Joshua 21

gave they to Caleb, the son of Jephunnehj for his possession. Tho priests had only the city and suburbs, which were their possession, as much as the fields and villages were Caleb’s, on whom they were bestowed before, (xiv. 13, &c.) Vcr. 13. Thus tliey gave to the children of Aaron the priest, Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer.] It was given them with this condition, that they who slew a man unawares should bo entertained here, and liave a place givcm them to live securely among them, (xx. 4.) And Libnah vtith her suburbs.] This is to be understood to belong to them no otherwise than Hebron did, unto which they had no right beyond the city and suburbs: and, therefore, the fields and tho villages of Libnah they had nothing to do withal; and the same is to be noted of all the following cities of the priests.

Joshua 21:1

JL HEN came near. After the cities of refuge were settled. Tlie heads of the fathers of the Levites.] So the. princes of the several tribes (who divided, the land, together with Joshua and Eleazar) are called, xiv. 1. and in the conclusion of this verse. And, therefore, the chief persons descended from Kohath, Gershon, and Merari (who were.the fathers of the Levites), are here meant by the heads of the fathers of that tribe., “, Unto Eleazar, and unto Joshua, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribesofthe children of Israel.] Appointed by God to see the land divided, called theprinces of the tribes, Numb, xxxiv. 18. J^ND Joshua called the Reubenites, and Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.] Who came as auxiliaries, to their brethren when they passed over Jordan; as they’ had engaged to do, when they received their inheritance on the other side of it, (i. 12— 14, &c.)

Joshua 21:2

And they spake unto them at Sliiloh in the land 6f Canaan, saying, The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof, for our cattle. This cpmmand is registered in Nuipb. xxxv. 2, &c. and is set down before the mention of cities of refpge (which are commanded in the following part of the chapter), though, it seems, that command was executed’ before this.’ And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses) the servant of the Lord, commanded you; and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you.] Numb, xxxii, 20, &c. Deut. iii. 18, &c. In this and the following verses, he commends them for their obedience urito God and unto him; and for their fidelity to their promises; and their constancy and patience in their piety to God, and love to their brethren.

Joshua 21:3

And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites outoftlmr inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their suburbs. Not only Joshua, Eleazar, and the princes, but all the people of Israel acknowledged this obligation, which God had laid upon them; and accordingly these words import, that the people separated so many cities as he commanded by Moses (which were to be forty and eight, Numb. xxxv. 7.) for the habitation of the Levites. Which cities are here named, and distributed among them in this chapter. Ye have not left your brethren these many days

Joshua 21:4

And the lot came out for the family of the Kohathites. After the cities were set out, which should belong to them, then they were divided by lot among the several families of the Levites; as the whole land was among the tribes. And the first lot came out for the noblest family in the tribe of Levi; for Moses and Aaron were descended from Kohath. And the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites.] The family of Aaron being priests, were the principal among the Levites; and therefore were first and very honourably provided for. -J > Had by lot out. of the tribe ofJudah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.] It was. by a special providence, that the share which fell to the priests was in those tribes that were nearest to the city; which God intended should be the fixed place of his worship and service in future times; that the priests might be ready to give their attendance there, without much trouble..

Joshua 21:5

And the rest of the children of Kohath. All his descendants were not priests, but Aaron and his family alone; the rest were bare Levites. #. • Had by lot, out of the families of the tribe ofEphraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten, cities.] These three tribes were nearest to the three forementioned;so that the Kohathites were not far separated one from another.

