Notes on Joshua
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes
Jos 1:1
1:1 Now after the {a} death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
The Argument - In this book the Holy Spirit sets most lively before us the accomplishment of God's promise, who as he promised by the mouth of Moses, that a prophet would be raised up to the people like him, whom he wills to obey, De 18:15: so he shows himself true to his promise, as at all other times, and after the death of Moses his faithful servant, he raises up Joshua to be ruler and governor over his people, that they should neither be discouraged for lack of a captain, nor have reason to distrust God's promises later. So that Joshua might be confirmed in his calling, and the people also might have no opportunity to grudge, as though he were not approved by God: he is adorned with most excellent gifts and graces from God, both to govern the people with counsel, and to defend them with strength, that he lacks nothing which either belongs to a valiant captain, or a faithful minister. So he overcomes all difficulties, and brings them into the land of Canaan: which according to God's ordinance he divides among the people and appoints their borders: he established laws and ordinances, and put them in remembrance of God's revealed benefits, assuring them of his grace and favour if they obey God, and of his plagues and vengeance if they disobey him. This history represents Jesus Christ the true Joshua, who leads us into eternal happiness, signified to us by this land of Canaan. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of this book is 2567 years. For from Adam to the flood are 1656, from the flood to the departure of Abraham out of Chaldea 423, and from then to the death of Joseph 290. So that Genesis contains 2369, Exodus 140, the other three books of Moses 40, Joshua 27. So the whole makes 2576 years.
(a) The beginning of this book depends on the last chapter of Deuteronomy which was written by Joshua as a preparation to his history.
Jos 1:4
1:4 From the {b} wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the {c} Hittites, and unto the great {d} sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
(b) Of Zin, called Kadesh and Paran.
(c) Meaning, the whole land of Canaan.
(d) Called Mediterranean.
Jos 1:7
1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest {e} prosper whithersoever thou goest.
(e) He shows where true prosperity consists, even to obey the word of God.
Jos 1:8
1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and {f} night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(f) Showing that it is not possible to govern well, without the continual study of God's word.
Jos 1:11
1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for {g} within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
(g) Meaning, from the day that this was proclaimed, Jos 3:2.
Jos 1:13
1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this {h} land.
(h) Which belonged to Sihon the king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan.
Jos 1:15
1:15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as [he hath given] you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant {i} gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
(i) By your request, but yet by God's secret appointment, De 33:21.
Jos 1:17
1:17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, {k} so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
(k) They not only promise to obey him as long as God is with him: but to help punish all who rebel against him.
Jos 2:1
2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of {a} Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
(a) Which was in the plain of Moab near Jordan.
Jos 2:3
2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, {b} Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
(b) Though the wicked see the hand of God on them, they do not repent, but seek how they may by their power and policy resist his working.
Jos 2:6
2:6 But she had brought them up to the {c} roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
(c) Meaning, on the house: for then their houses were flat above, so that they might do their business on it.
Jos 2:9
2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your {d} terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
(d) For so God promised, De 28:7, Jos 5:1.
Jos 2:11
2:11 And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for {e} the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
(e) In this the great mercy of God appears, that in this common destruction he would draw a most miserable sinner to repent, and confess his Name.
Jos 2:14
2:14 And the men answered her, {f} Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
(f) We warrant you on pain of our lives.
Jos 2:16
2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the {g} mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
(g) which was near to the city.
Jos 2:17
2:17 And the men said unto her, {h} We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
(h) We will be released from our oath if you perform this condition that follows for so shall you and yours be delivered.
Jos 2:19
2:19 And it shall be, [that] whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, {i} his blood [shall be] upon his head, and we [will be] guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood [shall be] on our head, if [any] hand be upon him.
(i) He shall be guilty of his own death.
Jos 2:20
2:20 And if thou utter this our {k} business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
(k) So that others should think to escape by the same means.
Jos 3:1
3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to {a} Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
(a) Which according to the Hebrews was in March, about 40 days after Moses' death.
Jos 3:2
3:2 And it came to pass after {b} three days, that the officers went through the host;
(b) Which was given to prepare food Jos 1:11.
