent complete victory, but of the abamount of action was compressed solute subjection to which all their
into the space of a single day, yet we adversaries would finally be reduced,
are not to'orget that the day was mira- as Joshua himself explains it in the
culonsly lengthened by the special in- next verse.' This in the East is a
terposition of the Most High.      favorite way of triumphing over a
24. All the men of Israel.  Heb. fallen foe. When people are disput.
~f'm:J   7e ~: kol ish Yisi'ael, all the ing, should one be a little pressed,
man, or manhood of Israel, i. e. all and the other begin to triumph, the
the men of war, the flower and prime former will say, "I will tread upon




13. C. 1451.]            CHAPTER  X.                            125'Fear not, nor be dismayed, be time of the going down of the
strong and of good courage: for sun, that Joshua commanded,
athus shall the LORD  do to all and they Ctook them down off
your enemies against whom ye the trees, and cast them into the
fight.                             cave wherein they had been hid,
26  And  afterwards  Joshua and  laid great stones  in  the
smote them, and slew them, and cave's mouth, which remain unhanged them on five trees: and til this very day.
they  bwere hanging upon the   28 ~I And that day Joshua took
trees until the evening.           Makkedah, and smote it with
27 And it came to pass at the the edge of the sword, and the
z Deut. 31. 6, 8. ch. 1. 9. a Deut. 3. 21,
and 7. 19. b ch. 8. 29.                   c Deut. 21. 23. ch. 8. 29.
thy neck, and after that beat thee." extension of the day be admitted,
A low caste man insulting one who we can see no objection to this
is high, is sure to hear some one say view. —  r Cast them into the cave.
tothe offendedindividual,' Put your' That which they thought would
feet on his neck."' Roberts. In like have been their shelter, was made
manner, we are also taught to regard their prison first, and then their grave.
our victories past as pledges of fu- So shall we be disappointed in that
ture and greater conquests.-The which we flee to from God; yet to
severity enjoined towards the van- good people the grave is still " a hidquished kings, though abhorrent to ing-place," Job 14. 3.' Henry.our humane feelings, was right, be- Laid great stones in the cave's mouth.
cause it was commanded, Deut. 20. Mainly, we presume, for the same
16, 17, and it was important that in reason that a similar monument was
doing the Lord's work the Israelites raised over the place where Achan
should be taught the lesson elsewhere was stoned and burnt, ch. 7. 26, to
inculcated by the prophet, Jer. 4. 8; perpetuate the memory of the event'Cursed be he that doeth the Lord's in connexion with the disgrace and
work deceitfully, and cursed be he ignominy of the culprits who sufferthat keepeth back his sword from  ed there. Masius remarks, without
blood.' The act here mentioned was specifying his authority, that'those
in fulfilment of the prediction, Deut. who have visited this region say, that
33. 29,' Thou shalt tread upon their the cave is still shown in a hill near
high places,' on which see Note.    Makkedah, its mouth being closed
26. Hanged them on five trees, &c. by a wall, to preserve it as a monaChal.' On five crosses.' See on ch. ment.'
8. 29.                              28. That day Joshua took Makke27. At the time of the going down dak. The same day on which the
of the sun. Whether this was on the kings were hung, and which we have
evening of the day so miraculously already rnemarked was probably the
lengthened out, or of the following, day subsequent to that on which the
has been doubted by commentators. sun stood still. Yet it is possible that
But if the fact of the preternatural the sense may be, that about that time
l1*




126                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1451
king thereof he utterly destroy- but did unto the king thereof
ed, them, and all the souls that as he did unto the king of Jeriwere therein; he let none re- cho.
main: and he did to the king   31 ITAnd Joshua passed from
of Makkedah d as he did unto  Libnah, and all Israel with him,
the king of Jericho.              unto  Lachish, and  encamped
29 Then Joshua passed from  against it, and fought against it:
Makkedah, and all Israel with   32  And the LORD  delivered
him, unto Libnah, and fought Lachish into the hand of Israel,
against Libnah:                   which took it on the second day,
30 And the LORD delivered it and smote it with the edge of
also, and the king thereof, into the sword, and all the souls that
the hand of Israel: and he smole were therein, according  to all
it with the edge of the sword, that he had done to Libnah.
and all the souls that were there-  33 IT Then  Horam  king  of
in: he let none remain in it; Gezer came up to help Lachish;
a ch. 6.21.           and Joshua smote him  and his
-not on the identical day-he took miles directly south of Libnah, near
the city of Makkedah. It might have the western limits of Judah. It was
been a day or two later.- It The probably a strongly fortified place, as;ing thereof he utterly destroyed. Heb. Joshua could not take it till the se~'tni  he'harim, devoted, made a cond day, and Sennacherib aftercurse. —.  r All the souls.  Heb. wards was obliged to'raise the siege.'
WtZ.  7Z kolr nphesh, all the soul. That 2 Kings, 19. 8; Is. 37. 8. Nothing
is, all the people, men, women, and is here said of the king of Lachish,
children; for it would appear from  as he was one of the five who had
ch. 11. 14, that the cattle and spoils been executed before.
were given to the conquerors.-      33. Horare king of Gezer. There
~ As he did unsto the king of Jericho. was a city of this name in the tribe
How he had dealt with this king we of Ephraim twenty miles southwest
are not expressly informed. Proba- of Jerusalem, ch. 16. 3, 10; Judges
bly he had been first slain, and then 1. 19. But this seems too remote
hanged up, as was the king of Ai from the scene of action. The proband the five kings here mentioned.  ability is, that it was some place in
29. And all Israel with him. That the tribe of Judah but little distant
is, allof Israel that had been engaged  from Lachish, the king of which
with him  in this late expedition. either as an ally of the king of La- IT IUnto Libnah. A city in the chish, or for his own security, offered
tribe of Judah near its western bor- to aid in resisting the further proder, not far from Makkedah, about gress of Joshua.'Thus wicked men
twelve mileswest or south-westfrom  are often snared in their counsels,
Jerusalem. It was afterwards given and, by opposing God in the way of
to the priests, ch. 21. 13. Even its his judgments, bring them  sooner
ruins have now disappeared.       upon their own head-s.' Henry.
31. Unto Lachisk. Situated a few    34. Unto Eglon.  Another city of




B. C. 1451.]             CHAPTER  X.                          127
people, until he had left him Eglon, and all Israel with him,
none remaining.                  unto e Hebron; and they fought
34 T And firom Lachish Joshua against it:
passed unto Eglon, and all Israel  37 And they took it, and smote
with him: and they encamped it with the edge of the sword,
against it, and fought against it: and the king thereof, and all the
35 And they took it on that cities thereof, and all the souls
day, and smote it with the edge that were therein; he left none
of the sword, and all the souls remaining, according to all that
that were therein he utterly de- he had done to Eglon, but destroyed that day, according to stroyed it utterly, and all the
all that he had done to Lachish. souls that were therein.
36 And Joshua went up from   38'f And Joshua  returned,
e See ch. 14. 13, and 15. 13. Judg. 1. 10.
Judah, near to Lachish, and fifteen a state of defence, the cities from
miles from Jerusalem. See Map.   which they had been expelled. Hence
35. Taok it on that day. The same the Israelites were obliged to conquer
day on which they encamped against them a second time. So the Christian
it.                              in his spiritual warfare finds it as
36, 37. Unto Hebron —and the king much as he can do to keep possession
thereof. Probably a successor to him  of the ground which he has once
who had been slain and hanged be- gained. His old enemies are incesfore, v. 23, 26. The rank which this santly returning upon him. His batcity evidently held among its sister ties must be fought and his victories
cities doubtless made it important achieved anew. The lusts which
that, in such a crisis as the present, appeared to be slain, are ever and
a new head should be immediately anon giving signs that they still live;
appointed.-Though now taken, the and are intent upon regaining their
city of Hebron seems afterwards to former ascendency. This makes it
have fallen back into the hands of dangerous to remit our activity for a
the Canaanites, which made it ne- single hour. Constant vigilance is
cessary for Caleb to take it a second the grand condition of final triumph.
time as related, ch. 15. 14; Judges 1. -gffAll the cities thereof. The cities
10. The case appears to have been subject to its jurisdiction and depenthe same in regard to some other of dant upon it; so that Hebron was,
the places captured on this occasion. properly speaking a metropolis, i. e.
Judges 1. 11-13. The reason of it a mother city. Such too was Gibeon,
was, that Joshua, in his rapid,con- spoken of above, v. 2; ch. 9. 17.
quests, contented himself with tak-   38. And Joshua returned. That is,
ing, demolishing, and burning those turned his course, began to march in
cities, but did not garrison any of a new direction. It is not implied
them for fear of weakening his army. that he had been at Debir before;
The scattered Canaanites in several but that having now advanced to the
instances no doubt took advantage of southwest as far as he thought fit,
this, returned, repeopled, and put in even as far as Gaza, v. 41, he turned




128                         JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1451
and all Israel with him, to fDe- done also to Libnah, and to her
bir; and fought against it:       king.
39 And  he took it, and the   40 IT So Joshua smote all the
king thereof,'and all the cities country of the hills, and of the
thereof, and they smote them  south, and of the vale, and of
with the edoe of the sword, and the springs, and all their kings:
utterly destroyed all the souls he left none  remaining, but
that were therein: he left none utterly destroyed all that breathremaining: as he had done to ed, as the LORD God of Israel
Hebron, so he did to Debir, and — commanded.
to the king thereof; as he had
f See ch. 16. 15. Judg. 1. 11.        g Deut. 20. 16, 17
and directed his course towards Gil- naked and dreary, are richly studded
gal, lying to the northeast, and fell with the oak, the arbutus, the Scotch
upon Debir on his way. This city fir, and a variety of flowering shrubs.
was in the tribe of Judah, about thirty Of the hitherto unknown tract south
miles southwest of Jerusalem  and of Hebron, Bankes, Leigh, Irby and
ten miles west of Hebron. It was Mangles inform us that three days
also called Kirjath-Sepher, ch. 15.15, to the south of Hebron, they passed
and Kirjath-Sannah, ch. 15. 19, per- towards the Dead Sea through a
haps from its being one of the seats country well cultivated, but extremeof learning among the Canaanites; ly uninteresting: eight or nine miles
the name Kirjath-Sepher signifying beyond Kerek they found themselves
the city of books or of letters. The on the borders of an extensive desert,
Canaanites having subsequently re- entirely abandoned to the wandering
taken it, Caleb, to whom it fell by Bedouins. A tribe ofJellaheen Arabs
lot, gave his daughter Achsah in here told them, that in years of scarmarriage to Othniel for his bravery city they were accustomed to retire
in having carried it by storm,ch. 15. into Egypt.  The same necessity
16. It was afterwards given to the compelled Jacob to the same expedipriests, ch. 21. 15, but no trace of it ent: and the custom seems handed
is to be found at the present time.   down from the patriarchs. See Rus40. Smote all the country of the sell's Palestine.-  T Of the South.
hills. Overrun as a conqueror, sub- That is, of Canaan. The southern
dued and took possession of all the part of the tribe of Judah and Idusouthern section of Canaan, familiar- mea was designated by the general
ly known by the appellation of I~stT term, thte south. Gen. 20. 1.-  ~Of
Ha/tar, i. e. the hill-country, which the vale. Heb.;151ZB   hashshepyehlh
subsequently fell to the lot. of Judah. the loiw count-y, i. e. the level chain..
Of this mountainous region Burck- paign on the Mediterranean Sea, exhardt says, the whole country be- tending from Joppa to the borders of
tween Tekoa and Hebron is finer Egypt. Deut. 1. 7; Judg. 1. 9; Jer.
and better cultivated than in the 17. 26.- T  The spr ngs.  Ieeb.
neighborhood of Jerusalem; while t         bi1sllT hteashdoth, the descents, i. e,
the sides ot the hills, instead of being probably the slopes or declivities of




B. C. 1450.]            CHAPTER  XI.                            129
41 And Joshua smote them all Israel with him, unto the
from Kadesh-barnea even unto camp to Gilgal.
bGaza,'and all the country of
Goshen, even unto Gibeon.                 CHAPTER  XI.
42 And all these kings and          ~ND it came to pass, when
their land did Joshua take at           Jabin king of Hazor had
one time; kbecause the LORD heard those things, that he asent
God of Israel fought for Israel. to Jobab king of Madon, and to
43 And Joshua returned, and the king bof Shimron, and to the
king of Achshaph,
h Gen. 10. 19. i ch. 11. 16. k ver. 14. 1a ch. 10. 3. b ch. 19. 15.
mountains, tracts formed by the wash- the foregoing chapter, the kings of
ing down of the mountains, and so the north becoming apprehensive for
capable of cultivation. See Num. their safety, are here presentedin the
21. 15; Deut. 3. 17.- T Destroyed act of making a common interest,
all that breathed. That is, of man- and uniting with Jabin to put a stop
kind; for they kept the cattle for to the further progress of the Israelspoil.                            ites. Jabin was probably the common
41. All the country of Goshen. Not name of all the kings of Hazor, as
the country of that name in Egypt, we find that the king by whom the
the former residence of the Hebrews, Israelites were afterwards kept in
but a place so called in Judah, four- bondage for twenty years, and wheo
teen miles south of Hebron, ch. 11. was defeated by Deborah and Barak,
16; 15. 51.                       was so called. The name signifies
42. At one time.  Heb. MhI t. wise, or intelligent.  Hazor was a
paam ehA'th, at one turn or one stroke, strong city on the west side of the
i. e. in one uninterrupted course of waters of Merom, or lake Samechovigorous action; or, as we should nitis, and the capital of northern Casay, in one campaign. The leading naan. In the distribution of the land
idea is that from the time Joshua en- it fell to the tribe of Naphtali. It
tered upon. this career of victories, was in subsequent times frequently
till it was closed, there was no pause, the seat of war, but not a rain now
no' intermission, no cessation.-   remains to mark the place where it
~Because the Lord fought for Israel. stood.-  1 Madon.  The position
This clause is introduced in order of this city is unknown.  It was
to give credibility to the foregoing doubtless in the neighborhood of the
narrative. Viewed in any other light others here mentioned.-~TShimron.
than as the result Of omnipotence, Called also Shimron-Meron, ch. 12.
such a tide of victories would natu- 10. It fell afterwards to the lot of
rally stagger all belief.         Zebulon, and was situated about
eleven miles to the north-east of
CHAPTER  XI.             Nazareth.-' Achshaph. Situated
1. Jabin king of Hazor. After the in the tribe of Asher, near the convery remarkable reduction of the fines of Zebulon. It was reduced to
southern parts of Canaan, related in a small village, called Chasaleus, in




130                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1450.
2 And to the kings that were the Perizzite, and the Jebusite
on the north of the mountains, in the mountains, eand to the
and of the plains south of WCin- Hivite under fHermon gin the
neroth, and in the valley, and land of Mizpeh.
in the borders d of Dor on the   4 And they went out, they and
west,                              all their hosts with them, much
3 And to the Canaanite on the people, heven as the sand that
east and on the west, and to the is upon the sea-shore in multiAmorite, and the Hittite, and
e Judg. 3. 3. f ch. 13. 11. g Gen. 31. 49.
c Nuin. 34. 11. d ch. 17. 11. Judg. 1. 27. h Gen. 22. 17, and 31. 12. Judg. 7. 12. 1 Sam.
I Kings 4. 11.                     13. 5.
the time of Jerome, at the close of the cient town, containing forty or fifty
fourth century, but is now entirely houses.
swept away.                          3. The Canaanite on the east, &c.
2. ThLat were on the nortlh of the The Canaanites, properly so called,
mountains. Heb. L'% ~211='Y   mitz- dwelt part of them in the east near
zeplon bh&?r, front the north in tile Jordan, and part on the west near
mountain, i. e. residing in the moun- the sea; both are here united.tainous region of the north, the tract ~f The Hivite ~under flermon. At the
of Anti-Libanus. —- ~ The plains foot of mount Hermon; of which
sout/h  of Cinneroth.  Heb. I')~YTl  mountain see on Deut. 3. 9. They
bearabah, plain.  An ancient city, are designated in this way to distinbelonging afterwards to the tribe of guish them from another portion of
Naphtali, and supposed to have occu- the same race dwelling at Gibeon,
pied the same site with the more of whom  we have already spoken.
modern Tiberias. From this city or -T    In the land of Mlizpeh.   That
village, the sea of Chinneroth, or is, the land of watching or espial, so
Gennesareth, probably had its name. called from its commanding an exFrom the original it is not perfectly  tensive prospect of the surrounding
clear whether the plain spoken of lay country, from which the approach or
to the south of Chinneroth, or Chin- movements of an enemy might be
neroth to the south of that. In the discovered.  There were several
former case, it would seem  to have places of this name, but reference is
been the plain of the Jordan, which  here undoubtedly had to that lying
we think less likely.-      In the val- in the northern quarter of Gilead,
ley. In the low or valley tracts gen- where Laban and Jacob made their
erally, in contradistinction from the covenant, as related Gen. 31. 48, 49.
mountainous points which were in-   4. And they went out. Took the
habited.-  ~ The borders of Dor. field; a phrase frequently employed
This was a place on the coast of the by the sacred writers for going forth
Mediterranean, about nine  miles upon a military expedition. Thus
north of Cesarea Palestine, and at a 2 Sam. 11. 1,' And it came to pass
little distance from mount Carmel. -at the time when kings go forth,'
A  small village, called TortuLra, is i. e. to battle, as our version rightly
in the vicinity of the ruins of the an- understands it. Comp. Num. 21. 23




B. C  1450.]             CHAPTER  XI                            131
tude, with horses and chariots   6 IT And the LORD said unto
very many.                        Joshua, Be not afraid because
5 And when  all these kings of them: for to-morrow  about
were met together, they came this time will I deliver them up
and pitched together at the wa- all slain  before  Israel:  thou
ters of:Merom,  to fight against shalt khough their horses, and
Israel.                            burn their chariots with fire.
i ch. 10. 8. k 2 Sam. 8. 4.
Job 39. 21.- f As the sand that is Joshua receives from the Lord a
tupon the sea-shore. A proverbial ex- special encouragement and promise
pression used to denote a vast but of success.
indefinite  number-a number of   5. Were met together. Heb. 1)V'l~
which no accurate estimate could be yivvaedrf, were assembled by appointformed.  Josephus, upon what au- ment. In pursuance of previous arthority we know not, is more particu- rangements. Chal.'Met at a time
lar. He states the number at 300,000 agreed upon.'-  T At the waters of
foot, 10,000 horse, and 20,000 cha- Merom.  Generally understood of
riots of war. Whether this be cor- the lake Semechon or Samechonitis,
rect or not, the words of the text lead lying between the head of the river
us to infer that a vast population now  Jordan and the lake of Gennesaret.
occupied the land of promise, and The name imports'highness,' and
that the soil must have been of exu- is supposed to be so called because
berant fertility to sustain it.  The its waters were higher than those of
immense multitude, moreover, of the the sea of Galilee.  The Arabic
enemy went to heighten the glory of Samaka, from which Semechon is
Joshua's victory. — ff With horses derived, has the same import. It is
and chariots very many. Heb. 0b1  situated in a valley, and is now'I!T En1 =1  sfs v&-rekeb rab meod, called Bahhrat el-Hhule, i. e. the lake,eorse and chariot very much. The of the valley, a valley formed by the
horses were probably brought out of two branches of mount Hermon. In
Egypt or Armenia, and not bred in summer the lake is for the most part
Canaan, which was not a country dry, and covered with shrubs and
favorable to their production or use. grass, in which lions, bears, and other
Deut. 17. 16; 1 Kings 10. 28, 29. wild beasts conceal themselves.
The war chariots of the Canaanites   6. Shall hough their horses. That
are supposed to have been armed is, hamstring them, cut the sinews of
with iron scythes fastened to the their legs. Oft the effects of such a
poles and to the ends of the axle- treatment of these animals, Michtrees. When fuiriously driven they aelis remarks, that' irom ignorance
would make fearful havoc in the of military affairs, most expositors
ranks of infantry-of which only have understood this command, as
were the forces of Israel composed-  if it meant, not that the horses should
mowing them down like grass. In be killed, but merely lamed in their
view therefore of such a formidable hind legs, and then let go. But a
armament mustered against him, mhore %o treated, must, instead of rtn



132                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1450
7 So Joshua came. and all the suddenly, and they  fell upon
people of war with him, against them.
them by the waters of M/lerom   8 And  the  LORD  delivered
ning off, fall instantly backwards, achieving their conquests. But God:s
and writhe about miserably till he design was to cut them off from hudie, which generally happens from  man resources, and by enabling a
loss of blood, by the stroke of the company of raw and inexperienced
sabre cutting the artery of the thigh. footm en to rout bodies of cavalry, to
This is still, as military people have secure the glory of the victory to his
since informed me, the plan adopted own right arm, to which only it was
to make those horses that are taken, due. (2) Because horses were a kind
but cannot be easily brought away, of useless plunder to the Israelites.
unserv'iceable to the enemy again. From the nature of the country they
They hamstring them, which can be could not well be employed for purdone in an instant; and they gene- poses of agriculture. In that rough
rally die of the wound by bleeding to and mountainous land, oxen and
death; but though they should not, asses could be employed to much
the wound never heals; so that even greater advantage; and as to travelif the enemy recover them alive, he ling, it was never designed that the
is forced to dispatch them; and eve- Israelites should be a travelling peory compassionate friend of horses ple. They were to be an agricultuwho has ever seen one in that situa- ral and not a commercial race. They
lion, will do so in order to terminate were to live apart from other nations
his misery.  There is no founda- as a religious community. Their
tion for Kimchi's opinion, that mere stated journeys to Jerusalem to attend
laming was enjoined, because it upon the religious festivals would be
would be wrong to put an animal un- about all the travelling that would be
necessarily to death. For thus to necessary, and this on their rough
lame a horse that would still live, in roads could be better performed on
my opinion, would rather have been foot or on asses'than on horses. Such
extreme cruelty; because, being then of these animals therefore as they
useless, nobody would be likely to took in war could be of no use to
give him  any food.' (Comment. on them, unless they sold them, and this
Laws of Moses, Art. LXIV.)  The would not be wise, as they might
reasons for prescribing such a treat- finally have come round again into
ment probably were (1) Because God the hands of their enemies. The true
would have his people act upon the policy accordingly was to diminish
resolution expressed by the Psalmist, as far as possible this race of animals,
Ps. 20. 7,'Some trust in chariots and which might give their enemies a
some in horses; but we will remem- signal, advantage, and in this policy
ber the name of the Lord our God.' we suppose the present order to have
If horses had been in common use originated.
among them, they would have been   7. Suddenly.  The great feature
apt to rely upon them instead of trust- of Joshua's military operations apmng to the aid of omnipotence in pears to have been dispat c4,  In the




B  C. 1450.]             CHAPTER  XI.                             133
them  into the hand of Israel,  10 ~l And Joshua at that time
who  smote  them, and chased  turned  back, and  took Hazor,
them unto great Zidon, and unto  and smote the king thereof with'Misrephoth-maim, and unto the  the sword: for Hazor beforevalley of Mispeh eastward; and  time was the head of all those
they smote them, until they left kingdoms.
them none.remaining.                 11 And  they  smote  all the
9 And Joshua did unto them  souls that were therein with the
mas the  LORD  bade  him: he edge of the sword, utterly dehoughed their horses, and burnt stroying  them: there  was not
their chariots with fire.          any  left to  breathe: and  he
I ch. 13. 6. m ver. 6.    burnt Hazor with fire.
-elerity of his movements he seems Mizpek. Under mount Hermon, as'o have equalled the most renowned appears by comparing this with v. 5
generals whether of ancient or mod- and 17, in the latter of which it apern times. Being now apprised of pears to be called the valley of Lebathis grand combination of the north- non. This place lay on the east, as
ern kings, he loses no time, but by a Sidon did on the west, so that the
forced march, and before they could vanquished enemy fled in two differhave supposed him at hand, comes ent directions, in both of which they
suddenly upon them and puts them  were pursued by the conquerors.to the rout.                       11 Until theiv left them none remaining.
8. Unto great Zidon.  A  well From  other portions of the history,
known city of Ancient Phenicia, sit- it is plain that this language here and
uated on the east coast of the Medi- elsewhere, is not to be construed in
terranean, about twenty-five miles its most literal import. Numbers of
north of Tyre, fifty south of Berytus the Canaanites did undoubtedly es
(Beyroot), and sixty-six west of Da- cape the sword of the Israelites, and
mascus. Its modern name is Said. fled to Zidon, Tyre and other marsThe epithet i1~1 rabbaeh, great, here time cities; and even here it appears
affixed to it, is expressive of number that Jabin escaped with his life from
rather than of size, and implies not the battle. But the drift of the words
only its populousness, but the extent is to intimate, that they left none
and variety of its resources of every alive who fell into their hands, whomkind. -~f Misrephoth-maim.  Or, soever they encountered or overtook
Heb. t7:'18f1hf  Misrepoth of the they slew.
waters, i. e. the burning of tthe waters;   10. Hazor-was the head, &c. Not
but whether so called from its being of all Canaan, but of those northern
noted for hot spr'ings, or the manufac- principalities which were combined
ture of glass, or of salt, each of which in this expedition  against Israel.
has been conjectured, or from some This city, however, afterwards reother cause, it is not possible to deter- covered itself, and grievously opmine. It is supposed to have been a pressed the people of Israel, Judges
place on the sea coast, about three 4. 2.
miles north of Sidon. —— IT Valley of    11. Not any left to breathe. Heb.
12




134                         JOSHUA.                     [B. C. 1450
12 And all the cities of those  them, "as Moses the servant of
kings, and all the kings of them, the LORD commanded.
did  Joshua  take, and  smote   13 But as for the cities that
them  with  the  edge  of the  stood  still in  their strength,
sword, and he utterly destroyed,l Num. 33.52. Deut. 7.2, and 20.16,17.
~1tU) nishm&h, any breath, i. e. not cover, in the compass of the sacred
any human being. —-'He burnt Ha- writings. Its prevailing and legitizxoo with/fire. Comp. v. 13. It is not mate import is a'heap of ruins.'
said expressly of the Israelites, in  Thus'Deut. 13. 16, in reference to the
this part of the narrative, that they city which had become the seat of
burnt any city whatever, as such a idolatry;' Thou shalt gather all the
statement might give rise to the im- spoil of it into the midst of the street
pression that, in the ardor of military  thereof, and shalt burn with fire the
zeal, they were guilty of excesses, city, and all the spoil thereof for theand ill the spirit of a licentious sol- Lord thy God; and it shall be an
diery, were eager to apply the torch heap (>1) for ever; it shall not be
to the devoted cities. On the contra- built again.' Josh. 8. 28,'And Joshua
ry, the act is attributed to Joshua, burnt Ai, and made it an heap (tn)
implying that it was done calmly and for ever, even a desolation unto this
deliberately, and in all likelihood by day.' Jer. 49. 2,'I will cause an
Divine direction.  The phraseology  alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah
is so constructed as to give a striking  of the Ammonites, and it shall be a
testimony to the moderation and self- desolate heap (1'1h12 5t1 tal shemdcontrol of the armies of the Most mah), and her daughters shall be
High.                              burned with fire.' Jer. 30. 18,' The
12. Utterly destroyed them.  That city shall be builded upon her own
is, the persons, the inhabitants; for heap (ntr tillbh);' i. e. upon its own
many of the cities themselves, as well ruins.  These examples show  the
as the spoils which they contained, genuine force of the word. The mass
were preserved, as we learn in the of expositors, however, from  the
ensuing verse.                      affinity of the ideas of a heap of ruins
13. The cities that stood still in their and an eminence, or elevation of any
strength.  Heb. ti1r ~7Y tnV.V omee- kind, and not knowing what to undeth al tillmn, standing upon, o'r by, derstand by cities' standing upon
their heaps. It would be difficult to their ruinous heaps,' have been led
point out any single expression in to interpret it of cities standing upon
the whole book of Joshua, perhaps in hills, or rocky heights, forming natu.
the whole Scriptures, more difficult ral fortresses of great strength, and
of explanation than this. The exact such as the Israelites chose to retain
literal version of the words we have for their own use. To this solution
given above; but our common trans- we should have nothing to object
lation has followed the Chaldee para- were it warranted by the native imphrase in rendering the Heb. }hi tal, port of the term; but we are perby' strength,'a sense which it has in suaded it is not. The true rendering
no other instance, that we can dis- is unquestionably that which we hay




B. C. 1450.]              CHAPTER  XI.                             135
Israel burned  none  of them, ed Moses his servant, so rdid
save Hazor only; that did Josh- Moses  command  Joshua, and
ua burn                             qso did Joshua: he left nothing
14 And all the spoil of these  undlone  of all that the LORD
cities, and the cattle, the child- commanded Moses.
ren of Israel took for a prey   16 So  Joshua  took  all that
unto themselves: but every man land, rthe hills, and all the south
they smote with the edge of the  country, sand all the land of Gosword, until they had destroyed  shen, and the valley  and the
them, neither left they any to  plain, and the mountain of Israbreathe.                            el, and the valley of the same:
15'f  As the LORD commandp Deut. 7. 2. q ch. 1. 7. r oh. 12.8. s ch.
o Exod. 34. 11, 12.       10. 41.
given, and a consistent sense is to be its being a royal residence and strongsought for the phrase. From an at- ly fortified might, if it should fall
tentive comparison of the context, it back into the hands of the Canaanappears that the kings and the inhab- ites, possess peculiar facilities for reitants of these cities were all put to newing and carrying it on afresh,
the sword, while the cattle and the Joshua deemed it prudent to guard
spoil generally went into the hands against all danger from  that quarter
of the captors.  During the time, by demolishing it altogether. —So the
therefore, of the actual occurrence Christian, if he finds his spiritual eneof these events, the cities in question  mies likely to entrench themselves in
must have presented a fearful scene any particular corruption or infirmity
of carnage and desolation. Heaps of his nature, and thence to make vioof lifeless bodies and of gathered lent inroads upon his peace, is bound
spoil would be, accumulated in the at all hazards, by crucifying such a
streets, and wherever such a corn- lust, to deprive them of this advanplete conquest and pillage could tage. If they can be dislodged from
be easily effected without demolish- their stronghold in no other way, let
ing the walls, buildings, or fortifica  him destroy the stronghold itself.
tions of the cities, those cities might   14. All the spoils of these cities- Isbe said to'stand still, or continue to'ael took. With the exception of
stand upon, over, or by their ruinous such things as had been employed
heaps,' i. e. heaps of the slain and for idolatrous purposes, Deut. 7. 25.
heaps of spoil. This doubtless was   15. As the Lord commanded Moses,
the case in numerous instances. It &c. A virtual vindication of the Iswas not absolutely necessary to raze raelites from  the charge of cruelty
and burn all the cities, and so many  which alight possibly be brought
of them were spared; but Hazor be- against them  in view of the severiing the head of the confederacy and ties exercised  towards these vanmore guilty than the rest, was -prop- quished kings and people of Canaan.
erly made an exception and utterly 1- He left nothing rundone. Or,
destroyed.-  tSave Hazor only. As Heb.'T:: i'dl  i   lto htsir diBb4r,
thiscity had begun the war, and from  removed, rejected. diminished nothlung.




