Joshua 18

order, no doubt, (for he was to choose the place of his own residence, Deut xii. 5. 11. 14, &c.) was removed thither; together with the camp of Israel, which tarried so long in Gilgal, merely because the tabernacle was there. If it be inquired, what token God gave of his choice of th* ni**^ mt **--, < -Sl juv. uouKl./perhaps it was by giving some extraordinary token of his approbation, by accepting their sacrifices; or, it may be, they consulted him in this case by the oracle ofurim and tlmmmim. For when ho made choice of Mount Sion, an angel bade the prophet Gad tell David he should setup an altar in the thrashing-floor of Oman; and there God answered him by fire, &e. (See 1 Chrbn. xxi.18. 26.) Now the reason of its being translated to Shiloh, it is likely, was because it would have been too far, after the division of the land, for all the tribes of Israel to go to Gilgal, to perform all that the law required to be done at the tabernacle; Which was now indispensably to be performed, though while they lived in the wilderness they did not live by these rules, (Deut. xii. 8 — 10.) and, perhaps, while they continued unsettled in Canaan could not exactly observe them. This place also was very convenient for all. the tribes to’ resort unto; and likewise very safe, being guarded by the two powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim. And it was, as I said, in the lot of the latter; for it was fit it should be where Joshua was; who, being of this tribe, lived among them. Here it is thought the tabernacle continued for the space of three hundred and fifty years, till the days of Samuel; but our primate beforementioned reckons no more than three hundred and twenty-eight years. And the land was subdued before them.~\ Or rather, for the land was subdued, &c. that is, continued quiet, without any opposition from the old inhabitants, sinee the conquest mentioned xi. 23. Vcr. 2. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance^] For whom no lot had been drawn at Gilgal. The reason of which was, perhaps, because the last mentioned tribes, of the house of Joseph, were not satisfied with the division which was begun to be made there. And therefore Joshua stopped his proceedings till he had made anew survey of the whole country. In order to which, God commanded. him to remove hither; from whenee, being in the middle of the country, they might do it more easily; and also give the children of Joseph greater content, by settling God’s house among them. have received their inheritance beyond Jordan, &c] And, as for the rest, no care was to be taken of them in this division; because Moses had provided for them before they came over Jordan. from the cast towards the west. So that Kirjath-Jearim is there the north limits of Jndah, as it is here the south limits of Benjamin. r Ver. 16; And the border came down to the end’ of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, &c] See xv. 8. ° And descended to En-rogel.] See xv. 7.,

Joshua 18:1

JjLND the tvhole congregation of the children of Israel. All their elders and heads of their tribes, who represented tho people of Israel; and are sometimes meant by the whole congregation, as Com. Bertram hath shewed in many instances, particularly in 1 Chron. xiii. 1, 2, &c. (See L. dc Repub. Judaica, in the latter end of cap. G. and cap. 11.) But here it may well signify the whole body of the people, who accompanied the ark to settle it in a new place. Assembled together at Shiloh.] A place in the tribe of Ephraim, not far from Jerusalem; and, tfs the great primate of Ireland thinks, the same with Salem. But I do not find any.ground for that opinion. And set up the tabernacle of the congregation there.] Which had hitherto remained in Gilgal; but now, by God’s

Joshua 18:3

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel. Unto the congregation beforementioned, ver. 1. How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?] He doth not blame them for not taking possession of the land which was conquered, without God’s direction, by a lot (for that was expressly commanded), but for their being so slow to consider of, and propound some means of making such an equal division, as they desired; that they might take possession of the land, where their lot should fall.

Joshua 18:4

Give out from among you three men for each tribe. He therefore himself propounds a method for their satisfaction; and sueh a one as they could not dislike, viz. that they should choose three men (for he would not appoint them, but only give them orders what to do) out of each of the seven remaining tribes that were not provided for; or rather, out of the nine tribes and a half; that they who had already received their portion, might be willing to resign up some part of it, if uiey found, upon the survey, there was not sufficient left for their brethren. a~.i t ■*<,"•, wm tney snail rise, and go through the land.] Give them orders to go immediately through the whole country; both that which was divided, and that which was not. And describe it.] Set down not only the dimensions of it, but its condition and quality; whether barren or fruitful, mountainous or plain, &c. According to the inheritance of them.] Making so many parts in the description, as there remain tribes that want their inheritance. Thus the next verse teaches’ us to explain it.: And they shall come again to me.] Make their report to him, when they had done, that he might judge of it.