Jos 3:8
3:8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still {c} in Jordan.
(c) Even in the channel where the stream had run, Jos 3:17
Jos 3:10
3:10 And Joshua said, {d} Hereby ye shall know that the living God [is] among you, and [that] he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
(d) By this miracle in dividing the water.
Jos 3:12
3:12 Now therefore take you {e} twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
(e) Who would set up twelve stones in remembrance of the benefit.
Jos 3:15
3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,
(for Jordan overfloweth all his {f} banks all the time of harvest,)
(f) Because the river was accustomed at this time to be full, the miracle is so much greater.
Jos 3:17
3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood {g} firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
(g) Either tarrying till the people were past, or as some read, sure, as though they had been on dry land.
Jos 4:3
4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood {a} firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the {b} lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
(a) As in Jos 3:17.
(b) Meaning, the place where they would camp.
Jos 4:6
4:6 That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your {c} children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones?
(c) God commands that not only we ourselves profit by this wonderful work, but that our posterity may know the cause of it, and glorify his Name.
Jos 4:9
4:9 And Joshua set up {d} twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
(d) Besides the twelve stones that were carried by the tribes and set up in Gilgal.
Jos 4:11
4:11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, {e} in the presence of the people.
(e) Meaning, in the presence or sight of the people.
Jos 4:13
4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the {f} LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
(f) That is, before the Ark.
Jos 4:16
4:16 Command the priests that bear the {g} ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
(g) Because the ark testified God's presence, and the tables of the Law contained in it signified God's will toward his people.
Jos 4:19
4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth [day] of the {h} first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
(h) Called Abib or Nisan, containing part of March and part of April.
Jos 4:24
4:24 That all the people of the {i} earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
(i) God's benefits serve as a further condemnation to the wicked, and stir up his own to reverence and obey him.
Jos 5:1
5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the {a} Amorites, which [were] on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which [were] by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
(a) The Amorites were on both sides of Jordan, of which two kings were slain already on the side toward Moab.
Jos 5:2
5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, {b} and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
(b) For now they had left it off, about 40 years.
Jos 5:3
5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at {c} the hill of the foreskins.
(c) Gilgal was so called, because they were there circumcised.
Jos 5:5
5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people [that were] born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, [them] they had {d} not circumcised.
(d) For they looked daily to move at the Lord's command, which they who were newly circumcised could not do without great danger.
Jos 5:8
5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they {e} were whole.
(e) For their sore was so grievous, that they were not able to move.
Jos 5:9
5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the {f} reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
(f) By bringing you into this promised land, contrary to the wicked opinion of the Egyptians or the foreskin by which you were like the Egyptians.
Jos 5:14
5:14 And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and {g} did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
(g) In that Joshua worships him, he acknowledges him to be God: and in that he calls himself the Lord's captain he declares himself to be Christ.
Jos 6:1
6:1 Now Jericho was straitly {a} {b} shut up {c} because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
(a) That none could go out.
(b) That none could go in.
(c) for fear of the Israelites.
Jos 6:3
6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city {d} once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
Jos 6:4
6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of {e} rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
(e) That the conquest might not be assigned to man's power, but to the mercy of God, which with most weak things can overcome that which seems most strong.
Jos 6:7
6:7 And he said unto the people, {f} Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
(f) This is chiefly meant by the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Jos 6:9
6:9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the {g} rereward came after the ark, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
(g) Meaning, the gathering host, in which was the standard of the tribe of Dan, Nu 10:25.
Jos 6:11
6:11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about [it] {h} once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Jos 6:13
6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the {i} rereward came after the ark of the LORD, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
(i) The tribe of Dan was so called, because it marched last and gathered up whatever was left of others.
Jos 6:15
6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner {k} seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
(k) Beside every day once for the space of six days.
Jos 6:17
6:17 And the city shall be {l} accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
(l) That is appointed wholly to be destroyed.
Jos 6:19
6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] {m} consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
(m) And therefore cannot be put to any private use, but must be first molten, and then serve for the Tabernacle.
