Joshua 14

Joshua 14:1

ANd these] Which are expressed in this and the five following Chapters.

which] Which by hereditary right were given to them to be possessed.

and the heads] 1: e. The chief fathers of the tribes, as God appointed before, Numbers 34:17-18.

Joshua 14:2

by lot] In which they thus proceeded; the whole countrey was divided into so many parts as there were tribes, and when the lot was drawn by a tribe in such or such a countrey, according as the number of such a tribe was, great or small, so the portion of it was enlarged or lessened. See Num. 26. 54, 55, &c. 33. 54.

hand of Moses] By his ministery.

half tribe] To wit, of Manasseh.

Joshua 14:4

were two tribes] To wit, by Jacobs appointment, Genesis 48:5. 1 Chron. 5. 1. So though Levie lacked, yet were there still twelve tribes by this means.

Joshua 14:5

they divided the land] 1: e. Not in present act, but in their intention, according to which they agreed upon an order how the whole land should be divided, both that part which they now possessed, and that also which was not yet subdued. The like phrase we have Genesis 37:21. Ex. 12. 48.

Joshua 14:6

of Judah came] As being of the same tribe with Caleb, they came to assist him in his suit, which in the generall God had formerly promised, Numbers 14:24. Deuteronomy 1:36. And that all this was done before the subduing of Hebron, appeareth 5: 12. being compared with Chap. 10. 36, 37.

in Gilgal] It seemeth this distribution was made, the camp being yet in Gilgal; the other distribution was made at Shiloh, whither the camp removed from Gilgal, Joshua 18:1; Joshua 18:10.

Joshua 14:7

Fourty yeers old was I] He was, with others, sent to spie the land two yeers after their coming out of Egypt, and after that they wandered in the wildernesse eight and thirty yeers, Deuteronomy 2:14. Whence it appeareth, that this was the seventh yeer after their coming into Canaan; and that they were above six yeers in conquering of it, seeing he was fourty yeers old when he was sent to spie the land, Joshua 14:7.

in my heart] As I was perswaded in my heart to be true, that God would give unto us the land of Canaan.

Joshua 14:8

melt] Made them faint-hearted.

followed the Lord] So 5: 9. 14. and Numbers 14:24.

Joshua 14:9

sware] To wit, by Gods motion and direction. See Numbers 14:21. 24.

Joshua 14:10

wandered] By Gods speciall command, for their rebellion and unbelief, Numbers 14:25. Hebrews 3:19.

Joshua 14:11

both to go out] A proverbiall speech, often used, as Deuteronomy 31:2. Numbers 27:17. whereby he signifieth, That he was yet an able commander, and sit to conquer the countrey which he desired, and to subdue the Anakims.

Joshua 14:12

this mountain] 1: e. This mountainous countrey of Judah, in which Hebron was seated.

Joshua 14:13

And Joshua blessed him] Having granted his request, prayed God to blesse him with good successe, and joyfull fruition of his inheritance.

Hebron] That is, the countrey and territory of Hebron, with the towns and villages belonging to it: For Hebron it self was a free city, and belonged to the Levites, Joshua 21:11-12. 1 Chronicles 6:56.

Joshua 14:14

Inheritance] But not on the condition which he propounded; to wit, That he would conquer it by his own proper forces; for Joshua himself, with the whole army, subdued it, and afterwards gave it to Caleb, Joshua 10:37.

Joshua 14:15

Ara] From whom this city had its name, was a great man, both in his authority, strength and stature, yea even among the giant-like Anakims so reputed.

had rest] Not at the time when Caleb made this request, 5: 12. for then both Hebron, and a great part of the land, was not conquered; but after that Joshua with his army had subdued it, and given it to Caleb in possession.