136                          JOSHUA.                    [1. C. 145u
17 tEven from the mount Ha- and uall their kings he took, and
lak, that goeth up to Seir, even smote them, and slew them.
unto Baal-gad, in the valley of   18 Joshua  made war a long
Lebanon under mount Hermon; time with all those kings.
t ch. 12. 7.                  u Deut. 7. 24. ch. 12. 7.
16. The mountain of Israel and the haps be able to state all the reasons
valley of the same. Not any particu- that weighed in the Divine mind for
lar mountain and valley, but the thus prolonging the warfare of his
mountains and valleys generally in- people, but of one we are assured by
cluded in the whole extent of the God himself, Deut. 7. 22,' The Lord
land of Israel.                    thy God will put out those nations
17. From the Mount Halak. That before thee by little and little; thou
is, Heb.  )l    T 5'lf hAeh'aer ihehellak, mayest not consume them  at once,
the bare, smooth, or bald mountain, so lest the beasts of the field increase upon
called from its being destitute of trees. thee.' In addition to this, it was no
The writer's design seems to be to doubt the purpose of heaven to try
specify the extreme southern and the faith and patience of his people
northern limits of the promised land. by a long series of arduous struggles.
Joshua's conquests extended from the Although the commencement of the
borders of Seir or Edom, where work was marked by a succession of
Mount Halak was situated, north- wonderful interpositions in their beward to Baal-gad, which lies at the half, yet in its progress they were to
foot of Mount Lebanon.              be left more to their personal exer18. Joshua made wa~r a long time. tions. God would not make his miHeb.':17' Bh'r yaimim rabbim, ma- raculous aid too cheap in their eyes
ny days. As many at least as six or by making it common. He would
seven years; as appears from  com- train them  to a course of the most
paring ch. 14. 7-10; the first having vigorous efforts on their part, while
been occupied in the conquest of the at the same time they were taught
southern portion of the land, and the their continual dependence on Him
remaining five or six in that of the for success in their conflicts. This
northern.  It would seem  that the is in beautiful analogy with the warwriter by inserting this statement fare of the Christian.  In its comhere designed to guard the reader mencement, at the outset of the
against the impression that, as the Christian life, the power of God is
record of these wars is very brief, so no less wonderfully displayed than in
the space of time in which they were the history before us. The transition
accomplished was also brief. This of a soul from  darkness to light is
by no means follows, as the present virtually a miracle. It is effected by
account is intended as a mere rapid the sovereign power of God as really,
sketch or outline of Israel's victories and to the sinner's consciousness in
over the nations of Canaan. In the many instances as marvellously, as
sacred writings the compass of a few  the passage of Israel through the
sentences often contains the events cloven waters of Jordan.  But in its
of many years.-We may not per-  progress, the work is carried forw ard




B. C. 1450.]             CHAPTER  XI.                              137
19 There was not a city that inhabitants of Gibeon: all other
made peace with the children  they took in battle.
of Israel, save x the Hivites the   20 For Yit was of the LORD to
xch. 9. I 7. y Deut. 2. 30. Judg. 14. 4. 1 Sam. 2. 25. 1 Kings 12.15, Rom. 9. 18.
more appropriately by his own act- renounced their idolatry, and came
ings. He has the armor given him, heartily into the interest of Israel,
but his own activity is called forth in the danger was effectually prevented,
the use of it. His whole life is to the reason of the law ceased, and
be a state of warfare, and it is by  consequently, we may suppose, the
hard fighting that he is to obtain the obligation ceased also. But the Cavictory. No one enemy will subaitl naanites in general were not in the
to him without an obstinate resist- l&ast disposed to do this, nor did they
ance, nor until violently smitten with so much as propose terms of accomthe sword of the Spirit. There will modation. Of the cause, or occasion
be some seasons of more than ordi- rather, of this utter infatuation, we
nary conflict, when he will need pe- are informed in the ensuing verse.
culiar succor from  on high; and - I  All other they took in battle.
there will be other seasons of com- That is, all whom they did take, they
parative rest; but there is no entire took in battle. They received none
discharge in this war till mortality  upon submission. It is certain from
is swallowed up of life; and then he other parts of the sacred narrative,
shall enjoy the fruit of his victories that the Canaanites were neither
in everlasting rest.                utterly exterminated, nor absolutely
19. Not a city that made peace-  driven from their settlements, either
save the Hiviles, &c. Although in by Joshua or his immediate sucthe commands given to Moses re- cessors.  On the contrary, a large
specting the extirpation of the Ca- proportion of them fled, it is supposed,
naanites we have no express intima- to Tyre and Zidon, and thence mition that any of them  were to be grated into distant countries, particnspared upon their voluntary surren- larly Africa, where they established
der and submission, yet from the ex- numerous and flourishing colonies.
ample of Rahab and the Gibeonites, Procopius relates that the Phceniand especially from these words, the cians fled before the Hebrews into
presumption is, that this was the Africa, and spread themselves abroad
case.  The Divine laws, wherever as far as the pillars of Hercules, and
it can be done without compromising adds,' In Numidia, where now stands
the interests of justice, always lean to the city Tigris (Tangiers) they have
the side of mercy. Besides, it has erected two columns, on which, in
been justly remarked, that the reason  Phoenician characters, is the followof the law is the law. The evil de- ing inscription:-" We are the Phcesigned to be prevented by the order nicians, who fled from the face of
for the universal destruction of the that notorious robber, Jesus  (or
Canaanites, was the infecting of the Joshua) the son of Nave (Nun)."'
Israelites with their idolatry, Deut. Numbers, however, yet remained to
7. 4.  But if these devoted nations dispute, for ages, the possession of
12*




138                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1450.
narden their hearts, that they kims from  the mountains, from
should come against Israel in Hebron, from Debir, fromn Anab,
battle, that he might destroy  and from  all the mountains of
theln  utterly, and  that they  Judah, and from  all the mounmight have no favor, but that tains of Israel: Joshua destroyhe might destroy them  Zas the ed them utterly with their cities.
LORD commanded Moses.              22 There was  none  of the
21 IT And at that time came Anakims left in the land of the
Joshua and cut off a- the Ana-  - a Num. 13. 22. 33. Deut. 1. 28. ch. 15.
z Deut. 20. 16, 17.     13, 14.
the land with their invaders, and to was gradually accomplished during
cause them infinite trouble.      the lapse of a considerable period.
20. It was of the Lord to harden Some suppose this to be merely a
their hearts. On the subject of God's recapitulation of the military operahardening the hearts of men, see tions detailed ch. 10. 36-41, adding
Note on Ex. ch. 4. 21. The meaning here a memorable circumstance there
here is simply that having sinned for omitted, viz. the destruction of the
a long tract of ages against the light Anakims, with the rest of the inhabof conscience and providence, God itants of those places. Of this giganwas now pleased to leave them to a tic race, see on Num. 13. 33. Their
judicial hardness of heart, to give cutting off is particularly mentioned
them  up to vain confidence, pride, here, because they had been such a
stubbornness, and malignity, that terror to the spies forty years before,
they might bring upon themselves to whom  their bulk and strength
hisrighteous vengeance andbe utterly made them appear as absolutely indestroyed. This result is said to be vincible. Even the opposition which'of or from the Lord,' because he did they feared the most was overcome.
not interpose to prevent it.-~f As'Never let the sons of Anak be a
the Lord commanded Moses. This terror to the Israel of God, for even
expression occurs here and elsewhere their day will come to fall. Giants
in this connexion, v. 15,'to show  are dwarfs to Omnipotence.' Henry.
that Joshua and Israel did not act out Though these Anakims were now
of cruelty, revenge, and avarice; but for the most part reduced, yet numsimply in obedience to God, which  bers of them escaped and took refuge
alone could induce pious men to make in the country of the Philistines, and
such undistinguishing slaughter of settled there, from  whom  Goliath,
their fellow-creatures: and doubtless and other giants, descended. After
many of them did very great vio- a time some of them  returned with
lence to their own feelings and incli- followers, and rebuilt the cities from
nations, while engaged in that ser- which they had been expelled; and
vice.' Scott.                     Caleb and Othniel, to whom that re21. At that time. That is, during gion was assigned, vanquished and
this war; in the course of these destroyed them after the division of
conquests.  The words refer to no the land. Ch. 14.6-15; 15. 13-17.
special point of time, as the work   22. E9; Joshua took the whole land.




B. C. 1452.]            CHAPTER  XII.                              139
children of Israel: only in Gaza,          CHAPTER  XII.
in bGath, C and in Ashdod, there  N OW   these are the kings of
remained.                                 the land, which  the child23 So Joshua took the whole  ren of Israel snmote, and posland,   according to all that the  sessed their land  on the other
LORD  said  unto  Moses, and side  Jordan toward the  rising
Joshua gave it for an inheritance  of the sun, a from  the river Arunto Israel eaccording to their non, bunto mount Hermon, and
divisions by their tribes.  f And  all the plain on the east:
the land rested from war.
16. and 17. and 18. and 19. f ch. 14.15, and
b 1 Sam. 17. 4. c c ch. 15. 46. d Nurn. 34. 21. 44, and 22. 4, and 23. 1. ver. 1S.
2. &c. e Num. 26.53. ch. 14, and 15. and  a Num. 21. 24. b Deut. 3. 8, 9.
Not absolutely the whole, for in ch. were reduced by Joshua.' The en13. 1, the Lord himself is represented joyment of present blessings under
as saying to Joshua,'There remain- living benefactors, should not be sufeth yet very much land to be pos- fered to efface the remembrance of
sessed,' but all the country described former mercies procured by the inhere and in the preceding chapter; strumentality of God's honored serthe greatest and best part of it.   vants who have entered into their
23. Gave it for an inheritance unto rest.  The  services and achieveIsrael. The actual distribzution of ments of Joshua should not eclipse
the land is detailed afterwards.   those of Moses.' Henr'y. The passages referred to in the margin give
CHAPTER  XII.              all the useful information that car,
We have in the present chapter a now  be gleaned  respecting  those
recapitulation of all the victories thus places, but recourse to a good map
far achieved. As the writer isabout of ancient Canaan is indispensable
to enter upon a particular account to obtaining a clear idea of the subof the distribution of the land among  ject.
the tribes, he here pauses to give   1. From  the river Arnon unto
previously a general view of the ter- Mount Hermoim.  The small river
ritory to be divided, including the Arnon was the boundary of all the
tracts on both sides the Jordan. This southern coast of the land occqupied
he does by specifying the kings, ra- by the  Israelites beyond Jordan.
ther than the countries over which  The mountains of Hermon were the
they reigned; for the power of a state boundaries on the north. The Aris concentrated in the person of its non takes its rise in the mountains
sovereign, and such an enumeration of Gilead, and after running a conpresents the subject more vividly to siderable  distance from  north  to
the mind of the rcader.-The first south, turns to the north-west and
six verses contain a list of the kings falls into the Dead Sea not very far
on the east side of Jordan, conquered  from  the place where the Jordan
by Moses, with their territories, and  discharges itself. See Num. 21. 13;
the remainder of the chapter is occu- Deut. 2. 24.-~rAnd all the plain on
pied with a catalogue of those that the east. Or, even all the plain; all




140                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1452
2 C Sihon king of the Amorites, 3 And d from the plain to the
who  dwelt in  Heshbon, and sea of Cinneroth on the  east,
ruled from Aroer, which is upon  and unto the sea of the plain,
the bank of the river Arnon, and  even the salt sea on the east,
from  the middle of the river, ethe  way  to  Beth-jeshimoth;
and from half Gilead, even unto  and from the south, under f Ashthe river Jabbok, which is the  doth-pisgah:
border of the children ofAmmon;   d Deut. 3. 17. e ch. 13. 20. f Deut. 3.
c Nun. 21.24. Deut. 2. 33, 36, and 3. 6, 16. 17, and 4. 49.
the arable champaign country on the' is a country situate between three
east of the Jordan, and called, Deut. rivers, and naturally resembling an
34. 1,'The plains of Moab.' Onthe island; the river Arnon being its
physical features of this country, see southern limit, the river Jabbok deNote on Num. 3.2.                  termining its northern side, while
2. Ruled from Aroer. The king- Jordan itself runs along by it on its
dom of Sihon was bounded by the western coast.' (Antiq: B. 41, ch. 5.)
Arnon on the south, the Jabbok on  The other half of Gilead, as appears
the north, the Jordan on the west, from v. 4, 5, lay beyond the Jabbok,
and the mountains of Arabia on the and belonged to the kingdom of Og.
east. -IT And fro'om the middle of, the   3. And from the plain, &c. Here
river. Heb. thrial'nl vethk haian- again the word' from' is gratuitous~adhal, and that which lies between the ly, and, as we conceive, erroneously
streams. A line passing along the inserted.  The design of the writer
middle of a stream, and that stream  is merely to give a more distinct view
by no means a large one, is so re- of the position of the tract called'the
markable a boundary to be adopted plain,' which embraced, as we supby ancient barbarous clans, that we pose, the plain of the Jordan on its
are quite satisfied the translation is eastern side, extending from  the sea
erroneous. The word'from,' intro- of Cinneroth or Gennesaret on the
duced by our translators, does not north to the salt or Dead Sea on the
occur in the original, either here or south.  It is not implied that he
in the ensuing clause,'from  half reigned to the sea of Cinneroth, but
Gilead,' and the meaning undoubted- that the plain in question extended that
ly is, that Sihon ruled from  Aroer far, the- largest part of which felJ
over the country lying between the into his dominions.-   1 Sea of the
rivtu's (collect. sing. for plur.) even  plaztn.  The Dead Sea is so called
the half of Gilead, as far north as to from its occupying what was once a
the river Jabbok. See on ch. 13. 9. fertile,luxuriant, and beautiful plain,
All the region lyi7ng intermediate be- in which were situated the cities of
tween the above-mentioned streams, Sodom and Gomorrah, called also
and sometimes called' half Gilead,' the'cities of the plain.'-~  Beth-jewas subject to his authority.  This shivmoth.  Situated about ten miles
interpretation is strikingly confirmed  east of the Jordan, and about the
by the words of Josephus relative to same distance from  its mouth.the territory of Sihon, which, he says, ~ff From the south. Or, Heb.'rhe.rl




B. C. 1452.]             CHAPTER  XII.                            141
4  IT And  g the coast of  Og the children of Israel smote on
king of Bashan, which was of this side Jordan  on the west,
h the remnant of the giants, that from  Baal-gad in the valley of
dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, Lebanon, even unto the mount
5 And reigned in k mount Her- Halak that goeth up to q Seir;
mon,'and in Salcah, and in all which Joshua rgave unto  the
Bashan, m unto the border of the  tribes of Israel for a possession
Geshurites, and  the  Maacha- according to their divisions;
thites, and half Gilead, the bor- 8 s In the mountains, and in
der of Sihon king of Heshbon.  the valleys, and in the plains,
6 "Them  did Moses the ser- and in the springs, and in the
vant of the LORD, and the child- wilderness, and  in  the  south
ren of Israel smite: and o Moses country;'the Hittites, the Amthe servant of the LORD gave it. orites, and the Canaanites, the
for a possession unto the  Reu- Perizzites, the Hivites, and the
benites, and the Gadites, and the Jebusites:
half-tribe of Manasseh.              9  f u "The king of Jericho, one;
7 IT And these are the kings of x the king of Ai, which is beside
the country Pwhich Joshua and  Beth-el, one;
g Numb. 21. 35. Deut. 3. 4, 10. h Dent.
3.11. ch. 13.12. i Deut. 1.4. k Deut. 3.8.  q Gen. 14.6. and 32. 3. Deut. 2. 1,4. r ch.
i Deut. 3. 10.  ch. 13. 11. m Deut. 3. 14. 11. 23. s ch. 10. 40, and 11. 16. t Ex. 3. 8.
n Numb. 21. 24, 33.  o Numb. 32. 29, 33. anti 23. 23.  ch. 9. 1.  u ch. 6. 2. x ch.
Deut. 3 11,12. ch. 13. 8. p och. 11. 17.   8. 29.
mitttmarn, from  Treman.  ~f Under will find their position on the map,
As/ldoth-pisgah. Seated in the plains, as also that of the places mentioned
or rather the slopes at the foot of in the ensuing verse.
mount Pisgah.  The original word,   6. Gave it for a possessor. The
M'7I1ZR Ashdoth, probably signifies word' it' has no antecedent express-,he low places at the foot of a moun- ed, but it is easily referred to the
tain. Comp. Deut. 3. 17; 4. 49.     whole extent of country here spoken
4. And the coast of Og, king of Ba- of, which was taken by Moses and
shan. Supply here from  v. 1, And given to the two tribes and a half as
the children of Israel smote and pos- an inheritance.
sessed the coast,' &c. Varying a little   7. Ftrom  Baal-gad.  A  repetition
the phraseology with which he cornm- of what is mentioned, ch. 11. 17.
menced, the writer here speaks first   8. In the mountains, and in? the valof the country of the king of Bashan, lays, &c. The meaning probably is,
instead of enumerating the kirng him- that he smote the nations dwelling in
self.-IT Of the remnant of the giants. the mountains, valleys, &c., even the
See on  Deut. 3. 11. I- T That Hittites, the AmoriLes, &c.  The
4well at Ashta?'otlL and at Edrei. words convey at the same time a
Refering to 0g, and not to the giants. striking intimation of the general
Probably both were roval cities, and features of the country, its rich variae resided sometimes in me, and ety of soils, contributing at once to
iometimes in the other. The reader its fruitfulness and its pleasantness.




14:2                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1452
10 YThe king  of Jerusalem,  20 The king of h Shimron-meone; the king of Hebron, one; ron, one; the king of Achshaph,
11 The king of Jarmuth, one; one;
the king of Lachish, one;          21 The king of Taanach, one;
12 The king of Eglon, one; the king of M/Iegiddo, one;
zthe king of Gezer, one;           22 i The king of Kedesh, one 
13 aThe king of Debir, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel,
the king of Geder, one;           one;
14 The king of Hormah, one;  23 The king of Dor in the
the king of Arad, one;            k coast of Dor, one; the king of
15 bThe king of Libnah, one; the nations of Gilgal, one;
the king of Adullam, one;          24 The king of Tirzah, one'
16 c The king of Makkedah, all the kings, thirty and one.
one; d the king of Beth-el, one;         CHAPTER  XIII.
17 The king of Tappuah, one;          OW  Joshua awas old and
The k ing  of Hep   her, one;
18 Th   king of Aphek, one; L_ on stricken in years; and the
the kin  of   asharon, one;    LORD said unto him, Thou art
19 The kinc  of MIadon one;ol  and stricken in years, and
9 The king of Hazo,   one;      there remaineth yet very much
0 king of Hazor, one;    land bto be possessed.
Y ch. 10. 23. z ch. 10. 33. a ch. 10. 38.
b ch. 10. 29. c ch. 10. 28. d ch. 8. 17. Judg.  hch. 1, and 19. 1.  iCh. 19. 37.  k h.
1. 22  e 1 Kings 4. 10. fIsai. 33. 9.     11ch. 10 and 2. Gen. 14. l, 2.!sai.. 91.  ach. 14.
11. 10.                           10, and 23. 1.   Deut. 31. 3.
24. All the kings, thirty and one. ed not far from seven years in the
From the number of these kings, we conquest of the land, and is supposed
may learn how numerous and yet to have spent about one in dividing
how small were the' petty principal- it, and he died about ten years after,
ities into which the land of Canaan aged one hundred and ten years. ch.
was divided.  The extent of this 24. 29.-  ~ Stticken in years. Heb.
country from north to south was not  Nee l: ba bayamim, coming or
more than 150 miles, and not more entering into days. See Gen. 18. 11.
than fifty from east to west. In like -~T There remaineth yet very mucAh
manner were nearly all the different land to be possessed. Heb. hi11'11
nations of the world divided. The lerishthA, to possess it. This is menconsequence was that civil wars and tioned to Joshua not as a reason for
border feuds continually prevailed, his continuing the war, but for susmaking them an easy prey to foreign pending it, though to the Israelites
invaders. Thus history informs us the intimation would answer a difthat when Cesar invaded Britain ferent purpose.  They were admonthere were no less than four kings in ished by it that they were still to hold
the single county of Kent.       themselves in readiness for prosecuting the war in due time, and not to
CHAPTER  XIII.            think of putting off the harness as
1. Joshka was old. In all proba- long as there remained any land to
bility about a hundred, as he employ- be possessed. Bat as to Joshua, at




B. C. 1445.]             CHAPTER  XIII.                            143
2 OThis is the land that yet  3   From  Sihor, which is beremaineth: dall the borders of  fore Egypt, even unto the borthe, Philistines, and all e Geshuri, ders of Ekron northward, which
c Judg. 3. 1. d Joel 3. 4. e ver. 13. 2
Sam. 3. 3, and 13. 37, 38.                      f Jer. 2. 18.
his advanced age he could not expect" rites were not extirpated by the Israto see an end of the war, and there- elites they continued even in the
fore it was expedient that he should time of Absalom to be governed by
lay aside other cares and make pre- their own princes, one of whom, Talparation at once for dividing the land mai, had a daughter married to Daamong those tribes which had not vid, 2 Sam. 13. 37.
yet received their inheritance. This   3. Sihor. In allprobability a name
work was to be done, and done speed- of the river Nile. Heb. firln'2 Shiily, and done, moreover, under the hor. The word ih the original has
superintendence of Joshua. Conse- the import of black, and is applied to
quently as he was now old, and not the Nile from its color when it brings
likely to continue long, he was to down the slime and mud by which
lose no time in setting about it.' All Egypt is rendered fertile. Hence it
people, but especially the aged, should implies the black, muddy, or turbid
set themselves to do that quickly river.  The Greeks give to the Nile
which must be done before they die, the name of HpXas black, and the
lest death prevent them. Eccl. 9. 10.' Latins occasionally called it Zl'elo
Henry.                             (Serv. ad Virg. Geor. 4. 291). It was
2. 7lThe land that yet remaineth. called Siris by the Ethiopians, the
That yet remaineth to be conquered. affinity of which with Sihor is obvi- ~All the borders of the Philistines. ous. The version of Jerome renders
Lying on the southern coast of the the present passage,' From the turbid
Mediterranean. The Philistines are river which irrigates Egypt,' and
no where else mentioned among the' the seed of Sihor,' Is. 23. 3, it also
devoted nations of Canaan, and the renders'the seed of Nilus.' It is not
reason of their being enumeratetd to be denied that there are peculiar
here probably is, that their territories difficulties in making the N'ile the
formerly belonged to the Canaanites, southern boundary of Canaan, as the
who were driven away and supplant- promised possession of the Israelites,
ed by them, Deut. 2. 23.  Viewed in but the difficulties in any other view
this light, therefore, as being original- are in our opinion still greater.ly and legitimately the country of I~ Unto the borders of Ekron. One of
the Canaanites, the possessions of the the five lordships-Gaza, Ashdod,
Philistines were appointed to come'Askalon, Gath, and Ekron-belonginto the hands of Israel. —~fAnd all ing to the Philistines, and the most
Geshuri. There were two places of northern of all the districts they posthis name.  The one probably in- sessed, its territory being the border
tended here was situated in the half of the land of Judah. The city of
tribe of Manasseh, on the east of Jor- Ekron was situated about thirty-four
dan, and in the north-eastern quarter miles west of Jerusalem, ten miles
of the promised land. As the Geshu- north-east of Ashdod, nine miles




144                         JOSHUA.                     [B. C. 1445,
is counted to the Canaanite: that is beside the Sidonians,
gfive lords of the Philistines;'unto Aphek to the borders of
the Gazathites, and the Ashdo- i the Amorites:
thites,  the  Eshkalonites, the   5 And the land of " the GibGittites, and  the  Ekronites; lites, and all Lebanon toward
also "'the Avltes:                 the sun-rising,'from  Baal-Gad
4 From  the south all the land  under mount Hermon unto the
of the Canaanites, and Mearah  entering into Hamath.
g Judg. 3. 3. 1 Sam. 6. 4. 16. Zeph. 2.  i'ch. 19. 30. i See Judg. 1. 34. k 1 Kings
5. h Deut. 2. 23.                  5. 18. Ps. 83. 7. Ezek. 27. 9. 1 ch. 12. 7.
west by north of Gath, and ten miles The scattered relics of this people
east of the shore of the Mediterrane- remained mixed up with the five Phian. It is particularly mentioned in listine lordships above-mentioned.
Scripture as the seat of the idolatrous   4. From the south, &c. The whole
worship of Baalzebub, or the' Lord  maritime country from the southern
of flies,' 2 Kings 1. 2, but the Divine limits here mentioned, as far north
prediction against it, that'Ekron  as to Sidon and some of the Amoritshould be rooted up,' Zeph. 2. 4, has ish possessions in that quarter, is
long since been accomplished, not hereby made over in promise to Iseven a single ruin of it remaining to rael. Joshua himself does not appear
mark the place where it stood. Am. to have made any conquests on the
1. 8.-  I WhLich is counted to the Ca- sea-coast. —   Mearah. Or, Heb.'the
nnaanites. Because the original pos- cave;' by which Le Clerc undersessors of this country were the de- stands the mountainous tract of
scendants of Canaan, the youngest Upper Galilee, sometimes  called
son of Ham. The Philistines sprung the cave-country of the Sidonians,
from  Misraim, the second son of abounding in caves and fastnesses,
Ham, and having dispossessed the which served as sheltering places in
Avites, or Avim, from  the places time of war, and as asylums also for
they held in this land, dwelt in their roving bands of marauders.  Josestead. See Gen. 10. 13,14.-I~Five  pThus often speaks of such places in
lords. Petty princes. The term is the bounds of the Holy Land; and the
put for the lordships themselves, just Maronite monks of Canobin assured
as king is often used for kingdom. M. de la Roque, that among the
The original t:d sarnaim, priinces, mountains between which the river
literally signifies axles; and so the Kadisha runs, there were not less
Arab. for chief magistrate is Katbun, than eight hundred caves or grottos.
axis; because public affairs and the Others suppose it to have been a
people did, as it were, revolve round single large and remarkable cave beand depend upon him, as the parts tween Sarepta and Sidon, described
of a wheel upon its axis. See Note by William, Bishop of Tyre. This,
on ch. 9. 4. —~r Also thle Avites. however, is less likely.
The remnant of the tribe or clan of   5. The land of the Giblites. The
the Avims said in Deut. 2. 23, to have name of a people dwelling in Gebal,
been expelled by the Caphthorim. near Sidon. 1 King 5. 18; Ezek. 27,




B. C. 1445.]            CHAPTER  XIII.                           145
6 All the inhabitants of the  out from before the children of
hill-country from  Lebanon unto  Israel: only o divide thou it by
mAisrephoth-maim, and all the lot unto the Israelites for an inSidonians, them  "will I drive  heritance, as I have commanded
m ch. 11. 8. n See ch. 23. 13. Judg. 2. thee
21, 23.                                       o ch. 14. 1, 2.
9. Their land was not given to the should bring Israel into it. and divide
Israelites, because it lay without the it among them, both which he did,
precincts of Canaan. From among  and procured them  footing by his
this people, Solomon employed a conquests sufficient to have enabled
number of artists in the erection of them to establish themselves in it for
the temple, 1 Kings 5. 18. They  ever.  Their failure to do so was
were also famed for ship-building, owing wholly to themselves. So,e
Ezek.'27. 9. It is supposed by many  must work out our, salvation, dethat the modern Byblus is the same pending upon God to work in us, and
as the ancient Gebal.  They were to work with us. We must resist our
certainly situated in the same re- spiritual enemies, and look to God to
gion.                             trample them  nunder our feet.6. Tkhem will I drive out.  The I1 Only divide tlho  it by lot. Heb.
original is emphatic;'It is I that   1'  a happi7iyah, cast it, cauese it to
will do it; I who have all power, and  fall. See Note on Gen. 25. 18. A
am ever faithful; I who have prom- phraseology derived from the casting
ised, and can and will perform.' of the lots by which its distribution
Chal.'I will do it by my Word;' i. e. was governed. Joshua, no doubt,
by my eternal Word, the Captain of supposed that the land was first to be
the Lord's hosts.  This, however, conquereed, before it was divided, but
like other similar declarations, is to here his mistake is corrected. The
be understood conditionally.  God great Proprietor would have his peonever promised to put them in pos- ple consider the country as even now
session of the whole land, but upon theirs, and as a pledge of his purpose
condition of theirfidelity to him. If to give it them, directs that without
they failed in obedience, they would further delay it be forthwith apporfail in becoming masters of the coun- tioned out among the tribes.  This
try. Accordingly we find that they order would not only strengthen their
never did actually possess the whole assurance of the final possession of
land here assigned to them. The the land, but serve also as an incenSidonians were never expelled by the tive to prosecute the work of conIsraelites, and were only brought quest with fresh vigor, and to keep
into a state of comparative subjection themselves from  all leagues, and
in the days of David and Solomon. every kind of entangling connexion
Joshua, however, notwithstanding  which might obstruct the attainment
the caviis of infidels, actually did a\. of their ultimate object. So the ex.
that it was promised he should do. ercise of a lively faith puts the Chris.
God never said that he should con- tian even now in possession of the
quer all the land, but simply that he heavenly Canaan, the land of his
13




146                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1445.
7 Now therefore divide this 1 9 From Aroer that is upon the
land for an inheritance unto the Ibank of the river Arnon, and
nine tribes, and the half-tribe the city that is in the midst of
of Manasseh,                       the river, qand all the plain of
8 With whom the Reubenites Medeba unto Dibon;
and the Gadites have received   10 And r all the cities of Sihon
their inheritance, Pwhich Mloses king  of the Amorites,  which
gave them, beyond Jordan east- reigned in Heshbon, unto the
ward, even as Moses the ser- border of the children  of Amvant of the LoRD gave them;    mon;
p Num. 32. 33. Deut. 3. 12,13. ch. 22. 4.  q ver. 16. Num. 21.30. r Num. 21.24, 25.
eternal inheritance. Of all such it would leave it. - He would not alter
may be truly said;-                what Moses had done, and the reason'They view the triumph from afar,    why he would not, is intimated in
And seize it with their eye.'  the fact that Moses was' the servant
8. With whom. Heb. NISI immo, of the Lord,' faithful in all his house,
woith him, i. e. with the other half- and acting in this matter by a secret
tribe of Manasseh, who were to have direction from him.
no part in Canaan proper, as their   9. Tire city that is in the midst of
inheritance had already fallen to the river. For the true meaning of
them, on the other side of Jordan. the expression,'in the midst of the
The relative is put for an antecedent, river,' see Note on ch. 12. 2. Judgwhich is to be supplied from the gen- ing from  the reports of travellers,
eral tenor of the narrative, as in we see no reason to believe that such
Num. 7. 89; Ps. 114. 2; Is. 8. 21; an inconsiderable stream as Arnon,
Jer. 1. 3.  The speaker here and a mere rivulet, contained an island
henceforward is not God, whose large enough for the site of a city.
words terminate with v. 7, but the These verses, from v. 9 to 14, comrnhistorian, who takes occasion to re- prise a general description of the
hearse the allotment made by Moses whole count'ry given to the two tribes
to the two tribes and a half on the and a halt:  The remainder of the
other side Jordan, in order that the chapter is occupied with a detailed
reader might understand the reason account of the several districts allotwhy nothing is said of them in the ted to each. Here, in v. 9, taking
distribution now to be made by Josh-' city' and' river,' according to the
ua, but the whole land on this side common Heb. idiom, as the collect.
the river is ordered to be given to the sing. for the plur., we conceive the
nine tribes and a half. The other writer's drift is to say,'that begintwo and a half had been already pro- ning at Aroer, Moses gave to the
vided for; and the restatement of the two tribes and a half all the cities
fact here, in the formal record of the lying between the several rivers mendivision of the land, would serve to tioned ch. 12. 1, 2, together with all
ratify, in the strongest manner, the the plain or champagne country of
grant formerly made by Moses. As Medeba, even to Dibpn. These, in
he had settled the affair, so Joshua  the next verse, are called the cities




B13. C. 1445.]          CHAPTER  XIII.                            147
11,And Gilead, and the bor- of  Israel  expelled  xnot the
der of the Geshurites and Ma- Geshurites, nor the  Maachaachathites, and all mount Her- thites: but the Geshurites and
mon, and all Bashan unto Sal- the Maachathites dwell among
cah;                               the Israelites unto this day.
12 All the kingdom  of Og in   14 y Only unto the tribe of LeBashan, which reigned in Ash- vi he gave none inheritance;
taroth  and  in Edrei, who re- the sacrifices of the LORD God
mained of t the remnant of the of Israel made by fire are their
giants.  u For these did Moses inheritance,'as he  said  unto
smite, and cast them  out.         them.
13 Nevertheless, the children   15 ~ And Moses gave unto the
s ch. 12. 5. t Dent. 3. 11. ch. 12. 4.  x ver. 11. y Numb. 18. 20,23,24. ch. 14.
u Numb. 21. 24, 35.                3, 4. z ver. 33.
of Sihon, because they lay within his no inheritance.  See on Num. 18,
territories.                       20-24.-~  The sacrifices made by
13. The children of Israel expelled fire. The term is to be understood
not the Geshurites, &c. Spoken ap- in a large sense, including not only
parently by way of reflection upon all the oblations of which any part
the Israelites who succeeded Moses, was burnt, but also the first fruits and
for their remissness in driving out tithes assigned to the Levites for their
these nations. The failure of Mo- support. This is repeated again v.
ses to make a clean riddance of 43, to intimate that the Levites had
them at his first conquest, might be as good a title to their tithes and perentirely excusable, as he was intent quisites, as the rest of their brethren
upon reaching Canaan, and could not had to their estates, and also to enwell subject himself to the delay ne- join upon the tribes a cheerful and
cessary for their complete extermi- conscientious compliance with the
nation. But this plea would not hold will of God in this respect. Withafter Canaan was entered.  The holding their dues from  the Levites
tribes ought to have gone forward at he considered as no less than actually
once and finished the work which robbing himself.
Moses had begun. Instead of this,   15. Moses gave unto the tribe of the
it is related, to their disgrace, that children of Reuben. The writer now
they still suffered these people to enters upon a minute specification
dwell among them down to the time of the portions assigned by lot to the
when this history was written. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half
spirit of inspiration discovers, if we tribe of Manasseh. This is very fulmay so speak, a wonderful tact, both ly and exactly detailed.  On this
in administering censure and bestow- mode of assigning to the children
ing praise. Instances of both, man- their inheritances, and on this acaged with the most consummate skill, count of it, it may be remarked, (1)
abound in the compass of the sacred  That it was the most equitable and
scriptures.                        satisfactory method that could be
14. CUnto the tribe of Levi he gave adopted. Had the distribution been




148                          JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1445.
tribe of the children of Reuben   19 fAnd Kirjathaim, and g Sibinheritance  according  to  their mah, and Zareth-shahar in the
families.                          mount of the valley,
16 And their coast was afrom   20 And Beth-peor, and hAshAroer that is on the bank of the doth-pisgah,and Beth-jeshirnoth,
river Arnon, band the city that  21'And all the cities of the
is in the midst of the river, plain, and all the kingdom  of
eand all the plain by Medeba:  Sihon  king  of the  Amorites
17 Heshbon, and all her cities which  reigned  in  Heshbon,
that are in the plain; Dibon, and Jwhom  Moses smote kwith the
dBamoth-baal, and  Beth-baal- princes of Midian, Evi, and Remeon,                              kem, and Zur, and  Hur, and
18 e And Jahaza, and  Kede- Reba, which were dukes of Simoth, and Mephaath,                hon, dwelling in the country.
a ch. 12. 2. b Numb. 21. 28. c Numb.  fNumb. 32. 37. gNumb. 32. 38. h Deut.
21. 30. ver. 9. d Numb. 32. 38. e Numb. 3. 17. ch. 12. 3. i Deut. 3. 10. i Numb.
21. 23.                            21.24. k Numb, 31.8.
made by arbitrary appointment, as all tend to excite a very deep and lively
could not receive portions equally impression of the goodness of God
good, some would probably have in bestowing upon their ancestors,
complained that their brethren were for the benefit of their posterity, such
better dealt by than themselves. Di- a large and fertile country, an inherviding the land by lot, therefore, by itance so replete with all the worldly
cutting off all pretence for the charge blessings which heart could wish.
of favoritism  on the part of Moses,' God's grants look best, when we dewas the readiest way of satisfying all scend to the particulars.' Henry.parties, and preventing discontent and I According to thei' families.  As
discord. (2) The several allotments every tribe had its inheritance dividare here very minutely detailed in ed by lot; so it is probable, that aforder that litigation growing out of terwards the subdivisions to every
disputed boundaries might ever after family and each individual were
be prevented. When the limits of regulated in the same manner. Thus
each tribe were so clearly settled, their estates would descend to posterthere could be little room for contend- ity, not so much as the inheritance
ing claims, or if there were, an au- of their fathers, as that which the
thentic register of the lot of each Lordhadimmediatelyassignedthem.
tribe would be at hand to be appealed They could thus say, with the Psalmto for a decision, and there is no doubt ist, Ps. 16. 5, 6,' The Lord is the
that it was often made use of in after portion of mine inheritance and of my
ages for this purpose. We cannot cup: thou maintainest my lot. The
but learn from this the great impor- lines are fallen unto me in pleasant
tance of devising every prudent me- places; I have a goodly heritage.'
thod to prevent litigations about pro-   21. D  es of Sihon. Probably sa
perty. (3) The reading of this account called because they had been his triby succeeding generations would butaries, subject to his jurisdiction.