Jos 6:23
6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them {n} without the camp of Israel.
(n) For it was not lawful for strangers to dwell among the Israelites, till they were purged.
Jos 6:24
6:24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the {o} house of the LORD.
(o) Meaning, the tabernacle.
Jos 6:25
6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she {p} dwelleth in Israel [even] unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
(p) For she was married to Salmon prince of the tribe of Judah, Mt 1:5.
Jos 6:26
6:26 And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: {q} he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.
(q) He will build it to the destruction of all his stock, which was fulfilled in Hiel of Beth-el, 1Ki 16:34.
Jos 7:1
7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the {a} accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
(a) In taking that which was commanded to be destroyed.
Jos 7:2
7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to {b} Ai, which [is] beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
(b) This was a city of the Amorites: for there was another so called among the Amorites, Jer 49:3. The first Ai is called Aiah, Isa 10:28.
Jos 7:5
7:5 And the {c} men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
(c) God would by this overthrow make them more earnest to search out and punish the sin committed.
Jos 7:7
7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the {d} other side Jordan!
(d) This infirmity of his faith shows how we are inclined by nature to distrust.
Jos 7:9
7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear [of it], and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great {e} name?
(e) When your enemies will blaspheme you and say that you were not able to defend us from them.
Jos 7:12
7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye {f} destroy the accursed from among you.
(f) Then to allow wickedness unpunished, is to refuse God willingly.
Jos 7:13
7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [There is] an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the {g} accursed thing from among you.
(g) Meaning, the man that took of the thing forbidden.
Jos 7:15
7:15 And it shall be, [that] he that is {h} taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.
(h) That is found guilty, either by lots, or by the judgment of Urim. Nu 27:21.
Jos 7:19
7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and {i} make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.
(i) By declaring truth: for God is glorified when the truth is confessed.
Jos 7:21
7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly {k} Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
(k) Such a rich garment as the states of Babylon wore.
Jos 7:24
7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the {l} wedge of gold, and his {m} sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
{l} Some read a plate: others, a rod, and some a tongue.
(m) This judgment belonged only to God, and to whom he will reveal it. He had commanded man not to punish the child for the father's sins, De 24:16.
Jos 7:25
7:25 And Joshua said, {n} Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
(n) He declares that this is God's judgment because he had offended, and caused others to be slain.
Jos 8:2
8:2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city {a} behind it.
(a) Meaning on the west side, as in Jos 8:9.
Jos 8:4
8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye {b} shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
(b) God would not destroy Ai by a miracle, as Jericho, so that other nations would fear the power and policy of his people.
Jos 8:9
8:9 Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night {c} among the people.
(c) With the rest of the army.
Jos 8:10
8:10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and {d} numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
(d) That is, viewed or mustered them and set them in array.
Jos 8:12
8:12 And he took about five thousand men, {e} and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
(e) He sent these few, that the others who lay in ambush might not be discovered.
Jos 8:13
8:13 And when they had set the people, [even] all the host that [was] on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the {f} midst of the valley.
(f) To the intent that they in the city more easily discover his army.
Jos 8:15
8:15 And Joshua and all Israel {g} made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
(g) As they who pretended to flee for fear.
Jos 8:18
8:18 And the LORD said unto Joshua, {h} Stretch out the spear that [is] in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that [he had] in his hand toward the city.
(h) Or, lift up the banner to signify when they should invade the city.
Jos 8:22
8:22 And the {i} other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
(i) Who came out of the ambush.
Jos 8:24
8:24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and {k} smote it with the edge of the sword.
(k) For the fire, which they had before set in the city, was not to consume it, but to signify to Joshua that they had entered.
Jos 8:28
8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for {l} ever, [even] a desolation unto this day.
(l) That it could never be built again.
Jos 8:29
8:29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded {m} that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, [that remaineth] unto this day.
(m) According as it was commanded, De 21:23.
Jos 8:32
8:32 And he wrote there upon the stones a {n} copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
(n) Meaning, the ten commandments, which are the sum of the whole Law.