Joshua 18:5

And they shall divide it -into seven parts. Of equal extent, with a just respect, as Joscphus observes,not merely to the quantity of ground, but the goodness of the soil. But there was no respect to the greater or lesser number of persons in each tribe; for then these men had given each tribe their portion, and there had been no need of a lot. Their business was to divide the country into seven equal portions, and leave God to appoint which portion should fall to eaeh tribe: who would have no reason to complain, when the division was made by themselves. Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.] But the lot of Judah, which was southerly, and the lot of Ephraim and Manasseh, which, with respect to the former, was northerly, were not to be altered. But these tribes were to remain undisturbed in their possessions, unless it should bo found that they had more than they needed, and others had less. For this was tho very reason of making a new and more exact survey of the country, than had been made before the first division; that there might be an allotment made more to every’one’s satisfaction, when they had a more perfect account of all tho land. Accordingly, it is evident, that the tribe of Judah (by common consent, no doubt) parted with some of their portion to the Simeonites, and the Danites, whose lot appeared to be too scanty, (xix. 29.41.)

Joshua 18:6

Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me. When the men, who were appointed to measure the country, had divided it into seven parts, he orders that the description thus divided should be laid before him. That I may cast lots for you here before the Lord.] Whereby their possessions were settled and established by a Divine authority. For the lots being drawn before the sanctuary, God was desired to declare what portion every tribe should have. Accordingly, it was their duty to look upon it as a sacred appointment, and to be contented with it; for it was done at tho very door of the tabernacle, as we read, xix. ult.

Joshua 18:7

But the Levites have no part among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance. He declared, what had been often said before, that in this division of the land, the priests and Levites were to have no share; God having otherwise provided for them. (See xiii. 14. 32. xiv. 3.) And Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh,

Joshua 18:8

And the men arose, and went aivay. Being chosen by their brethren (as Joshua directed, ver. 4.) to act in their name. And Joshua cJtarged tliem that went to describe the land, saying, Go, and tvalk through the land, and describe it, &c] Before they went, Joshua gave them a charge to do the business they went about with care and fidelity; using their best diligence to be truly and fully informed: and at their return, give Mm an account, that he might put an end to all disputes, by desiring God to assign every tribe their portion. Tliat I may here cast lots for you before the Lord in Shiloh.] These words sound as if he gave this charge to them in the presence of God, before the sanctuary, that they might be excited to execute his orders with greater diligence.

Joshua 18:9

And the men went and passed through the land. Through the whole country which they had conquered. And described it by cities.] Set down the name of every city, and its villages, and the territory about it, with its situation. For so, I suppose, Joshua charged them. Into seven parts in a book.] In which were seven maps, as we noAV call them; which made a chorographical description of all the cities, towns, mountains, plains, woods, and all other conditions of the soil. And came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.] For th& tabernacle being removed hither, the camp followed it, as I observed, ver.l. And here it remained till the land was divided among the seven tribes. Which could not be done in a short time; for Josephus saith they were seven months in taking this survey, and makingthe forenamed description.

Joshua 18:10

And Joshua. With the assistance of Eleazar and the princes, (xiv. 1.) Cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord.] As he told them he would, ver. 6. The manner of it, sec upon Numb. xxvi. 55, 56. And there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel, according to their divisions.] That is, according to the divisions made by the surveyors; which were so just and equal, that all consented the lot should determine what part should belong to them.

Joshua 18:11

And the lot of the tribe of Benjamin came up. The providence of God so ordered it, that his children should have the first lot of these seven, next to the children of Joseph, they two being the only sons of Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife. According to their families.] To be divided according to their families. And the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah.] Who lay on the south of them. And tlie children of Joseph.] For the Ephraimitcs lay on the north of them. And it is observable, that in the blessing of Moses, Benjamin is placed between Judah and Joseph (Levi having no inheritance among them), which prophecy of Moses by this lot was exactly fulfilled concerning him, (Deut. xxxiii. 12.)