Joshua 21:6

And the children of Gershon hadby lot, out of the families of the tribe oflssachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities,] Among the sons of Levi, t Gershon is mentioned as the eldest, ExocT. yi. 16. Numb. iii. 17. but the lot came up first to the children of Kobath, the priests being descended from him. „Ver. 7. And the, children of Merari, by their families, had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebnlun, twelve cities.] This is only a general account of the tribes in which their several lots fell, and of the number of cities bestowed on their several families.. t * fc Ver.. 8. And the children of Israel gave by lot mito the Levites these cities with their suburbs.] The children of Israel, as I said before, gave them; and the lot divided them. As the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.] Who ordered both how many cities they should have, and how large the suburbs of them should be. (See Numb, xxxiv. 3, 4.),

Joshua 21:8

And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward. On the east of Jericho, in the land of the two tribes and half; which was almost as long as the land of Canaan, though not so broad.., „ They assigned^ Bezer in the wilderness, upon the plain, out of the tribe of Reuben; and Eqmoth Gilead out of the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe ofManasseh.] These cities were assigned by Moses before he fiiecl, (Deut. iv. 43.) “but had not the privilege till now. And it is observable, that if Bezer stood in a flat country, the other two, Ramoth and Golan, were in the high.,

Joshua 21:9

Tliese were the cities that were appointed for all’the children of hrdel, and for the stranger that sojoumeth among them. For the safety of all sorts of persons, as is manifest from Numb. xxxv. 15. TJiat tvhqsoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the. congregation.] It is observable, (hat all these cities belonged to the Levites; who, by their authority, might defend the man from unjust usage; and by their wisdom, direct the ciders to judge aright concerning his cause; and also give him good instructions while he lived among them, until the death of the high-priest. And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, andjout of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are mentioned by name.] Here now follows a particular account of the names of those cities, which were said, before in general to have been given out of these two tribes. Which are put together, because the lot of Simeon was taken out of the lot of Judah.

Joshua 21:10

Which the children of Aaron, being of the family of the Kohathites, &c t. One of the families of the Kohathites, and the eldest of* them; for they descended from Amram, the eldest son of Kohath. (Exod. vi. 18. Numb, iii. 19.). f For theirs ivas the first lot.] They had the honour to be first provided for, as was said before, ver. 4.

Joshua 21:11

And they. That is, Eleazar, Joshua, and the princes. Gave them the city of Arba, the father of Andk, which is Hebron, in the hill-country of Judah, &c] See of this city, xiv. 15. xv. 13.

Joshua 21:12

But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof,

Joshua 21:14

And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs. These are mentioned as belonging to Judah, xv. 48. 50. Vcr. 15. And Holon with her suburbs.] Called Helin, IChron. vi.56. And Debir with her suburbs.] See xv. 15.

Joshua 21:16

And Ain with her suburbs. A city in the tribe of Simeon, (xix. 17.) but taken out of Judah, (xv. 32.) And Jitttah with her suburbs.] See xv. 55. And Beth-shemesh with her suburbs.] Unto which city the providence of God directed the kine, which drew tho cart wherein the Philistines put the ark when they sent it home, there being a great many priests in it, to receive it with due care and reverence, (1 Sam. vi. 12, 13.) Nine cities out of these two tribes.] For the tribe of Judah was very large; and the command of God was, that from them which had many cities tliey should give many, (Numb. xxxv. 8.)

Joshua 21:17

And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs. See xviii. 24, 25.

Joshua 21:18

Anathoth with her suburbs. The city of the prophet Jeremiah, who was a priest, (Jer. i. 1.) And Almon with her suburbs.] Called Alcmeth, in 1 Chron. vi. 60. For there were greater alterations than this made,* by length of time, in the names of places. Four cities.] Which were a great many out of so small a tribe; but the soil of it, as I observed before, was very rich. Vcr. 19. All the cities of the children of Aaron the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.] As was said, ver. 4. Vcr. 20. And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath.] Who were mere Levites and not priests. Even they had the cities of their lot out oftlie tribe of Ephraim.] Part of them were planted there, and part of them in two other tribes, as it follows, vcr. 23, &c.

Joshua 21:21

For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs, in Mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer. Sec xx. 7. And Gezer with her suburbs.] See xvi. 3. 10. Vcr. 22. And Kibzaim with her suburbs,] Which is called Jokmcam in 1 Chron. vi. 68. And Beth-horon with her suburbs.] We read of both the Bcth-horons in the description of this tribe, the upper and the nether, xvi. 3. 5. the first of which seems to be here meant. Vcr. 23. And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs; Gibbethon with her suburbs.

