Numbers 32

children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.) Be settled in the possession of the land of Canaan, as wo desire to be in this country. [chap. XXXIlf. \ AndKirjathaim. A place wTiere giant-like people formerly dwelt, called Emims, Gen. xiv. 5. who wcro expelled by the Moabites, as they were by the Amoritcs. Vcr. 38. And Nebo.] This city is mentioned iu Jcrem. xlviii. 2. when it was fallen again into the possession of the JVIoabitcs, as was also Kirjathaim. It seems to have been near E>ibon, mentioned together with it, Isa. xv. 1. At least there were in these places two famous temples; for the destruction of which, the prophet represents tho people making lamentation. So the LXX. a7roXar<u h iNcj3(ji>, ov6 J3w/t/&c vjuwv, Nebo is destroyed where your altar is. And Hcsychius saith of Aer?j3wv (i. e. Dibon), that it •was iwoc tvSa Ifyvrat Upbv Moa/3//rwv, a place where a iemple of the Moabiteswas built. And St. Jerome suspects that there was an oracle at this place; the word Nebo im- ■porting prophecy, or divination, as he speaks. i AndBaal-Meon.] Another place, where, it is likely, Baal cwas.worshipped; which made them change the names “of these places, as it here follows. -* Their names being changed.’] For Nebo, as well as Baal, was the name of a god; as wo learn from Isaiah xlvi. 1. and seems to have been an Assyrian deity; there being Jbotsteps.of-it-in the names of several great men there; such as Nebuchadnezzar, Nebnzaradan, and many others. Arid it is not* unlikely, that they therefore changed the jnames of these cities into some other, because they would abolish all remainders of idolatry in this country, accord-! ing to the precept, Exod. xxiii. 13. that they should not takfc -the name of their gods*irito “their m6uth;*but,hotwithstand- -ing.this, they. still retained their ancient names; as appears -from Josh. xiii. 17. Ezek. xxv. 9. so hard it is to alter any thing for the better! ,. / And Sibmah.] Sec ver, 3. And gave oilier names unto the cities which they builded.].If this refer to all the cities here mentioned, it is manifest they either retained or recovered their former names: for w T e read of them all in future times; particularly in \th& fifteenth and eighteenth chapters’ of Isaiah; and Kirjathaim is mentioned in the place I now quoted out of JEzekiel…. 4 t; C

Numbers 32:1

jyi OWthe children, of Reuben, and the children of Gad. Here the children of Reuben, who was Jacob’s firstborn, are mentioned in the first place; but in the rest of the chapter (ver. 2. 6. 25. 29. 32.) the children of Gad are con-* stantly first mentioned, because they were the first movers of that which follows, as the Hebrews conjecture. Had a very great multitude of cattle.] More than any other tribe. And tvhen they saw the land ofjazer.] Which was lately taken from the Amorites, after they had slain Sihon their king, (chap. xxi. 32.) This city and country belonging to it, were near to the spring of the river Arnon; and there is. frequent mention of it in the book of Joshua, and in Isaiah xvi. 8, 9. and Jeremiah xlviii. 34. And the land of Gilead.] A noble country, so called from the mountain Gilead, which bounded it on the east, as Jordan did on the west, the river Jabbok on the south, and Mount Libanus on the north. That, behold, the place was a place of cattle^ Which in. tho fourth verse is called a land of cattle, yrjv KHivorgofyov, as the LXX. translate \t,fit for feeding of cattle; being famous for pasture and other grazing ground. ForBashan was in this country, (Deut iii. 12, 13,) where every one knows the largest and fattest oxen were bred, (Psalm xxin 12.) and sheep also, (Deut. xxxii. 14.) and therefore is joined with Gilead, (Micah vi. 14.) which, being woody and mountainous in some part of it, was no less famousfor breeding goats, (see Cantic. iv. 1.) which delight to* browse on such trees as Mount Gilead abounded withal. (See Bochartus in his Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap, 51.)- | ■