Joshua 18:12

And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side. Just thus the south border of Ephraim proceeded from Jordan by Jericho, which was in the tribe of Benjamin. (See xvi. 1. 7.) And went up through the mountain westward.] Through the mountainous country, which lay on the north of Jericho^ it went up to the western part of the country. And the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth* aven.] A place near Beth-el, which in aftertimes (when they committed foul idolatry there) was called Beth-aven, a house or place of iniquity, (Hosea iv. 15. x. 8.)

Joshua 18:13

And the border went out from thence towards Luz, to the side ofLuz (which is Beth-el) southward. On the south side of that city. (See xvi. 2.) The Jews think there were two Beth-els; one here named in the confines of Benjamin and Joseph, Avhere Jacob had the vision of the ladder reaching up to heaven, and the other Beth-el near to Ai, (viii. 6. 17.) And the border descended to Atarotliradar.] Called in the plate forenamed, (xvi. 2.) Archi-Ataroth. Near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth’ horon.] A city in the tribe of Ephraim, (xvi. 3.) called the nether, because there was a higher hard by it in the mountain adjoining. Though others will have the two Bethhorons to have been at a great distance; one in the mountains of Ephraim, the other in the valley near Jordan.

Joshua 18:14

And the border was drawn thence. In a line bending westward, as appears by what follows in the end of the verse; which tells us the western border began from Beth-horon the nether. And compasseth the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon.] I cannot give any account of this border, according to our translation: for, it is certain, it did not compass any corner of the Mediterranean (and no other sea can be here meant), nor came near unto it. Therefore, by peath, which we translate corner, must be understood the side of the sea. As if he had said, It ran along in a parallel line to the sea. So the Vulgar hath it, over against the sea; and the LXX. to the same purpose. And the word southward is joined by the Vulgar, not to the sea, but to the next words, southward from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon. 1 Southward.] That is, the hill was to the south of Bethhoron, as we read in the verse before. And the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-Baal (which is Kirjath-Jearim),a city of Judah.] See xv. CO.- Tliis was the west quarter.] Here the peath beforementioned (for it is the same word we before translate corner), the west side, or quarter, ended: for that is meant by its goings out.

Joshua 18:15

And the south quarter. The same word again in the Hebrew; viz. peath. Was from the end of Kirjath-Jearim, and the border went out on the west.] Did not go directly south, but bordered something towards the sea, till it came to the well of waters of Nephtoah, as this verse concludes. (See xv. 9.) By considering of which, and the foregoing and following verses, it Avill be unnecessary to say much of this south border of Benjamin, it being the same with the north border of Judah. For the very same places are named here that are there, and in the same order; with this difference only, that in describing this border, he proceeds from the, west towards the east j but in describing that of Judah

Joshua 18:17

And was drawn from the north, and went forth toEn-shemesh,and went forth towards Geliloth. See there; where this place is called Gilgal.. IVhich is over against the going vp to Adiimmim, and descended to the stone of Bohan, the son of’ Reuben.) See there, and ver. 6. •

Joshua 18:18

And passed along towards the side of Arabah northward; and went down unto Arabah. Called Beth- Arabah, xv. 6. and so the LXX. have it here in this verse.

Joshua 18:19

And the border passed along to the side of Betlthoglah northward. Leaving Beth-hoglah on the north of it, (see xv. 6.). - And the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea.] Its utmost progress was to the tongue or bay of the salt sea, which is on the north part of it.. At the south end of Jordan.] Where Jordan ends towards the south; being swallowed up by the salt sea. This was the south coast.] That is, hither it reached, and Jiere it ended. r.. •.

Joshua 18:20

And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. Till, near Jericho, it met with the bounds of the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh.. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about.] That is, a description of its bounds on all sides. According to their families.] Which was divided among as many families as were in that tribe.