Joshua 21:24

Ajalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs: four cities. The four cities mentioned in these two verses we find before in this tribe, xix. 42. 44, 45. Vcr. 25. And out of half of the tribe of Manasseh.] That half of it which was settled in Canaan. Taanach with her suburbs.] Sec xvii. 11. And Gath-rimmon with her suburbs.] In 1 Chron. vi. 70. these two cities are called Ancr and Bileam; so much were names changed in a long tract of time. Or, they being dispossessed of the two cities here mentioned, by the invasions of their enemies (who perhaps demolished them), these two others were given in lieu of them. Two cities.] Which was a just proportion to the other whole tribes, who gave four. Vcr. 26. All the cities were ten, with their suburbs, for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.] Who were not of the children of Aaron, the priests, (ver. 5.)

Joshua 21:27

And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tnbe of Manasseh. Which had their inheritance on the other side of Jordan. Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer.] See xx. 8. Prom whence the neighbouring country was called Gaulonitis. And Beeshterah with her suburbs.] Called Ashtaroth in 1 Chron. vi. 71. by a very light change, only leaving out the first letter. Two cities.] The same number that was given out of the other half of this tribe, (ver. 25.)

Joshua 21:28

Out of the tribe of Jssachar, Kishon with her suburbs. Sec xix. 20. Called Kede^h, 1 Chron. vi. 72. And Dabarehwith her suburbs.] Not mentioned before in this book, but in 1 Chron. vi. 72.

Joshua 21:29

And Jarmuth. Called Ramoth, 1 Chron. vi. 73. And En-gannim. ]Sce chap. xix. 21. called Ancm, 1 Chron. vi. 73. Vcr. 30. And out of the tribe qf Asher, Mishal with her suburbs.] Called Misheal, xix. -26. and Mashal, IChron/ vi. 74. And Abdon.] Mentioned in that place in the Chronicles; but not in the nineteenth chapter of this book. (See ver. 31. of that chapter.) Vcr. 31. Helkath with her suburbs.] See xix. 25. Called Hukok, 1 Chron. vi. 75. And Rehob.’] Mentioned there, and Josh. xix. 28.

Joshua 21:32

And out of the tribe ofNaphtali, Kedesh in Galilee, to be a city of refuge for the slayer. See xx. 7. And Hammoth-dor with her suburbs.] Called simply Hammath, xix. 35. and Harnmon, 1 Chron. vi. 76. And Kartan with her suburbs.] Called Kirjathaim in 1 Chron. vi. 76. Three cities.] This being a smaller, territory, it seems, than the rest of the tribes forementioned, who gave four.

Joshua 21:33

All the cities of the Gershonites, according to their families, were thirteen cities with their suburbs. As was said before, ver. 6.

Joshua 21:34

And unto the families of the children ofMerari, the rest of the Levites. The remaining families of the Levites; for there were three heads of them; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Out of the tribe of Zebulun, Joknemn with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs] Of the former, see xix. 11. and of the latter, ver. 16. CHAP. XXI.] UPON JOSHUA.

Joshua 21:35

Dimnah tvith her suburbs, Nahallal with her suburbs. See xix. 15, 16. » - * Four cities.] There are but two mentioned, IChron.vi. 77. with quite different names; the other two, it seems, being lost before that time.

Joshua 21:36

And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs. Which was one of the cities of refuge> (xx. 8.) though not here mentioned, as the rest are in the foregoing part of this chapter;, and in ver. 38. And Jahazah with her suburbs.] These, and the two cities in the following verse, Kedemoth and Mephaath, are mentioned as cities in this. tribe, xiii. 18. And so they are in 1 Chron. vi. 78, 79, as Levitical cities.