Numbers 32:2

And the children of Gad, and the children of Reuben. Neither here, nor in the foregoing verse, is there any mention of tho children of Manasseh (half of which had their portion in this country), because they were neitherf the contrivers notmo vers of this; but it is most probable had a lot assigned them hore, because these countries were too’ inuch for the other two tribes aloucj and they of Manassclv had, much cattle also.: Digitized by microsoft (® CHAP. XXXII.]- UPON NUMBERS. j Came and spake unto Moses and Eleazar, and the princes qfthe congregation.] AVho were wont often to assemble to dispatch public affairs, (chap, xxvii. 2. xxx. 1.) -, Ver/3. Ataroth.] A place which was part of the portion of Gad; as appears by ver. 34. And Dibon.] This is mentioned as a place in the kingdom of Sihon, chap. xxi. 30. and was given to Gad also;. as we read ver. 34. And Jazer.] See ver. 1. and 35. where we find this also belonged unto Ga3.\ And Nimrah.] Called Beth-Nimrah, ver. 36. and given to the same tribe. It is.usual, I observed before, for the Hebrews to cut off the first part of the names of places, for brevity’s sake, (chap.xxv. 1.) but this place is elsewhere called at length Beth-Nimrah, Josh. xiii. 27. where it is mentioned as a part of Sihon’s kingdom, and signifies as much as domus pardorum, a habitation of leopards: so Bochartus, who observes, that when both Isaiah xv. 6. and Jeremiah xlviii. 34. speak of the waters of Nimrim, they mean this very place, which was given to Gad; but, in the days of those prophets, mentioned as in the country of the Moabites; who had usurped upon their neighbours the (■Jadites, and taken this place from them, as they had. done Jazer also; as appears from the place abovementioned, (Isa, xvi. 8, 9. Jcrem. xlviii. 34.) And Heshbon.] The principal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, (chap. xxi. 2G— 28.) and was given to the Reubeni tes; (ver. 37.) fc..,. And Elealah.] This is frequently mentioned with Hcsh«: bon; as a place adjoining to it, (ver. 37. Isa* xvi. 9.).. And Sheban.] Called also Shibmah, ver. 37. and Sibmah, Isa. xvi. 8, 9. Jer. xlviii. 31. where it appears to have been, a place famous for vines; and in the days of that prophet was fallen into the hands of the Moabites, as were Heshbon and Elealah also. i And Nebo.] Which was given to the Reubcnites,(ver. 38.) And Beon.] There is no mention of this place anywhere else; but it is probable was paTt of the Reubenites’ portion, being mentioned together with other places thatw T ere given, unto them; and possibly may be the place called Baal- Mcdn; (ver. 38.) frhich they changed into Beon, because of the name of Baal; but the Moabites, when it fell into tjieir hands, restored part of its old name, calling it Beth- Meon, (Jer. xlviii. 23.)

Numbers 32:4

Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel. And gave it to them for a possession, as he intended to do the land of Canaan: (see chap/ xxi. 24, 25. j isa land for cattle, arid thy servants have cattle^] Is very fit for us, (ver. 2.)

Numbers 32:5

Wlierefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight. A phrase often used by humble petitioners; even by Moses himself, when he speaks to God, chap, xi. 15. " Let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession.] The Israelites in common possessed it hitherto, as -belonging to them all, (chap.-xxi. ult.) but they desire to have it assigned to them, as their particular portion. And bring us not over Jordan.] We desire nothing in the land of Canaan. •

Numbers 32:6

And Moses said unto the children of Gad, and die children qf Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war. Can you think it reasonable, that the rest of the tribes should fight still for what they are to possess? t And shall ye sit here?] And you take up your rest here, and settle in their conquests, which they have already made?

Numbers 32:7

And wherefore discourage ye the hearts of tlie children of Israel, from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?. He seems to have suspected that, mere cowardice, and a vile love of ease, made them desire? to stay where they were, and go no further: which ill ex* ample might dishearten all the rest of their brethren, and ■• make them have the same inclination to settle in the land; thfey had conquered; and not engage in a war with the Canaanites. ^

Numbers 32:8

Tims did your fathers. i.e. They disheartened all their brethren.. •< When I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.]:. See chap. xiii.. 3. 26.