B. C. 1445.]         CHAPTER  XIII.                           149
22 If'Balaam  also the son of der, even unto the edge r of the
Beor, the soothsayer, did the sea of Cinnereth, on the other
children of Israel slay with the side Jordan eastward.
sword, among them  that were  28 This is the inheritance of
slain by them.                   the children of Gad after their
23 And the border of the chil- families, the cities, and their
dren of Reuben  was Jordan, villages.
and the border thereof.   This  29 IT And Moses gave inheritwas the inheritance of the chil- ance unto the half-tribe of Madren of Reuben, after their fam- nasseh: and this was the possesilies, the cities and the villages sion of the half-tribe of the chilthereof.                         dren of Manasseh by their fam24 And Moses  gave inherit- ilies.
ance unto the tribe of Gad, even  30 And their coast was from
unto the children of Gad accord- Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the
ing to their families.           kingdom of Og king of Bashan,
25 mAnd their coast was Ja- and s all the towns of Jair, which
zer, and all the cities of Gilead, are in Bashan, threescore cities:
"and half the land of the chil-  31 And half Gilead, and tAshdren of Ammon, unto Aroer that taroth, and Edrei, cities of the
is before oRabbah;               kingdom of Og in Bashan, were
26 And from  Heshbon  unto pertaining unto the children of
Ramath-mizpeh, and Betonim; Machir the son of Manasseh,
and from  Mahanaim  unto the even to the one half of the "chilborder of Debir;                 dren of Machir by their families.
27 And in the valley, PBeth-  32 These  are  the  countries
aram, and  Beth-nimrah, q and which Moses did distribute for
Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest inheritance in the plains of Moof the kingdom  of Sihon king ab, on the other side Jordan by
of Heshbon, Jordan and his bor- Jericho eastward.
I Num. 22. 5, and 31. 8..    Num. 2. 25.  33 x But unto the tribe of Levi,
n Compare Num. 21. 26, 28, 29, with Deut.
2.19. and Jud. 11. 13, 15 &c. o 2 Sam..  r Nu. 34. 11. o 2  Num. 32. 41. 1 Chron., and12.26. p Numn.32.36. qGen.33.17. 2.23. tch.12.4. uNum.32.39,40. xver.;       Kings 7.46.              14. ch. 18. 7.
They are indeed called'kings of Num. 31. 8, but is repeated here, beMidian' in Num, 31. 8, but by'kings' cause the defeating of Balaam's purin the sacred writings we are often pose to curse Israel was the turning
to understand no more than mere pet- of that curse into a blessing, and was
ty chieftains, who might be at the such an instance of the power and
same time subject to some more po- goodness of God as was fit to be had
tent sovereign. See Gen. 14. 1, 2.  in everlasting remembrance.' Henry,
22. Balaam also-did the children Divine justice knows well how to
of Israel slay. He fell with those put the brand of perpetual infamy
who instigated him to his wicked- upon those who sin, like Balaam,
nless.' This was recorded before, against light and knowledge.
13*




150                        JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1444
Moses gave not any inheritance: 2 b By lot was their inheritance,
the LoRD God of Israel was as the LORD commanded by the
their inheritance, Yas he saidun- hand of Moses, for the nine
to them.                         tribes, and for the half-tribe.
3 C For Moses had given the
CHAPTER  XIV.             inheritance of two tribes and an
A  ND  these are the countries half-tribe on the other side Jorwhich the children of Israel dan: but unto the Levites he
inherited in the land of Canaan, gave none inheritance among'which Eleazar the priest, and them.
Joshua the son of Nun, and the  4 For dthe children of Joseph
heads of the fathers of the tribes were two tribes, Manasseh and
of the children of Israel distri- Ephraim: therefore they gave
buted for inheritance to them.   no part unto the Levites in the
y Num 18. 20. Deut. 10. 9, and 18. 1. 2.  X Num. 26. 35, and33. 54, and 34. 13. c ch.
a Num. 34. 16, 18.               13. 8, 32, 33. d Gen. 48. 5. 1 Chron. 5. 1, 2.
CHAPTER XIV.             expressly appointed by Moses, Num.
1. These are the countries, &c. The 34. 19. This was done that every
historian having, in the preceding tribe, having a representative of its
chapter, given an account of the dis- own, might be satisfied that there
posal of the countries on the other was fair dealing, and might conse.
side of Jordan, comes now to state quently abide more contentedly by
the allotments made to the remaining its lot.
nine tribes and a half in the bounds   2. By lot vwas their inheritance.
of Canaan proper.  The directions This distribution by lot was overrulwhich Moses had formerly given, ed by a special providence, so as to
Num. 36. 53-56, respecting the mode correspond with the inspired predicof making this distribution, are now  tions of Jacob and Moses, respecting
to be punctually observed. Previous- the allotment of each tribe. The fact
ly to entering upon the account of is very remarkable, yet unquestionathis division, the writer premises two ble, that the tribes found themselves
or three things which fall in here placed by lot in the very sections of
more properly than any where else, the country, which Jacob had foreas that the Levites were not compre- told two hundred and fifty years behended in the grant made to the fore, and Moses shortly before his
tribes; that the tribe of Joseph was death. Comp. Gen. 49, and D.ut.
reckoned as two; and that Caleb had 33. To Judah fell a country aboundgiven to him at his request a certain ing in vineyards and pastures; to
tract of country which had been be- Zebulon, sea-coasts; to Issachar, a
fore promised by Moses.-   f The rich plain between ranges of mounheads of the fathers of the tribes. That tains; to Asher, one abounding in
is, heads or chief men among the plenty of oil, wheat, and metals; and
fathers of the tribes. These were so of the others. See Masius and
twelve in number, including Joshua Calmet for more particular details.
and Eleazar. They had been before   4. The children of Joseph were two




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XIV.                          151
land, save cities to dwell in, gal: and Caleb the son of Jewith their suburbs for their cat- phunneh the fKenezite said unto
tie, and for their substance.    him, Thou knowest 9the thing
5 e As the LORD commanded that the LORD said unto Moses
Moses, so the children of Israel the man of God concerning me
did, and they divided the land.  and thee "in Kadesh-barnea.
6 IT Then the children of Ju-  7 Forty years old was I when
dah came unto Joshua in Gilf Num. 32. 12, and ch. 15. 17. g Num.
e Num. 35. 2. ch. 21. 2.  14. 24. 30. Deut. 1. 36, 38. h Nunm. 13. 26.
tribes. That is, had a double portion attended, that he designed to take
or the portion of two tribes. By Jo- advantage of his authority as a comseph's being reckoned two tribes, the missioner to promote his private innation was made to consist of twelve terest; he therefore takes his brethtribes, though Levi was excluded.   ren along with him to preclude any
5. And they divided the land. They such imputation. Some suppose that
entered upon the business of dividing this transaction took place previous
it; they took the preliminary meas- to the siege and capture of Hebron,
ures; they consulted together and related ch. 10.36,37, and that the exsettled the manner in which it should pedition detailed in its minute particbe done. The actual dividing took ulars, in ch. 15. 13-15, is there barely
place afterwards.  The Scriptures touched upon, or described in the
often speak of that as done, which is most general manner.  The fact,
merely begun or resolved upon. It however, that the application of Camust have required a considerable leb was made to Joshua at Gilgal,
time to make all the geographical and not while he was pursuing his
arrangements necessary for this pur- conquests over the south of Canaan,
pose.                            seems decisive against this opinion.
6. TheA the children of Judah came. 1- Thou knowest the thing, &c.'Then'-while they were at Gilgal, Caleb probably alludes to what is
preparing to make the division,which said Num. 14. 24,'But my servant
it seems was finished at Shilo, ch. Caleb him will I bring into the land
18. 1. The thread of the narrative whereinto he went; and his seed
is again interrupted to introduce the shall possess it.' Deut. 1. 36,' Caleb
digression concerning the allotment the son of Jephunneh, to him will I
of Caleb. The children of Judah, give the land that he hath trodden
that is, probably, the heads and-chief upon, and to his children, because
men, accompanied Caleb, who be- he hath wholly followed the Lord.'
longed to the same tribe, in order to This seems to be spoken, not of the
testify their consent to the measure, land of promise in general, but of
and to aid and countenance him in some particular district to which he
obtaining the object of his request. had penetrated when sent out by MoAs Caleb was one of the twelve ses. This,undoubtedly,was Hebron,
whom God had chosen to superin- Num. 13. 22, and was so understood
tend the partition of the land, Num. by all parties at the time. The prom34. 12, it might seem, if he came un- ise then made by God to Moses he




152                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
Moses the servant of the LORD   9 And  Moses sware on that
sent me from Kadesh-barnea to  day, saying, mSurely the land
espy out the land; and I brought "whereon thy feet have trodden
him  word  again as it was in shall be thine inheritance, and
mine heart.                        thy children's for ever; because
8 Nevertheless, onmy brethren  thou hast wholly followed the
that went up with me made the LORD my God.
heart of the people melt: but I  10 And now, behold, the LORD
wholly'followed the LORD my  hath kept me alive, "as he said,
God.                               these forty and five years, even
i Num. 13. 6, and 14. 6. k Num. 13. 31,
32. Deut. 1. 28. 1 Num. 14. 24. Deut.  m Num. 14. 23, 24. Deut. 1. 36. ch. L
1. 36.                             3. n Sce Num. 13. 22. ~ Null. 14. 30.
now pleads; and what can be more was not vain-glory for him to speak
confidently expected than the fulfil- of it, especially as this was the main
ment of his gracious word. There ground on which he had become enis more presumption in declining and titled to the object of his petition. It
neglecting his promises, than in urg- is not pride, but simply a tribute of
ing their performance.             due acknowledgment, to declare what
7. Brought Aim word again as it a gracious God has done for us and
was in mine heart. Made a true and by us. It was peculiarly to the honor
honest statement; spake sincerely; of Caleb that he maintained such an
uttered the real sentiments of my unbending fidelity to God when his
heart. His conscience bore him wit- brethren and associates in that serness, and now enabled him  to say, vice, except Joshua, proved so faiththat neitherfear norfavor influenced less and faint-hearted.' It adds much
him  on the occasion; he told what to the praise of following God, if we
he believed to be the truth, the whole adhere to him when others desert and
truth, and nothing but the truth. It decline from him.' Henry.
has been remarked in this connexion,   9. Moses sware on that day. See
that Caleb's name signifies, accord- Num. 14. 24; Deut. 1. 36.  In these
ing to the heart.                  passages God himself is the speaker;
8. Iwholly followed the Lord. Heb. and it is he that swears according to
11,1 ~ trl a ch     millthAi ahari thewords here recited. But as Moses
Yehovah, fulfilled after the Lord. was the organ through whom the asArab.'I perfected my obedience be- sured promise was conveyed, the
fore the Lord my God.' On the im- swearing is attributed to him.port of this expression, see Note on ~f The land whereon thy feet have
Num. 14. 24.  The energy of the trodden. Not the land of Canaan in
expression is well preserved in our general, but this particular, this idenversion. The words give the idea tical district. See on v. 6.
of a traveller, who, intent upon fol-   10. Hath kept me alive.  Heb.
lowing his guide, so treads in his S'OR n' rril hehyaAh othi, hath vivi.
steps, as to leave hardly any void fled me. See on ch. 6. 25. Accord..
space between. As he had obtained ing to our previous interpretation, it.
this testimony from  God himself, it implies that he was kept alive, when,




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XIV.                           153
since the LORD spake this word  Moses sent me: as my strength
unto Mosep, while the children was then, even so is my strength
of Israel wandered in the wil- now, for war, both qto go out,
derness: and now, lo, I am this and to come in.
day fourscore and five years old.  12 Now therefore give me this
11 P As yet I am as strong this mountain, wherefore the LORD
day, as I was in the day that spake in that day; for thou
p See Deut. 34. 7.                  q Deut. 31. 2.
in the ordinary course of things, he mentions this, both to give glory to
would have been dead; that it was God who was the strength as well as
in despite of the tendencies of nature the length of his days, and also to
to decav and dissolution that he now  intimate to Joshua that it would not
stood among the living in so much be throwing away a portion upon a
health and strength. His present ex- weak old man, who was unequal to
istence was a kind of resurrection the task of either taking or retaining
from the dead. The longer we live, it. On the contrary, even if it were
the more sensible should we be of the to be taken from the hands of giants,
special upholding hand of Providence and should require the utmost prowin prolonging our frail and forfeited ess, energy and nerve of the youthful
lives.-'I These forty and five years. warrior, he was still able to put it
Of which thirty-eight were spent in forth. He was not afraid to cope at
the wilderness, and seven in the pro- eighty with the same power which
secution of the wars in Canaan.-  he would readily have encountered
~ Wandered in the wilderness. HIeb. at forty.-If we would make sure of
51'/ halak, walked. As a punishment a green old age,' let us begin early
for their unbelief and rebellion.- to follow the Lord fully. It is usu~ Lo, I am this day four score and ally the excesses of youth which
five years old. Heb.'a son of four- bring on the premature decay of the
score and five years.' Caleb was bodily and mental powers. It is prenow, with the exception of Joshua, cisely that sobriety, temperance, and
not only the oldest man in all Israel, moderation which religion enjoins,
but was twenty years older than any that secures to us the longest continof them; for all that were above uance and the highest enjoyment of
twenty when he was forty, had died life, health, and strength; and these
in the wilderness.' It was fit, there- habits cannot begin to be practised
fore, that this phoenix of his age too early. -~Both to go oust and to
should have some particular marks come in. A proverbial phrase, equivof honor put upon him in the divid- alent to performing all the duties being of the land.' Henry.          longing to an official station. See
11. As my strength was then, so is on Num. 27. 17.
my strerngth now.  My ability not   12. Give me this mountain. Not
only for counsel, but for action, re- any particular mountain, but this
mains unimpaired; I am as compe- mountainous tract oi region; for
tent as ever for the hard services such was eminently the country
and difficult exploits of war. He about Hebron. He does not mention




154                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444
heardest in that day how r the 8 if so be the LORD will be with
Anakims were there, and that me, then t I shall be able to drive
the cities were great and fenced: them  out, as the LORD said.
s Ps. 18. 32, 34, and 60. 12. Rom. 8. 31.
r Num. 13. 28, 33.        t ch. 15. 14. Judg. 1.20.
and cannot mean the city of Hebron  I will do without." "Well," said Moalone, which had been before taken ses, " it shall be thine own then, win
Dy Joshua, but he included in his re- it and wear it." Henry. Such is the
quest all the adjacent country, to the spirit of the true Christian hero. All
caves and strongholds of which the indeed are not such, but some are;
Anakim had retired, and where they and he who is, is not only willing,
were now abiding in considerable but forward, in the strength of God,
force. The city itself fell afterwards to encounter the most formidable ento the lot of the Levites, ch. 21. 13, emies and the most apparently insuand became a city of refuge, ch. 20. perable obstacles in working out the'7.' When Caleb had it, he content- will of his heavenly Master. If there
ed himself with the country about it, is any enterprise of peculiar difficuland cheerfully gave the city to the ty to be undertaken, or any post of
priests, the Lord's ministers; think- especial danger to be occupied, he is
ing it could not be better bestowed, prompt to volunteer his services for
no, not upon his own children, nor the occasion. Not that he courts the
that it was the less his own for being perilous work, merely for the purthus devoted to God.' Henry. He- pose of a vain-glorious display of
bron, at a still later period, became a courage or skill, but because he wishroyal city, being made in the begin- es to honor God by his faith; to give
ning of David's reign the metropolis him an opportunity, through such an
of the kingdom of Judah.-  ~ For humble instrument, to glorify his
thou heardest-how the Anakims were great name and confound the infidelthere. This, it would seem, was the ity of his enemies and his timorous
place from  which more than any  friends. In one who feels the mis.
other the spies took their unfavorable sionary impulse, this Caleb-like spirit
report; for here they met with the will prompt to a fearless survey if
sons of Anak, the sight of whomn so the whole field, and if there be any
much intimidated them.'WVe may  spot which is at once promising and
suppose that Caleb, observing what yet appalling desirable and yetdreadstress they laid upon the difficulty of fol; a spot where the greatest force
conquering Hebron, a city garrisoned  of heathen opposition is concentrated,
by the giants, and how from thence that is the spot which will be really
they inferred that the conquest of the most attractive in his eye.  Its diffiwhole land'was utterly impractica- culties and dangers will be among
ble, bravely desired to have that city its highest recommenclations.  This'which they called in~vincible assigned spirit shone conspicul:ously in Paull
to himself for his own portion; " I in the whole course of his life and
will undertake to deal. wil.h that, and labors, and on one occasion 1we see
if I cannot get it for my inheritance, it nobly expressing itself in so many




B. C. 1444.]            CHAPTER  XV.                             155
13 And Joshua Ublessed him,   15 And,the name of Hebron
xand gave unto Caleb the son before was Kirjath-arba; which
of Jephunneh, Hebron for an in- Arba was a great man among
heritance.                         the Anakims.   bAnd the land
14 Y Hebron therefore became  had rest from war.
the inheritance of Caleb the son           CHAPTE
of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto           HIS  then was the lot of
this day; because that he -wholly  -I th e tribe of  the children
followed the LORD God of Israel. of Judah by their families    en
of Judah by their fanlilies;' even
u ch. 22. 6. x oh. 10. 37, and 15. 13. Judg.
1.20. Seech. 21.11,12. 1Chron. 6.55,56t.   a Gen. 23. 2. oh. 15. 13. b ch. 11. 23
y oh. 21. 12. z ver. 8, 9.         a Num. 34. 3.
words, when he says of Ephesus,' A  of heaven, would be powerless to acgreat and effectual door is opened complish the desired result.
unto me, and many adversaries.' The    13. And Joshua blessed him. That'adversaries' were no doubt among is, not only granted his request, but
the special inducements that prompt- applauded his brave and enterprised him to enter that field. Itis cause ing spirit, and implored the blessing
of gratitude to God that there are of God upon him in reference to his
such spirits still to be found in the proposed undertaking.
world, and that as long as there shall   15. Kirjath-arba. That is, the city
be sons of Anak on earth to intimi- of Arba, the name of an individual
date the fearful, there shall be also distinguished either for his remarksons of Caleb to grapple with and de- able bodily stature and strength, or
stroy them.- ~  If so be the Lord his power and authority, or perhaps
will be Fwith me, &c. Chal.'Perhaps both, among the Anakims. —— And
the Word of the Lord will be for my the land had rest from war. There
help.' The ardor of a bold native were no more general wars. The
temperament is here moderated by inhabitants of Canaan could make
the workings of a spirit of conscious no longer any head against the power
unworthiness and of humble depend- of Israel.  Being disjointed  and
ence on the Divine blessing. Caleb broken, they could no longer rally in
in these words virtually  acknow- such force as to make it necessary
ledges that the battle is not to the for the whole Israelitish body to go
strong nor the race to the swift, and against them in a general campaign.
that the favorable presence of God This may be considered as the genwith us in our undertakings is all in uine sense of the expression, though
all to our success. The expression it be admitted that there were afteris not to be understood as implying wards particular wars, arising from
any doubt in his mind of God'sread- the attempts of each tribe to expel
iness to assist him, but simply as a the ancient inhabitants still remaindisclaimer of exclusive reliance on ing in their respective territories.
his own unaided prowess. It is the
language of one who feels that an          CHAPTER  XV.
arm of flesh. even all the forces of   1. This then was the lot, &c.  The
Israel combined, without the blessing account of the partition of the land




156                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
to the border of Edom, the bwil- the uttermost part of the south
derness of Zin southward was coast.
b Num. 33. 26.
which was commenced ch. 14. 1-5, Simeon's was taken out of it. It
was interrupted by the mention of would seem, in fact, that the first deCaleb's application to Joshua for He- signation of the portions of the sevbron as his inheritance, and that eral tribes was quite vague and genbeing dispatched, the writer here re- eral, but that the limits of each were
turns from  the digression, and re- afterwards adjusted and settled by
sumes the thread of his narrative re- Joshua and the elders, with as much
specting the allotment of the tribes. precision as the nature of the case
The manner in which the designed would admit. (4) As to the manner
partition should be made, had already in which the casting of lots took
been settled by Divine appointment, place on this occasion, though we
Num. 26. 25,'The land shall be are not expressly informed, yet the
divided by lot: according to the probability is, that after the land was
names of their fathers shall they in- geographically divided into the reherit.' In obedience to this command quisite number of portions, these porJoshua now proceeds. On this part tions properly labelled, or otherwise
of the history it may be remarked, distinguished, were put into one urn
(1) That the business of casting lots or pot, and the names- of the several
on this occasion was undoubtedly tribes into another; that then Joshua,
conducted with great seriousness and for example, put his hand into the
solemnity, and with devout prayer to vessel containing the names of the
God, whose is the disposal of the lot, tribes, and took out one slip, while
that he would overrule it all to his Eleazar took out one from the other
own glory and the accomplishment vessel, in which the names of the
of his wise purposes. (2) That al- portions were put; whereupon the
though an exact survey of the land name drawn and the portion drawn
was not taken till some time after being read, it was at once determined
this, ch. 18. 4, 5, yet some general what portion was to be appropriated
view of it must have been obtained, to such a tribe; and so of the rest.
and some rude draught have been It is probable, however, that this plan
spread before them, sufficient, at was adopted, on the present occasion,
least, to have enabled them to divide only in respect to the two large and
the land into nine and a half portions, principal tribes of Judah and Joseph,
with more or less accuracy.  (3) as they were now at Gilgal, and the
That the respective lots did not, at division certainly was not completed
this time, so peremptorily and un- till after they arrived at Shilo, ch.
changeably determine the bounds of 18. 1, 2. In reference, therefore, to
each tribe, that they could not sub- this mode of drawing out the lots
sequently be either contracted or en- from the bottom of the urns, the phralarged, or otherwise altered; for it seology of a lot's'coming up' or
is evident from what follows, ch. 19.   coming forth,' became established.
9, that after Judah's lot was fixed, -~ —  The lot of the tribe of the children




B. C. 1444.]              CHAPTER  XV.                             157
2 And their south border was from the bay that looketh southfrom the shore of the salt sea, ward:
of Judah. By the special disposition  The quaint remark of Henry, thereof providence the lot of Judah came I fore, on this subject, is deserving of
up first, in token of the pre-eminence attention, that' we are not to skip
of that tribe over the rest. This dis- over these chapters of hard names,
tinction hereby received the Divine as useless and not to be regarded;
sanction.-~f Even to tihe border of where God has a mouth to speak and
Edom. The geography of the sacred a hand to write, we snould find an
writings presents many difficulties, ear to hear and an eye to read.' As
occasioned  by the  many changes it respects the lot of Judah, as here
which the civil state of the promised marked out, it was bounded on the.:and has undergone, especially for south by the wilderness of Sin and
he last two thousand years. Many the southern coast of the Salt Sea;
of the ancient towns and villages on the east by that sea, reaching to
have had their names so totally the place at which it receives the
changed, that their former appella- waters of the Jordan; on the north,
tions are no-longer discernible; sev- by a line drawn nearly parallel to
eral lie buried under their own ruins; Jerusalem, across from  the northern
and others have been so long destroy- extremity of the Salt Sea to the south
ed that not one vestige of them re- boundary of the Philistines and to
mains. On these accounts, it is very the Mediterranean Sea; which sea
difficult to ascertain the situation of was its western boundary, as far as
many of the places mentioned in this the river of Egypt. Joshua is parand the following chapters. Yet the ticular in giving the limits of this
ancient appellations of many of these tribe, as being the first, the most nulocalities may still be detected in  merous, the most important, that
modified forms under the modern  which was to furnish the kings of
names, and the sites of a greater num- Judea, that in which pure religion
ber of them satisfactorily determined, was to be preserved, and that from
than would at first seem practicable. which the Messiah was to spring.
This portion of the sacred story can- As this portion, however, contained
not of course be so interesting, or so nearly half the southern part of Caprofitable to the general reader as naan, it was afterwards found too
details of another character, and we extensive, and the possessions of
shall not therefore enlarge upon it Simeon and Dan were taken out of it.
in our remarks, but as many of the   2. PFron tihe bay that loolketh southplaces here mentioned are frequently ward. Heb. 1'f'1  leshOn, the tongue,
alluded to in the subsequent history i. e. a gulf, bay, or arm  of the sea.
and the prophets, this enumeration is The like phrase occurs Is. 11. 15,
important, as enabling us oftentimes' The Lord shall utterly destroy-tAe
to determine their situation; and it tongue of the Egyptian Sea.' The
need not to be observed that the geo- southern extremity of the Dead Sea,
graphy of a country is of the utmost as laid down in the best maps, animportance in illustrating its history. swers in its form to this description.
14




158                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
3 And it went out to the south   6 And the border went up to
side rto Maaleh-acrabbim, and eBeth-hogla, and passed along
passed along to Zin, and ascend- by the north of Beth-arabah;
ed up on the south side unto and the border went up'to the
Kadesh-barnea,and passed along stone of Bohan the son of Reuto Hezron, and went up to Adar, ben:
and fetched a compass to Kar-  7 And the border went up tokaa:                              ward Debir from g the valley of
4 From  thence it passed d to- Achor, and so northward lookward Azmon, and went out unto ing toward Gilgal, that is before
the river of Egypt; and the the  going  up  to  Adummim,
goings out of that coast were at which is on the south side of
the sea: this shall be your south the river: and the border passcoast.                            ed toward the waters of En5 And the east border was the sheinesh, and the goings  out
salt sea, even unto the end of thereof were at h Enrogel:
Jordan: and their border in the   8 And the border went up iby
north quarter was from the bay the valley of the son of Hinnom,
of the sea, at the uttermost part              f ch. 18. 17. g ch. 7. 26.
of Jordan:                        h 2 Sam. 17. 17. 1  Kings 1. 9. i oh. 18.16.
c Num. 34. 4. d~ Num. 34. 5.  2 Kings 23. 10. Jer. 19. 2. 6.
The term among us is generally ap- commander of the forces of that tribe
plied to a jutting promontory of land. which came over the Jordan. It is
3. Maaleh-acrabbim.  Or, Heb. not unlikely that he died in the camp'the ascent of (the mount of) scor- at Gilgal, and was buried not far off,
pions;' probably so called from the under the stone here alluded to.
multitude of those animals found   7. En-shemesh. Heb.'fountain of
there. Com. Num. 34. 4. -I Ka- the sun;' a place eastward of Jerudesh-Barnea.  Called En-mishpat, salem, on the confines of Judah and
Gen. 14. 7. It was on the edge of Benjamin. Some conjecture that it
the wilderness of Paran, and about was a fountain dedicated by the Catwenty-four miles from  Hebron. naanites to the sun.-   T Ew-rogel.
Here Miriam, the sister of Moses Heb.'fountain of the fuller;' perand Aaron, died; and here Moses haps from its water having afforded
and Aaron rebelled against the Lord; special conveniences to those that
whence the place was called Meri- exercised the craft of fullers. It is
bah-Kadesh, or contention of Kadesh. supposed by some to have been the
5. Unto the end of Jordan. The same as the Pool of Siloam; by
mouth of Jordan; the place where it others placed further down the valdischarges itself into the Dead Sea.  ley, near the south-east of Jerusalem,
6. Beth-arabah.  Heb.'house of and not far from what is now called
solitude;' perhaps so called from the the Fountain of the Blessed Visrgin.
loneliness and dreariness of the place.   8. Thte valley of the son of Hinnorn.
-— ~The stone of Bohan. A Reu- A valley in the vicinity of Jerusalem,
tenite, and probably a distinguished lying probably on the south of mount




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XV.                              159
unto the south side of the kJe- the border was drawn "to Baabusite; the same is Jerusalem: ]ah, which is 0 Kirjath-jearim:
and the border went up to the   10 And the border compassed
top of the mountain that lieth from   Baalah  westward  unto
before  the valley  of Hinnom  mount Seir, and passed along
westward, which is at the end  unto the side of mount Jearin'of  the  valley  of the  giants (which  is Chesalon)  on  the
northward:                         north side, and went down to
9 And the border was drawn  Beth-shemesh, and passed on to
from  the top of the hill unto  PTimnah:
rthe fountain of the water of   11 And the border went out
Nephtoah, and went out to the unto the side of q Ekron northcities of mount Ephron; and ward: and the border was drawn
eli h. 18. 28. Judo. 1.21, and 19. 10. 1 ch.  " 1 Chron. 13. 6. o Judg. 18.12. P Gen.
18. 16. in ch. 18. 15.             38. 13. Judg 14. 1. q ch. 19. 43.
Zion, and consequently environing part of Hades where they supposed
the ancient city on the south side. the souls of wicked men were punWho this Hinnom  was, or why it ished in eternal lfire. Under thisidea,
was called his valley, is not known. it was often called Gehennca of fire;
This valley, or, more properly speak- the name'I Gehenna' being formed
ing, ravine, is only about one hun- from  the Heb.:3,~T q'f  Ge-hinnonm,
dred and fifty feet in breadth, and is valley of Hin'nom.  See Barnes'
stated to have been in ancient times Notes on Mat. 6. 22.-.T Valley of
exceedingly verdant and shaded with the giants. Or, Heb. t:'It reph/irm,
trees. But from the inhuman prac- of the Reph/aim; on which word see
tices of the Hebrews, in sacrificing onl Gen. 6. 4; Deut. 2. 7, 11. This
their infants at a place in it called valley lay about three miles to the
Tophet, the whole valley was de- southwest of Jerusalem, and appears
nounced by Jehovah, and polluted by to have been so called from its anJosiah, by ordure and dead men's cient gigantic inhabitants. It was
bones and every kind of filth from  the theatre of several signal victories
the city.  After the captivity, the obtained by David over the PhilisJews regarded this spot with abhor- tines, and was also famed for its ferrence, on account of the abomina- tility and its excellent crops of corn.
tions which had been practised there, Is. 17. 5. The road from Jerusalem,
and following the example of Josiah, says Maundrell, passes through this
threw into it the carcases of animals valley, and in it are pointed out to
and the dead bodies of malefactors, the traveller the ruined tower of Simand every species of refuse. To pre- eon, the Greek monastery of Elias,
vent the pestilence which such a and the tomb of Rachel. The valley.mass would occasion, if left to pu- itself is now only partially cultivated,
trify, constant fires were kept up in and even those parts which are sown
the valley, in order to consume what with corn yield but a comparatively
was thrown into it. It became there- poor and scanty crop.'He turneth
fore a striking type of Hell, or that a fruitful land into barrenness for




160                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
to Shicron, and passed along to t the city of Arba the father of
mount Baalah, and went out Anak, which city is Hebron.
unto  Jabneel; and the goings'14 And  Caleb  drove  thence
out of the border were at the sea. u the three sons of Anak, x She12 And the west border was shai, and Ahiman, and Talmai,
r to the great sea, and the coast the children of Anak.
thereof: this is the coast of the   15 And y he went up thence to
children of Judah round about, the inhabitants of Debir: and
according to their families.      the name of Debir before was
13'T s And unto Caleb the son Kirjath-sepher.
of Jephunneh he gave a part  16  TF And Caleb said, He that
among the children of Judah,, smiteth Kirjatth-sepher, and takaccording to the commandment eth it, to him will I give Achsah
of the LoRD to Joshua, even my daughter to wife.
r ver. 47. Num. 34 6, 7. s ch. 14. 13.  u Judg. 1. 10, 20. x Num. 13.-22. y ch.
t ch. 14. 15.                     10. 38. Judg. 1.11. z Judg. 1. 12.
the wickedness of them that dwell pose that this city was a seat of learntherein.'                        ing, or a repository of the records of
13. ABid rluto Caleb he gave. Or the ancient inhabitants. It is not inHeb.' had given.'  The historian deed probable that writings and books,
seems pleased with every occasion in our sense of the words, were very
to make mention of Caleb, and to do common among the Canaanites; but
him honor, because he honored the some method of recording events and
Lord by following him fully. Re- a sort of learning was doubtless culspecting this grant to Joshua, see tivated in those regions.
notes on the preceding chapter, v.   16. And Caleb said, He that smiteth,
6-15.                             &c. We cannot think so ill of Caleb,
14. Drove thence the sons of Anak. as to suppose that this proposition
This is doubtless mentioned here to proceeded either from cowardice or
show, that the confidence he had be- sloth. He did not invite another a)
fore expressed of success in this af- achieve a difficult and dangerous exfair, through the presence of God ploit because he shrunk from it himwith him, did not deceive him. The self.  He had already evinced too
event answered all his expectations; much valor to allow of the supposiand it is here put on record at once tion. But his generous spirit would
to the praise of Caleb, to the glory not permit him to monopolise all the
of God, who never disappoints those glory of these victories. He would
that trust in him, and for the encour- give occasion to some of his younger
agement of believers in all ages. On brethren to signalise their prowess
the sense of the phrase'drove out,' also; and to strengthen the induce.
see on Judg. 1. 10.              ment, he makes a proffer of his
15. Debir-Kirjath-sepher. These daughter in marriage to the success..
names, the former signifying a word ful combatant. Such an achievement
or oracle, the latter, the city of a book, would be presumptive evidence that
have led some commentators to sup- the man was worthy of her, and ont.