Jos 8:35
8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the {o} women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
(o) So neither young nor old, man nor woman, were exempted from hearing the word of the Lord.
Jos 9:1
9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which {a} [were] on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the {b} great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard [thereof];
(a) In respect to the plain of Moab.
(b) The main sea called the Mediterranean.
Jos 9:4
9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and {c} bound up;
(c) Because they were all worn.
Jos 9:7
9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the {d} Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
(d) For the Gibeonites and the Hivites were all one people.
Jos 9:9
9:9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of {e} the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
(e) Even the idolaters for fear of death will pretend to honour the true God, and receive his religion.
Jos 9:12
9:12 This our {f} bread we took hot [for] our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
(f) The wicked lack no art, nor spare no lies to set forth their policy, when they will deceive the servants of God.
Jos 9:14
9:14 And the {g} men took of their victuals, and asked not [counsel] at the mouth of the LORD.
(g) Some think that the Israelites are of their victuals, and so made a league with them.
Jos 9:17
9:17 And the children of Israel {h} journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities [were] Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
Jos 9:18
9:18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation {l} murmured against the princes.
(l) Fearing lest for their sin the plague of God would have come on them all.
Jos 9:20
9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the {k} oath which we sware unto them.
(k) This does not establish rash oaths, but shows God's mercy toward his, who would not punish them for their sin.
Jos 9:23
9:23 Now therefore ye [are] cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for {l} the house of my God.
(l) For the use of the tabernacle and the temple when it will be built.
Jos 9:26
9:26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the {m} hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
(m) Who were minded to put them to death for fear of God's wrath.
Jos 9:27
9:27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the {n} altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
(n) That is, for the service of the temple, as in Jos 9:23.
Jos 10:3
10:3 Wherefore {a} Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
(a) That is, "Lord of justice", so tyrants take for themselves glorious names, when indeed they are the very enemies of God and all justice.
Jos 10:5
10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made {b} war against it.
(b) So envious the wicked are, when any depart from their hand.
Jos 10:8
10:8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, {c} Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
(c) Lest Joshua should have thought that God had sent this great power against him for his unlawful league with the Gibeonites, the Lord here strengthens him.
Jos 10:11
10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: [they were] more which died with {d} hailstones than [they] whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
(d) So we see that all things serve to execute God's vengeance against the wicked.
Jos 10:13
10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. [Is] not this written in the book of {e} Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
(e) Some read, the book of the righteous, meaning Moses: the Chaldea text reads, in the book of the Law, but it is likely that it was a book thus named, which is now lost.
Jos 10:14
10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD {f} fought for Israel.
(f) By taking away the enemies hearts and destroying them with the hail stones.
Jos 10:21
10:21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in {g} peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
(g) Or in safety, so that none gave them as much as an evil word.
Jos 10:24
10:24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the {h} necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
(h) Signifying what would become of the rest of God's enemies, seeing that kings themselves were not spared.
Jos 10:40
10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the {i} vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
(i) Some read, Ashedoth, which signifies the descents of the hills.
Jos 10:42
10:42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at {k} one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
Jos 10:43
10:43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to {l} Gilgal.
(l) Where the ark was, there to give thanks for their victories.
Jos 11:1
11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard [those things], that he {a} sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
(a) The more God's power appears, the more the wicked rage against it.
Jos 11:2
11:2 And to the kings that [were] on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of {b} Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
(b) Which the evangelists call the lake of Gennesaret, or Tiberias.
Jos 11:3
11:3 [And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under {c} Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
(c) Which was mount Sion, as in De 4:48.
Jos 11:6
11:6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt {d} hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
(d) That neither they should serve to the use of war, nor the Israelites should put their trust in them.
Jos 11:8
11:8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto {e} Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
(e) Which signifies hot waters, or according to some, brine pits.
Jos 11:11
11:11 And they smote all the {f} souls that [were] therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying [them]: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
(f) Both men, women and children.
Jos 11:13
11:13 But [as for] the cities that stood still in their {g} strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; [that] did Joshua burn.