Numbers 32:9

For when they went up unto the valley ofEshcol. l Men do not go up into a valley; therefore the meaning is, they went up to search the country, (as it is said they did/* chap. xiii. 21, 22.) and went on in their search, till they came. to the valley or brook of Eshcol, chap, xiii, 23. where they cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes, to shew what fruit the country afforded, * •..’> v /> %i • And saw the land.) Had taken a full view of the country.’ They discouraged the hearts of the children. of Israel.]*.Represented the people and the cities to be so strong/that they should not. be able to deal with them, (chap. xiii. That they should not go into the land which the Lord hadgiven tliem.] And, therefore, persuaded them not to attempt to possess themselves of it. For they said expressly, “We arc not able to go against the people, for they are stronger; than we/’ (cMp. xiii. 31.) \ -

Numbers 32:10

And the Lord’s anger was kindled at the same time, and he sivare, saying. Sec chap. xiv. 21. 28. Ver* 11. Surely none of the men that are come out.of Egypt \ from twenty years old and upward.] See chap, xiw Shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.] See chap. xiv. 23. Because they liave not wholly followed me.] See there> ver. 22*

Numbers 32:12

Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh. See chapv xiv. 24. The Kenezite.] A great deal has been said by many to prove that Caleb is called a Kenezite, because his father’s^ name was Kenaz. And this they prove, because Othniers father was Kenaz, and. he was Caleb’s brother, (Josh. xv. 17.) his younger brother, (Judg. i. 13. iii. 9.) So that them father must have, two names, Kenaz and Jephunneh. Butit. is very strange, if this be true,’ that Caleb is no wherei called the son of Kenaz, but constantly the son of Jcphmir/ neh;(even there where Othniel is just before called the son of Kenaz, IChron/iv. 13. 15.) nor is Othniel anywhere: called.the son of Jephunneh, but always of Kenaz. And, indeed, there is a demonstration against this opinion; for Othniel married Caleb’s daughter, which by the law ofr Moses was utterly unlawful, whatsoever the practice might have been before the law was given. Therefore, others thinkit more probable,, that Othniel was one of his brother’s uigmzea oy iviicrosoTt © [chap! xxxir. younger sons (for uncles and nephews arc often called brethren, as Abraham and Lot were), and that from this brother, whose name was Kenaz, Caleb is also called -a Kcnczite: but this is very absurd; for tho name of Kenezzi in the Hebrew, denotes the descendants from one who gave this denomination to tho family; which one brother could not do to another. It is most probable, therefore, that Kcncz was some common ancestor both of Othniel and Caleb, from whom Othnicl f s father took also his name. A ccordingly, we find Jcphunneh called a Kcnczite in Joshua xiv. 14. where it is said, that " Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite.” - And Joshua the son of Nun: for they have followed the Lord.] Fully, chap. xiv. 24. 30. 38.

Numbers 32:13

And the Lord’s -anger ivas kindled against Israel. He had said this before, (ver. 10.) but repeats W again, to make them the more sensible of a thing that was done thirty-eight years ago; and to deter them from giving’ him the like provocation. \ And he made them wander in tlie wilderness forty 7jear$, till all that had done evil in the sight of ilie Lord were consumed.] Sec chap. xiv. 31 — 33. xxvi. 64, 65. % Ver- 14. And, beJiold.] Mark what I say. r You are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger oftlie Lord towards Israel.] Are multiplied to as great a number as your fathers, only to succeed them in their sins, and thereby bring down still more heavy punishments upon the nation,.

Numbers 32:15

For if ye turn away from after him. As your fathers did; who refused to go and possess the good land which he had bestowed upon them.; He will yet again leave them in the wilderness.] Lead them back again into the desert, where your fathers perished; and there forsake you. And yesliall destroy all this people.] Who, following your oxample, will refuse to go over Jordan, (ver. 5.) to take possession of the land of Canaan.

Numbers 32:16

And they drew near unto him. As petitioners are wont to do when they are assured of their integrity, and hope to obtain their request, (Gen. xliv. 19.) • And said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle.] There arc five words in the Hebrew language for folds for sheep and cattle; all signifying a place fenced in, that they might lie safely and be defended from wild beasts. And so this word gedera plainly imports: (“see Bochartus in his Hicrozoic. par. i. lib. i. cap. 45.) - And cities for our little ones.] Which stood in need only of repairing and fortifying, (ver. 17.) for they already dwelt in those cities of the Amorites, (chap. xxi. 25.)'.