B. C. 1444.]             CHAPTER  XV.                           161
17 And aOthniel the b son of   18   And it came to pass, as
Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, she  came unto him, that she
took it: and he gave him Ach- moved him to ask of her father
sah his daughter to wife.          a field: and d she lighted offher
a Judg. 1. 13, and 3. 9. b Num. 32. 12. ch.  c Judg. 1. 14. d Gen. 24. 64. 1 Sam. 25. 23.
14. 6.
who was likely to deserve well of that he was worthy both of the work
his country. So Saul, in like man- and the wages; for he became afterner, promised his daughter in mar- wards a deliverer and a judge in Isriage to him who should kill Goliath, rael, the first single person who pre1 Sam. 17. 25. Fathers, in ancient sided in their affairs, after the death
times, appear to have had nearly an of Joshua.'It is good for those, who
absolute power in the disposal of are setting out in the world, to begin
their daughters in marriage, as we betimes with that which is great and
learn from the case of Laban, and good; that, excelling in service when
numerous other instances mentioned they are young, they may excel in
in the Scriptures. Caleb, however, honor when they are old.' Henry.
could no doubt safely presume upon   18. As s/le came unto him. Or, Heb.
his daughter's preference coinciding' in her going;' i. e. in going from
with his, especially when such re- her father's house to live with her
commendations existed as were sup- husband.-~ Shie moved him to ask.
posed in the very nature of the case. Gr.'she took counsel with him, say
Deeds of valor have seldom failed, ing, I will ask.' Being on the point
in any age of the world, to prove a of leaving the paternal roof, she
powerful passport to the female heart, seized the opportunity, when a paalthough it is to be hoped that the rent's heart would naturally be tender
force of this attraction will diminish, and yielding, to persuade her husas the influence of a religion of peace band to solicit an additional boon of
prevails in the world.             her father. He readily consented to
17. Othniel, the son of Kenaz, the the request being made, but seems
brother of Caleb, took it. It was Ke- to have preferred that it should come
naz, and not Othniel, who was the from herself rather than him, as he
brother, and, as appears from Judg. would do nothing that would appear
1. 13, the younger brother of Caleb; like taking advantage of Caleb's faotherwise the marriage would have vorable disposition towards his sonbeen unlawful, or at least of question- in-law. Accordingly the petition was
able propriety. It is not at all im- made by Aclisah, who, in order to
probable, that Othniel previously en- manifest more respect and reverence
tertained an affection for Achsah, so for her father, alighted off the anithat he could not brook the thought mal on which she rode, and addressthat any one else should do more to ed.him in the most suppliant posture.
win her favor, than he himself would. On this eastern mode of expressing
This prompted him  unhesitatingly respect, see'Illustrations of Scripto take up the gage which Caleb had ture,' p. 32, 232.
thrown down.  The result proved   19. Give me a blessing. Do me an
14*




162                        JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1444.
ass; and Caleb said unto her, 22 And Kinah, and Dimonah,
What wouldest thou?             and Adadah,
19 Who answered, Give me a  23 And Kedesh, and Hazor,
eblessing; for thou hast given and Ithnan,
me a south land, give me also  24 Ziph, and Telem, and Beasprings of water: and he gave loth,
her the upper springs, and the   25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and
nether springs.                  Kerioth, and Hezron, which is
20 This is the inheritance of Hazor,
the tribe of the children of Ju-  26 Amam, and  Shema, and
dah according to their families. Moladah,
21 And the uttermost cities of  27 And  Hazar-gaddah,  and
the tribe of the children of Ju- Heshmon, and Beth-palet,
dah toward the coast of Edom   28 And Hazar-shual, and Beersouthward were Kabzeel, and sheba, and Bizjothjah,
Eder, and Jagur.                  29 Baalah, and rim, and Azem,
e Gen. 33. 11.
act of kindness, grant me a special this, when we pray for spiritual and
favor, as a gift is sometimes called a heavenly blessings, which relate to
blessing, Gen. 33. 11; 2 Kings 5. 15; our souls as blessings of the upper
2 Cor. 9. 5. Or, she calls this a bless- springs, and those that relate to the
ing, because it would add much to body and the life that now is, as blessthe comfort of her settlement, and she ings of the nether springs.  From
was sure, since she married not only this story we may learn, (1) That a
with her father's consent, but in obe- moderate desire for the comforts and
dience to his command, he would conveniences of this life is no breach
not deny her his blessing.-rT Hast of the commandment,' Thou shalt
given me a soutlh land. Which by not covet.' (2) That mutual consullying exposed to the burning rays of tation and joint agreement between
the sun, and to the sultry south winds, husbands and wives, as touching the
was comparatively ill-watered and things they shall seek pertaining to
barren.-  11 Give me also springs of the common good of themselves and
water. By which she meant not sim- their families, is the surest omen of
ply gushing springs of water, but the success.  (3) That parents should
field or fields in which they were sit- never think that lost which is beuated, v. 18. Chald.' Give me a stowed upon their children, for their
place moistened with water.' If the advantage. They forget themselves
fields belonged to one, and the springs and their relations, who grudge their
to another, she would of course be children what is convenient for them,
little benefited by the possession.- when they can easily part with it.
TrHe gave her the upper springs and the   20..'/is is the inheriiance, &c. HIe
nether springs.  Both higher and now returns to the description of Julower ground; tracts of hill and dale dah's inheritance, from the digreswell watered. An allusion of prac- sion made concerning Caleb and his
tical bearing is sometimes made to family, in the preceding verses.




B. C. 1444.]         CHAPTER XV.                         163
30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, 45 Ekron, with her towns and
and Hormah,                   her villages:
31 And f Ziklag, and Madman-  46 From Ekron even unto the
nah, and Sansannah,           sea; all that lay near Ashdod,
32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, with their villages:
and Ain, and Rimmon: all the  47 Ashdod, with her towns
cities are twenty and nine, with and her villages; Gaza, with
their villages:                her towns and her villages, unto
33 And in the valley, g Esh- i the river of Egypt, and k the
taol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,  great sea, and the border there34 And Zanoab, and En-gan- of:
nim, Tappuah, and Enam,         48 IT And in the mountains,
35 Jarinuth, and Adullam, So- Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
coh, and Azekah,                49 And Dannah, and Kirjath36 And Sharaim, and Aditha- sannah, which is Debir,
im, and Gederah, and Gedero-  50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh,
thaim; fourteen cities with their and Anim,
villages:                       51' And Goshen, and Holon,
37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and and Giloh; eleven cities with
M[igdal-gad,                  their villages:
38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh,  52 Arab, and  Dumah, and
hand Joktheel,                Eshean,
39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and  53 And Janum, and Beth-tapEglon,                        puah, and Aphekah,
40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam,  54 And Humntah, and m Kirjathand Kithlish,                 arba  (which is Hebron) and
41 And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Zior; nine cities with their viland Naamah,  and Makkedah; lages:
sixteen cities with theirvillages:  55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph,
42 Libnah, and  Ether, and and Juttah,
Ashan,                          56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam,
43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Zanoah,
and Nezib,                      57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah;
44 And Keilah, and Achzib, ten cities with their villages:
and Mareshah; nine cities with  58 Halhul, Beth-zur, and Getheir villages:               dor,
f 1 Sam. 27. 6. g Nurn. 13. 23. h 2 Kings  i ver. 4. k Nulm. 34. 6. 1 ch. 10. 41, and
14. 7.                        11, 16.  m  ch. 14, 15, and ver. 13.
32. All the cities are twenty and many of them are expressed by comrnnine. But upon an exact computa- pound terms, translators may have
tion there appears to be thi'rt?-eight. combined what should be separated,
The reason of the discrepancy doubt- and in one or two instances have
less is, either that nine of themr were formed the names of cities out of epiafterwards allotted to Simeon, or, as thets.




164                         JOSHUA.,.                rB. C. 1444.
59 And  Maarath, and Beth- dan by Jericho, unto the water
anoth, and Eltekon; six cities of Jericho, on the east, to the
with their villages:              wilderness that goeth up from
60 "Kirjath-baal  (which  is Jericho throughout mount BethKirjath-jearim)  and  Rabbah; el,
two cities with their villages:    2 And goeth out from Beth-el
61 In the wilderness, Beth- to aLuz, and passeth along unto
arabah, Middin, and Secacah,   the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
62 And Nibshan, and the city   3 And goeth down westward
of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities to the coast of Japhleti, bunto
with their villages.              the coast of Beth-boron  the
63 IT As for the Jebusites, the nether, and to CGezer: and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, o the goings out thereof are at the sea.
children  of Judah  could  not  4 dSo the children of Joseph,
drive them out: Pbut the Jebu- Manasseh and Ephraim, took
sites dwell with the children of their inheritance.
Judah  at Jerusalem  unto this   5 IT And the  border of the
day.                              children of Ephraim according
to their families was thus: even
CHAPTER  XVI.              the border of their inheritance
ND the lot of the children  on the east side was e Atarothof Joseph -fell from  Jor-   a ch. 18. 13. Judg. 1. 26. b ch. 18. 13.
n ch. 18. 14. oSee Judg. 1. 8, 21. 2 Sam. 2 Chron. 8.. 5. c 1 Chron. 7. 28. 1 RKings
5. 6. p Judg. 1. 21.              9. 15. d ch. 17. 4. e ch. 18. 13.
63. The Jebusites-the children of daunted spirit of Caleb, there is no
Judah could not drive them out. Josh- reason to doubt that God would have
ua had before taken the king of Je- been present with them to crown their
rusalem, but not the city. The part efforts with success.
from which the Jebusites could not
he dislodged was more particularly        CHAPTER  XVI.
the stronghold of Zion, falling with-   1. The children of Joseph. Ephraim
in the lot of Benjamin, which was and the half tribe of Manasseh.
not finally reduced till the time of This portion, which was not one,
David, 2 Sam. 5. 6-10. As precisely but divided and distinct, lay in the
the same thing is said of the children  very heart of Canaan, extending
ef Benjamin, Judg. 1. 21, which is from the Jordan on the east, to the
here said of the children of Judah, Mediterranean on the west.  See
the inference is inevitable that part Map. Fell. Heb.  VZ.' yetze, came
of Jerusalem was in the lot'of Judah, out, went forth; i. e. out of the vesand part in the lot of Benjamin. sel or urn from which it was drawn.
The inability of Judah to expel these -~ Unto theltaler of Jericho. The
Jebusites was owing solely to their fountain in the immediate vicinity
own remissness and unbelief. If they of Jericho, whose waters were healed
had attempted it with vigor and reso- by Elisha, as related 2 Kings 2. 19-'ution, if they had all had the un- 22.-I Moeunt Bethel. That is, the




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XVI1.                            165
addar, funto  Beth-horon  the tribe of the children of Ephraim
upper;                             by their families.
6 And the border went out to-  9 And k the separate cities for
ward the sea to g Michmethah  the children  of Ephrairn were
on the north side; and the bor- among' the  inheritance of the
der went about eastward unto  children of Manasseh, all the
Taanath-shiloh, and passed by  cities with their villages.
it on the east to Janohah;          10' And they drave not out
7 And it went down from Ja- the  Canaanites that dwelt in
nohah to Ataroth, hand to INaa- Gezer:  but  the  Canaanites
rath, and came to Jericho, and  dwell among the  Ephraimite'
went out at Jordan.                unto this day, and serve under
8 The border went out from  tribute.
Tappuah westward unto the'river Kanah; and the goings             CHAPTER  XVII.
out thereof were at the sea.  "HERE was also a lot for
This is the inheritance of the    L  the tribe of Manasseh; for
f 2 Chron. 8. 5. g ch. 17. 7. h 1 Chron.   k ch. 17. 9. 1 Judg. 1. 29. See 1 Kings
7. 28.  i ch. 17. 9.               9. 16.
mount upon or near which mount paid them, permitted the Canaanites
Bethel was situated. There was no to live in peace.' Ant. B. V. ch. 2.
mountain so called.                ~ 5, 7. So it may be suggested that
10. Drave not out the Canaanites. Christians are in danger of putting
Yet they so far prevailed against their own, or the sins of others under
them as to subject them to tribute; tribute, i. e. making them  a source
which shows that with proper exer- of worldly profit, instead of vigortions they might have extirpated them  ously aiming to eradicate them utterentirely, and that they were inexcu- ly. It is a serious question, whether
sable for not having done so. The the gains of Christian venders of'
remarks ofJosephus undoubtedly fur- ardent spirits are not derived from
nish the true clue to their remissness. this source. Is it not taking tribute'After this, the Israelites grew effemi- of the Canaanites?
nate as to fighting any more against
their enemies, but applied themselves     CHAPTER  XVII.
to the cultivation of the land, which   1. Also a lot for the tribe of iliaproducing them  great plenty and nasseh.  It was important to note
riches, they neglected the regular this, to show, that although Jacob, in
disposition of their settlement, and his blessing, Gen. 48. 19, 20, did, in
indulged themselves in luxury and a measure, set Ephraimn before Mapleasures.''The Benjamites, to nasseh, yet it was not to prejudice
whom belonged Jerusalem, permit- his rights of primogeniture. Ephrated its inhabitants to pay tribute; the im, indeed, was to be more numerous
rest of the tribes, imitating Benjamin, and powerful than Manasseh, yet
did the same; and contenting them- Manasseh was the first-born, and was
selves with the tributes that were to have his distinct inheritance, in



166                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
he was the a first-born of Joseph; 3 IT But hZelophehad, the son
to wit, for bMachir the first- of Hepher, the son of Gilead,
born of Manasseh, the father of the son of Machir, the son of
Gilead: because he was a man  Manasseh,  had no  sons, but
of war, therefore hehad CGilead  daughters: and these are the
and Bashan.                        names of his daughters, Mahlah,
2 There was also  a lot for and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and
d the rest of the children of Ma- Tirzah.
nasseh  by their families; efor  4 And they came near before
the children of Abiezer, and for:Eleazar the priest, and before
the children of Helek, fand for Joshua the son of Nun, and bethe children of Asriel, and for fore the princes, saying, k The
the children of Shechem, i and  LORD commanded Moses to give
for the children of Hepher, and us an inheritance  among  our
for the children of Shemida: brethren: therefore  according
these were the male children of to  the  commandment of the
Manasseh the son of Joseph by  LORD he gave them  an inheritheir families.                    tance  among the brethren of
a Gen. 41. 51, and 46. 20, and 48. 18. b Gen. their father.
60 23. Nuin. 26.29, and32.39,40. Chron.  5 And there fell ten portions
7. 14. c Deut. 3. 15. d Num. 26. 29-32.
e   Chron. 7. 18. Num. 26. 30. f Num. 26.  h Num. 26. 33, and 27. 1, and 36. 2. i oh.
31. g Num. 26. 32.                 14 1. k Num. 27. 6, 7.
stead of being incorporated with his scarcely be doubted, therefore, that
brother in possession. —--    Machir. the phrase' father of Gilead,' is here
The name of the only son of Ma- properly to be understood of Machir,
nasseh, but here as well as Judg. 5. and that he is so called just as in
14, put for his posterity.  Indeed, 1 Chron. 2. 24, 45, 49, 50, Asher is
throughout this description of the called'father of Tekoa,' Maon'faboundaries of the tribes, the names ther of Beth-zur,' Sheva,' father of
of fathers stand for their descendants. Gibea,' and Shabal'father of Kirjath-:-      Thle first-born of Manasseh. jearim;' all the names of places.
Meaning his only son. It is a scrip- The reason of Machir, or rather his
tural usage to denominate an olnly posterity, being so called, is immeson the first born. See Matt. 1.24, 25. diately stated-because, being a war-.-~ Tlefat/terof Gilead. Although like and valiant race, they had conit is true, as expressly affirmed Num. quered Gilead and Bashan, therefore
26. 29, and 27. 1, that Machir was that region was allotted them..he father of a son named Gilead, yet   2. The male children of Manasseh.
it is certain that this latter name, This is mentioned merely to prepare
when used with the article in Heb. the way for the ensuing digression,
as here, is almost invariably applied concerning the daughters of Zeloto the countly so called, and which phehad.
received its denomination, in  the   3. Buet Zelophehad the son of Hetime of Jacob, from the incident pher, &c,. See Notes on Num. 26.
mentioned Gen. 31. 48.  It can 33. 27.1.




B. C. 1444.]          CHAPTER  XVII.                         167
to Manasseh, besides the land of Manasseh: the coast of Maof Gilead and Bashan, which nasseh also was on the north
were on the other side Jordan;  side of the river, and the out6 Because the daughters  of goings of it were at the sea:
MIanasseh had  an inheritance   10 Southward it was Ephraamong his sons: and the rest im's, and northward it was Maof Manasseh's sons had the land nasseh's, and the sea in his borof Gilead.                       der; and they met together in
7  T And the coast of Manas- Asher on the north, and in Isseh was from Asher to 1Mich-,sachar on the east.
methah, that lieth before She-   11 PAnd  Manasseh  had  in
chem; and the border went Issachar and in Asher, qBethalong on the right hand unto shean and her towns, and Ibleam
the inhabitants of En-tappuah.  and her towns, and the inhab8 Now Manasseh had the land itants of Dor and her towns, and
of Tappuah: but m Tappuah on the inhabitants of Endor and her
the border of Manasseh belong- towns, and the inhabitants of
ed to the children of Ephraim. Taanach and her towns, and the
9 And the  coast  descended  inhabitants of Megiddo and her
"unto the river Kanah, south- towns, even three countries
ward of the river. ~ These cities  12 Yet rthe children of Maof Ephraim are among the cities nasseh could not drive out the
] ch. 16. 6. Ar ch. 16. 8. n ch. 16. 8.  p 1 Chron. 7.29. q 1 Sam. 31. 10. 1 Kings
o ch. 16 9.                      4. 12. r Judg. 1. 27, 28.
11. Beth-sliean and her towns. Heb. command, they reduced them to the
1V't1=1 benothfoihh, and her daugh- condition of dependants and menials,
ters.  Beth-shean, or Beth-san, the and served themselves of them.
Scythopolis of the Greek and Roman   12. The children of Manasseh could
writers, was situated in the plain of not drive out, &c.  Their inability
Jordan, at the east end of the great was wholly of the moral kind. They
plain of Jezreel, and not far from the could not do it, because they were
sea of Galilee.  It is' now called not disposed to do it, just as it is said
Bisan, eight hours, or twenty-four of Joseph's brethren, Gen. 37. 4, that
miles from Tiberias, and described,'they could not speak peaceably unto
by Dr. Richardson, as a collection of him,' so strong was their personal
miserable hovels, containing about dislike to him.  The love of ease,
two hundred inhabitants.  But the the prospect of gain, and, perhaps,
interesting ruins in its vicinity point the feelings of humanity, accompaout to the traveller its former gran- nied by a gradual declension of faith
deur and importance.-~- And the and zeal, prevailed over the motives
inhabitants. The phraseology is re- which should have prompted them
markable, implying that they had or to action, and so rendered them unpossessed not the places only, but also able to effect the object. But an inthe people; that is, that having ability, arising from this source, was
spared them, contrary to the Divine obviously inexcusable, on the same




168                          JOSHUA.                      [B. C. 1444.
inhabitants of those cities; but 14 t And the children of Joseph
the Canaanites would dwell in  spake unto Joshua, saying, Why
that land.                           hast thou given me but u one lot
13 Yet it came to pass, when  and one yortion to inherit, seethe children of Israel were wax- ing I am   a great people, forasen  strong, that they  put the  much as the LORD hath blessed
Canaanites to Stribute; but did  me hitherto?
not utterly drive them  out.        (t ch. 16. 4. u Gen. 48. 22. x Gen. 48.19.
B oh. 16. 10.           Num. 26. 34, 37.
grounds that a drunkard's inability  all the airs of despotic masters over
to master his propensity for strong their' too easy and obsequious subdrink is inexcusable. In like man- jects. But such a base subjection as
ner, the'cannot' of the impenitent this, always costs the Christian dear,
sinner, in regard to the performance  if,. indeed, he be a Christian over
of his duty, is equally inexcusable. whom  it is exercised. He may de— ~  The Canaantites would dwell cline a vigorous contest now when
in that land. Heb. rl2' 1   oil the victory is comparatively easy,
Itishebeth, willed to dwell. A very re- but he must prepare for the combat
markable expression, indicative of by and by, and must count upon tenthe obstinate determination of the fold difficulty in achieving a conCanaanites to retain possession of the  quest.  If he succeeds at all, he will
country, and carrying with it a severe barely escape with his life.  Interest,
reflection upon the supineness, cow- duty, safety, all combine, therefore,
ardice, and unbelief of the Israelites. to require of the believer the most
The present version,' would,' gives determined and unremitting efforts
a very exact idea of the import of the to obtain and preserve a decided as.
original, which signifies to will, to cendency  over the inbred corruptions
determine, especially as the result of of his nature.
complacency, conltent, or sazlisfazclion    13. Vet it carnle to pass, &c. This
in any thing.  It implies here, that might better be rendered'and,' or
the Canaanites resolved to act their?'itr it came to pass,' as the words
own will in remaining,  that they are not in.cnded to express an oppowould do as th/ey pleased about it. silion to the leading sense of the preAlas! how often is it the case that ceding verse, but rather to point. to
our innate lusts, those hidden ene- the season of the failure of he Israelmies of the heart, obtain such an ad- ites to expel their enemies: viz. bevantage over us, that they may be cause they'found it more agreeable
conceived as uttering the same lan- to put them under tribute, though in
guage! Long accustomed to tolera- direct disobedience of the divine intion and forbearance, they at length junction, Dent. 20. 16.
spurn control, and domineer in the    14. The cthildren of Joseph.  That
most absolute manner. As if they  is, both the tribes of Ephraim  and
held their place and power by pre- Manasseh conjointly.  They speak,
scription, they seem  determined not however, according to common usage
to be dispossessed, and lord it with  in the Hebrew, as if they were but




B. C. 1444.]             CHAPTER  XVII.                           169
15 And Joshua answered them, zites and of the'giants, if mount
If thou be a great people, then Ephraim  be too narrow for thee.
get thee up to the wood-counz-   16 And the children of Joseph
try, and cut down for thyself said, The hill is not enough for
there in the land of the Periz- us: and all the Canaanites that
v Gen. 14. 5, and 15. 20.
one person.- T.One lot and one por- with which they are intrusted.' Hention.  It is not easy to determine ry.-    Get t/hee up to the wood-counwhether they complain of having re- try.  That is, to the mountainous
ceived but one lot, when they consi- parts which are covered with wood.
dered themselves entitled to two, as We suppose he still has in view cerbeing two distinct tribes, or that the tain parts of the tract which had not
district assigned to them was so small been expressly assigned, but which
as to be no more than sufficient for were, at present, possessed by the
one tribe of ordinary dimensions. Perizzites and Rephaim, a gigantic
They complain, however, of the nar- and formidable  race, whom  they
rowness of their bounds, and plead seem to have been backward to enthat their great numbers should con- counter. ~r COt down for t/hyself.
stitute a claim for a larger portion. That is, prepare a place for thyself.
-r Forasmuch as the Lord hath They were to combine the labors of
blessed mne hitherto. Increased, mul- the axe with those of the sword, in
tiplied me.  On this sense of the obtaining and fitting up for themword'bless,' see on Gen. 1. 22.   selves a suitable possession. It is,
15. Zf thou be a great people. Josh- however, to be remarked, that the
ua takes them  at their word, and original word here rendered'cut
makes their alleged greatness an ar- down' is applied, Ezek. 23. 47, to disgument of their being the better able patching with tile svword, and that it is
by their own energy and industry to not, therefore, absolutely certain that
make up any deficiency in their lot. it refers solely to the cutting down the
The complete expulsion of the Ca- trees of a forest. It may mean cutnaanites from their territories would  ting down enemies in war. Probably
be a virtual enla~rgemernt of their the genuine idea is, smaking a clearbounds, and to this they ought to ansce for themselves, whether by fellhold themselves obliged by the com- ing the forests, or by cutting off the
mand and the promise of Jehovah. giants, or both. It is worthy of notice,
He intimates, if we mistake not, that that the original word is from the
their lot was in itself sufficiently ex- same root with N"In brb&, to create,
tensive for their purposes, would they Gen. 1. 1, and which we there enbut make it all available, which he deavored to show, implied a process
now enjoins it upon them to do.' Ma- of re-forming, or renovating, just as
ny wish for larger possessions who the transforming  an  uninhabited
do not cultivate and make the Nbst woodland tract into cultivated fields,
of what they have; and think they or populous towns, renovates or r.e
should have more talents given them, creates a country.'
when they do not trnde with those   16.'/hte hill is not enougta for Us.
15




170                         JOSHUA.                  [B1  C. 1444.
dwell in the land of the valley Thou art a great people, and
have Y chariots of iron, both they hast great power: thou shalt
who are of Beth-shean and her not have one lot only:
towns, and they who are'of the   18 But the mountain shall be
valley of Jezreel.                thine; for it is a wood, and thou
17 And Joshua spake unto the shalt cut it down: and the outhouse of Joseph, even to Ephra- goings of it shall be thine: for
im  and to  Manasseh, saying, thou shalt drive out the Canaany Judg. 1. 19, and 4. 3.        z ch. 19. 18. 1 Kings 4. 12.
Heb. 1~) Amp/  lN lo yimm wtzx lan, n   fine wooded hills to which he refer-.
shall not be found for us. That is, red before.  There was no reason
perhaps, is unattainable by us, can- why they should ask any thing more.
not be mastered.  The grounds of And as to the Canaanites and their
their apprehension, they proceed to chariots of iron, what were they
state in what follows.-  ~ And all when set in opposition to the almighthe Canaanites, &c. Rather, for all ty arm of Israel's God?  They were
the Canaanites, &c. It would be im- not to fear for a moment but that
possible, they thought, to make them- they should drive them out, terrible
selves masters of the mountains, so as they were.-~  The outgoi~ngs of
long as their enemies, with their iron it shall be thine. Meaning, probably,
chariots, commanded all the adjacent the passages and valleys leading to
valleys. Such a formidable defence it; q. d.' Clear away the wood, occuwould effectually preclude all access. py the mountain, and you shall soon
-~.. Chariots of iron. Not chariots be able to command all *the defiles,
made wholly of iron, but armed with all the avenues of approach, and no
it; chariots with long scythes fas- enemy can make head against you.'
tened to their axle-trees, as described Otherwise, the meaning may be, The
above, ch. 11. 4.                 mountainous tract, in all the extent of
17. Tlhou shalt not have one lot on- its boundaries, shall be thine. This
ly. Thou shalt not be restricted to is sometimes the sense of'outgowhat thou callest one lot; it is in fact ings.' We may learn from this pe.
a much larger territory, and thou do- tition of the sons of Joseph, (1) How
est wrong to call it by so diminutive prone men are to be discontented with
a title. Only possess the whole, and their lot. A dissatisfied mind, a disgreat and powerful as thou art, thou position to murmur, envy, and covet,
wilt find no reason to complain of rather than to be content, thankful,
too contracted bounds.            and liberal, is, alas! too often charae18. But the mountain shall be thine. teristic of those who are really highThe same mountainous or hilly tract ly favored of Heaven, would they
of which he had spoken before. See- but survey their blessings in all their
ing that their request proceeded only length and breadth, and extract the
from pusillanimity and want of faith, most out of them that they are capahe insists upon his first suggestion. ble of yielding. (2) Our complaints
He would have them quit themselves of comforts withheld are often nm.
like men, and take possession of the more than testimonies of our own sue




B. C. 1444.]          CHAPTER  XVIII.                              171
ites, zthough  they  have  iron  and bset up  the tabernacle of
chariots,. and  though  they be the congregation there: and the
strong.                             land was subdued before them,
2 And there remained among
CHAPTER  XVIII.               the  children  of Israel  seven
ND the whole congregation  tribes, which had not yet reof the children  of Israel ceived their inheritance.
assembled together a at Shiloh,   a ch. 19. 51, and 21. 2, and 22.9. Jer. 7. 12.
Deut. 20.            1) Judg. 18. 31. 1 Sam. 1. 3, 24, and 4. 3, 4.
pineness, negligence, and fear of the on this occasion, when selected for
cross.  From  an ignoble fear that the resting-place of the ark, and the
our enemies are too many, or too observance of those institutions which
mighty for us, and that we can do pointed to Christ, the great Peacenothing, we sit down and attempt maker between heaven and earth. It
nothing: and yet we complain of was situated in the tribe of Ephraim,
providential allotments.  Thus it is in the very centre of Canaan, about
that'the foolishness of man pervert- twenty miles north of Jerusalem,
eth his way, and (yet) his heart fret- twelve north of Bethel, and ten south
teth against the Lord.'             of Shechem.  It was therefore the
most convenient location possible for
CHAPTER  XVIII.              all the tribes, and as Joshua was him1. The whole congregation-assem- self of the tribe of Ephraim, he, as
bled at Shiloh.  The withdrawment chief magistrate of the nation, would
of the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and  always have a ready access to the
Manasseh, to take possession of their sanctuary, when the God of Israel
respective lots, would sensibly dimin- was to be consulted. In this place
ish the body of the people encamped the ark and the tabernacle remained
around the tabernacle at Gilgal, and for upwards of three hundred and
luake it inconvenient as a place of fifty years, till taken by the Philisresort to those who were becoming  tines, in the time of Eli, 1 Sam. 4.
settled at a distance. The expedien- 1-11, It was afterwards removed to
cy, therefore, of removing the taber- Nob, and finally, in the reign of Danacle itself to a more central posi- vid, to Jerusalem.-~ And the land
tion was obvious, though the step, it was subdued before them. Or, Heb.
may be presumed, would not be tak-'for the land was subdued,' intimaten without divine direction, for God ing to the reader, how it happened
expressly retained to himself the pre- that they were enabled to avail themrogative of'choosing the place where selves of this favorable location.
he should cause his name to dwell,' They were freed from the molestation
Deut. 12. 11.  Shiloh accordingly  of their enemies.  The Canaanites
was selected for this purpose. The were so far subdued that they offered
name of this city is the same as that no resistance or impediment to the
by which Jacob predicted the Messi- occupation of the spot.
ah, 49. 10, and some commentators   2. Seven tribes which had not yet
suppose that it was first called Shiloh  received their wnheritance. The rea