Joshua 21:37

Kedemoth. with her suburbs, &c. Some have urged against the integrity of the Hebrew text, that this and the foregoing verse are not to be found in some an T cient copies of the Bible; and, indeed, the Masorites acknowledge as much. But it is evident that they are found in copies of very great antiquity; and the context shews, that they ought to be here; as Bishop Walton observes in his Considerator Considered, chap. 6. sect. 14. And Hotlinger also (who answers this cavil more largely) observes, that they are in a most accurate MS. of the Duke of Rohan’s, wrjtten 1495. (See his Thesaurus Philolog. lib. i. cap. 2. quaest. 4. p. 181, &c.) The Masorites, who take notice of this omission, acknowledge, in the margin of this verse, that it was to be found in several copies.

Joshua 21:38

And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer. See xx. 8. * * And Mahanaim with her suburbs.] This city was made by Abner the royal seat for Ish-bosheth, BaviXziov liroirivs, its Josephus speaks, lib. vii. Antiq. cap. 1.

Joshua 21:39

Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazerwith her subtirbs: four cities in all. These, with the foregoing, are mentioned 1 Chron. vi. 80, 81.

Joshua 21:40

So all the cities for the children ofMerari, &cl were by their lot twelve cities. As was said in general before, ver. 7.

Joshua 21:41

All the cities of the Levites, within the possession of the children of Israel, were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. So God ordered by Moses, Numb. ^xxy, 7> And it is a demonstration that Moses was divinely inspired to make such an appointment; before they knew whether, without straitening the other tribes, they could afford so many cities to the Levites. For when Joshua and Caleb went up to search the land (with the rest, mentioned Numb, xiii.) they could have no opportunity to take the dimensions of the country; whereby Moses might know there would be ropm enough to allow the Levites so large a proportion as this; but he was directed to it by a Divine foreknowledge.

Joshua 21:42

These cities were every one of them with their suburbs round about them. viz. Two thousand cubits on every side, round the city, as is ordered Numb.xxxv. 5. Which must be owned to be a great proportion fpr this tribe; which was the smallest of them all. But God would have an ample provision made for his ministers; arid they had none of the land belonging to these cities, as was before observed, but only room for themselves, and for their cattle. Thus were all these cities.] Disposed and settled according to the Divine commandment. Six of which, were cities of refuge; and the other forty-two had the same pri-, vileges, if the inhabitants pleased, and at the cost of those that fled thither for safety. (See upon Numb. xxxv. 6.)

Joshua 21:43

And God gave unto Israel all the land which he sxvare to give unto their fathers. He gave them a right to the whole country (which was distributed among them, as he appointed, by a lot which he ordered and directed), and he gave them the actual possession and enjoyment of the greatest part of it; and he gave them power to sub-, due the rest (if they continued obedient to him) as soon as it was convenient. “Which was exactly according to his promise and oath made to them; for they not being numerous enough to people the whole country, at their first coming into it, he never intended to expel all the old inhabitants at once, but by degrees; as we read expressly, Exod. xxiii. 29, 30. -And they possessed it, and dwelt therein,] Went every man to his lot, and peopled the country, as far as at present they were able.

Joshua 21:44

And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers. None molested them in their possessions; but they ploughed, and sowed, and reaped, &c. without any disturbance.. And there stood not a man of all their enemies before’ them.] For whosoever had opposed them, were overthrown, and destroyed by them; and, as it follows, TIiq Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.’] Which is not to be understood, as if all the people of Canaan were absolutely under their power; but that, as long as Joshua lived, not a man appeared to fight with them, but was delivered up unto them.

Joshua 21:45

There failed not aught of any good thing’ which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Which they themselves (he tells them afterward, xxiii. 14.) knew very well, and could not but confess. But it must be understood according to the explication of ver. 43. For the time of fulfilling some part of his promise was not come; and the completing of what was be-’ gun depended upon their obedience to him. " But (as Conradus Pcllicanus here admonishes) we are taught by this the truth of the Divine promises; and if. ought to establish the belief of the faithful, that it do not fluctuate;, though the promises of God seeni to us to be fulfilled very slowly.” £HAP. XXIL