Numbers 32:17

But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we liave brought them unto their place. That is, a considerable number of them, as many as should be thought necessary, (Deut. iii. 18.) in all forty thousand, (Josh. iv. 12.) And our little ones sltall dwell in the fenced cities.] Where it was necessary to leave some men to guard them from their bad neighbours, and to take care of their cattle. - Because of the people of the land.] That is, the Moabitcs, who were the ancient owners of thiscountry,(chap.xxi.26.) -and the Edomites, who had shewed no good-will to the Israelites, as they passed through the wilderness. Yen IS.JVt will not return unto our houses, until the

Numbers 32:19

For xvewill not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward. We will not desire any share in the country beyond Jordan, though it lie near to us; nor in that country which lies still further westward. Because our inheritance is fallen on this side Jordan eastward.] We look upon this as our inheritance (with which we shall bo fully satisfied), here in the land of Gilead: which lay eastward -of Jordan, and of the land of Canaan.

Numbers 32:20

And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing. Be as good as your word. If ye will go armed before the Lord to war.] To go before the Lord, was to go before the ark; which was the symbol of God’s presence, over which his glory resided. And it is to be observed, that these two tribes, Reuben and Gad (together with Simeon), always lay encamped before the sanctuary; as appears from the second chapter of this book, ter. 10. 14 — 17. And accordingly, when the camp removed, they marched immediately before it; as is particularly noted, chap. x. 18— 21. So that here he requires them only to hold their usual place, when they w T ei)t to the war against the Canaanitcs; and accordingly it is expressly said, they did (together with half the tribe of Manassch, who were joined with them) pass over before the Lord unto battle, Josh. iv. 12, 13.

Numbers 32:21

And will go all of you. As many as shall bo required* and’eanbe spared, (ver. 17.) Armed over Jordan before the Lord, until he hath’ driven out his enemies from before him.] Not only bring us into Canaan, but continue with us,’ till we have expelled the inhabitants of that country: which he encourages them toundertake, by representing the Canaanitcs as the enemies of the Lord, who would therefore fight for them.

Numbers 32:22

And the land be subdued before the Lord. By this expression, and that in the foregoing words, it appears that the ark was carried along with them to the war everywhere till it was ended; as it was when it begun, at the taking of Jericho, (Josh. vi. 6, 7, &b.) Then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel; and this land shall be yourpo** session.] Not only be free from all blame ia this desire, but have what you desire. * Before the Lord.] By” his order and appointment.

Numbers 32:23

But if you will not’ do so. If this be not your intention; or if you go back from your word. Behold.] Observe what I say. Ye have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find youout.] Your guilt is exceeding great, and shall be most certainly punished, as ii deserves.

Numbers 32:24

Build ye cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep, &c. As for the rest of their proposals, about their children and battle, he consented to them, without any exception.

Numbers 32:25

And the children of Gad, and the children of Reuben, spake unto Moses, saying. The word for spake, in, tho Hebrew, being jomer, in the singular number, instead otjomru, in the plural, their doctors take it for an indication that some one principal person spake in the name of all the rest. But there is no need of this; for the.singular number in this language is often used for tho plural; and,CHAP, XXXII.] UPON NUMBERS..they never spake all of them together, but some one in ihe name of their brethren. And it had been better, if they Jiad observed, that this signifies one and all (as we now,3peak) were of the same mind. Thy servants will do as my lord coinmandeth.] And as they themselves had proposed, (Ver. 17,) Ver. 2G. Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead.] Here they promise to leave all that was dear to them ia this country, and go to serve their brethren. *

Numbers 32:27

Bat thy servants willpass over every man armed for war, &c. We ourselves will go and fight for our brethren. It bath b§en often said (ver. 17. 2L.) that this doth.not signify^ all the men of war among them should go, but,as many as could be spared, and as were thought sufficient. For it is manifest, the far greater half of them were left in this country to defend their wives and children, and look after their flocks and herds; as will appear by computing all the,men of war that were found in the tribes of Gad and.of Reuben, which were above fourscore and four thousand, (chap. xxvi. 7. 18.) to which if we add half the tribe.ofManasseh (who were, in all, above fifty-two thousand), there were much above a hundred thousand men able to: bear arms; and not above forty thousand of them marched into Canaan, as was before observed,