(g) Which were strong by situation and not hurt by war.
Jos 11:14
11:14 And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every {h} man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
Jos 11:16
11:16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the {i} mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;
Jos 11:17
11:17 [Even] from the mount {k} Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
(k) So called, because it was bare and without trees.
Jos 11:20
11:20 For it was of the LORD to {l} harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
(l) That is, to give them over to themselves: and therefore they could not but rebel against God and seek their own destruction.
Jos 11:22
11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, {m} in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
(m) Out of which came Goliath, 1Sa 17:4.
Jos 12:1
12:1 Now these [are] the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the {a} other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
(a) From Gilgal where Joshua camped.
Jos 12:7
12:7 And these [are] the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount {b} Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel [for] a possession according to their divisions;
Jos 13:1
13:1 Now Joshua was old [and] {a} stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old [and] stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be {b} possessed.
(a) Being almost a hundred and ten years old.
(b) After the enemies are overcome.
Jos 13:6
13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto {c} Misrephothmaim, [and] all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
Jos 13:13
13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel {d} expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
(d) Because they had not destroyed all as God had commanded they that remainder were snares and pricks to hurt them, Nu 33:35 Jos 23:13 Jud 2:3.
Jos 13:14
13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] {e} their inheritance, as he said unto them.
(e) Levi will live by the sacrifices, Nu 18:21.
Jos 13:22
13:22 {f} Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
(f) So that both they who obeyed wicked counsel and the wicked counsellor perished by the just judgment of God.
Jos 13:27
13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and [his] border, [even] unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the {g} other side Jordan eastward.
(g) That is, in the land of Moab.
Jos 13:31
13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, [were pertaining] unto the {h} children of Machir the son of Manasseh, [even] to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
(h) Meaning, his nephews and posterity.
Jos 14:3
14:3 For Moses had given the inheritance of {a} two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
(a) As Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 32:33.
Jos 14:4
14:4 For the children of Joseph were {b} two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell [in], with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
(b) So though Levi lacked, yet were there still twelve tribes by this means.
Jos 14:6
14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and {c} thee in Kadeshbarnea.
(c) Which was that only those two should enter into the land, Nu 14:24.
Jos 14:8
14:8 Nevertheless my {d} brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
(d) Which were the ten other spies.
Jos 14:12
14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [were] there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fenced: {e} if so be the LORD [will be] with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
(e) This he spoke out of modesty, and not from doubting.
Jos 14:15
14:15 And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a {f} great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
(f) Either for his power or person.
Jos 15:2
15:2 And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the {a} bay that looketh southward:
(a) The Hebrew word signifies tongue, by which it means either the arm of the sea that comes into the land, or a rock, or cape that goes into the sea.
Jos 15:5
15:5 And the east border [was] the salt sea, [even] unto the {b} end of Jordan. And [their] border in the north quarter [was] from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:
(b) Meaning the mouth of the river where it runs into the Salt sea.
Jos 15:6
15:6 And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the {c} stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
(c) Which was a mark to part their countries.
Jos 15:11
15:11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the {d} sea.
(d) Meaning, toward Syria.
Jos 15:14
15:14 And Caleb {e} drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
(e) This was done after the death of Joshua, Jud 1:10,20.
Jos 15:18
15:18 And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: {f} and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
(f) Because her husband tarried too long.
Jos 15:19
15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; {g} give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
(g) Because her country was barren, she wanted a field that had springs from her father. Jud 1:14,15.
Jos 15:30
15:30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and {h} Hormah,
(h) Which before was called Zephath, Jud 1:17.
Jos 15:47
15:47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the {i} river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border [thereof]:
(i) Meaning, the Nile Jos 13:3.
Jos 15:49
15:49 And Dannah, and {k} Kirjathsannah, which [is] Debir,
(k) Which is also called Kirjath-sepher, Jos 15:15.
Jos 15:62
15:62 And Nibshan, and the {l} city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
(l) Of this city the salt sea has it's name.
Jos 15:63
15:63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them {m} out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.
(m) That is, utterly, though they slew the most part, and burnt their city, Jud 1:8.