172                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444;
3 And Joshua said unto the are ye slack to go to possess the
children of Israel, CHow  long land which the LORD. God of
c Judg. 18. 9.         your fathers hath given you?
sons of this delay are unknown. ed it were done-but still they had
The probability is, that the original not spirit to undertake it.' The soul
survey, on which the division thus of the sluggard desireth and hath nofar made was founded, was so im- thing.' What a striking picture of
perfect, that the remaining tribes the too common apathy and sluggishwere unwilling to have it made the ness of the candidate for the heavenbasis of their respective allotments. ly inheritance!  How frequently is
This is to be inferred from the fact he diverted from present duties and
that Judah's portion was soon found debarred from present comforts, by
to be too large, as Joseph's had al- giving way to slothful or timorous
ready been found too small.  The apprehensions of the difficulties that
dissatisfaction  expressed  had led beset his path. Forty years after this
therefore to a temporary suspension time, the tribe of Dan had to fight
of the work, till a new and more ex — for their inheritance, and it was four
act survey could be made. Add to hundred years before the Jebusites
this, that they appear to have become were driven from  Jerusalem. Had
tired of the war. Their former con- all the tribes proceeded with united
quests had enriched them with spoil, vigor to fulfil the divine command
they were enjoying the ample provi- in its utmost extent, they would not
sions which had been treasured up so long have, been annoyed by their
for the use of the former inhabitants, remaining enemies, as' scourges in
and they became self-indulgent, sloth- their sides, and thorns in their eyes.'
ful, and dilatory. They were now  And who does not find that corrupliving at ease in the midst of their tions gather strength by indulgence,
brethren; the regions that yet re- and that graces decay for want of exmained to be divided were remote ercise? Therefore let us look to ourfrom the station around which they selves, that we lose not the things
were clustered, and if they went to that we have wrought.
take possession of them, they must  3. How long ar'e ye slack to go to
break up their present connexions, possess the land, &c. This is surely
drive their flocks and herds, and con- the language of rebuke, and implies
vey their wives and  children to that there had been a criminal remissstrange places, and undergo new  ness, among the tribes, in regard to
hardships and trials. Besides this, this matter, the probable source of
great numbers of the Canaanites still which is explained in the remarks
remained in the unappropriated dis- on the preceding verse. It is true,
tricts, and these, they knew, could indeed, that they could not well be
not be expelled but at the expense enjoined to enter immediately, to
of great effort, fatigue and peril. rush, as it were, upon their inheriTheir hearts accordingly sunk with- tances, for the particular assignments
in themat the prospect. They knew  were first to be made to each, butt.he
the worir was to be done —they wish- point of the censure is directed to




B. C. 1444.]            CHAPTER  XVIII.                            173
4 Give out from  among you   5 And they shall divide it into
three men for each tribe: and I seven parts: d Judah shall abide
will send them, and they shall in their coast on the south, and
rise, and go through the land, ethe house of Joseph shall abide
and describe it according to the  in their coast on the north.
inheritance of them, and they   6 Ye shall therefore describe
shall come again to me.                   d ch. 15. 1. e ch. 16. 1, 4.
their indifference in  this respect. of their inheritance, or the country
They manifested no interest in, they which they were to inherit; not of
were taking no steps towards having their particular inheritances, for
the requisite survey and division  these were afterwards to be assigned
made. This wasthe essence of their them by lot, but of the country in
offence.  So, in reproving the im- general which was to constitute their
penitent for his neglecting to work inheritance. This is frequently the
out his own salvation with fear and sense of the Heb. term'I pi, month,
trembling, and in pressing upon him  as may be seen by consulting Ex. 12.
the faithful discharge of every Chris- 4; 16. 18; Gen. 43. 7; Prov. 12. 8.
tian duty, it is still to be understood  The words of Josephus, in his acthat his first, his immediate business count of this affair, give, as we conis to become reconciled to God, by ceive, very nearly the precise import
unfeigned repentance; and thus to of the original.' He also gave them
secure a title to eternal life. When  a charge to estimate the measure of
this is done, his great concern in life that part of the land that was most
is, like that of the Israelites in Ca- fruitful, and what was not so good.'
naan, to labor to enter into possession Again,'Joshua thought'the land for
of his eternal inheritance.         the tribes should be divided by esti4. Give out from among you. Heb. mation of its goodness, rather than
e l'r~ h]bu iikem, give ye for your- the largeness of its measure; it of~a~
selves; i. e. appoint, select, ordain. happening that one acre of some sort
— 11 Three men of each tribe. Of of land was equivalent to a thousand
each of the seven tribes that yet re- other acres.' Ant. B. V., ch. 1. ~ 21.
mained to be provided for, making Joshua's instructions, therefore, retwenty-one in all.-  ~I Go through quired the commissioners to have a
the land. Accompanied, perhaps, by special eye to the intrinsic value of
a military guard, to prevent the sur- the different parts of the country, as
veyors from being cut off by strag- being more or less fertile and eligible.
gling parties of the Canaanites.   5. And they shall divide it. Or,
Others suppose the Canaanites were Heb. l)PinMr hithhalleku, divide ye
supernaturally intimidated and re- it. ----    Judah shall abide inr their
strained from  attacking them.-    coast. In their district, in their re~r Describe it.  See on v. 9.-    gion.   Heb.'shall stand upon his
IfAccording to the inheritance of them. border.' The meaning undoubtedly
Heb. Atl=id i a     lepi nahalAthdm, is, that in this survey they were not
according to the mouth of their in- to take into consideration the tribe of
heritance; L e., probably, to the value Judah, which was in the south, nor
15*




174                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
the land into seven parts, and land, saying, Go, and  walk
bring  the description hither to through the land, and describe
me, f that I may cast lots for you it, and come again to me, that I
here before the LORD our God. may here cast lots for you be7 gBut the Levites have no fore the LORD in Shiloh.
part among you; for the priest-  9 And the men went and passhood of the LORD is their in- ed through the land, and deheritance. h And Gad, and Reu- scribed it by cities into seven
ben, and half the tribe of Ma- parts in a book, and came again
nasseh, have  received  their to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.
heritance beyond Jordan on the   10 IT And Joshua cast lots for
east, which Moses the servant them in Shiloh before the LORD:
of the LORD gave them.            and there Joshua divided the
8 1T And the men arose, and land unto the children of Israel
went away: and Joshua charged according to their divisions.
them that went to describe the   11 IT And the lot of the tribe
f ch. 14. 2, and vet. 1.  g ch. 13. 33. of the  children  of Benjamin
h ch. 13. 8.                       came  up  according  to  their
the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh,'Joshua had charged,' as we find
which were on the north of where mentioned, v. 6. These words and
they now were, but were carefully to the remaining part of the verse should
divide the remaining territory which be included in a parenthesis.
was not occupied by these tribes into   9. Described it in a book. Laid it
seven equal parts.  The tribes of down on a map or chart, accompaJudah and Joseph had been already nied, perhaps, with a verbal descripprovided for; let them stand by them- tion of the leading features of the
selves. The terms north and south country. Thisisthe earliestinstance
are here used relatively to Shiloh, of land-surveying on record. The
rather than to the actual position of art was perhaps learned from  the
these two tribes.                 Egyptians; for their fields being an6. Before the Lord our God. Be- nually overflowed by the Nile, and
fore the ark or tabernacle, over the land-marks swept away, they
which the symbol of the divine pre- would be compelled frequently to resence rested. See on ch. 3. 11. The survey them, in order to adjust their
transaction was a solemn one, and limits.-~  Described it by cities.
he would have it so performed as Setting down the most remarkable
that the tribes should look upon their cities, with their towns and villages,
possessions, as established to them by their distances from each other, and
divine authority. The pious heart the territories adjacent.-~1S And
ever delights to look upon God as came again to Joshua. According'determining the bounds of our habi- to Josephus, at the end of seven
tations.'                         months.
7. The Levites have no part among   10. According to their divisions.
you. See on ch. 13. 14.           According to their respective appor8. And Joslua charged. Rather, tionments.




3.. 1444.]        CHAPTER  XVIII.                         175
Families: and the coast of their  16 And the border came down
lot came  forth between  the to the end of the mountain that
children of Judah and the chil- lieth before ~the valley of the
dren of Joseph.                 son of Hinnorn, and which is in
12'And their border on the the valley of the giants on the
north side was from  Jordan; north, and descended to the valand the border went up to the ley of Hinnom, to the side of
side of Jericho on the north Jebusi on the south, and deside, and went up through the scended to PEn-rogel,
mountains westward; and the   17 And was drawn from  the
goings out thereof were at the north, and went forth to Enwilderness of Beth-aven.        shemesh, and went forth toward
13 And the border went over Geliloth, which is over against
from thence toward Luz, to the the going up of Adummim, and
side of Luz (kwhich is Beth-el) descended to q the stone of Bosouthward; and the border de- han the son of Reuben,
scended to Ataroth-adar, near  18 And passed along toward
the hill that lieth on the south the side over against rArabah
side'of the nether Beth-horon. northward, and went down unto
14 And the border was drawn  Arabah:
thence, and compassed the cor-  19 And  the  border passed
ner of the sea southward, from  along to the side of Beth-hoglah
the hill that lieth before Beth- northward: and the out-goings
horon southward; and the go- of the border were at the north
ings out thereof were at mKir- bay of the salt-sea at the south
jath-baal  (which  is  Kirjath- end of Jordan.  This was the
jearim) a city of the children south coast.
of Judah.  This was the west  20 And Jordan was the border
quarter.                         of it on the east side.  This was
15 And the south quarter was the inheritance of the children
from the end of Kirjath-jearim, ofBenjamin, by the coasts thereand the border went out on the of round about, according  to
west, and went out to "the well their families.
of waters of Nephtoah:            21 Now the cities of the tribe
i See ch. 16. 1. k Gen. 28. 19  Judg. 1   o ch. 15. 8. ph. 15.ch. 15.7ch. 15.6. r ch.
23.  1 ch. 16. 3.  m ch. 15. 9.  n ch. 15. 9.  15. 6.
11. And the lot-came up. That is, upon which the Lord's lot fell, (Heb.
came forth from the urn or vessel in upon which the Lord's lot came up.')
which the lots were deposited. And -91 Betweenb the children of Judah
so by an easy metaphor it is said im- and the children of Joseph. See on
mediately after, that' the coast came Deut. 33. 12. The prediction of Moforth,' because the lot on which it ses in regard to the lot of Benjamin
depended came forth. In like man- was remarkably fulfilled, as may be
ner it is said, Levit. 16. 9,' The goat seen in the Note on Deut, 33. 12.




176                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
of the children of Benjamin ac-  28 And  Zelah, Eleph, and
cording to their families, were s Jebusi, (which is Jerusalem)
Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and  Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen
the valley of Keziz,               cities with their villages.  This
22 And Beth-arabah, and Ze- is the inheritance of the children
maraim, and Beth-el,               of Benjamin according to their
23 And Avim, and Parah, and families.
Ophrah,
24 And Chephar-haammonai,               CHAPTER  XIX.
and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve   4  ND  the second lot came
cities with their villages:            _ forth to Simeon, even for
25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and the tribe of the children of SimBeeroth,                           eon according to their falilies:
26 And Mizpeh, and Chephi- aand their inheritance was withrah, and Mozah,                    in the inheritance of the children
27 And  Rekem, and  Irpeel, of Judah.
and Taralah,                                sch. 15. 8. a ver. 9.
CHAPTER  XIX.              The obvious expedient was to take
1. The second lot cameforth. Out a part of the territory of Judah and
of the urn.  See on ch. 18. 11.-  allot it to Simeon. The inheritance
~rFor the tribe of the children of Sirm- of this tribe therefore is said to have
eon.  Exegetical of the preceding fallen within the inheritance of Juword'Simeon,' showing that the dah, because it was included within
names of persons are employed, as we the original limits of the latter tribe,
have often elsewhere remarked, in a and is elsewhere seldom  or never
collective sense for the political bod- spoken of as a distinct district. In
ies, the tribes, kingdoms, or countries this arrangement the providence of
of which they are the founders.-   God is to be especially noted, as Ja~ Their inheritance was witlhin th/e cob, in the spirit of prophecy, had
iqnheritance of the children of JuAdah. foretold that Simeon and Levi should
It would seem that the first rude sur- be' divided in Jacob, and scattered
vey had led to an erroneous impres- in Israel.' Gen. 49. 7. This was
sion of the extent of the country. accordingly most literally fulfilled
They had supposed it to be much  in the manner in which these tribes
larger than it really was. Under were now  disposed of. Levi was
this impression they had assigned a' scattered' throughout all the land,
large territory to Judah, taking it for not having received any distinct ingranted that the lots of the other heritance, but only certain'cities to
tribes would be in the same propor- dwell in;' and Simeon, as we here
tion. But upon closer examination  learn, was'divided,' or dispersed
it was found that at that rate of as- over the territories of Judah instead
signment the land would not hold of having one of their own. This
out, and some of the tribes must be arrangement brought them into convery much scanted or left wholly federacy with the tribe of Judah,
destitute of their just inheritance. Judg. 1 3, and afterwards was the




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XiX.                          177
2 And bthey had in their in-  8 And all the villages  that
heritance, Beer-sheba, and She- were round about these cities to
ba, and Moladah,                 Baalath-beer, Ramath  of the
3 And Hazar-shual, and Ba- south.   This is the inheritance
lah, and Azem,                    of the tribe of the children of
4 And Eltolad, and  Bethul, Simeon according to their fatiand Hormah,                       lies.
5 And Ziklag, and Beth-mar-  9 Out of the portion of the
caboth, and Hazar-susah,          children of Judah was the in6 And Beth-lebaoth, and Sha- heritance of the children of Simruhen; thirteen cities and their eon: for the part of the childvillages:                        ren of Judah was too much for
7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, themn: Ctherefore the children
and Ashan; four cities and their of Simeon had their inheritance
villages:                        within the inheritance of them.
b 1 Chron. 4. 28.                   c ver. 1.
occasion of the adherence of many have both their borders described,
of this tribe to the house of David at and their cities named.
the time of the revolt of the ten tribes   9. The part of the children of Juto Jeroboam. 2 Chron. 15. 9,' Out dak was too mu~ch for them. Too
of Simeon they fell to Asa in abun- large in proportion to the other tribes,
dance.'                          and too large for their actual neces2. Beersheba, Shheb. Heb.' Beer- sities; although, as being the most
sheba and (or even)" Sheba.' That numerous of all the tribes, it might
one and the same city is designated justly claim a more extensive terriby both these names, is clear from the tory than any of the rest. Yet when
fact that otherwise there would have it was found that they could not inbeen fourteen cities instead of thir- sist upon the original allotment withteen.  Besides, in I Chron. 4. 28, out manifest injustice to the other
where- Simeon's cities are enumera- tribes, the men of Judah submitted
ted, the mention of Sheba is omitted without a murmur to relinquish a
as superfluous. As to the import of part of their possession. They will
these names, see on Gen. 21. 31, 32. take no advantage of an unintentionIn the description of the lots of Ju- al error by withholding that which
dah and Benjamin, an account is equity and kindness would require
given both of the limits by which them to give up. The same generthey were bounded and of the cities ous principle will operate in like
contained in them.  In that of manner with every good man. If
Ephraim and Manasseh the bounda- he has chanced, through the inadverries are given, but not the cities. In tency or mistake of another, to gain
this chapter Simeon and Dan'are de- an undue advantage in a contract,
scribed by their cities only, and not he will cheerfully waive his right
by their borders, because they were and make all ths concessions which,
small, and the former lay within the in similar circumstances, he would
limits of another tribe.  The rest wish to have made to himself. He




178                        JOSHUA.                  [B. C. 1444
10  T And the third lot came ing to their families, these cities
up for the children of Zebulun with their villages.
according to their families: and   17 ~ And the fourth lot came
the border of their inheritance out to Issachar, for the children
was unto Sarid:                  of Issachar according to their
11 dAnd their border went up families.
toward the sea, and Maralah,  18 And their border was toand reached to Dabbasheth, and ward Jezreel, and Chesulloth,
reached to the river that is ebe- and Shunem,
fore Jokneam,                     19 And Hapharaim, and Shi12 And  turned  from   Sarid hon, and Anaharath,
eastward, toward the sun-rising,  20 And Rabbith, and Kishion,
unto the border of Chisloth-ta- and Abez,
bor, and then goeth out to Da-  21 And Remeth, and En-ganbereth, and goeth up to Japhia, nim, and En-haddah, and Beth13 And from  thence passeth pazzez;
on along on the east to Gittah-  22 And the coast reacheth to
hepher, to Ittah-kazin, and go- Tabor, and  Shahazimah, and
eth out to Remmon-methoar to Beth-shemesh; and the out-goNeah;                            ings of their border were al
14 And the border compasseth Jordan: sixteen cities with their
it on the north side to Hanna- villages.
thon: and the out-goings there-  23 This is the inheritance of
of are in the valley of Jiph- the tribe of the children of Isthah-el:                         sachar according to their fami15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, lies, the cities and their villages
and Shimron, and Idalah, and  24 IT And the fifth lot came
Beth-lehem; twelve cities with out for the tribe of the childreii
their villages.                  of Asher according to their fam16 This is the inheritance of ilies.
the children of Zebulun accord-  25 And their border was Held Gen. 49. 13. e oh. 12. 22.
will, as the apostle enjoins, look upon washed by the Mediterranean on the
the things of others, as well as upon west, and by the sea of Galilee on
his own.                         the east, agreeably to Jacob's predic10. The third lot came up for the tion, Gen. 49. 13, that Zebu]un should
childre~n of Zebulien. Though Zeb- be'a haven of ships.'
ulun was younger than Issachar, yet  15. Beth-lehem. A place lying at
both in the prophetic blessing of Ja- a great distance to the north of the
cob and of Moses he came before Beth-lehem in Judah where our Lord
him, and in like manner he has the was born.
precedency herealso in the allotment - 5. And their border. The word
of his inheritance.  Providence is'border' or'boundary' both here
wonderful in its correspondence with and in what follows, is not to be unprophecy. The lot of this tribe was derstood simply of the boundary line,




B  C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XIX.                         17b
kath, and Hali, and Beten, and   31 This is the inheritance of
Achsaph,                         thetribe of the children of Asher
26 And Alammelech, and A- according to their families, these
mad, and Misheal; and reach- cities with their villages.
eth to Carmel westward, and to  32 ~ The sixth lot came out
Shihor-libnath;                  to the children of Naphtali, even
27 And turneth  toward  the for the children of Naphtali acsun-rising to Beth-dagon, and cording to their families.
reacheth to Zebulun, and to the   33 And their coast was from
valley of Jiphthah-el toward the Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannorth side of Beth-emek, and nim, and Adami, Nekeb, and
Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the
the left hand,                   out-goings thereof were at Jor28 And Hebron, and Rehob, dan:
and Hammon, and Kanah, even  34 And then i the coast turneth
unto great Zidon;                westward to Aznoth-tabor, and
29 And then the coast turneth goeth out from thence to Hukto Namah, and to the strong ci- kok, and reacheth to Zebulun
ty g Tyre; and the coast turneth on the south side, and reacheth
to Hosah: and the out-goings to Asher on the west side, and
thereof are at the sea from the to Judah upon Jordan toward
coast to h Achzib:               the sun-rising.
30 Ummah also, and Aphek,  35 And the fenced cities are
and Rehob: twenty and two Ziddim, Zer, and  Hammath,
cities with their villages.      Rakkath, and Cinneroth,
f ch. 11. 8. Judg. 1. 31.i g 2 Sam. 5. 11.
h Gen. 38. 5. Judg. 1.31. Mic. 1. 14.       i Deut. 33. 23.
but also of all the towns and lands tween them. Both tribes, however,
which it embraces. It might be ren- were bounded by the Jordan on the
dered,'district' or'territory.'  east, and they might be considered
30. Twenty and two cities. The as in some sort conjoined by the easy
above enumeration gives us nearly communication with each other by
thirty cities instead of twenty-two, but means of that river. This we deem
probably several arementioned which the only plausible interpretation of
were only frontier towns, sometimes the passage, and thus understood it
reckoned as belonging to one tribe, goes strikingly to illustrate the ohand sometimes to another, or perhaps scure prediction of Moses, Deut. 33.
some of the appendant villages are 23, that Naphtali should'possess the
named, as well as the towns.     west and the south,' i. e. that although
34. To Juda i upon Jordan. How  his settlement should be in the west
this is to be understood is not clear. or northwest, yet by means of the
It is certain that the tribe of Naph- navigation of the Jordan, he should
tali did not border on the east nor in avail himself of the advantages of
any other direction, upon Judah, for traffic with all the southern section
there were several tribes that lay be- of the land.




180                       JOSIIUA.                  [B. C. 1444,
36 And Adamah, and Ramah,  45 And Jehud, and Bene-beo
and Hazor,                       rak, and Gath-rimmon,
37 And Kedesh, and Edrei,  46 And Me-jarkon, and Rakand En-hazor,                    kon, with the border before kJa,
38 And Iron, and Migdal-el, pho.
Horem, and  Beth-anath, and  47 And'the coast of the chilBeth-shemesh; nineteen cities dren of Dan went out too little
with their villages.             for them: therefore the children
39 This is the inheritance of of Dan went up to fight against
the  tribe of the children  of Leshem, and took it, and smote
iNaphtali according to their farm- it with the edge of the sword,
ilies the cities and their villages. and  possessed  it, and  dwelt
40 I And the seventh lot came therein, and  called  Leshem,
out for the tribe of the children mDan, after the name of Dan
of Dan according to their fami- their father.
lies.                             48 This is the inheritance of
41 And the coast of their in- the tribe of the children of Dan
heritance was Zorah, and Esh- according to their families, these
taol, and Ir-shemesh,            cities with their villages.
42 And i Shaalabbin, and Aja-  49'~ When they had made an
Ion, and Jethlath,               end of dividing the land for in43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, heritance by their coasts, the
and Ekron,                       children of Israel gave an in44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbe- heritance to Joshua the son of
thon, and Baalath,               Nun among them:
i Judg. 1. 35.         k Acts 9. 36. 1 Judg. 18. m Judg. 18. 29.
47. The coast of the children of Dan duced to seek another in a distant
went out too little for them. Heb. quarter of the land, and made an init a t yatz6 mwhem, wvent out from  road accordingly upon Leshem, lythem; i. e. out of their hands, out of ing at the foot of mount Lebanon and
their possession.  A similar usage near the sources of the river Jordan.
of the Heb. verb occurs Lev. 25. 28- This event, which occurred some
33, where the lands in the year of time after the death of Joshua, and
the jubilee are said to'go out;' i. e. is more fully recorded, Judg. 18. 1out of the hands of the present pos- 29, is touched upon here both to
sessor, to the original owner. The complete what is said of the inheritmeaning here undoubtedly is, that ance of the Danites, and to intimate
the Danites, being closely pressed how it happened, that a part of the
upon by their powerful neighbors the tribe were afterwards found inhabitPhilistines, were forced in considera- ing a district of the country so remote
ble numbers to abandon their allotted from their original possessions. This
possessions. In consequence of hav- addition to the narrative was perhaps
ing their original portion thus wrest- made by Phineas.
ed out of their hands, they were in-   49. The children of Israel gave an




B. C. 1444.1             CHAPTER  XX.
50 According to the word of for an inheritance by lot in Shithe LORD they gave him the ci- loh before the LORD, at the door
ty which he asked, even " Tim- of the tabernacle of the congrenath-oserah in mount Ephraim: gation.  So they made an end
and he built the city, and dwelt of dividing the country.
therein.                                  CHAPTER XX
51 P These are the inheritances T HE  LORD also spake unto
which Eleazer the priest, and            Joshua, saying,
Joshua the son of INun, and the   2 Speak to the children of Isheads of the fathers of the tribes rael, s
of the children of Israel, divided     y      ou cities of refuge,  hereof I
you cities of refuge, whereof I
n ch. 24. 30. o 1 Chron. 7. 24. P Num.  q ch. 18. 1, 10. a Exod. 21. 13. Numb.
34. 17. ch. 14. 1.                 35. 6,11, 14. Deut 19. 2, 9.
4nheritia'ce to Joshua. As it is said the Lord; made probably at the same:nmmediately afterwards,. v. 50, that time that a particular inheritance
Joshua received his inheritance'ac- was promised to Caleb. This is to
cording to the word of the Lord,' it be inferred from  Caleb's words, ch.
could be considered no otherwise the 14. 6, who in speaking to Joshua
gift of the people, than as they cheer- says,' Thou knowest the things that
fully acquiesced in the assignment, the Lord said unto Moses the man
and were glad of an opportunity of of God concerning me and thee in
thus testifying, by their hearty con- Kadesh-barnea.' As Joshua had, on
currence, their affection for their ven- the occasion referred to, evinced
erable leader and their interest in his equal courage and fidelity with Cacomfortable settlement in his old age. leb, it is reasonable to suppose that
On his part, he evinced a striking  he received the same tokens of the
moderation  and  disinterestedness, divine approbation.-IT Timnathand proposed a noble example to all serah. Called Timnath-heres, Judg.
in public places, in making no pro- 2. 9, where we learn that the name
vision for himself till he saw all the of the mountain on which it stood
tribes fixed in their respective inher- was Gaash. It was here that Joshua
itances. This was acting in the true was buried, ch. 24. 30.-1~ He built
spirit of a public servant —to prefer the city. Repaired it, put it in order,
the general welfare to his private perhaps enlarged and adorned it. In
convenience, ease, or emolument. this sense Nebuchadnezzar is said,
So the servants of Christ, while they Dan. 4. 30,'to have built Babylon.'
fully appreciate and ardently covet   51. These are the inheritances, &c.
an inheritance in the Canaan above, This verse is inserted as a general
will deem it soon enough to enter up- conclusion to all that has been thus
on it when they have done all in their far said of the distribution of the
power towards bringing others to land among the several tribes. The
partake of the same glorious posses- writer now turns to another subject.
sion.
50. According to the word of the         CHAPTER  XX.
Lord. According to the promise of   2. Appoint out for your cities of
16




182                          JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
spake unto you by the hand of they shall be your refuge fromn
Ioses:                              the avetrger of blood.
3 That the slayer that killeth   4 And when he that doth flee
any person unawares and unwit- unto  one of those cities shall
tingly  may  flee thither:  and stand at the entering  of b the
b Ruth 4. 1.2.
refuge. Heb. =:) l13n tenlu likem, be liable to lose his own life undegive for yourselves. No delinquency servedly, at the hands of the avenger
on the part of Joshua is to be inferred  of blood, these privileged cities were
from  this command, as if he had wisely and humanely appointed for
neglected, or were likely to neglect, the protection of those who had coma very important part of the arrange- mitted accidental homicide, till the
ments designed to be carried into cause could receive a judicial heareffect after the settlement of Israel ing from the magistrate. They had
in Canaan. He was well aware of authority, according as, upon strict
the divine intention in this respect, examination, they found him  guilty
and would doubtless have acted upon  or not of wilful murder, to deliver
it, as well as upon every other order him up to the avenger of blood, or,
with which he was charged, but God after the lapse of a certain time, to
saw fit to interpose to remind him  grant him a discharge. —~ By the
that now was the precise time, when hand of Moses. By the agency, by
the tribes had just received their in- the ministry of Moses; by him as an
heritances, and while they were yet organ of communication.
together, to separate the cities of re-   3. The slayer that killeth any perfuge for the uses for which they were son. Heb. UZg ='     rmakkeh niphesh,
intended, and respecting which such  that sniteth (i. e. fatally) any soul.
copious instructions had been before  On this frequent sense of the word
given, Num. 35. 11-34; Deut. 19.'soul,' see Note on Gen. 12. 5.2-10. To the notes on these passages IT Unawares and unwittingly.  -Ieb.
the reader is referred for a fuller ac- t:alw  bishgagelk, through ignorance,
count of the nature and object of this error, and mistake, and without knowinstitution.  It was an essential ap- ledge.  The conditions are stated
pendage to the patriarchal system  with the utmost explicitness, in words
of government, as far as the avenging amounting almost to repetition, as is
of blood was concerned. It has been  evidently proper where a matter of
already remarked, that the nearest of so much consequence as the life of a
kin to a deceased person had not only human being is concerned.  In cases
the right of redeeming an inherit- of wilful murder, no place whatever
ance that had been forfeited or alien- could afford protection.  A  man
ated, but had also authority to slay might be taken even from the temple,
on the spot the person who had slain  or the horns of the altar. Ex. 21. 14;
Lis relative. But as a man might 2 Kings 2. 31, 34.
casually kill another against whom    4. Shall stand at the entering of thie
he had no ill will, and with whom  gate. The usual place of judicature
he had no quarrel, and might thus among the people of the East. —--




B. C. 1444.]              CHAPTER  XX.                             183
gate of the city, and shall de- congregation for judgment, and
clare his cause in the ears of the  until the death of the high priest
elders of that city, they shall that shall be in those days: then
take him into the city unto them, shall the slayer return, and come
and give him  a place, that he  unto his own city, and unto his
may dwell among them.               own house, unto the city from
5 c And if the avenger of blood  whence he fled.
pursue  after  him, then  they   7 IT And they appointed eKeshall not deliver the slayer up  desh in Galilee in imount Naphinto his hand; because he smote  tali, and  "Shechem  in  mount
his neighbor unwittingly, and  Ephraim,  and  gKirjath-arba,
hated him not before-time.          (which  is  Hebron)  in  hthe
6 And he shall dwell in that mountain of Judah.
city, d until he stand before the, ch. 21. 32. 1 Chron. 6. 76. f ch. 21. 21.
2 Chron. 10. 1. g ch. 14. 15, and 21. 11,13.
c Num. 35. 12. d Num. 35. 12, 25.   ti Luke 1. 39.
SI Shall declare hIis cause. Shall give utmost vigilance against a wrong
a true, honest, and exact statement decision, another hearing seems to
of all the circumstances under which  have been appointed, after a consithe accident occurred. —~ The/ey derable interval, and before a larger
shall take him into th/e city. Heb. court, whose verdict was to be final
q 1UNlOX &.sephu otho, shall, gath/er in the case. It is probable that the
]lim.  Provided they are satisfied,' congregation' here spoken of was
from his relation of the facts, that he that of his own city, or of the people
is innocent.-Er T7hat lie may diwell at large, who were also allowed to
among them. It may be asked why, constitute a tribunal, and to sit in
if the proper judges were satisfied of judgment on the case.  Compare
his innocence of the crime of wilful Notes on Num. 35. 25.-~  Until thke
murder, he were not at once dismiss- deat]h of the ]high priest. See on Num.
ed from their jurisdiction, and suf- 35. 25.
fered to go at large as usual. The    7. And  they  appointed:  Heb.
proper reply doubtless is, (1) That l13'it' ylakdislhu, sanctified, consehe might still be in danger from the crated; a term impl'ying the peculiar
enraged passionsof the pursuer. (2) sacredness which God would have
He was to await the issue of another attached in the minds of his people
trial, v. 6.  (3) His detention was to this institution.  Accordingly they
probably designed as somewhat of are sometimes, though not perhaps
a punishment for the rashness or by the sacred writers, called sanctnuheedlessness to which the homicidt aries.-   T I6 moLunt Naphltali. Or,
was owing. Something of a penalty  Heb.' in the mountain,' i. e. the
was to be paid for carelessness, as mountainous region or district of
well as for crime.                  Naphtali; and so in respect tc the
6. Until he stand before the congre- two other places mentioned.  They
gationr for judgment. In order to a were situated-on high hills that they
still greater security for the interests might be more conspicuous at a disof justice, and to guard with the tance. It may also be remarked of




184                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444.
8 And on the other side Jor- ger of blood, nuntil he stood
dan by Jericho eastward, they  before the congregation.
assigned'Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the           CHAPTER  XXI.
tribe of Reuben, and k Ramoth   "HEN  came near the heads
in Gilead out of the tribe of   I    of the fathers of the LeGad, and'Golan in Bashan out vites unto aEleazar the priest,
of the tribe of Manasseh.          and unto Joshua the son of Nun,
9 mThese were the cities ap- and unto the heads ofthe fathers
pointed for all the children of of the tribes of the children of
Israel, and for the stranger that Israel 4
sojourneth  among  them, that  2 And they spake unto them
whosoever killeth any person at at bShiloh in the land of Canaan,
unawares might flee thither, and  saying, c The LORD commanded
not die by the hand of the aven- by the hand of Moses to give us
i Deut. 4. 43. ch. 21. 36. 1 Chron. 6.78.
k ch. 21. 38. 1 Kings 22. 3. I ch. 21. 27.  n ver. 6. a ch. 14. 1, and 17. 4. b ch. 18.
m Num. 35. 15.                    1. c Num. 35. 2.
these cities, (1) That they were lo- they formally acknowledged, concated at convenient distances from  firmed, and ratified the selection that
each other for the benefit of the sev- Moses had before made of these
eral tribes. So of those here men- cities.
tioned, Kedesh was in the northern,   9. Until he stood before the congr'eShechem in the central, and Hebron gation.  The judges and elders of
in the southern district of Canaan. the people, in trying civil and crimi(2) They were all Levitical cities; nal causes, always sat; the persons
which appears to have been so order- who came for judgment, or who were
ed, that the cases of manslaughter tried, always stood. Hence the exmight come under the cognizance of pressions sofrequent in the Scripture,
those who might be presumed to be' Standing before the Lord, before
most thoroughly versed in the law  the judges, beforethe elders,' &c.
of God, and most competent to give                 -
judgment according to it, and who,         CHAPTER  XXI.
moreover, would be less likely than   1. Thle heads of the fathers of the
any others to be swayed by private Levites. The most distinguished perbias in their decisions.  Compare sons among the fathers, chiefs, or
Deut. 21. 5, where it is said of the elders of the three families of Kohath,
priests, the sons of Levi, that'by their Gershom, and Merari, which conword shall every controversy and stituted the body of the tribe of Levi.
every stroke be tried.' See also to They here make their petition prethe same purpose, Deut. 17. 8-13, and  cisely at the time when it could be
the Notes on Deut. 33. 9, 10.      most conveniently granted, viz. just
8. They assigned.  Or,'had as- after the allotments had been made
signed,' for the assignment had been to the other tribes. Whether this
previously made by Moses, Deut. 4. was prior or subsequent to the desig41-43; or the meaning may be, that nation of the cities of refuge, men