Joshua 18:21

Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, according to their families, were Jericho. Having given a description of the bounds of the country, he sets down the principal cities in it. The first of which was well known, viz. Jericho; the territory of which remained, though the city itself was destroyed. And perhaps there were some houses there, though without walls or gates; which seem to be the only things which Joshua commanded should not be built, (vi. 26.) • And Beth-hoglaji.] A city nigh to Jericho; not far from the river Jordan.. And the valley of ICeziz.] Rather, E?ner-Keziz; for he speaks of a city, not of a valley. Or, it may be interpreted, Keziz in the valley; that is, in the plain of Jericho.

Joshua 18:22

And Beth-Arabah. This city is reckoned to Jndah, (xv. 61.) being, it seems, in the confines of both’ tribes. It stood also in the plain of Jericho, signifying as much as domus campestns, a* habitation in the fields: for there were large fields about it, as Boehartus supposes; from whence a place in Assyria, for this reason, was called Oraba, as he shews, lib. iv. Phaleg. cap. 21. And Zemaraim.] A city, it is probable, built by Zemari, the tenth son of Canaan, (Gen. x. 18.) There was a mountain also called by this name^ from this city, it is likely. For though it is said to bo in Mount Ephraim, 2 Chron. xiii. 14.- it might also, in part, belong to Benjamin, as Pctharaba and the next cities did belong to two tribes. And Beth-el.] A city in the confines of tho tribe of Ephraim and of Benjamin, which seems to have belonged to both.

Joshua 18:23

And Avim, and Par 4k, and Ophrah. We know no more of these cities but their names. Ver. 24; And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni.] These also arc unknown cities. And Gaba.] This is often named in Scripture, and called Gibeah, being that place where the foul fact was committed which almost ruined this tribe, (Judg. xix.) And is called Gibeah of Saul, because it was his native country, where he made his residence after he was king, (1 Sam. x. 26.) And it was one of the cities of the priests, (Josh, xxi. 17.) Twelve cities with their villages.] Which seem to have, been in the eastern part of their country.

Joshua 18:25

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth. The first of these is well-known from the story of its ancient inhabitants, related in the ninth chapter of this book. It was also a city of the priests, (xxi. 17.) and seated on a hill,, as its very name imports. Ramah also was an eminent city on the north side of Jerusalem, as Bethlehem was on the south. So that Jerusalem was in the road from the one to the other; as appears from the man that went from Bethlehem- Judah to Ramah, (Judg. xix. 2. 11. 13.) Beeroth also is notorious upon this account, that it was one of the cities which cunningly joined with Gibeon to deceive Joshua and procure a peace with them, (ix. 17.)

Joshua 18:26

And Mizpeh. There were several cities of this name, as I have noted before, (xv. 38.)* And this was in the confines of the tribe of Judah; so that it seems to have belonged both to them and to Benjamin, as several others did. And Chephirah.] Another of the cities depending upon Gibeon, (ix. 17.) And Mozah.] An unknown city.

Joshua 18:27

And Rekem. This is a city mentioned both by Eusebius and St. Jerome; but they do. not say where it was, nor so much as name the two next, Irpeel and Taralah.

Joshua 18:28

And Zelah, Eleph. Two cities, of which no more than the names are remaining. Eusebius and St. Jerome mention the former as in the tribe of Benjamin, but say no more. AndJebusi, tvhich is Jerusalem.] Sec xv. 63. where it is reckoned to the tribe of Judah; for both that tribe and Benjamin had an interest in it. The old city belonged to the tribe of Benjamin; unto which an addition being made, it belonged to Judah (as some make account); that is, the north part, with Mount Moriah, was in the portion of Benjamin; but the south part, wherein Mount Sion was, belonged to Judah. Gibeath.] This was a’ distinct city from Gaba, (ver. 24.) and I suppose near to Jerusalem. AndKirjath.] The very name imports a city: which, Eusebius and St. Jerome say, was under the metropolis of Gibeath forementioncd. IIoXiq vrrb MrjT/>o7roAiv TafiaQa. Fourteen cities with their villages.] Which were in the western part of this tribe. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin.] Which was one of the smallest, with respect to the quantity of ground which they possessed; but tho soil was the richest of all other tribes, as Josephus informs us. According to their families.] All the families of theBen-