Jos 16:1
16:1 And the lot of the {a} children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,
(a) That is, to Ephraim and his children: for Manasseh's portion follows.
Jos 16:3
16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out {b} thereof are at the sea.
(b) Of their inheritance.
Jos 16:4
16:4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, {c} took their inheritance.
(c) Severally, first Ephraim, and then Manasseh.
Jos 16:7
16:7 And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, {d} and went out at Jordan.
(d) For so far the coasts reach.
Jos 16:9
16:9 And the {e} separate cities for the children of Ephraim [were] among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
(e) Because Ephraim's tribe was far greater than Manasseh, therefore he had more cities.
Jos 17:2
17:2 There was also [a lot] for the {a} rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these [were] the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.
(a) For the other half tribe had their portion beyond Jordan.
Jos 17:4
17:4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our {b} brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
(b) Among them of our tribe.
Jos 17:5
17:5 And there fell ten portions to {c} Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which [were] on the other side Jordan;
(c) In the land of canaan: five to the males: and other five to the daughters of Zelophehad.
Jos 17:8
17:8 [Now] Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but {d} Tappuah on the border of Manasseh [belonged] to the children of Ephraim;
(d) Meaning, the city itself.
Jos 17:9
17:9 And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim [are] among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also [was] on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the {e} sea:
(e) That is, toward the main sea.
Jos 17:10
17:10 Southward [it was] Ephraim's, and northward [it was] Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in {f} Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
(f) In the tribe of Asher, and tribe of Issachar.
Jos 17:12
17:12 Yet the children of Manasseh {g} could not drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
(g) For at first they lacked courage, and later agreed with them on condition, contrary to God's commandment.
Jos 17:14
17:14 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me [but] one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I [am] a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath {h} blessed me hitherto?
(h) According to my father Jacob's prophecy, Ge 48:19.
Jos 17:15
17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou [be] a great people, [then] get thee up to the wood [country], and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, {i} if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.
(i) If this mount is not large enough, why do you not get more by destroying God's enemies, as he has commanded.
Jos 17:18
17:18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it [is] a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: {k} for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, [and] though they [be] strong.
(k) So that you shall enlarge your portion by it.
Jos 18:1
18:1 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the {a} tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
(a) For they had now removed it from Gilgal, and set it up in Shiloh.
Jos 18:2
18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, {b} which had not yet received their inheritance.
(b) As Eleazar, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes had done to Judah, Ephraim, and half of Manasseh.
Jos 18:4
18:4 Give out from among you three men for [each] tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to {c} the inheritance of them; and they shall come [again] to me.
(c) That is, into seven portions, one to every tribe.
Jos 18:5
18:5 And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall {d} abide in their coasts on the north.
(d) For these had their inheritance already appointed.
Jos 18:6
18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land [into] seven parts, and bring [the description] hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the {e} LORD our God.
(e) Before the ark of the Lord.
Jos 18:7
18:7 But the Levites have no part among you; for the {f} priesthood of the LORD [is] their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.
(f) That is, the sacrifices and offerings, Jos 13:14.
Jos 18:8
18:8 And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to {g} describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.
(g) By writing the names of every country and city.
Jos 18:10
18:10 And Joshua {h} cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.
(h) That everyone should be content with God's appointment.
Jos 18:11
18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth {i} between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
(i) Their inheritance bordered on Judah and Joseph.
Jos 18:13
18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which [is] {k} Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that [lieth] on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
(k) Which was in the tribe of Ephraim: another Bethel was in the tribe of Benjamin.
Jos 18:17
18:17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to {l} Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which [is] over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,
(l) Which is in the tribe of Ephraim.
Jos 18:19
18:19 And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south {m} end of Jordan: this [was] the south coast.
(m) To the very straight, where the river runs into the Salt sea.
Jos 18:28
18:28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which [is] {n} Jerusalem, Gibeath, [and] Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This [is] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
(n) Which was not completely in the tribe of Benjamin, but part of it was also in the tribe of Judah.
Jos 19:1
19:1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, [even] for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was {a} within the inheritance of the children of Judah.