Numbers 32:28

So concerning tlvem, Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of Israel. Ho left this in charge with the principal persons, who had the government of affairs under t him; particularly with Joshua, who was not unmindful of it, but remembered these tribes what Moses had said when •he was about to attempt the conquest of Canaan, (Josh, i, JL3, 14, &c.):

Numbers 32:29

And 3Ioses said unto them, If tJie children of, Gad and the cMldren of Reuben willpass with you over Jordan, &c. He repeats to these great men, who were to see •it executed, what he had *said to the Gadites and lteuben- Jtes themselves, (ver. 21, 22.) Tlien ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession.] They had not a right to it till they had performed trie condition upon which it was granted, viz. till their brethren were in possession of their inheritance in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 32:30

But if they will not pass over before you armed. Perform their promise, ver. 17.. They shall have possession among you in the land of Canaan.] Take what falls to their share there; and this country be disposed of, as God shall order..

Numbers 32:31

And the children of Gad, and the children of Reuben said, As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we. do. They confirm what they had promisedto. Moses, ver. 25. and here tako all that he had said, as spoken by the order of God, who bestowed this.land upon them on the condition often mentioned.

Numbers 32:32

We willpass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan. This they offered at first of themselves,.(ver. 17.) and solemnly promised, when Moses accepted their proposal, (ver. 27.) and again here ratify and confirm’ -it before Eleazar, and Joshua, and all the princes, (ver. 28.) That the possession of our inheritance.] Which we have desired to have for our inheritance. On this side Jordan.) They were now in the land of- Gilead, and so might properly call it on this side J&rdan; but when they were in the land of Canaan, it w r as said to be on that side Jordan. May be ours.] Settled upon us and our posterity;

Numbers 32:33

And Moses gave unto them. Not an absolute grant, but a conditional;* if they did as they engaged, (ven 29—31, &c.):.; - Even to the children of Gad, and the children of Reuben, and half the tribe ofManasseh the son of Joseph.]’ This half tribe is not mentioned before, because they did not put in any claim till they saw how those of Gad and Reuben would succeed in their petition: which being granted, it.is likely that thereupon they represented also.what Store of cattle they had; and that the country would be more than enough for those who had desired it. This being found to be true, Moses thought fit to give them a portion in it, rather than any other; because the children of Machir, the son ofManasseh, had, by their valour, subdued part of this country/ (ver. 39. Josh. xvii. 1.) / The kingdom ofSihon king oftlie Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king ofBashan.] See chap.xxi.24. 29. Which w£re the first countries that the Israelites possessed; and were the first that were carried captive out of their land,,(2 Kings xv. 29.)’:. The land with the cities tJiereofin the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.] The land with the cities, within such a compass or limits; and all the towns within that circuit. •Ver, 34. And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth.] Repaired and fortified these towns,, which are mentioned before, ver. 3. for they were not destroyed, but only’ their inhabitants, (Deut. ii. 34, ( 35u) and if they had, there was not time now to rebuild them.. Thus Jeroboam is said to have built Shechem, (1 Kings xii. 25.) which was a city before, but gone to decay; and Azariah to have built Elah, (2 Kings xiy. 22.) which ho restoreth to Judah as’a city formerly belonging to. them. AndAroer.’) A city of the Amorites,. upon the brink of the river Arnon^ as Moses tells us, Deut. ii. 36. iii. 11. iv. 48. It formerly belonged to the Moabites, but was taken from them by Sihon* t

Numbers 32:35

AndAtrotK, and Sliophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah. . We do not read of any of these towns elsewhere, but only of Jaazer, which seems to be that called Jazer* ver. 3L.. Ver. 3G. And Beth-Nimrah.] Called, ver. 3. Nimrah for shortness’ sake; as (it may be further observed) Jeniini is put for Benjemini, Esther ii. 5. Sheba for Beer-sheba, Josh. xix. 2. where we find these two mentioned; but they do not signify two several cities, but are two names for one and the samo city; as if he had said, Beer-sheba, which is also called Sheba. This is clear to a demonstration; for otherwise there would be more than thirteen cities in the tribe of Simeon, contrary to ver. 6. of that chapter. And Betl\rharan.\ A placo, some say^ between Dibon v and Jordan. Fenced cities, and folds for sheep.] All these cities the children of Gad fortified, and built folds for sheep in tho pastures near to them.