B. C. 1444.]            CHAPTER  XXI.                              1S5
cities to dwell in, with the sub- families of the Kohathites: and
urbs thereof for our cattle.        d the  children  of Aaron  the
3 And the children  of Israel priest, which were of the Levites,
gave unto the Levites out of chad by lot out of the tribe of
their inheritance, at the corn- Judah, and out of the tribe of
mandment of the LORD, these  Simeon, and out of the tribe of
cities and their suburbs.           Benjamin, thirteen cities.
4 And the lot came out for the          d ver. 8 19. e See ch. 24. 33.
tioned in the foregoing chapter, it is seemn that a certain number of cities
not possible to determine.          were previously designated and set
3. Th/e children of Isr'ael gave unto  apart en nzasse, as the habitations of
the Levites. They cheerfullyobeyed the Levites, and that the particular
the divine command.  They gave appropr'iation of them to the several
them  cities out of their several in- families and their branches was then
heritances, without any fear of being determined by lot.-~ ~ The children
impoverished by the appropriation. of Aaron the priest. All the KohathNor will men ever find themselves ites were children of Aaron, in being
sufferers in their temporal interests, lineally descended fiom him, but they
in consequence of a liberal allowance) were not all priests; whereas the
to the ministers of the sanctuary. phrase' children of Aaron' here is
These cities were assigned by lot, but another name for the priests, his
that it might fully appear that God successors in office; and these had
designed the Levites their habitations, their allotment of cities in the tribes
as he designed the others their inher- of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin;
itances.  The result of this arrange- the rest, who were merely Levites
mnent would naturally -be, that the and not priests, had their lot, as apLevites would be dispersed in every  pears from  v. 5, in the tribes of
part of the land, to instruct the peo- Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of
ple in the knowledge of the divine Mlanasseh.  The providence of God
law, to edify them by their example, in this assignment is very remarkato restrain them  from  idolatry, and ble, as in consequence  of it the
prompt them to a constant adherence pries!ly part of Aaron's posterity,
to the worship of Jehovah, the only who were the stated ministers of the
true God. Thus the prophetic sen- sanctuary, the seat of which was
tence of the patriarch, Gen. 49. 7, afterwards to be fixed at Jerusalem,
that they should be'divided in Ja- had their location nearest to that city,
cob, and scattered in Israel,' though so that they were always conveniently
originally carrying with it a punitive situated with reference to the work
import, was through  the special to which they were appointed. —---
mercy of heaven converted to a bless- ~ T Thirteen cities. This was a large
ing to themselves and to the nation. proportion for the present number
- ir These cities.  Referring  to of priests, which was small, but in
those which are enumerated in the view of the prospective increase of
sequel of this chapter.             this body, and their future wants, it
4. And the lot came out. It would was no more than was requisite.
16*




186                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
5 And fthe rest of the children these cities with their suburbs,
of Kohath had by lot out of the k as the LORD commanded by the
families of the tribe of Ephraim, hand of Moses.
and out of the tribe of IDan, and   9 IT And they gave out of the
out of the half tribe of lManas- tribe of the children of Judah,
~eh, ten cities.                   and out of the tribe of the chil6 And gthe children of Ger- dren  of Simeon, these  cities
shon had by lot out of the fami- which  are here mentioned by
lies of the tribe of Issachar, and  name,
out of the tribe of Asher, and   10'Which  the  children  of
out of the tribe of Naphtali, and Aaron, being of the families of
out of the half-tribe of Manasseh the Kohathites, who were of the
in Bashan, thirteen cities.        children of Levi, had: for theirs
7 hThe children of MIerari by was the first lot.
their families had  out of the   11 mAnd they gave them  the
tribe of Reuben, and out of the city of Arba the father of "Anak
tribe of Gad, and  out of the (which city is Hebron) oin the
tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. hill-country of Judah, with the
8 iAnd the children of Israel suburbs thereof round about it.
gave by lot unto the Levites
k Num. 35. 2. 1 ver. 4. m 1 Chron. 6.
f ver. 20, &c. g ver. 27, &c. h ver. 34, 55. Gen. 23. 2. n ch. 15. 13, 14. o ch. 20. 7.
&c. i ver. 3.                      Luke 1. 39.
As to the nature of the tenure by every one shall give of his cities
which the Levites held these ap- unto the Levites, according to his
propriated cities, the probability is inheritance which he inheriteth.' It
that they had no other property in may be remarked, that there is no
them than merely the right to certain  evidence that the priests were bound
places of habitation, which they to live in these and in no other cities.
might let or sell, but always with When the tabernacle was at Nob,
the right of perpetual redemption; both the priests and Levites dwelt
and with the understanding that they there, 1 Sam. 21. 1-7; and when the
were to return to them in the year worship of God was established at
of jubilee. But on this head see Notes Jerusalem, multitudes both of priests
on Lev. 25. 32, 33.                and Levites resided there, though it
5. Out of the tribe of Dan, &c., ten was no Levitical city; as did the
cities. A less number than was given courses of the priests afterwards at
out of the tribes above-mentioned, Jericho. This was a circumstance
because their inheritance was less. which Moses had foreseen, and for
The law by which the appropriation which he had provided, Dent. 18. 6.
was to be regulated is contained Num. &c. So, on the other hand, persons
35. 8,' And the cities which ye shall belonging to the other tribes were not
give shall be the possession of Israel; precluded from living in the Ievitifrom them  that have many (cities), cal cities; as for instance Gibeah of
ye shall give many; but from them  Benjamin, which is here made a
that have few, ye shall give few; Levitical city, v. 17, was always




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XXI.                              187
12 But P the fields of the city,   19 All the cities of the chiland the villages thereof, gave  dren of Aaron, the priests, were
they to Caleb, the son of Je- thirteen  cities with their subphunneh for his possession.        urbs.
13 IT Thus q they gave to the   20 ~T fAnd the families of the
children  of Aaron  the  priest, children of Kohath, the Levites
rHebron with  her suburbs, to which remained of the children
be a city of refuge for the slayer; of Kohath, even they had the
B and Libnah with her suburbs, cities of their lot out of the tribe
14 And tJattir with her sub- of Ephraim.
urbs  U and Eshtemoa with her  21 For they gave them  gShewuburbs,                           chem with her suburbs in mount
15 And x Holon with her sub- Ephraim, to be a city of refuge
urbs, Y and Debir with her sub- for the slayer; and Gezer with
urbs,                              her suburbs,
16 And   Ain with  her sub-  22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, aand Juttah with her sub- urbs, and Beth-horon with her
urbs, and bBeth-shemesh  with  suburbs; four cities.
her suburbs; nine cities out of   23 And out of the tribe of Dan,
those two tribes.                  Eltskeh with her suburbs, Gib17 And  out of the tribe  of  bethon with her suburbs,
Benjamin, C Gibeon  with  her  24 Aijalon with her suburbs,
suburbs, dGeba with her sub- Gathrimmon with her suburbs;
urbs.                              four cities.
18 Anathoth with her suburbs,  25 And out of the half tribe
and eAlmon with her suburbs; of Manasseh, Tanach with her
four cities.                       suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with
her suburbs; two cities.
p ch. 14. 14. 1 Chron. 6. 5. q I Chron. her suburbs
6. 57, &c. r ch. 15.54, and 20.7. b ch. 15.  26 All the cities were ten with
42  t cll 15. 48. u ch. 15. 50. x 1 Chron.  their suburbs for the families of
6. 58. ch. 15. 51. y ch. 15. 49. z 1 Chron.
6. 59. ch. 15. 42. a ch. 15. 55. b ch. 15. 10.
c ch. 18. 25. d ch. 18. 24. e See ch. 24. 33.  f ver. 5. 1 Chron. 6. 66. g ch. 20. 7.
peopled by the Benjamites, as ap- sage, 1 Chron. 6. 70, Aner and Bipears from Judg. 19.               learn are mentioned instead of the
12. The fields of the city-gave they above. A  careful examination of
to Caleb. As it would not necessa- the two catalogues will discover sevrily involve the exclusion of himself eral other discrepancies of the same
or his family from a residence in the kind, which are probably owing to
city, he probably gave it to the priests the fact, either that some of the cities
in order to set an example to his were called by different names, or
brethren of cheerfully contributing that their names in process of time
to the maintenance of religion. See were changed.  Others conjecture
vn ch. 14. 6-15.                   that some of the cities here enume25. Tanach with her suburbs, and rated being at this time in possession
Gath-rimmon. In the parallel pas- I of the Canaanites, and not easily to




188                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
the children of Kohath that re- of the children of Merari, the
maineth.                          rest of the Levites, out of the
27 IT hAnd unto the children, tribe of Zebulun, Joknleam with
of Gershon, of the families of her suburbs, and Kartah with
the Levites, out of the other her suburbs,
half-tribe of Manasseh they gave   35 Dimnah with her suburbs,
iGolan in Bashan with her sub- Nahalal with her suburbs; four
urbs, to be a city of refuge for cities.
the slayer, and Beeshterah with   36 And out of the tribe of
her suburbs; two cities.          Reuben, mBezer with her sub28 And  out of the tribe of urbs, and Jahazah with her subIssachar, Kishon with her sub- urbs,
urbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,  37 Kedemoth  with  her sub29 Jarmuth with her suburbs, urbs, and Mephaath with her
Engannim  with her suburbs; suburbs; four cities.
four cities.                       38 And out of the tribe of Gad,
30 And out of the tribe of IRamoth  in  Gilead with  her
Asher, Mishal with  her sub- suburbs, to be a city of refuge
urbs, Abdon with her suburbs, for the slayer; and Mahanaim
31 Helkath with her suburbs, with her suburbs,
and Rehob with her suburbs;  39 Heshbon with her suburbs,
four cities.                      Jazer with  her suburbs; four
32 And out of the tribe of cities in all.
iNaphtali, kKedesh in Galilee   40 So  all the cities for the
with her suburbs, to be a city  children of Merari by theirfamiof refuge for the slayer; and lies, which were remaining of
Hammoth-dor with her suburbs, the families of the Levites, were
and Kartan with her suburbs; by their lot twelve cities.
three cities.                      41 oAll the cities of the Le33 All the cities of the Ger- vites within the possession of
shonites, according to theirfami- the children of Israel were forty
lies, were thirteen  cities with  and eight cities with their subtheir suburbs.                    urbs.
34 IT'And unto the families  42 These  cities were every
one with their suburbs round
h ver. 6. 1 Chron. 6. 71. i ch. 20.. 8.
k.ch. 20. 7. 1 ver. 7. See 1 Chron. 6. 77.  m ch. 20. 8. n ch. 20. 8. o Num. 35. 7
be taken out of their hands, others rect demonstration that it was given
were given them in their stead.   under divine inspiration, as other41. All the cities —were forty and wise, how could he possibly hav(
eight cities, with their sueburbs. This known that so many cities could bt
was in exact accordance with the assigned to the Levites, without un.
direction given by Moses several duly encroaching on the limits of
years before, as we learn from Num. the other tribes 2
35. 7. This order of Moses is a di-  42. These cities were every onewith




13. C. 1444.]         CHAPTER  XXII.                            189
about them.   Thus were  all man of all their enemies before
these cities.                     them; the LORD delivered all
43 fIT And the LORD gave unto  their enemies into their hand.
Israel Pall the land which he   45 sThere failed not aught of
sware to give unto their fathers: any good thing which the LORD
and they possessed it, and dwelt had spoken unto the house of
therein.                          Israel; all came to pass.
44 q And the LORD gave them
rest round about, according to           CHAPTER  XXII.
all that he sware unto their fathers: and rthere stood not a           ReubHEN     oshua  called  the
Reubenites, and the Gadp Gen.13.15, and 15. 18, and 26. 3, and
28. 4.13. q ch. 11. 2.3, and 22. 4.     r Deut. 7. 24. s ch. 23. 14.
their subuZrbs round about them. Heb. their enemies, it was owing solely to'these cities were city, city, and sub- the supineness and infidelity of Israurbs round about them.' That is, el. So long as they were obedient,
they each and every one had suburbs they were uniformly triumphant and
attached to them'; by which is meant prosperous. See notes on ch. 1. 5.
the adjacent territory to the extent of' The inviolable truth of God's promtwo thousand cubits on every side; ise, and the performance of it to the
of which see Num. 35. 5.          utmost, is what all the saints have
43. And the Lord gave unto Israel been rely to bear their testimony
all the land, &c. The foregoing his- to; and if in any thing it has seemed
tory is here wound up by a suitable to come short, they have been as
acknowledgment of the faithfulness ready to own that they themselves
of God, in the performance of all his must bear all the blame.' Henry.' In
promises. The Canaanites, it is true, due season all the promises of God
were yet in possession of some parts will be accomplished to his true peoof the country, but they were. so far ple; and their believing hope, and
subdued, that they gave them no se- patient waiting and self-denying oberious molestation, and they were ena- dience, will terminate in joyful songs
bled to sit down in their possessions of triumph, and thankful elebrain the enjoyment of comparative rest tions of his faithfulness, love., and
and quiet. They had as much of the power. Then it will be universally
land in actual possession as they acknowledged that there hath not
could occupy; and as they increased failed ought of any good thing which
God enabled them, according to his the Lord had spolren: nay, that he
promise, Ex. 23. 30, to carry forward has exceeded their largest expectathe work of extermination, and ob- tions, and made them more than contain further room for their settlement. querors, and brought them to their
All the assurances given to Joshua, delightful rest and inheritance. May
ch. 1. 5, of a successful tide of victo- none of us at that season be found
ries during his life, were actcomplish- among his enemies, " who shall be,d, and as to the subsequent annoy- destroyed for ever."' Scott.
ance and occasional prevalence of




190                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444,
ites, and the half-tribe of Ma- 4 And now the LORD your
nasseh,                            God hath given rest unto your
2 And said  unto  them, Ye  brethren, as he promised them:
have kept a all that Moses the  therefore now return ye, and get
servant of the LORD commanded  you unto your tents, and unto
you, b and have obeyed my voice the  land  of your possession,
in all that I commanded you:    c which Moses the servant of
3 Ye have not left your breth- the LORD gave you on the other
ren these many days unto this side Jordan.
day, but have kept the charge   5 But d take diligent heed to do
of the  commandment of the the commandment and the law,
LoRD'your God.                     which Moses the servant of the
a Numb. 32. 20. Deut. 3. 18. b ch. 1.  c Num. 32. 33. Deut. 29. 8. ch. 13. 8.
16, 17.                            d Deut. 6. 6, 17, and 11. 22.
CHAPTER  XXII.             of the war and ar honorable dis1. Then Joshua called, &c. The charge. Had they departed sooner
war being now, for the present at they would have been recalled as fuleast, concluded, and their services gitives or branded as cowards; now
no longer required.                they retire with blessings and ap3. Ye have not left your brethrenr plause. So though our home in heathese many days unto this day. Pro- ven be ever so attractive, we are rebably for the space of seven years; quired to remain contentedly on earth
for the people were occupied for this till our warfare be accomplished, and
period of time in subduing the land. instead of anticipating our removal,
Yet it is very possible that in the in- to wait for a due discharge at the
tervals of action, and when the rest hands of our divine Leader.
of the army had retired into winter-   4. Get you unto your tents.  To
quarters, some of them at least may your settled habitations, frequently
have visited their families across the called tents in the scriptures. 2 Sam.
Jordan, or been relieved by other de- 18. 17; Hos. 9. 6; Mal. 2. 12. It is
tachments, though we have no clear probable, however, that they still reintimation that this was the fact. tained somewhat of the nomade habCertain it is that these two tribes and its of their ancestors, and that tents
a half had always their quota of men, were by no means uncommon among
originally amounting to 40,000, in them.
readiness at their respective posts,   5. Take diligent heed, &c. Joshua
for any service to which they might thinks it not enough merely to disbe called; and after so long a delay miss them with the commendations
we can easily imagine how ardently which their zeal and fidelity had so
they must have longed for the period richly merited, but in the spirit of a
of their release, when they could re- true servant of God, adds to his enturn to their peaceful homes to be comiums the most pious counsels
met with a joyful welcome by their and exhortations. It is not simply a
wives and children. But like faith- general admonition relative to their
ful soldiers they await the full close religious duties, in which case one




B. C. 1444.J           CHAPTER  XXII.                          191
LORD charged you, eto love the and sent them away; and they
LORD your God, and to walk in went unto their tents.
all his ways, and to keep his  7 IT Now  to the one half of
commandments, and to cleave the tribe of Manasseh, Moses
unto him, and to serve him with  had given possession in Bashan:
all your heart, and with all your - but unto the other half thereof
soul.                             gave Joshua among their breth6 So  Joshua fblessed them,  f Gen. 47. 7. Exod. 39. 43. ch. 14. 13. 2
e Deut. 10. 12.        Sam. 6. 18. Luke 24. 50. g ch. 17. 5.
or two brief intimations would have ful prosecution of their worldly busisufficed, but the expressions are re- ness. They needed, therefore, to be
markably varied -and accumulated, reminded of the danger, of which
to show in the most forcible manner Moses had long before warned them,
the unspeakable importance to every of forgetting the Lord their God while
child of man of a life of devoted enjoying'houses which they built
obedience. They were to give the not, wells which they digged not,
most diligent heed to themselves to and vineyards which they planted
see that the love of God, as the great not.' A constant mindfulness of God
ruling principle of action, was deep- accordingly was the great object of
ly seated in their hearts; this must Joshua's solicitude for his departing
be evinced by the universality of brethren, and in his example we see
their obedience, extending to every the spirit of a Christian parent or
divine precept, and still further illus- guardian, and what kind of counsel
trated by the constancy, humility, res- he will be most anxious to impart to
olution, and affection which were to the children of his charge when
characterize their walk.  Counsel about to retire from his immediate
like this can never be unseasonable control and enter upon the wide stage
or superfluous. Even the most estab- of action in the world.
lished Christian, whose progress in   6. So Joshua blessed them.  Spake
holiness has hitherto been most ex- respectfully of their faithful services,
emplary, cannot deem  himself be- wished them every spiritual and temyond the need of similar exhorta- poral good, and prayed earnestly to
lions..As long as he abides in the God to protect and prosper them.
flesh he needs to be'put in remem- They undoubtedly returned with all
brance of these things, though he convenient expedition.  It had been
knows them, and be established in a long absence, and the meeting was
the present truth.' Especially does no  doubt proportionably  happy.
he need these kindly monitions when Here below, business, journeys, voysettled down, or about to be settled ages, and other casualties are condown, in a state of peace and pros- tinually separating the dearest relaperity; for such a state is one of pe- tives; but they are glad to get home
culiar danger to his spiritual inter- in peace.  How much happier for
ests.  These disbanded soldiers of the Christian pilgrim, when his warIsrael were now returning to the bo- fare of life is accomplished, and resom of their families, and the peace- ceiving the divine blessing, to cross




192                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C  1444
ren on this side Jordan west- children of Israel out of Shiloh,
ward.  And when Joshua sent which is in the land of Canaan,
them away also unto their tents, to go unto i the country of Gilethen he blessed them,             ad, to the land of their posses8 And he spake unto them, sion, whereof they were possaying, Return with much rich- sessed, according to the word
es unto your tents, and with ve- of the  LORD by the hand of
ry much cattle, with silver, and  Moses.
with gold, and with brass, and   10 IT And when  they  came
with iron, and with very much unto the borders of Jordan, that
raiment: hdivide the spoil of are in the land of Canaan, the
your enemies with your breth- children  of Reuben, and  the
ren.                              children of GaJ, and the half9 IT And the children of Reu- tribe of Manasseh built there an
ben, and the children of Gad, altar by Jordan, a great altar to
and the half-tribe of Manasseh  see to.
returned, and departed from the   11 ff And the children of Ish Num. 31. 27. 1 Sam. 30. 14.         i Num. 32. 1, 26, 29.
Jordan, and meet his brethren in ses to signify a ring. The altar was
glory, the family of God!         doubtless erected on the eastern side
7. To the one half of the tribe of of the Jordan, but it might have been
Manasseh, &c.   This appears to situated upon a projecting tongue or
come in here as a parenthesis, inti- promontory of land, that extended
mating the reason why the tribe was into the borders of Canaan proper.
divided into two parts.  Moses had The reader will observe, moreover,
before assigned one half of them  that the word'are,' being printed in
their lot on the other side Jordan.    Italics, does not occur in the origi8. Divide the spoil of your' enemies nal, so that we may as properly renwith your brethren.  Your brethren der it' is,' and understand the rethat have remained on the other side lative' that' of the river Jordan.of the Jordan, protecting your fami- IT A great altar to see to.  Very conlies, flocks, and goods. It is not im- spicuous.  Heb.'an altar great to
plied, however, that those who re- the sight.'  A vast mass of earth,
mained at home were to have an. stones, &c., elevated to a commandequal share of the spoil, as this would ing height and visible at a great dishave been manifestly unjust from  tance; intended merely as a memotheir superior numbers and inferior rial to all future ages that they beclaims.  See on Num. 31. 27.      longed to the tribes of Israel, and
10. The borders of Jordan. HIeb. that they were worshippers of Israel's
nciet;: geliloth, properly the wind- God, but made in imitation of the
ings, meanderings made by the Jor- altar of burnt-offering at the taberdan in its course, sometimes assum- nacle. Their motive in this was an
ing almost a circular form, in ac- apprehension that at some future pecordance with the sense of the origi- riod they might be diswned by their
nal term, which is used in some ca- brethren on account of their not hav



B1. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XXII.                             193
rael 5heard  say, Behold, the  dan, at the passage of the chilchildren  of Reuben, and  the dren of Israel.
children of Gad, and the half-   12 And when the children of
tribe of Manasseh, have built Israel heard  of it,'the whole
an altar over against the land of congregation of the children of
Canaan, in the borders of Jor- Israel gathered themselves tok Delt. 13. 12, &c. Judg. 20. 12.           1 Judg. 20. 1.
ing their inheritance in the land of the individuals or cities that should
Canaan proper.                      be found setting up an idolatrcos wor11. Haee built analtar overagainst ship.  Their zeal for the Lord of
the land of Canaan.  This may be hosts under this impression was very
deemed conclusive proof that the site commendable.  Though these transof the altar was on the east of the Jordanic tribes are their own btethJordan, in the inheritance of the two ren, bone of their bone; companions
tribes and a half, and not on the west. with them in tribulation in the wilThere would have been no cause of derness, and their generous allies in
suspecting it designed for sacrifice, the wars of Canaan, yet if they rehad it been built on the Canaan side volt from the true God and turn to
of Jordan.                          the service of idols, or openly make
12. The wh]ole congregation-gath- a breach in the unity of his worship
ered themselves together.' Not per- they are determined to treat them no
haps in their own persons, but by longer as brethren, but as enemies
their representatives the elders, who who were to be cut off as unsparingly
transacted all affairs of this nature as the Canaanites themselves. Their
in the name and behalf of the peo- holy jealousy, therefore, in these cirple. —~   To go up to swar against curmstances was no more than a prothem. The case was one that laid a per expression of their intense conlust ground for suspicion.  Having  cern for the glory, of God and the
no conception of an altar being erect- honor of his institutions.  But their
ed for any purpose but that of sacri- zeal was tmnpered with the meekfice, the other tribes naturally re- ness of wisdom, and before proceedgarded it as an act of rebellion  ing to extremities they determined to
against God, and. determined in- send an embassy' to inquire into the
stantly to go and punish the suppos- facts, and if their suspicions were
ed apostates. By an express com- confirmed, to see whether they could
mand. Ex. 20. 24: Lev. 17. 8, 9: Deut. not be prevailed upon by milder
12. 5-13, the nation had been pro- methods to abandon their wicked enhibited from worshipping God except terprise and return to- their allegiat one altar, and for what other than  ance to the God of Israel.  Instead
a religious purpose could this strue- of saying that the case was too clear
ture have been reared? They more- to admit of doubt, or too gross to alover felt themselves impelled to this low of apology, they evidently go on
course by the tenor of the law, Deut. the presumption that they may have
13. 7-13, requiring the most sum- been mistaken in their construction
mary judgment to be executed upon  of the affair, and that at any rate it
17




194                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444
gether at Shiloh, to go up to thers among the thousands of
war against them.                 Israel.
13 And the children of Israel  15 IT And they came unto the
m sent unto the children of Reu- children of Reuben, and to the
ben, and to the children of Gad, children of Gad, and to the halfand to the half-tribe of Manas- tribe of Manasseh, unto the land
seh into the land of Gilead, of Gilead, and they spake with
Phinehas the son of Eleazar them, saying,
the priest,                        16 Thus saith the whole con14 And with him ten princes, gregation of the LORD, What
of e ch chief house a prince trespass is this that ye have cornthroughout all the tribes of Is- mitted against the God of Israel,
rael;  and   each  one was  a to turn away this day from  folhead of the house of their fa- lowing  the LORD, in that ye
n Deut. 13. 14. Judg. 20. 12. n Exod.
6. 25. Num. 25. 7.                           o Num. 1.'4.
was proper that they should not con- tion, and likely to be influenced more
demn their brethren unheard, but by the dictates of cool judgment than
should give them the opportunity of of hasty passion, were very properly
justifying themselves in the measure selected to act in behalf of the people
if it were possible. According to on this occasion. The ardent ternthe wise man's direction they will perament of younger men could not
upon good advice make war.' A  so safely be trusted on such a trying
noble example of moderation, for- emergency.
bearance, and charity, shines forth in   16. What trespass  is this, &c.
this conduct.  How many an un- Without acquitting the ten tribes of
happy strife might:be prevented by the charge of somewhat of an undue
similar precaution, by simply staying precipitancy in taking up their unto inquire calmly into that which favorable impressions, the matter in
constitutes, the avowed matter of question was one on which they were
offence!  How -often would a few  justified in feeling strongly and actwords of candid explanation smother ing promptly. As it now appeared,
in embryo the most angry controver- it was a step fraught with the most
sies,violent quarrels, and embittered momentous  consequences to the
persecutions!  By barely adopting whole body of Israel. Repeated octhe prudent conduct of Israel on casions had arisen wherein the sin
this occasion, individuals, families, of individuals had been visited upon
churches, and communities, might, the entire nation. The iniquity el'
in a thousand instances, be saved a Achan had not long since causcd the
world of jealousy, enmity, discord, defeat of Israel's hosts, together with
war and bloodshed.                the loss of six and thirty men; and
13, 14. Phineas-and with him ten not very long before the connexion
prznces. Persons of age, experience, of many with the Midianitish women
and approved discretion, possessing had brought destruction on twentyweight ofschataeterinh the congrega- four thousand Israelites`in one fday.




B. C. 1444.]           CHAPTER  XXII.                           195
have builded you an altar, P that LORD?  and it will be, seeing ye
ye might rebel this day against rebel to-day against the LORD,
the LORD?                        that to-morrow r he will be wroth
17 Is the iniquity q of Peor too with the whole congregation of
little for us, from which we are Israel
not cleansed until this day, al-  19 INotwithstanding, if the land
though there was a plague in of your possession be unclean,
the congregation of the LORD,  then pass ye over unto the land
18 But that ye must turn away  of the possession of the LORD,
this  day  from   following  the "wherein the LORD's tabernacle
Lev. 17. 8, 9. Deut. 12.13,14. q Num.
25. 3, 4. Deut. 4. 3.                     Num. 16. 22. s ch. 18.1.
What then could be expected, but which we have not ceased to suffer
that, if those who had erected the the consequences to this day. The
altar should go unpunished, God wrath of God was indeed so far apwould punish all the other tribes as peased on that occasion by the zeal
partners in their guilt?  And if for- of Phineas, that he stayed the farther
merly one man's sin wroiught so ravages of the plague, yet the shame,
much indignation, what would be the disgrace, the infamy of that transthe consequences of the apostasy of action still remained, and more than
two tribes and a half?  To avert so this, some tokens of the divine disterrible an evil, therefore, they felt pleasure still continued  to linger
to be their bounden duty at all events, among the congregation.  As we
and in order to this nothing could be see from the case of David, men may
more effectual than plainly remind- repent of a heinous transgression
ing them of the sad effects of past and be,graciously freed from  the
transgression.'It is good to recol- guilt of it, while at the same time
lect and improve those instances of they may continue to suffer from its
the wrath of God which have fallen evil consequences even to the close
out in our own time, and of which pof' life. In the present instance, howwe ourselves have been eye-witness- ever, the words may perhaps imply
es. The remembrance of great sins that some measure of that corrupt
committed formerly, should engage leaven still remained among them,
us to stand upon our guard against that the infection was not wholly
the least occasions and beginnings of cured,  and that though suppressed
sin; for the way of sin is down-hill.' for the present, it was still secretly
Henry.                            worling, and was liable to break out
17. Is the iniquity of Peor too little again with fresh violence, as is also
for us? The iniquity of our wor- intimated in the words of Joshua,
"shipping Peor. Num. 25. 3; Deut. 4. ch. 24. 23.
*S. Does this sin seem so small to us   1.9. If the land of your possession
that we cannot be content with that, be unclean. If you have any prejuOut must go on adding iniquity to in- dice against the land of your inheriquity? —f From which we are not itance; if you think it not equally
leansed until this day. That is, of with ours under the divine favor




196                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
dwelleth, and take possession on all the congregation of Isra.
among us: but rebel not against el? and that man perished not
the LORD, nor rebel against us, alone in his iniquity.
in building you an altar besides  21  T Then the children of Reuthe altar of the LORD our God. ben, and the children of Gad,
20 t id not Achan the son of and the half-tribe of Manasseh
Zerah commit a trespass in the answered, and  said unto  the
accursed thing, and wrath fell heads of the thousands of Ist ch. 7. 1, 5.        rael,
and protection. They imagined that 15. 13. -F Besides the altar of the
the two tribes and a half might think Lord oxr God. In addition to it.
their land less holy for the want of   20. And that man perishethnot alone
an altar and such tokens of the di- in his iniquity. The idea expressed
vine presence as pertained to the in these words of our common transtabernacle.   An opinion was gene- lation is unquestionably conveyed by
rally prevalent among the ancients; the original; still it is not an exact
that those countries, in which there version.  The literal rendering of
was no place set apart for the wor- the Heb. is,'and he, one man, did
ship of God, were unhallowed and not perish in his iniquity.' That is,
unclean. The proposal displayed a though he were but a single individvery generous and disinterested spi- ual, and it might have been supposed
rit, a willingness to make sacrifices that his death would have been the
in order to preserve purity, and con- winding up of his existence in every
sequently peace.  Rather than tkey respect, yet in reality such was his
should set up a separate altar from  relation to the whole people as a sina groundless dissatisfaction with their ner, such the connexion between his
inheritance, they would cheerfully offence and the punishment of the
welcome them back to the other side whole nation, that in one sense he
of the Jordan,'where the Lord's ta- may be said to have survived his
bernacle dwelt,' though they should own death.  He still lived in the
straiten themselves by so doing. But fearful eftects of his transgression,
what was a little inconvenience to as visited upon the entire congregathemselves when such an evil was tion. His life and his crime did not
to be averted, and such a good se- terminate together. Astrikingly anacured. How kind, how conciliating, logous passage occurs Num. 27. 3.
how self-denying, how eager for ac-   21. Then the children of Reubencommodation, is the spirit of true answered. If we find somewhat to
piety!-    But rebel not against the blame in each of the opposite parties;
Lord.  Implying that a deliberate in the one, an undue precipitation in
departure from the instituted mode building the altar, and in the other,
of worship is nothing short of down- an undue hastiness in ascribing it to
right rebellion against the God of wrong intentions, we yet behold very
heaven.  Compare with this the much to admire in both. When the
parallel expression of Samuel rela- accusers found themselves mistaken,
live to the conduct of Saul, 1 Sam. they did not shift their ground, and




13. C(. 1444.']       CHAPTER  XXII.                            197
22 The LORD UGod of gods,  23 That we have built us an
the  LORD  God  of gods, he altar to turn from following the
"knoweth, and Israel~ he shall LORD, or if to offer thereon
know; if it be in rebellion, or burnt-offering, or meat-offering,
if in transgression  against the or if to  offier  peace-offerings
LORD, (save us not this day,)   thereon, let the LORD  himself
Y require it;
u Deut. 10. 17. x 1 Kings 8. 39. Job 10. 7 
and 23. 10. Ps. 44. 21, and 139. 1, 2. Jer.  y Deut. 18.19. 1 Sam. 20.16.
12. 3.  2 Cor. 11. 11, 31.
condemn their brethren for impru- ren that their religious faith was
dence; nor when the accused had unchanged, and their future conduct,
evinced their innocence, did they up- they also intimate, should satisfy all
braid their accusers with hasty, rash, Israel that with clean hands and an
or unjust surmises.  Aware that the upright heart they had engaged in
measure was easily susceptible of the this undertaking.  Where there is
interpretation their brethren had put evidence of a deep and heart-felt rev'upon it, they took their reproofs, se- erence for God, there is the best severe as they were, in good part, and curity for pure intentions and a
instead of angry retorts or recrimi- blameless course of conduct.nations, gave them the soft answer ~ Save us not this day. Let God the
which turneth away wrath, and by a Judge cause us to perish by the sword
candidand honest declaration of their of our enemies or of our brethren, if
real intentions, at once set themselves either in principle or practice we
right in the opinion of their brethren. have knowingly departed from him.
22. The Lord God of gods. The It is a sudden apostrophe to God,
original words MnnM lztt}n  M El prompted by strong emotion and freElohim  Yehovah, are exceedingly quently occurring in speeches of a
emphatic, and cannot be easily trans- very earnest and vehement characlated. They are the three principal ter, and highly expressive of connames by which the supreme God scious integrity.
was known among the Hebrews, and   23. Let the Lord himself require it.
may be rendered'The strong God, Requite it. Let him call us to acElohim  Jehovah,' which is nearly count for it and punish us as the ofthe version of Luther,' Der starke fence may deserve, as the word'reGott, der Herr,' the strong God, tlee quite,' often signifies. See on Gen.
Lord. q. d.'that almighty and om- 9. 5; Deut. 18. 19; 1 Sam. 20. 16.
niscient Jehovah, whom we as well The trans-Jordanic tribes were acas you acknowledge and adore as cused of erecting an altar prohibited
the God of gods, infinitely superior by the law, and that with the design
to all that are called gods-to him  ofapostatizingfrom the true religion.
we appeal as knowing our inno- They in their answer imply that the
cency, and that we would shudder at law is not violated except by altars
the thought of forsaking or dividing intended for sacrifice; but such was
his worship.'  By this solemn ap- not theirs, as they show by specifypeal they would convince their breth- ing the three principal, uses of the
17*




198                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1444.
24 And if we have not rather Jordan a border between us and
done it for fear of this thing, you, ye children of Reuben and
saying, In time to come your children of Gad; ye have no
children might speak unto our part in the LORD.   So shall
children, saying, What have ye your children make our children
to do with the LORD God of Is- cease from fearing the LORD.
rael?                             26 Therefore we said, Let us
25 For the LORD hath made now prepare to build us an aldivinely appointed altar, and deny- and they would sink to a state of
ing that they contemplated either of comparative heathenism. This was
these uses in erecting theirs.    a prospect of which they could not
24. For fear of this thing. What endure to think. It was a state of
this thing was they immediately go things to be by all means averted;
on to state. They were apprehen- and though it would perhaps have
sive of certain consequences result- been better to have consulted Joshua,
ing from their local separation from  or rather to have taken counsel of the
their brethren, which are fully de- Lord, respecting this measure before
tailed in the ensuing verses. The they carried it into executimn, yet
original word for'fear' denotes a this solicitude for the spiritual welgreat perplexity and solicitude of fare of their posterity cannot be too
mind bordering upon actual distress. highly praised.  Nothing weighs
It occurs Prov. 12. 25, where it sig- more deeply on the truly pious heart,
nifies afliction. The amount of than the transmission to the latest
their answer is, that they were actu- generations of those inestimable reated by motives directly the reverse ligious privileges, which have been
of those attributed to them.-   f In the comfort and blessing of their fatime to come.  Heb.' to-morrow.' thers. If the outward institutions of
See note on ch. 4. 6.             piety are wanting in any commu25. So shall your children make nity, the very existence of piety itself
our children cease from fearing the is endangered, and where that is
Lord. The danger to which they the case, the judgments instead of
allude was not immediate, but pros- the mercies of heaven will descend,
pective. There was little probabil- as the inheritance of posterity. Yet,
ity of their being disowned by their alas! how much more anxious are
brethren of the present generation, thousands to entail upon their debut their children might be looked scendants ample worldly possessions,
upon in after ages as having no in- even at the hazard of all their better
terest in the God of Israel, or his in- interests, than to perpetuate among
stituted worship. The consequence them  those invaluable means of
would be, that, being cut off from  grace which take hold on eternal
public ordinances, the life and pow- life!  God forbid that we should
er of religion would die out from  ever be willing that our children
among them, they would become should dwell in splendid mansions,
reckless of their duty and allegiance or revel in accumulated riches, on
to God, wickedness would abound, which' Ichabod' is written!