(a) According to Jacob's prophecy that he would be scattered among the other tribes.
Jos 19:9
19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too {b} much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
(b) But this large portion was given them by God's providence to declare their increase in time to come.
Jos 19:11
19:11 And their border went up {c} toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that [is] before Jokneam;
(c) Or, westward, toward the great sea.
Jos 19:15
19:15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and {d} Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.
(d) There was another Bethlehem in the tribe of Judah.
Jos 19:21
19:21 And Remeth, and {e} Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;
(e) There was another city of this name in the tribe of Judah: for in various tribes certain cities had the same name, and were distinguished by the tribe only.
Jos 19:27
19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to {f} Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
(f) Joins to the tribe of Zebulun, which lay more to the east.
Jos 19:29
19:29 And [then] the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city {g} Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
(g) Which was Zoar, a strong city at the sea.
Jos 19:33
19:33 And their coast was from {h} Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:
(h) These cities were in the country of Zaanannim.
Jos 19:35
19:35 And the fenced cities [are] Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and {i} Chinnereth,
(i) Of which the lake of Gennesaret had its name.
Jos 19:46
19:46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before {k} Japho.
Jos 19:47
19:47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out [too little] for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to {l} fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
(l) According as Jacob had prophesied in Ge 49:17.
Jos 20:3
20:3 That the slayer that killeth [any] person {a} unawares [and] unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
(a) At unawares and bearing him no grudge.
Jos 20:5
20:5 And if the {b} avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
(b) That is, the nearest kinsman of him that is slain.
Jos 20:6
20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for {c} judgment, [and] until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
(c) Till his cause was proved.
Jos 20:8
20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the {d} tribe of Manasseh.
(d) Out of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan.
Jos 20:9
20:9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth [any] person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the {e} congregation.
Jos 21:2
21:2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded {a} by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
(a) By Moses, by whose ministry God showed his power.
Jos 21:4
21:4 And the lot came out for the families of the {b} Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, [which were] of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, {c} thirteen cities.
(b) He means those that were priests: for some were but Levites.
(c) Every tribe gave more or fewer cities according to the size of their inheritance, Nu 35:8.
Jos 21:10
21:10 Which the children of {d} Aaron, [being] of the families of the Kohathites, [who were] of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
(d) For Aaron came from Kohath, and therefore the priests office remained in that family.
Jos 21:13
21:13 Thus they gave to the {e} children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
(e) That is, the priest of the family of the Kohathites, of whom Aaron was chief.
Jos 21:17
21:17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her {f} suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
(f) The suburbs were a thousand cubits from the wall of the cities round about, Nu 35:4.
Jos 21:20
21:20 And the families of the children of Kohath, {g} the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
(g) That were not priests.
Jos 21:21
21:21 For they gave them {h} Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
(h) Hebron and Shechem were the two cities of refuge under the Kohathites.
Jos 21:25
21:25 And out of the {i} half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
Jos 21:27
21:27 And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the [other] half tribe of Manasseh [they gave] {k} Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.
(k) Golan and Kedesh were the cities of refuge under the Gershonites.
Jos 21:34
21:34 And unto the families of the children of Merari, the {l} rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
(l) They are here called the rest, because they are last numbered, and Merari was the younger brother, Ge 46:11.
Jos 21:36
21:36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, {m} Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,
(m) Bezer and Ramoch were the cities of refuge under the Merarites and beyond Jordan, Jos 20:8.
Jos 21:41
21:41 All the cities of the Levites {n} within the possession of the children of Israel [were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
(n) Thus according to Jacob's prophecy they were scattered throughout the country, which God used so that his people might be instructed in the true religion by them.
Jos 22:1
22:1 Then {a} Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
(a) After that the Israelites enjoyed the land of Canaan.
Jos 22:2
22:2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD {b} commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
(b) Which was to go armed before their brethren, Nu 32:29.
Jos 22:5
22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to {c} love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(c) He shows where fulfilling the Law consists.
Jos 22:6
22:6 So Joshua {d} blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
(d) He commended them to God, and prayed for them.