Numbers 32:37

And the children of Reuben built. Repaired and fortified; as I said, ver. 34. Jleshbon and Elealah.’]* Mentioned above, ver. 3^

Numbers 32:39

And the’children of Machir the son of Manas- •seh went to Gilead, and took it. Here Gilcad is used in a ^strict sense, not so largely as before, ver. 1. 26. 29. where <it is.taken for all the country on that side Jordan where Gilead was; but here, for a part of it about Mount Gilead. •This is plain from’ the fcext verse; and Gilcad the son of;Machir, one would think, was the perspn that took it, t (Josh* xvii. 1.)..

Numbers 32:40

And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir,’ the son of ^Manasseh. t. e. To the children of Machir (for he was dead Jong ago), who had a considerable portion of that half of -the land of Gilead, which was given to the half tribe of,Manassch. For one half was given to the Reubenites and Gadites, and the other half to them, Deut. iii. 12, 13..Tvhere Gilead signifies all that country properly so called; ♦ neither so much as the whole territory, which these tribes ^demanded, ver. I. nor so little “as’ was given to Machir, rver. 15. whereJMoses says, " And I gave Gilead unto Machir;” i.e. to that family of Manassch, which were properly called Machiritcs,.,Numb. xxvi. 29. and to that family descended from his son, which from him were called Gileadites. For as Manasseh had only, this son Machir, so Machir had only Gilead; but he had many, (chap. xxvi. 30 — 32.) who all raised families. And as to the Machirites (and I suppose the Gileadites) was given apportion in this country, (Josh. xiii. 29, 30, &c.) so Joshua gave to the rest an inheritance in the land of Canaan, (chap. xvii. 2.) And he gives a reason, in the foregoing verse, why he gave Gilead and Bashan* to the posterity of Machir, because they were a warlike people, inheriting their father’s valour, who was a man of war; and therefore fit to be placed ia the frontiers of that country. - - I

Numbers 32:41

And Jair, the son of Manasseh. Oneof the posterity of Manasseh, by his mother’s side: for he was the grandson of Gilead, the son of Machir, by his daughter, (1 Chron. ii. 21, 22.) but his father was of the tribe of Judah. It seems he joined with the children of Machir in their expedition against Gilead, (mentioned ver. 89.) and w f as so successful, that he took several small towns in that country, and so had his inheritance among the children of Manasseh, on this side Jordan, where they now were. There were threescore of them in the whole, which were afterward called cities, (Josh. xiii. 13. 1 Kings iv. 23.) but hfe had only twenty-three for his possession, (1 Chron. il. And called them Havoth-Jair.] That is, t\xo.habitations of Jair. For havah is a dwelling, as Bochartus observes in his Phaleg. lib. iv. cap. 29. And among the Arabians the word Havoth properly signifies many tents orderly disposed in a ring or circle; which in those countries made that which we call a village. For hava in their language signifies to compass. The same he observes in his Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 44. p. 4GG. *

Numbers 32:42

And Nobah. Who he was we find in no other place; but an eminent person, no doubt, in some of the families of tlie “Manassites; either of the Machirites or the Gileadites. For they only, as I take it, inherited on this side Jordan. Went -and took Kenath, and the villages thereof] At the same time, I suppose, that Jair took the towns abovementioned; of which this was one, (1 Chron. ii. 23.) But, •though Jair was the chief conductor in that expedition, yet he kept, as I said, only twenty-three towns to himself: the rest were given to them who accompanied Jiira, of whom, it is probable, Nobah was one. And called it Nobah, after his own name.] But it retained its old name also: for St. Jerome says, in his time there was a city called Canatha, in the region of Trachonitis,not far from Bosra. Thus this country being settled upon these two tribes and a half, the land of Canaan was divided, by God’s command, for an inheritance to the remaining nine tribes, and tho other half of tho tribe of Manasseh, (Josh. xiii. 7.)