B. C. 1444.]          CHAPTER  XXII.                           199
tar, not for burnt-offering, nor rebel against the LORD, and turn
for sacrifice:                    this  day from   following  the
27 But that it may be  a wit- LORD, bto build  an altar for
ness between us, and you, and' burnt-offerings, for meat-offerour generations after us, that we ings, or for sacrifices, besides
might "do the service of the the altar of the LORD our God
LORD before him with our burnt- that is before his tabernacle.
offerings, and with our sacrifices,  30 I' And when Phinehas the
and with  our peace-offerings; priest, and the princes of the
that your children may not say congregation, and heads of the
to our children in time to come, thousands of Israel which were
Ye have no part in the LORD.   with him, heard the words that
28 Therefore said we, that it the children of Reuben, and the
shall be, when they should so children of Gad, and the chilsay to us or to our generations dren  of }MIanasseh  spake, it
in time to come, that we may  pleased them.
say again, Behold the pattern   31 And Phinehas the son of
of the altar of the LORD, which  Eleazar the priest said unto the
our fathers made, not for burnt- children of Reuben, and to the
offerings, nor for sacrifices; but children of Gad, and to the chil
it is a witness between us and dren  of Manasseh, This day
you.                              we perceive that the LORD is
29 God forbid that we should  c arlong us, because ye have not
z Gen. 31. 48. ch.24. 27. ver. 34. a Deut.  b Dent. 12. 13, 14.  c Lev. 26. 11, 12. 2
12. 6, 6, 11,12, 17, 18, 26, 27.  Chron. 15. 2.
27. TAat it may be a witness. An that they both acknowledged and
indelible monument and assurance served the same God, and both made
that we are as truly the Lord's peo- use of one and the same altar.
ple as yourselves, and entitled to   31. This day we perceive that the
share unto perpetuity in the same Lord is among us. Rendered in the
distinguishing  services and privi- Targum  of Jonathan,' This day
leges.                            we know that the majesty of the
28. Say to us, or to our generations Lord dwelleth among us, because ye
in time to come. Rather according have not committed this prevaricato the well-known Heb. idiom,'say tion against the Word of the Lord.
to us, even to our generations.' It is and thus ye have delivered the childevident that their fears concerned ren of Israel from the hand of the
their offspring, and not themselves. Word of the Lord.'  The sense un-~ff That we may say again. That doubtedly is, that the happy issue of
is, that our posterity, who shall be the affair proved conclusively that
then living. may say. See on ch. 4. God was among them by his prevent23.-  ~ Behold thepattern. Rather ing goodness.  Had their motives
the copy; the exact representation been less pure and conscientious
and resemblance.  This they would than they were, the result would
have regarded as a sign, a memorial, have been unquestionably far more




200                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1444
committed this trespass against children of Israel; and the chilb
the LORD: now ye have deliv- dren of Israel d blessed God, and
ered the children of Israel out did not intend to go up against
of the hand of the LORD.          them  in battle, to destroy the
32'T And Phinehas the son of land wherein  the children of
Eleazar the priest, and the prin- Reuben and Gad dwelt.
ces, returned from  the children   34 And the children of Reuben
of Reuben, and from  the chil- and the children of Gad called
dren of Gad, out of the land of the altar eEd: for it shall be a
Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, witness between  us that the
to the children of Israel, and LORD is God.
brought them word again.
33 And the thing pleased the   d l       ebron. 29, 20. Neh. 8. 6. Dan. 2.19.
Luke 2.28. e ch. 24. 27.
disastrous. But as all unhappy con- hand of the Lord.  As it is a sinful
sequences had been avoided, the in- and perverse deportment that delivers
ference was inevitable that God was us into the hand of God for punishthat day in the midst of them, that ment, so it is only repentance and a
he had approved the spirit and mo- corresponding humble and cowscientives in which the step originated, tious walk, that will deliver us out
and, accordingly, would not suffer a of his hand. The effect of our exwell meant design to be productive ample on the public welfare should
of the injurious and mournful effects operate at once to deter us from
which they at one time apprehended. transgression, and engage us in the
The obvious lesson taught by the practice of every moral virtue.
passage is, that pure and pious mo-   32. Brought them  word  again.
tives in our conduct secure the pre- Made a full and faithful report of the
sence of God with us, and conse- whole transaction upon their return
quently an exemption'from the evils to their brethren.
and disasters that would be sure to   33. Did not intend to go up. Heb.
follow a contrary course.'When a'said not to go up.' So 2 Sam. 21.
man's ways please the Lord, even 16,' And Ishbi-benob-thought to
his enemies shall be at peace with have slain David;'. Heb.' said to
him.'  How delightful to recognize have slain;' i. e. purposed, intended,
the hand of a gracious Providence They renounced the intention of
overruling the most untoward events going up. They had at first intendand brightening the darkest pros- ed it, but the statements of their depects, in reference to his humble ser- legates convinced them there was no
vrants, who are aiming to walk in necessity for it, and they accordingly
his fear! How desirable to afford to abandoned the idea entirely.others the evidence that God is with I To destroy the land. To lay waste,
us, and smiling upon us by the hap- to ravage, to make desolate the land.
py and prosperous results of all our   34. Called the altar Ed. It is reundertakings!-    Ye have deliver- markable that the last word -in this
ed the childrens of Israel out of the clause,'Ed,' a witness, is not found




B C 1427.]               CHAPTER XXIII                             201
CHAPTER  XXIII.               that Joshua  b waxed  old  and
A  ND it came to pass, a long  stricken in age.
time after that the LORD   2 And Joshua   called for all
had given rest unto Israel from  Israel, and for their elders, and
all their enemies round about, for their heads, and for their
b ch. 13. 1. c Deut. 31. 28. ch. 24. 1
a ch. 21. 44, and 22. 4.    1 Chron. 28. 1.
in the original, at least in the common  taken in our fears. (3) Nothing will
copies, though others are said to so soon kindle the zeal of a faithful
contain it, and it occurs in the Ara- and devoted spirit, as the symptoms
bic and Syriac versions.  Our trans- of apostasy from God ill others, belators have properly supplied it in cause to such an one nothing is so
Italics, as it is the word which the dear as his glory. (4) Rising corsense evidently requires.  How it ruptions and dangerous errors should,
comes to be lacking in the common in the spirit of meekness, be resisted
editions of the Heb. it is impossible as soon as broached, lest the evil
to determine. This altar, upon which  leaven, being permitted to spread,
there was probably an inscription, should leaven the whole mass. (5)
was henceforth to be a witness of The testimony of a good conscience
the relation in which they stood to is the most effectual support against
God and to Israel, and of their con- the heaviest accusations.
currence with the rest of the tribes in             -
the  great fundamental truth, that         CHAPTER  XXIII.'the Lord he is God,' he and no other,   1. A long time after, &c. This is
and that he was to be worshipped  supposed to have been in the last or
in no other way, and at no other one hundred and tenth year of Joshplace, than he had himself prescrib- ua's life, about thirteen or fourteen
ed. It was, moreover, a witness to years after the conquest of Canaan,
posterity of their care to transmit and seven after the division of the
their religion pure and unimpaired  land among the tribes.-  TOld and
to them, and would be a witness stricken in years. Heb. Vt/S7n RZ l't
against them, if' ever they should zakin bh bayhmim, old (and) come,
forsake God and turn to idolatry.- or gone, into days.
From the incidents above related we   2. Called for all Isrqael, and for
may gather, (1) That the best meant their, elders, &c.  Or, Heb.'called
things may afford cause of suspicion; for all Israel, even for their elders,'
as those are sometimes suspected of &c. clearly indicating that by'all
aiming to effect a breach in the unity  Israel,' is not meant the whole body
of the church, who are most dili- of the nation assembled in their own
gently laboring to heal her divisions, persons, but their -elders, heads,
and to preserve to posterity the purity judges, &c., convened and acting
of her doctrines and worship. (2) It representatively in the name of the
can do our brethren no injury to be people. They could easily commu-'
jealous over them with a godly jeal- nicate the substance of the charge
busy, even when we may be mis- in their several districts, so that all




202                        JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1427
judges, and for their officers, God is he that hath fought fox
and said unto them, I am old you.
and stricken in age:               4 Behold, e I have divided untc
3 And ye have seen all that you by lot these nations that re.
the LORD your God hath done main, to be an inheritance for
unto all these nations because your tribes, from  Jordan, with
of you; for the dLoRD your all the nations that I have cut
d Exod. 14. 14. ch. 10. 14,42       e ch. 13. 2, 6, and 18. 10.
Israel could hear. This appears to no ground for such reflections. He
have been the usual method of con- will not divide the glory of their sucducting the great and important af- cess with God. He shows them that
fairs of the nation. See on Num. their enemies had been defeated, not
16. 1. Whether this assembly was by his prowess or theirs, but solely
held at Timnath-serah, where Joshua because the Lord their God had
dwelt, or at Shiloh, where the ark fought for them. The battle was the
was, it is not possible to determine. Lord's, and not his, and He was enFrom the solemn object of the meet- titled to all the glory. This sentiing we should infer that the latter ment is strikingly reiterated by the
was the place.                    Psalmist, Ps. 44. 3,'For they got not
3. Ye have seen, &c. Joshua here the land in possession by their own
speaks with characteristic modesty sword, neither did their own arm
and humility. The scope of his ad- save them; but thy right hand, and
dress is to engage the covenant thine arm, and the light of thycounpeople, and their seed after them, to tenance, because thou hadst a favor
persevere in upholding the true faith  unto them.' The leader of Israel, in
and worship of the God of Israel. these words, speaks the language of
In order to this, he begins by putting every pious heart, in view of every
them in mind of the divine interpo- species of worldly success and prossitions in their behalf. He appeals perity.
to what their own eyes had seen, but'  4. I have divided qunto you by lot.
so as at once to abase himself and Heb.:5't5ir'  hippalti lakem, I
exalt the Most High.  He does not have caused to fall un~?to you.say,'Ye have seen what I have  ff Those nations that remain. That
done, or what you have done, but remain  yet unconquered; where
what God himself has done.' They'nations' stands for the land, or
were mere instruments in his hand. country which they occupied; as on
It was no doubt natural for the Is- the contrary,' land' often stands for
raelites to look upon their veteran'nation,' or'people.' Remnants of
general, who had led them on from  the devoted Canaanites still lingered
conquest to conquest, with the most about the country, though their arprofound respect, and to say,'Had mies had long since been broken to
we not had such a commander, we pieces, and they were disabled from
had never succeeded so remarkably making any effectual head against
in obtaining possession of this goodly Israel.
land.' But Joshua will leave them    5. And drive them from out.-and y




B:. C. 1427.]           CHAPTER  XXIII.                          203
off, even unto the great sea west- is written in the book of the law
ward.                              of Moses, ithat ye turn not aside
5 And  the LORD  your God, therefrom  to the right hand or
the shall expel them  from be- to the left;
fore you, and drive them  from    7 That ye kcome not among
out of your sight; and ye shall these nations, these that remain
possess their land, gas the LORD  among  you;   neither  Imake
your God hath promised unto  mention of the name of their
you.                                gods, nor cause to swear by them,
6 h Be ye therefore very cour- neither serve  them, nor bow
ageous to keep and to do all that yourselves unto them:
i Deut. 5. 32. and 28. 14. k Exod. 23. 33.
f Exod. 23. 30, and 33. 2, and 34. 11. Deut. Deut. 7. 2, 3 Prov4. 14.1 Ephes.'5. 11.
11. 23. ch. 13. 6. g Nuin. 33. 63. h oh. I Exod. 23. 13. Ps. 16. 4. Jer. 5 7. Zepli.
1 7.                               1.5. Num. 32. 38.
shall possess. The same Heb. word,' Their names will I not take up into
~'~ yhrash, is here used to signify, my lips.'  On the same principle,
to expel from an inherilance, and to God says, Hos. 2. 16, 17,'At that
succeed those thus expelled. Ye shall day thou shalt call me Ishi; and shall
disinherit them from before you, and call me no more Baali. For I will
ye. shall inherit the land in their take away the names of Baalim
stead.                             out of her mouth, and they shall no
6. Be ye therefore very courageous more be remembered by their name.
to keep and to do. See observations Though Baali and Ishi signify the
on ch. 1. 7-9.                     same thing, yet as the former was
7. Tlhat ye come not among these the appropriated name of idols, he
n7ations. That ye have no familiar would have it no longer employed,
intercourse, nor form intimate con- even in reference to himself. The
nexions with them; which could not habitual mention of the names of
be done without contracting some idols would go gradually to diminish
measure of the defilement which the abhorrence in which they were
their idolatries and iniquities had bound to hold them, and eventually
brought upon them.'Evil commu- to introduce the custom of swearing
nications corrupt good manners.' by them in common discourse. This
The prohibition, as appears from v. would infallibly tend to the general
12, is pointed especially at intermar- prevalence, if not to the formal esriages with their heathen neighbors. tablishment of idolatrous practices
-~ff Neitler make mention of the among them. In like manner it may
name of their gods. Or, Heb. qq rh3 be seriously questioned, whether the
tazkirta, cause to be remembered. In- paintings, statues, and poems, which
stead of showing the least respect to abound in Christian countries, retheir idols, they were to endeavor, on plete with allusions to the detestable
the contrary, to bury the remem- heathen mythology, have not a most
brance of them in perpetual oblivion; pernicious effect in lessening a just
let their very names be forgotten. So abhorrence of the Greek and Roman
David says of false gods, Ps. 16. 4, idolatry, and thus subserving  the




204                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1427
8 But -cleave unto the LORD   10 P One man of you  shall
your God, as ye have done unto chase a thousand: for the LORD
this day.                         your God, he it is that fighteth
9 n For the LORD hath driven for you, q as he hath promiseJ
out from  before you great na- you.
tions and strong: but as for you,  11 r Take good heed therefore
~no man hath been able to stand unto yourselves, that ye love
before you unto this day.         the LORD your God.
P Lev. 26. 8. Dent. 32' 30. Judg-. 3. 31,
m Deut. 10. 20, and 11. 22, and 13. 4. ch. and 15. 15. 2 sam. 23. 8.  q Exod. 14. 14,
22 5. n Deut. 11. 23. o ch. 1. 5.  and 23. 27. Deut. 3. 22. r ch. 22. 5.
cause of scepticism, infidelity, and they did in the wilderness, and had
vice. -~  Nor cause to swear by not been guilty of any open or gross
them. To swear by any god was apostasy from God, but had followed
virtually to acknowledge him as a him with exemplary fidelity.
witness and avenger in the case of   9. For the Lord hath driven out.
the violation of contracts, and so in Or, as the original will admit of beeffect a suitable object of religious ing rendered;'and the Lord will
worship.  It is implied that they drive out,' &c., and so the whole
were not to make any covenants verse may be rendered in the future
with idolaters, because in confirming instead of the past, in which case it
their covenants they would swear by will connect more easily and natutheir idols.' Let no Israelite be a rally with the verse ensuing.    TNo
party to any transaction which should man hath been able to stand before you.
involve such a consequence. -Nei- That is, when it actually came to an
ther swear by them yourselves, nor issue. Some of the ancient inhabitcause others by your procurement to ants did indeed yet remain uncondo it.' By neglecting these slighter quered, but in every engagement the
occasions of idolatry they might be Israelites came off victorious. In this
imperceptibly betrayed into it, and sense no man had been able to stand
led along by degrees, till they had before them.  Wherever an enemy
finally reached its highest step, which had been encountered he had been
was serving false gods, and bowing overcome.
down to them, in direct transgression    11. 7'ake good heed therefore unto
of the letter of the second command- yourselves. Intimating the condition
ment.                             on which the foregoing  promise
8. Cleave unto the Lord your God, should be made good teo them.  Let
&c.  Delight in him, depend upon not the assurance of the divine fahim, devote yourselves to his glory, vor, presence, and protection, tend to
and continue to do so unto the end, relax your diligence, or weaken the
as you have done unto this day; sense of obligation to love and serve
ever since arriving in Canaan. For him; on the contrary, let it operate
since that time, though there might as an additional motive to the most
have been many things more or less intense  affection and devotedness
amiss among them, yet the nation at towards your heavenly benefactor,
large had behaved much better than As the temptations arising from the




B. C. 1427.]           CHAPTER  XXIII.                         205
12 Else if ye do in any wise tions from before you: x but'go back, and cleave unto the they shall be snares and traps
remnant of these nations, evet unto you, and scourges in your
these that remain among you, sides, and thorns in your eyes,
and shall tmake marriages with  until ye  perish  from  off this
them, and go in unto them, and g ood land which the LORD your
they to you:                      God hath given you.
13 Know for a certainty that  14 And  behold, this day YI
"the LORD your God will no am  going the way  of all the
more drive out an~y of these na-   x Exod. 23. 33. Num. 33. 55. Dent. 7.
s Heb. 10. 38, 39. 2 Pet. 2. 20,21. t Deut. 16. 1 Kings 11. 4. y 1 Kings 2. 2. Heb.
7. 3. u Judg. 2. 3.               9. 27.,resence of your corrupt neighbors, you shall yoeurselves fall before them,
End your own peace and prosperity, or be utterly driven from your inherare greater than they were in the itance, from the'good land' which
wilderness, it will require greater the Lord himself hath given. What
watchfulness and diligence to keep could tend more powerfully to arm
yourselves continually approved in their spirits against the forbidden althe sight of heaven.              liances than the prospect of such ca13. Know for aC certainty.  Heb. lamities as these?-~T Scourges in,
IYV'n an'o  yadoa  tidu, knowing your sides, and th.orns in your eyes.
thou shalt klnow.-    Tlhey shall be' What!' says a wife to her angry
snares and traps unto you. You will husband,' am I a thorn in your eyes.'
be caught by their wiles; their baits' Alas! alas! he has seen another; I
and allurements will seduce you into am now a thorn in his eyes.'' Were
crime, into a participation of their I not a thorn in his eyes, his anger
vile impieties; and as a consequence would not burn so long.''My old
of this, taking advantage of your friend Tamban never looks at my
weakness, they will vex and harass, house now, because it gives him
torment and oppress you, and as wil- thorns to his eyes.' Roberts.
ling though unconscious instruments   14. Going the way of all the earth.
in the hand of a chastising provi- About to die, to go into the grave.
dence, will be as continual goads, To die is in a sense to go a journey,
spurs, or scourges in your sides, or a journey to our long home; it is the
as annoying thorns in your eyes. way of all the earth, the way that
They will kill or drive away your all mankind must go sooner or later.
cattle, burn or steal your harvests, lay Joshua felt himself near his end, and
waste your vineyards, alarm or plun- he would have his people look upon
der your houses, and in a thousand him and listen to him as a dying man,
ways be a perpetual source of trou- that so his words might sink the
ble. Nay, so completely shall they at deeper into their hearts.  He would
length obtain the ascendency, that spend his last breath in taking them
your respective conditions shall be to witness that God had been puncreversed; instead of exterminating tiliously faithful to every promise,
tkem from the bounds of Canaan, and in solemnly assuring them that
is




'206                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1427'.
earth; and ye know in all your land which the LORD your God
hearts and in all your souls, that hath given you.'not one thing hath failed of all  16 When ye. have transgressed
the good things which the LORD  the covenant of the LORD your
your God spake concerning you; God, which he commanded you,
all are come to pass unto you, and have gone and served other
and not one thing hath failed gods, and bowed yourselves to
thereof.                          them; then shall the anger of
15 aTherefore it shall come to  the LORD  be kindled  against
pass, that as all good things are you, and ye shall perish quickly
come upon you, which the LORD  froIn off the good land which he
your God promised you; so hath given unto you.
shall the LORD bring upon you
ball evil things, until he have         CHAPTER  XXIV.
destroyed you from off this good   A ND Joshua gathered all the
z ch, 21. 45. Luke 21. 33. a Deut. 28. 63.  X    tribes of Israel to a Sheb Lev. 26. 16. Deut. 28. 15, 16, &c.          a Gen. 35. 4.
every threatening, however fearful, where is there a mind divested of the
would receive an equally certain floating impression, that mercy will
and exact accomplishment.-~ Ye in some way interpose to stay the
know-that not one thing hati, failed, outgoings of wrath?  How many,
&c.  The same appeal which is alas! are now experiencing in hell
here made by Joshua to Israel after what they would not believe  on
sixty years' experience, maybe made earth!  The subsequent history of
to every believer that ever lived. the chosen people abundantly shows
We may bring forth every promise that both the apostasy here deprecatfrom the Bible, and then search the ed and the threatenings here denounannals of the world, and inquire of ced did actually take place. Let then
every creature in it, and one single every Christian fear as he reads,' It
instance will be sought in vain of God spared not the natural branches,
God's violating or forgetting aprom- take heed lest he spare not thee.'
ise. The accomplishment may have The worldly, carnal, sensual Chris-.
been delayed or brought to pass in a tian has no more right to expect inway that was not expected, but the dulgence from the justice of God than
whole world may be challenged to the disobedient Jew.
impeach his veracity, or contradict
the assertion that' all which he hath   CHAPTER  XXIV.
promised is come to pass: not one   1. Gathered allthe tribes. That is,
thing hath failed thereof.' But let it the heads, elders, and chief men of
not be forgotten that the veracity of the tribes, though not them excluGod is as much pledged for the ex- sively.  See on ch. 23. 2.  Joshua
ecution of his threatenings, as for the probably found his life prolonged beperformance of his promises.  The yond his expectation, and, like Peone is a proof of the other.  Yet ter in his old age, thinking it meat
among the world of the impenitent'as long as he was in this tabernacie'




B. C. 1427.]           CHAPTER  XXIV.                           207
cher, and b called for the elders of Israel) and for their heads and
b ch. 23. 2.          for their judges, and for their
to do his utmost towards'putting' commentators,  especially  as the
and keeping his people'in remem- Greek of the Sept. has  s7Aw, Shilo,
brance' of the great things of their both here and v. 25, though tho Alduty, embraces one more opportu- dine  and  Complutensian editions
nity of convening the tribes by their have;oEg,, Spycem, in both places,
representatives, and giving them  a which leads us to suppose that the
solemn parting charge.  The pioui former reading is a designed alterservants of God may be disabled ation, made with a view to obviate
through age and infirmities from  an apprehended discrepancy in the
continuing their personal exertions, original.  At any rate, there is no
but they will never relax their zeal sufficient ground for questioning, the
in the service of their divine Master; genuineness of the present Hebrew
and what they want in effective la- text.  The two following solutions,
bors, they will endeavor to supply by therefore, may be proposed; either,
stimulating and confirming the zeal (1) By Shechem here is meant nor
of others. As Moses, at an advanc- the city so called, but the territory
ed abe, renewed the covenant in adjacent, extending to the distance
the plains of Moab which had been of several miles, within the limits
first entered into at Horeb forty years of which it is conjectured that Shiloh
before, so Joshua on this occasion  stood.  But this is less likely, as
imitates his example, and makes it Shiloh was at least ten miles distant
his last labor to engage the tribes of from  Shechem, and if the meeting
Israel once more to give themselves had been at Shiloh we can see no
up to God, in a perpetual covenant. reason why it should not have been
Thus the good effects of his influ- expressly so stated.  Or, (2) that
ence would remain when he him- Shechem was really the place of the
self was taken from  them.'We  convocation, but that the tabernacle
must never think our work for God was for the present occasion transdone till our life is done; and if he ferred thither, as we learn Judg. 20.
lengthen out our days beyond what 1, 18; 1 Sam. 4. 3; 2 Sam. 15. 24,
we thought, we must conclude it is that it was sometimes on extraordibecause he has some further service nary.emergencies temporarily refor us to do.' Ile'nry.-~ff To She- moved. There were several reasons
chem. As it is immediately added why Shechem should be considered
that'they presented themselves be- the most suitable place for the assemfore God,' the  natural inference bling of the tribes on this occasion.
would be that this transaction took It was a Le.itical city, and nearer
place in the presence of the ark and than Shiloh to Timnath-serah, Joshthe tabernacle, the usual meeting- ua's residence, whose age and inplace of God and his people, which firmities might at this time have inwere now, as far as we know, at capacitated him from travelling even
Shiloh instead of Shechem.  This a short distance from home. It was
has occasioned some difficulty to the place where the covenant was




208                          JOSHUA.                     LB. C  1427.
officers;  and  they  " presented  God  of Israel, d Your fathers
themselves before God.              dwelt on the other side of the
2 And  Joshua  said  unto  all flood in old time, even Terah,
the people, Thus saith the LORD  the father of Abraham, and the
c 1 sam. 10. 19.                   d Gen. 11. 26, 31.
first made with Abraham  ages be- additional solemnity to the proceedfore, Gen. 12. 6, 7, and so would be ings of the assembly. This impresa peculiarly appropriate place for sion is confirmed by v. 26, where it
renewing that covenant, which was is said that'a great stone was set up
one end to be answeredby their now  there under an oak tha-t was by the
coming together.  It adds to the sanctuary of the Lord;' i. e. by the
force of this reason, that it was in place where the sanctuary temporathis immediate vicinity, between the rily stood during the time of that
two mounts Gerizim and Ebal, that convention.  Yet the words do not
Joshua had before, on their first en- necessarily demand this construction.
trance into Canaan, convened the The phrase'before God,' or'before
nation for a similar object, ch. 8. 30- the Lord,' is sometimes equivalent to
35. So that all the associations con-.religiously, devoutly, as if under the
nected with the place would tend inspection of the divine eye. Thus
eminently to heighten the solemnity Isaac, Gen. 27. 7, is said to have
and impressiveness of the transac- blessed Jacob,' before the Lord,' i. e.
tion in which they were about to as in his presence, in his name, in a
engage. If, moreover, as from v. 32, very solemn and  devout manner.
many suppose it was on this occasion  So Jephthah is said, Judg. 11. 11, to
that the bones of Joseph, and per- have uttered all his words' before the
haps of the other patriarchs, Acts 7. Lord;' in the same sense. See on ch.
15, 16, were deposited in the piece 4. 13.
of ground which his father gave him    2. Joshua said unto all the people.
near Shechem, it would constitute All the people now assembled, conanother strong reason for selecting sisting mainly of the elders, chiefs,
this, in preference to Shilo, as the &c., v. 1, but in addition to them of
place of the present meeting. That such portions of the body of the peosuch was the fact, however, what- ple as found it convenient to attend.
ever might have been the reasons, - I On the other side of the flood.
and whatever the imagined diflicul- That is, on the other side of the river,
ties involved in the supposition, there the river Euphrates; so called by
can be no doubt as long as we ad- way of eminence.'Flood' is an
here to the letter of the sacred record. unfortunate rendering, as the original
-.~Presented themselves before God. word is the common word for' river,'
As intimated above, the presumption  and repeatedly and for the most part
is that this presentation of themselves so translated in our established verwas before the ark of the covenant sion.- I In old time. Heb.'QIYV
and the tabernacle, the visible resi-,amolem,from everlasting; i. e. from
dence of God among his people, and an indefinite period of remote annow removed to Shechem to give tiquity; as the same term often sig



B. C. 1427.]          CHAPTER  XXIV.                           209
father of Nachor: and "they multiplied his seed, and ggave
served other gods.                him Isaac.
3 And  fI took  your father  4 And I gave unto Isaac hJaAbraham from the other side of cob and Esau: and I gave unto
the flood, and led him through- IEsau mount Seir, to possess it;
out all the land of Canaan, and   g Gen. 21. 2, 3. Ps. 127. 3. h Gen. 25.
e Gen. 31. 53. f Gen. 12. 1. Acts 7. 2, 3.  24,25, 26. i Gen. 36. 8. Deut. 2. 5.
nifies an indefinite period of time fu- Rom. 4. 5, as an instance of God's
ture.-E~ Served other gods. From'justifying the ungodly.'
this it seems clear that Abraham's  3. And I took your father Ab'rahaam,
grandfather and father, and perhaps &c. I exercised such an influence
himself in the first instance, wor- upon him as induced him to leave
shipped the idols of the country in that land of idolators; I prompted
which they lived. By this, however, him  to go.  Though no violence
we are probably not to understand was employed, it implies that he
that they had no knowledge of, or would never have gone thence unreverence for, the true God, but that less God had' taken' him, unless by
they did not render to him that ex- a divine impulse he had moved him
clusive worship which was his due. to go. See on Gen. 2. 15, relative to
In fact, we may conclude them to God's'taking' Adam  and putting
have been in much the same condi- him into the garden of Eden.  So
tion as Laban, who at a subsequent it is the special grace of God that
period represented that part of the' takes' a sinner out of a state of imfamily which remained beyond the penitence and unbelief; and puts him
Euphrates, and who certainly rever- in the way to eternal life, the road
enced Jehovah, but who also had to the heavenly Canaan, that better
idols which he called his gods, and country where lies the inheritance
the loss of which filled him with vex- of the saints.-1T Led him throoughation and anger. The partial idola- out all the land of Canaan.  Gave
try of their ancestors, however, was him my gracious guidance and prohumiliating to Israel. Even Abra- tection during all his wanderings
ham, the father of their nation, in to and fro in that land of promise.
whom they gloried, and who was --  Multiplied his seed, and gave
subsequently so highly honored of him Isaac.  That is, multiplied his
God, was born and bred up in the seed by giving him Isaac. As this
worship of false gods.  This fact'I multiplication,' however, could not
would cut off all vain-boasting in the be said to be accomplished merely
worthiest of their ancestors, as far as by the birth of a single son, it is to be
native character or early conduct understood, not of Isaac alone, but
was concerned. The father of the of the long and spreading line of his
faithful himself became what he was posterity, among whom he enumepurely by the grace of God, and not rates Jacob and Esau, including
in virtue of his own innate tenden- their issue, in the next verse.
cies to good. Indeed his justification   4. Igave unto Esasu mount Sezr.
is expressly set forth by the apostle, See on Gen. 36. 7, 8. In order that
18*




210                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1427.
kbut Jacob and his children went tween you and the Egyptians,
down into Egypt.                   s and brought the sea upon them,
5 lI sent Moses also and Aa- and covered them; and tyour
ron, and m I plagued Egypt, ac- eyes have  seen what I have
cording  to  that which  I did  done in Egypt: and ye dwelt
among them: and afterward I in the wilderness u a long season.
brought you out.                    8 And I brought you into the
6 And I "brought your fathers land  of the  Amorites, which
out of Egypt: and ~ye came dwelt on the other side Jordan;
unto the sea; Pand the Egyp- x and they fought with you: and
tians pursued after your fathers I gave them  into  your hand,
with chariots and horsemen un- that ye  might possess  their
to the Red sea.                    land; and I destroved them from
7 And when they q cried unto  before you.
the LORD  r he put darkness be-  9 Then Y Balak the son of ZipkGen. 46. 1, 6. Acts 7.1. 1Exod. 3. 10.
m Exod. 7. and 8. and 9. and 10. and 12.  s Exod. 14. 27, 28. t Dent. 4. 34, and 29.
n Exod. 12. 37, 51. o Exod. 14. 2. P Exod. 2  u ch 5. 6. x Num. 21. 21, 33. Deut. 2.
14. 9. q Exod. 14. 10. r Exod. 14. 20.    32, and 3. 1. y Judg. 11. 25.
the land of Canaan, by the removal fact, in reality, with all that hadi
of Esau, might be reserved entire to been predicted of them beforehand,
Jacob and his posterity.-~T But with all that wa.s'recorded of them
Jacob and his children went down afterwards, and with all that struck
into Egypt.  Where they suffered the senses at the time of their actual
a long and grievous bondage, the occurrence.  There was no illusion
particulars of which the speaker does about them in any manner or degree.
not deem it necessary to recite.   It was all reality. —T  Afterward 1
5. According to thlat which I did brought you out. Spoken of the preamong thtem.  Heb. 1"'~1 1     12M Y   sent generation, though strictly true
asithi bekirbo, which I did in the only of their fathers. Of the usus lomidst of him.  A peculiar phraseol- quendi here involved, see note on ch.
ogy, and not capable perhaps of being 4. 23. So also in the ensuing verses,
fully reached in any other language. where the reader will notice that the
It imples the essential reality of any words your fathers and ye, them and
thing compared with the outward you, are remarkably interchanged.
manifestation, sign, or expression of   6. Came unto the sea. The Red Sea,
it. Thus it is said of the butler and as is afterwards expressed.
baker in prison, Gen. 40. 5, that they   7. Brouqght the sea utpon them-coyeach dreamed a dream,' according ered them.  Heb.'brought she sea
to the interpretation of his dream,' upon him-covered him.'  Spoken
i. e. one of which the eventanswered  of, according to usual analogy, as
to the dream itself; a dream capable one man.-~ r   Dwelt in the wilderof a sound interpretation, which Jo- ness a long season. A mild term for
seph gave, and which the actual ful- their being condemned to wander bor
filment confirmed.  So  here the forty years in the wilderness as a
plagues of Egypt corresponded in punishment for their sins.