Jos 22:8
22:8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your {e} brethren.
(e) Who remained at home and did not go to the war, Nu 31:27 1Sa 30:24.
Jos 22:10
22:10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that [are] in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built {f} there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
(f) That is, beyond Jordan: for sometime the whole country on both sides of Jordan is referred to as Canaan.
Jos 22:12
22:12 And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up {g} to war against them.
(g) Such was their zeal, that they would rather lose their lives, that allow the true religion to be changed or corrupted.
Jos 22:16
22:16 Thus saith {h} the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass [is] this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
(h) Not only of the princes, but also of the common people.
Jos 22:17
22:17 [Is] the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not {l} cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
(l) Meaning, God is not fully pacified, in that no punishment can be sufficient for such wickedness and idolatry.
Jos 22:19
22:19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession [be] {k} unclean, [then] pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but {l} rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
(k) In your judgment.
(l) To use any other service than God has appointed is to rebel against God, 1Sa 15:23.
Jos 22:20
22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man {m} perished not alone in his iniquity.
(m) Signifying, that if many suffered for one man's sin, for the fault of many, all should suffer.
Jos 22:23
22:23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD {n} himself require [it];
Jos 22:25
22:25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children {o} cease from fearing the LORD.
(o) Or, to turn back from the true God.
Jos 22:28
22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should [so] say to us or to our {p} generations in time to come, that we may say [again], Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it [is] a witness between us and you.
(p) They signify a wonderful care that they bore toward their posterity, that they might live in the true service of God.
Jos 22:31
22:31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD [is] {q} among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have {r} delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
(q) By preserving and governing us.
(r) Whom if ye had offended; he would have punished with you.
Jos 23:3
23:3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations {a} because of you; for the LORD your God [is] he that hath fought for you.
(a) Your eyes bearing witness.
Jos 23:5
23:5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel {b} them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
(b) Which yet remain and are not overcome, as in Jos 13:2.
Jos 23:7
23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that {c} remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, {d} nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
(c) And not yet subdued.
(d) Let not the judges admit an oath which any shall swear by their idols.
Jos 23:13
23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your {e} eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
(e) Meaning, they will be a continual grief to you, and so the cause of your destruction.
Jos 23:14
23:14 And, behold, this day I [am] {f} going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your {g} hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.
(f) I die according to the course of nature.
(g) Most certainly.
Jos 23:16
23:16 When ye have {h} transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
(h) He shows that no evil can come to man, except he offend God by disobedience.
Jos 24:1
24:1 And Joshua gathered all the {a} tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before {b} God.
(a) That is, the nine tribes and the half.
(b) Before the ark which was brought to Shechem, when they went to bury Joseph's bones.
Jos 24:2
24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the {c} flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
(c) Euphrates in Mesopotamia, Ge 11:26.
Jos 24:7
24:7 And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a {d} long season.
Jos 24:11
24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the {e} men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
(e) Because it was the chief city, under it he contains all the country: else they of the city fought not.
Jos 24:14
24:14 Now therefore {f} fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
(f) This is the true use of God's benefits, to learn by it to fear and serve him with an upright conscience.
Jos 24:15
24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: {g} but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
(g) This teaches us that if all the world would go from God, yet every one of us particularly is bound to cleave to him.
Jos 24:18
24:18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; {h} for he [is] our God.
(h) How much more are we bound to serve God in Christ, by whom we have received the redemption of our souls.
Jos 24:22
24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye [are] witnesses {i} against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, [We are] witnesses.
(i) If you do the contrary, your own mouths will condemn you.
Jos 24:23
24:23 Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange {k} gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
(k) Out of your hearts and otherwise.
Jos 24:25
24:25 So Joshua {l} made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
(l) By joining God and the people together: also he repeated the promises and threatenings out of the Law.
Jos 24:27
24:27 And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it {m} hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
(m) So that man's deception should not go unpunished, the dumb creatures will cry for vengeance.
Jos 24:31
24:31 And Israel {n} served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
(n) Such are the people commonly as their rulers are.
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