Joshua 22

Chap. XXII. Ver. 1—20. Joshua dismisses the two tribes and a half to their possession on the east of Jordan.—The three last verses of the preceding chapter may be here cited as a suitable preface to this chapter. “The Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it and dwelt therein.” To this it hath been objected, that much of the land remained yet to be possessed; ((Joshua 13:1).) and from many parts they had not been able to rive out the Canaanites. But it hath also been replied, 1. That the whole land had been marked out, and divided to them by lot. 2. They had as much in actual possession as they could at that time occupy.

3. Those who were not expelled were rendered tributary. The land therefore was actually subdued and the promise of the extirpation of the Canaanites depended only on their farther exertions and obedience. 4. A proof that it was so considered, appears in the dismissal of the two tribes and a half who had crossed the Jordan to assist their brethren, and were now about to be sent home in peace, their assistance being no longer judged necessary. 5. A still farther extension of their conquests took place in the reign of David, soon after the establishment of the Jewish monarchy. ((1 Chronicles 18)) We have already seen ((Joshua 4:12-13).) that the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who had chosen their portion on the outside of Jordan eastward, had furnished a quota of 40,000 men to assist their brethren in the conquest of the promised land.

The war being now considered as closed, and their contract with Moses honourably fulfilled, Joshua dismisses them with his blessing to their homes and families, from which they are supposed to have been absent full seven years, though hid on the other side of Jordan. On this occasion Joshua gives them a full share of the spoil taken from their enemies, and they return laden with the riches they had. On their arrival on the other side of Jordan, they immediately erect a vast altar of earth and stones, as a conspicuous monument of gratitude to Jehovah for their safe return; but their brethren of the other tribes hearing of it, suspect it to be intended for an idolatrous purpose, and threaten to go to war with them on that account.

It is agreed, however, that previously Phinehas and ten princes of the house of Israel should be deputed to visit them, and inquire into the truth of the report, remonstrating on the sin and folly of such a mode of conduct. From this circumstance, before we proceed farther, we may derive the very useful maxim of the town-clerk of Ephesus, to “do nothing rashly,” ((Acts 19:36).) especially in matters of religion. There is no doubt but many schisms have occurred in the church, and persecutions have been raised from them, merely from the want of a little dispassionate inquiry. Many orthodox hearts have been charged with heresy, merely through their ignorance of religious terms; and many divisions among those who are united in Christ their head, have taken place, through false reports and rumours like that before us. Excellent is the Jewish proverb on another occasion; “Consider, take advice, and (then) speak.” ((Judges 19:30).)

Ver. 21-34. A serious misunderstanding rectified.—The

Notes on the verses

(Rxxv. 8.) It is worthy of remark, that the a i a part of this tribe, whose business was to minister at the sanctuary, which sanctuary was afterwards established at Jerusalem, had their appointment nearest to that city; so that they were always within reach of the sacred work which God had appointed them.—Bagster. Ver. 35. Dimnah with her suburbs.—This verse and the following wholly omitted by the Massorah, and in some of the most correct printed Hebrew Bibles; but they are found in a great number of MSS., in various editions, and in all the ancient versions: beside which, the Cities here named are wanted, to make up the number mentioned in ver. 41. See Kennicott and Ver. 41. Forty and eight cities, with their suburbs.—These have been thought a great number for so small a tribe, being only 26,000; but it ought to be considered, 1.

That many of these were probably small and inconsiderable which may be inferred from their being not mentioned in any other part of Scripture. 2. Among these are reckoned the cities of refuge for man-slayers. 3. They were not exclusively hers to this tribe, so as to prevent Israelites of other tribes from residing with them. See Geba (or Gebeah) ver. 17, “the men of the place were Benjamites.” ((Judges 19:16).) David, of Judah, also spent the first years of his reign at Hebron, another city of the Levites, ver. 11. See (2 Samuel 3:2). So neither, on the other hand, were they forbidden to reside among the other tribes, for the performance of their official duties. See (Deuteronomy 18:6), &c.

Chap. XXII.

Ver. 10. Borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan.—The reader may observe that the verb are is in the text in the Italic character, and we conceive this verb should be singular, (is,) to agree with the river Jordan, which is the proper antecedent.—An er Jordan.—That is, on the east side, after “a had repassed the river, and wit——A great altar to see to:—That is, to be conspicuous. The Vulgate calls it an altar of immense size. Ver. 19. Unclean.—That is, less holy than the land on the other side Jordan, as not having been included in the original promise. Ver. 21. Children of Reuben.—The conduct and answer of these Reubenites and their associates are worthy of admiration and imitation.

Conscious of their innocence, they permitted Phinehas to finish his speech, though composed of little else than accusations, without any interruption, and, taking in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and even harshness of their brethren, with the utmost meekness and solemnity they explain their inten-