13. C. 1427.]          CHAPTER  XXIV.                          211
por, king of Moab, arose and d the  men  of Jericho  fought
warred against Israel, and'sent against you, the Amnorites, and
and called Balaam  the son of the Perizzites, and the CanaanBeor to curse you:                ites, and the Hittites, and the
10 E But I would not hearken  Girgashites, the Hivites, and the
unto  Balaam;  btherefore  he Jebusites, and I delivered them
blessed you still: so I delivered into your hand.
you out of his hand.                12 And eI sent the hornet be11 And G ye went over Jordan, fore you, which drave them out
and  came  unto  Jericho: and from  before you, even the two
z Num. 22.5. Deut. 23. 4. a Deut. 23. 5.
1 Nurn. 23. 11, 20 and 24. 10.    23 ch.. 14,      ch. 6. 1, and 10. 1, and    1. 1.  e Exod.
17, and 4. 10, 11, 12.            23. 2. Deut. 7. 20.
9. Then Balak —arose and warred   11.'The men of Jericho fougrht
against Israel.  From the previous against you. Heb.'the masters or
history, Num. 23. and 24. and also lords of Jericho.' This is underfrom Judg. 11. 25, it would appear stood by many expositors of the ruthat Balak did not at any time actu- lers or magistrates of Jericho, but as
ally engage in conflict with Israel. the ensuing words,' the Amorites,
He is said, therefore, in this place to the Perizzites,' &c., seem to stand in
have' warred' against them because immediate apposition with' men,'
he intended it, because he cherished or masters, we take it that they are
a hostile purpose, and concerted his meant by the term, and are called
schemes and made his preparations'masters' of Jericho from the fact
accordingly.  The Scripture idiom  that that city belonged to an extenoften speaks of men as doing what sive confederacy composed of the
they fully design and endeavor to various neighboring nations here
do, and it is a very slight stretch of specified, of whom  it is obviously
language to denominate him a war- true that they' fought'against Israel,
ring enemy who has all the will and and were signally delivered into
lacks only the opportunity to become their hand. If, however, the phrase
so.  See Gen. 37. 21; Ezek. 24. 13; be understood of the citizens, or chief
Mat. 5. 28; John 10. 32, 33. A sim- men of the city of Jericho, though
ilar phraseology occurs in v. 11, in they did not actually meet Israel in
reference to the men of Jericho, the field, yet they may be said to have
which is perhaps to be explained on fought against them, inasmuch as
the same principle.               they stood upon the defensive, and op10. I would not hearken unto Ba- posed them by shutting their gates,
laam.  Would not comply with his and probably in making what resecret wish and purpose, nor allow  sistance they could after an entrance
him to curse to you; would not fall had been gained into the city. See
in with or favor the ruling desire of on v. 9.
his heart.-~ Delivered you out of   12. I sent the hornet before you.
his hand. Out of the hand of Balak, Understood by some literally of the
and all the wicked machinations insect so called, by others figurativewhich lhe had set on foot against you. ly of the anxieties, perplexities, and




212                          JOSHUA.                     [B. C. 1427.
kings of the Amorites; but fnot the vineyards and  olive-yards
with thy sword, nor with thy  which ye planted not do ye eat.
bow.                                  14 T "iNow therefore fear the
13 And  I have  given you a LoRD, and serve him in'-sincerland for which ye did not la- ity and in truth; and  put away
bor, and g cities which ye built the  gods which  your fathers
not) and ye dwell in them; of   h Deut. 10. 12. 1 Sam. 12.24. i Gen. 17.
1, and 20. 5. Deut. 18. 13. Ps. 119. 1. 2
f Ps. 44. 3, 6. g Deut. 6. 10, 11. ch. 11. Cor. 1. 12. Eph. 6. 24. k ver. 2, 23. Lev.
13.                                 17. 7. Ezek. 20 18.
pungent terrors which invaded the nation addressed collectively as one
minds of the Canaanites on the re- person.- T Of the vineyards and
ported approach of the hosts of Is- olive-yards-do you eat.  That is, of
rael. For further remarks on the their fruits; a usage of speech of not
subject, see on Ex. 23. 28, and'Illus- uncommon occurrence. Thus Gen.
trations of the  Scriptures,' p. 66. 3. 11,' Hast thou eaten of the tree,
The writer of the apocryphal book  whereof,' &c., i. e. of the fruit of the
entitled' The Wisdom of Solomon,' tree. So also Rev. 2. 7,' I will give
seems to have taken the words as lit- to him to eat of the tree of life.'
erally true.  ch. 12. 8-10,' Never-   14. Now  therefore fear the Loqd,
theless, thou didst send wasps, fore- &c. The address of Joshua to Israel
runnersof thine host, to destroy them  has thus far been occupied with a
by little and little. Not that thou recital of the leading events of their
wast unable to bring the ungodly national history, events going  to
under the hand of the righteous in show, in the most striking manner,
battle, or to destroy them  at once the interposition of the divine hand
with cruel beasts, or with one rough  in their behalf. He would thus lay
word: But executing thy judgments a foundation for that deep sense of
by little and little thou gavest them  obligation and obedience, which he
place of repentance, not being igno- aims in the remainder of his dis.
rant that they were a naughty gene- course to impress upon their minds.
ration, and that their malice was From  this point, therefore, he bebred in them, and that their cogita- gins a practical application of the
tion would never be changed.'-    various facts he had before enumne~f Not with thy sword, nor with thy rated, turning the whole into a powbow. Not that these implements were erful appeal to the consciences and
est made use of in their wars, but the hearts of his hearers.-   ~ Serve
that they would have used them in liim iin sincerity and in truth.  In upvain unless God, by his secret or rightness, in integrity; not in preopell judgments, had previously smit- tence and outward semblance only,
ten and paralysed the power of the but in reality and in truth.  Do not
enemy. See the passage before quot- serve or worship other gods in pried from Ps. 44. 3.                  vate, while in public, in the eyes of
13. For whicAh ye did not labor. men, you maintain the form of the
Heb. t1.Y3' M) lo y&gat&, thou didst worship of the true God. —-*  Put
not labor. The whole body of the away the gods which your father




B. C. 1427.]            CHAPTER XXIV.                             213
served on the other side of the you  this day  whom   ye  will
flood, and'in Egypt; and serve I serve, whether " the gods which
ye the LORD.                        your fathers served that were
15 And if it seem  evil unto  on the other side of the flood,
you to serve the LORD, "' choose  or o the gods of the Amorites in
I Ezek. 20. 7, 8, and 23. 3. m Ruth 1. 15. n ver. 14. o Exod. 23. 24, 32. 33, and 34.
1 Kings 18. 21. Ezek. 20. 39. John 6. 67. 15. Deut. 13. 7, and 29. 18. Judges 6. 10.
served, &c. From  the general cha- would effectually extinguish by this
racter of this generation, as evinced solemn mandate. But that the ofby their conduct, and from the corn- fence was now prevalent to any conmendation bestowed upon them by siderable extent among the people,
Joshua, ch. 23. 8, it is difficult to con- we have no idea. Not but that there
ceive that the positive practice of was sufficient corruption in  their
idolatry was now fairly chargeable natures for such a propensity to
upon them.  If the secret sin of live and act upon, but the tenor of
Achan, in stealing certain forbidden  the narrative does not, we conceive,
articles at the siege of Jericho, brought justify the supposition in respect to,,uch fearful tokens of wrath upon them at this time. We are warrantthe congregation, have we not rea- ed, however, in drawing from Joshson to suppose that the act of paying ua's words the practical inference,
divine honors to idols, however hid- that God requires the heart in his
den from human observation, would worship, without which there is no
have incurred, at least, an equal acceptable service; and that that is
measure of divine indignation. And  still an idol, to which our affections
if such a sin were actually prevalent cleave more than they do to God
among them, how is it to be account- himself ~.     In Egypt.  This fact
ed for that Joshua had not warned is nowhere else expressly asserted
them against it before' But perhaps respecting the Israelites in Egypt,
the words of Joshua, in just construc- although Ezek. 23. 3, 8, and Acts, 7.
tion, do not necessarily force upon 42, 43, go strongly in confirmation
us such a sense. The phrase,'Put of Joshua's words. Considering the
away the,ods,' &c., may mean sim- idolatrous tendencies of human naply, keep away, renounce, repudiate, ture, it is not surprising that they
have nothing to do with, being equi- should have suffered themselves to
valent to a charge to preserve them- become infected with an  evil so
selves pure from a contagion to which every where rife around them, andl
they were peculiarly liable.  We it was, perhaps, in part owing to this
prefer, therefore, to understand the that their sufferings were so aggraexpression of a vigorous and deter- vated and embittered in that' house
mined purpose of mind to which the of bondage.'
speaker exhorts the chosen people,   15. If it seem evil in your? eyes.
while at the same time we cannot Unjust, unreasonable, or attended
deny that there may have been in  with too many inconveniences.solitary instances some lingering re- ~ Choose ye this day whom ye will
lies of actual idolatry which Joshua serve. Not implying that it was pre



214                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1427.
whose land ye dwell: P but as for me and my house, we will
serve the LORD
p Gen. 18. 19.
viously a matter of indifference, whe- which is good, and true, and right,
t.her they served God or no, or that and saving, to resolve at once to em.
they were really at liberty to refuse brace it, and adhere to it with a conhis service if they saw  fit.  He stancy stronger than death. As the
adopts this rhetorical mode of speech, evidences in favor of religion are so
in order to impress upon them more clear and indisputable, and its inforcibly a sense of their duty, and finite advantages so obvious, the man
the. utter absurdity, as Well as imr- who declines making the choice here
piety, of devoting themselves to any enjoined must be considered as deother than the true God.  It is a liberately preferring Satan to Christ,
striking way of bringing the matter death to life, hell to heaven. He
to an issue. His aim  is to bring who acknowledges the paramount
them to a decided stand; to a free, claims of God and his Gospel, and
intelligent, firm, and lasting choice yet does not act accordingly, does
of God as their portion. In effecting not sincerely and solemnly choose his
this he makes use of a style of ad- service, as that better part which
dress which evidently implies that cannot be taken from  him, must
the service of idols compared with stand self-condemned both here and
the service of God is so irrational, hereafter.-~ As for me and my
absurd, and brutish, that no man in house, we will serve the Lord.  Ye
the calm exercise of his understand- may act your pleasure in this matter,
ing could hesitate which to choose. but whatever may be your election, 1
If reason and conscience could but am. decided as to my own course.
be allowed to speak, they would not As far as myself and my household
fail to speak on the side of God. A  are concerned, the question whom
similar course, having the same ob- we shall serve is settled. Whatever
ject in viewr, was pursued by Elijah, halting or wavering there may be
1 Kings 18. 21, who'came unto all in other cases, there is none in mine.
the people, and said, How long halt This declaration of their venerated
ye between two opinions I If the leader, while devoid of the least air
Lord be God, follow him; but if of dictation, and apparently leaving
Baal, then follow him.' The grand them the most unrestrained liberty
inference to be drawn from this mode of choice, was in fact the most powof address is,-that the service of erful argument he could have used
God is matter of voluntary choice, to influence their minds in the diand that it is his will that we should rection he wished. For the force of
all seriously and solemnly make this example is in proportion to the depth
choice. He would have us weigh of respect and estimation in which
the matter well, compare the respect- an individual is held, and he- could
ive claims of his service and the not fail to perceive that the reverservice of sin and the world, and if ence with which he was regarded
our candid judgment, as it surely would give to his example a weight
will, pronounces on the side of that and authority almost amounting to




B.C. 1427..]          CHAPTER  XXIV.                           215
16 And the people answered,  17 For the LORD our God, he
and  said, God forbid that we it is that brought us up, and our
should forsake the LORD, to fathers, out of the land of Egypt,
serve other gods;                  from the house of bondage, and
absolute  law.  Gratitude  for his we should stand by it at all hazards,
services, confidence in his wisdom, whatever charge of singularity or
and love for his person would all expression of popular odium it may
combine to make his conduct a pat- bring upon us.' Those that are
tern for theirs; and how blessed is bound for heaven must be willing to
it when those who possess these in- swim  against the stream, and must
mense advantages for-exerting a salu- not do as the most do, but as the best
tary influence on others, are dispos- do.' Henry.
ed, like Joshua, to make it available   16. The people answered and said,
to the salvation of their fellow-men! God forbid, &c.  Joshua has the
This noble resolutio nof the captain pleasure of finding the people ready
of Israel obviously suggests the fol- from their hearts to concur with him
lowing  reflections; (1) The service in his pious resolution. By an emof God is nothing below the most phatic expression, denoting the greatdistinguished of men. It is no di- est dread and detestation imaginable,
minution of their greatness, no dis- they show that they startle at the
paragement of their rank, reputation, thought of apostatizing from God, as
or honor, to be decidedly pious, and if it would imply their being utterly
to be openly and avowedly so. On lost to justice, gratitude, honor, and
the contrary, it heightens every other every generous feeling. At the same
distinction, and makes all honor still time, they give such substantial reamore honorable. (2) In regard to the sons for their choice, as to show that
great interests of religion and the it was not purely out of compliment
soul, we are to be concerned for oth- to Joshua, highly as they esteemed
ers, particularly our households, as him, that they made it, but from -a
well as for ourselves. It should be full conviction of its intrinsic reaour earnest aim to unite our families, sonableness and equity. They proour wives, children, and servants, fessedly and justly found their oblithose that come under our special gations, first on the consideration of
care and influence, with us in every the great and merciful things which
pious resolution and labor. Heads God had done for them, in bringing
of households should feel not only them out of Egypt through the wilanxiety, but deep responsibility, in re- derness into Canaan,where they were
spect to those thus entrusted to their now planted in peace; and, secondly,
charge.  (3) Those that lead and of the relation in which they stood
rule in other things should be first in to God as a covenant people.'He is
the service of God, and go before in our God;' he has graciously engaged
every good work.  (4) We should  himself by promise to us, and we
resolve to do right and to do good, have bound ourselves by solemn vow
whatever others may do. Though to him. Woe be tous if we prove false
vthers may desert the cause of God, and treacherous to our:plighted faith,




216                         JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1427:
which did those great signs in also serve the LORD; for he is
our sight, and preserved us in our God.
all the way wherein we went,  19 And Joshua said unto the
and among allthe people through people, q Ye cannot serve the
whom we passed:                   LORD: for he is a r holy God:
18 And the LORD  drave out he is Sa jealous God; the will
from  before us all the people, not forgive your transgressions,
even the Amorites which dwelt nor your sins.
in the land: therefore will we Ps. 99. 5,9. Isa. 5. 16. Exod. 20. 5. t Exod
q Matt. 6. 24. r Lev. 19. 2. 1 Sam. 6. 20. 23. 21.
19. Ye cann7ot serve the Lord, &c. dependence on a higher power than
It cannot be supposed for a moment their own. This Joshua well knew
that Joshua intended to deter the was the only frame of mind which
people from the service of God by could be trusted to for permanent and
representing it as impracticable or happy results, and he therefore aims
dangerous. On the contrary, his de- to have their present lively  zeal
sign is to enlist them more sincerely based upon the only foundation that
and steadfastly in it, but his know- would ensure its continuance.  He
ledge of the weakness and corruption would have them  count the cost of
of our fallen nature, prompted him  the engagements into which they proto do this in a manner that savors posed to enter, and be fully aware of
of discouragement and repulsive- the temptations, tribulations, conflicts
ness. Finding them now animated and self-denials which they would
by a glowing zeal, forward and abun- involve; and above all would have
dant in their professions, and uncon- their inmost souls pervaded by a
sciously prone to trust to their own deep and avJfil reverence of God, the
strength, Joshua, in these words, essential principle of all true religion.
designs to administer a wholesome In like manner, it deserves very secheck to their ardor, by setting im- rious deliberation whether there is
pressively before them the holy and not danger of representing the sincere
sin-avenging character of the God service of God as a matter of very
with whom they had to do, and the little difficulty, provided only there
fearful consequences of disobedience be evidence of a pr'esent vigor'ous r'eand apostasy. This would beat them  solution, and whether it be not better
off from that overweening self-confi- in such cases wisely to repress, chasdence which they were so prone to ten, and even dampen the warmth of
indulge.  It would convince them  present zeal by considerations like
that it was no light and easy matter those which Joshua now  pressed
to persevere in the strict observance upon the children of Israel.  The
of the divine precepts, and thus they same infallible authority which aswould be more cautious, circum- sures us that the yoke of Christ is easy
spect, and humble in their profes- and his burden light; assures us also
sions, and go forward in theii walk that the gate is strait, and the way
with more awe upon their spirits, narrow, that leads to life, and that
and a more trembling sense of their there is need of striving as well as




B. C. 1427.1           CHAPTER  XXIV.                          217
20 uIf ye forstke the LORD, and consume you, after that he
and serve strange gods,  then  hath done you good.
he will turn and do you hurt,  21 And the people said unto
u 1 Chron. 28. 9. 2 Chron. 15. 2. Ezra Joshua, Nay; but we will serve
8. 22. Isa. 1. 28, and 65. 11, 12. Jer. 17. 13. the LORD.
x oh. 23. 15. Isa. 63. 10. Acts 7. 42.
seeking to enter in. Certain it is, The meaning is, not that God was imthat great wisdom  is requisite in placable, or that he would not show
every spiritual guide in digging mercy to the penitent, however great
deep and laying the foundations their sins, but that they could not ofsure of a life of consistent, uniform, fend against him with impunity, that
and devoted piety.  Nor are we of he would certainly punish their transopinion that the policy of such emi- gressions.  However it might be
nent servants of God, as Moses, with others, they would be sure to be
Joshua, Samuel, Peter, and Paul, visited for their iniquities.
will ever be out of date in the church.   20. Strange gods. Heb.  4'1_ l
The more the sinner despairs of his elohe nikar, gods of the stranger or
own sufficiency, the better security foreigner.-    Then he will turn,
will he give for his ultimate stability &c. Not in himself or in his dispoand perseverance in the faith.-   sitions towards his creatures, for we
IT He is an holy God.  Heb. t1,51  are elsewhere told that with him there
ItrnV    elohim kedoshim, he is holy is'no variableness nor the least shaGods; the adjective being plural as dow of turning.' But the character
well as the substantive. The expres- of his dispensations, the course of
sion is remarkable and contrary to his providence towards them should
usual analogy, but whether carrying be entirely changed, in view of the
with it any special implication in re- change in their conduct towards him.
gard to the divine nature, it is per- He would henceforward be as severe
haps impossible to say. We imagine, and vindictive, as he had before been
on the whole, that to a Hebrew ear kind and gracious.- r   Consume
the phrase would merely convey the you, after that he hathb done you good.
idea of more emphasis, solemnity, Nothing so embitters the judgments
and awfulness in respect to the at- of God, as the reflection that they
tribute here affirmed of Jehovah.-    have been incurred after the experiIF He is ajealous God. As he has no ence of his tender mercies.  The
equal, so neither can he suffer a fact -that we have made him to rerival. To pay to idols that worship pent of' his past kindnesses to us,
which he alone deserves, or even to and forget all the good he had
associate them  with  the homage wrought in our behalf, barbs and enwhich is paid to him, is to contest venoms the arrow of remorse beyond
with him, to take from a part of that the power of language to describe.
perfect holiness which constitutes   21. We wzll serve the Lord. This
his glory, and is what the Scriptures shows that they understood the words
call profaning his holy name.- of Joshua to imply no moral inability
~[ Will not forgive. Or, Heb. Ace 5) on their side, and notwithstanding
loyissa, will not bear, will not tolerate. his statement of difficulties, and the
19




218                        JOSHUA.                   [B. C. 1427.
22 And Joshua said unto the heart unto the LORD God of Ispeople, Ye are witnesses against rael.
yourselves that Yye have chosen   24 And the people said unto
you the LORD, to serve him. Joshua, the LORD our God will
And they said, We are wit- we serve, and his voice will we
nesses.                           obey.
23 Now  therefore z put away   25 So Joshua a made a cove(said he) the strange gods which nant with the people that day,
are among you, and incline your and set them  a statute and an
ordinance bin Shechem.
y Ps. 119. 173. z ver. 14. Gen. 35. 2. Judg.
10. 16. 1 Sam. 7. 3.              a Exod. 15. 25. 2 Kings 11. 17. b ver. 26.
seeming discouragements which he were in them.' Augustin is of the
throws in their way, but which are same opinion in relation to the true
really intended to quicken and in- meaning of the passage.
vigorate their resolutions, they de-   25. Joshua madea covenant. Heb.
dare a firm and fixed purpose of Net: ~rDI yikroth berith, cuqta coveobedience.  In so saying they did nacnt; alluding to the sacrifice usuvirtually confirm and ratify by their ally offered on such occasions. But
own express consent the covenant whether the ordinary rites were perwhich Joshua would now impose formed at this time is uncertain,
upon them, and by voluntarily en- The use of this term does not pergaging, as he intimated would be the haps necessarily imply that they
case, to be witnesses against them- were.  The ceremonies usual in
selves, provided they turned aside forming and in reenewing a covenant
from  God, they did in effect affix might not have been the same.their name and seal to that solemn  TrSet thesn a statute and an ordinance.
covenant, and bind themselves under That is, as some suppose, on renewfearful sanctions to its faithful ob- ing the covenant he formed the whole
servance. Thus we have a sacred into a statute and ordinance which
renewal, an authentic confirmation, was promulgated for all Israel to reof the covenant into which their fa- ceive and obey. Both theyand thelr
thers had entered with God, as their posterity were to regard it in the
King, Ex. 12 and 24, which after this light of a binding enactment, having
they could no more infringe, without all the force of a divine ordinance.
being guilty in the highest degree of Otherwise the phrase,' he set them a
perjury.                          statute,' &c., may mean that he de23. Put away the strange gods, cdared or propounded to them, he set
&c. See above on v. 14. Rabbi before them, the sum and substance
Levi, son of Gerson, a Jewish com- of the Mosaic statutes, which their
mentator, remarks upon this pas- covenant obliged them to observe.
sage, that Joshua'says this to them, But from what is said in the next
in order that if their hearts had been verse of his writing these words in
enticed by any of the idolatries of the book of the law, we think the
the people of that land, they should former the most correctinterpretation.
Act away the pernicious thoughts that   26. Wrote these words it the book




B.. C. 1427.]           CHAPTER  XXIV.                           219
26 ~ And Joshua ~wrote these  the people, Behold, this stone
words in the book of the law of  shall be g a witness unto us: for
God, and took d a great stone, hit hath heard all the words of
and e set it up there f under an  the LORD which he spake unto
oak that was by the sanctuary  us: it shall be therefore a witof the LORD.                       ness unto you, lest ye deny your
27 And Joshua said unto all God.
c Deut. 31. 24. d Judg. 9. 6. e Gen. 28.  g Gen. 31. 48, 52. Deut. 31. 19, 21, 26. ch.
18. ch. 4. 3. f Gen. 35. 4.        22. 27, 28, 34. h5 Deut. 32. 1.
of the law of God. He made a re- his family, Gen. 35. 4, but in Judg.
cord of the transaction, particularly  9. 6, the original term  is translated
of the solemn engagements of the'plain,' and the place where the
people, and inserted it on some blank stone was set up is called' the plain
space of the great roll on which the of the pillar.'-I~ That was by the
sacred canon was originally inscrib- sanctsuary of the Lord.  Near the
ed. There it was written, that their place where the ark and the taberobligation to obedience bythe divine nacle now stood, during their ternprecept and by their own promise, porary continuance  at Shechem.
might remain on record together. It See on v. 1.
would thus, as intimated in v. 25,   27. It ]hath heard all the words, &e.
from  its very position, serve. more A strong figure of speech, by which
effectually as' a statute and an ordi- he tacitly upbraids the people with
nance,' and be in fact an everlasting the hardness of their hearts, as if
witness against them  in case they this stone had heard to as good purshould prove unfaithful to the com- pose as some of them; and if they
pact, for it was probably transcribed  should forget what was now done,
from thence into all the other copies this stone would so far preserve the
of the law which were multiplied in remembrance of it, as to reproach
after ages for the benefit of the na- them for their stupidity and carelesstion.-~ Took a great stone, anzd set ness, and be a witness against them.
it up there sender an7 oak. To insure Williams very appositely cites from
still more effectually the memory of Livy the following instance of a simthis'solemn transaction, Joshua reared ilar phraseology;-' The general of
a pillar of stone on the spot, accord- the.Equi informed the Roman aming to the custom  of ancient times, bassadors (sent to complain of a plunGen. 28. 18; Deut. 27. 2, as an en- dering excursion) that they might
during monument of the event which deliver their message to an oak which
had now  occurred.  Whether the shaded his tent. On this one of the
stone contained an inscription defin- ambassadors, turning away, said:
ing the purpose of its erection, is not' This venerable oak and all the gods
certain, though not improbable. The shall know that you have violated the'oak' here mentioned is supposed by peace; they shall now hear our comsome to have been the same with plaints; and may they soon be witthat under which Jacob buried the nesses, when we revenge with our
idols and images that were found in arms the violation of divine and hu



220                         JOSHUA.                    [B. C. 1426
28 So iJoshua let the people border of his inheritance in
depart, every man unto his in-'Timnath-serah,  which  is  in
heritance.                         mount Ephraim, on the north
29 If k And it came to pass af- side of the hill of Gaash.
ter these things, that Joshua the   31 And  mIsrael served  the
son of Nun the servant of the LORD all the days of Joshua,
LORD died, being a hundred and  and all the days of the elders
ten years old.                     that overlived Joshua, and which
30 And they buried him in the   1 chap. 19. 50. Judges 2. 9.9. m Judges
i Judg. 2. 6. k Judg. 2. 8.  2. 7.
man rights.' By a like usage of Moses and Aaron, and his only epispeech the sacred writers frequently taph was, in effect, couched in the
call upon the heavens and the earth brief terms,'THE SERVANT OF THE
to hear their addresses to the people LORD.' This however comprehendof Israel. Deut. 32. 1; Is. 1. 2.  ed the sum of the highest eulogiums
28. So Joshua let the people depart, that could be bestowed on his characeverymanto hisowninheritance. Heb. ter. Though inferior in many renrl)V  yeshallah, sent away, or dis- spects to Moses, yet in this he was
missed. This verse occurs in nearly equal to him, that according as his
the same words Judg. 2. 6, with the work was in the sphere in which he
added clause,' to possess the land;' was placed, he, had approved himself
i. e. that every one might manfully a diligent, devoted, and faithful serexert himself to expel the Canaanites vant of the Most High; and no man
and obtain the complete possession need desire a more honorable testiof his destined inheritance.-' In this monial to record his worth to his own
affecting manner Joshua took his or future generations.
leave of Israel, went from this last   30. Buried ]him in the border of his
and perhaps best source to God and inheritance in Timnath-serah. In the
them, and was speedily taken to his compass, in the limits of his inheritrest in heaven.' Scott.            ance. See the remark on the import
29. Joshua-died, being a hundred of the word'border' in the note on
and ten years old. Precisely the age ch. 19. 25. Of Timnath-serah, see
of his renowned ancestor Joseph; on Judg. 2. 9.
yet he was not buried in the same   31. The elders that over-livedJoshplace with him, but in his own inher- ua. Heb.' that prolonged their days
itance, which seems to have been the after Joshua.' Intimating that the
general practice.-How long he liv- salutary influence of Joshua's exemed after the entrance of Israel into plarylife and character extended beCanaan we have no means of deter- yond the term of his natural existmining.  Lightfbot thinks it was ence, and served for a number of
about seventeen years, but the Jew- years to keep the people in a general
ish chronologers generally fix it at course of obedience. Whether for
twenty-seven or twenty-eight. There good or for evil the effect of our exis no mention of any public mourn- ample may be expected to live after
ing at his death, as there was for us. This shows that this part of the




B. C. 1420.]         CHAPTER  XX1V.                           221
had n known all the works of the father of Shechem  for a
the LORD that he had done for hundred pieces of silver; and it
Israel.                          became the inheritance of the
32 IT And'the bones of Jo- children of Joseph.
seph, which the children of Is-  33 And  Eleazar the son of
rael brought up out of Egypt, Aaron died; and they buried
buried they in Shechem, in a him  in a hill that pertained to
parcel of ground P which Jacob q Phinehas his son, which was
bought of the sons of Hatnor given him in mount Ephraim.
n Deut. 11. 2, and 31. 13. o Gen. 50. 25.
Exod. 13. 19. p Gen. 33. 19.            e Exod. 6. 25. Judg. 20. 28.
book must have been written a con- have been a very suitable one for
siderable time after the death of Josh- such a solemn ceremony, although
ua. See on ch. 4. 9. -'T W7ich had it be true that a considerable long
known alltheworks oftAe Lord. Who interval had now elapsed since the
had been eye-witnesses of them, who conquest and occupation of Canaan.
had profoundly and devoutly regard- If any one prefers to translate the
ed them; who had not only seen original'had buried,' instead, of
them, but pondered upon them with'buried,' implying that the circumnthose sentiments which they were stance took place some years before,
calculated to excite.  Such is the when the children of Joseph first re.
genuine import of' known' in this ceived their inheritance, which they
connexion.                        would naturally be disposed at once
32. Thle bones of Joseph buried they to consecrate by depositing within it
in Shechem. Joseph's death tookplace the remains of their venerated anin Egypt about two hundred years. cestor, wte know of nothing to object
before that of Joshua, and we learn, against it. —f WBhich Jacob bought,
Gen. 50. 25; Ex. 13. 19, that prior to &c. See on Gen. 33. 19.
his decease he had given a strict   33. And Eleazar-died. Probably
charge that his bones should be con- about the same time with Joshua.
veyed away out of Egypt by his peo- - 1r I  a hill that pertained to
ple when they themselves went up PhinehAas. As the cities assigned to
from thence. Accordingly they had the priests lay in the lots of Judah,
carried  these precious relies with Benjamin and Simeon, neither father
them in all their wanderings through nor son could properly inleerit a porthe wilderness, and never attempted tion located in Mount Ephraim. But
to bury them till they were peaceably such a portion might be given them
settled in the promised land. The act there, and the probability is that the
ofsepulture, though here related after people voluntarily gave to the high
the account of the death of Joshua, priest a place of residence situated at
undoubtedly took place before it, and a convenient distance from Joshua
not improbably at the time of the and the tabernacle, and that this was
general convention at Shechem de- called the' hill of Phinehas,' because
scribed in the present chapter. The he dwelt longer there than his father
ocasion, at any rate, would seem to Eleazar had done.