Joshua · Chapter 13

V. 1. Thou art old-Therefore delay not to do the work which I have commanded thee to do. It is good for those that are stricken in years, to be remembered that they are so: that they may be quickened to do the work of life, and prepare for death which is coming on apace.

Verse 1. Joshua was old] He is generally reputed to have been at this time about a hundred years of age: he had spent about seven years in the conquest of the land, and is supposed to have employed about one year in dividing it; and he died about ten years after, aged one hundred and ten years. It is very likely that he intended to subdue the whole land before he made the division of it among the tribes; but God did not think proper to have this done. So unfaithful were the Israelites that he appears to have purposed that some of the ancient inhabitants should still remain to keep them in check, and that the respective tribes should have some labour to drive out from their allotted borders the remains of the Canaanitish nations. There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.] That is, very much when compared with that on the other side Jordan, which was all that could as yet be said to be in the hands of the Israelites.

Verse 1. Now Joshua was old — To what age Joshua was advanced we cannot determine, because we do not know how old he was when the Israelites came out of Egypt. Some think he was three and forty at that time, and then he was fourscore and three when they came into Canaan. And now, it may be gathered from probable conjectures, that he wanted not much of a hundred. And, in this declining age, he could not hope to live to conquer what remained of the land unsubdued, and therefore he was to go about another business, namely, the dividing of it. The Lord said unto him, Thou art old — Therefore delay not to do the work which I have commanded thee to do. It is good for those that are stricken in years to be reminded that they are so; that they may be quickened to do the work of life, and prepare for death, which is coming on apace.

Verse 1. Joshua was old; now more than a hundred years of age.

LIST OF UNCONQUERED CITIES AND DISTRICTS, 1-6.

1. Joshua was old — It was time for Joshua to be placed on the retired lists. Since he could not vigorously carry on the war, and no great captain had been raised up, it was deemed by God better that the delicate question of division should be made by Joshua, whose influence and authority would go far towards an amicable partition of the land. Joshua was now about one hundred years old. [Much land to be possessed — The writer proceeds (verses 2-6) to name the unconquered districts. Joshua had effectually subdued Palestine, and gained for Israel a firm and lasting foothold there. It does not militate against this fact that there remained still unsubdued a number of scattered cities and provinces in various parts of the land. See note on Joshua 11:23. It is usual, when a land is invaded and subdued, for the unconquered tribes to forsake the plains and seek refuge in the hills; but the unconquered nations here enumerated abode chiefly in the plains.]

V. 2. Remaineth-Unconquered by thee, and to be conquered by the Israelites, if they behave themselves aright. All Geshuri-A people in the northeast of Canaan, as the Philistines are on the southwest.

Verse 2. The borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri] The borders of the Philistines may mean the land which they possessed on the sea-coast, southwest of the land of Canaan. There were several places named Geshuri, but that spoken of here was probably the region on the south of Canaan, towards Arabia, or towards Egypt.-Calmet. Cellarius supposes it to have been a country in the vicinity of the Amalekites.

Verses 2, 3. This is the land that yet remaineth — Unconquered by thee, and to be conquered by the Israelites, if they behave themselves aright. All Geshuri — A people in the north-east of Canaan, as the Philistines were on the south-west. Which is counted to the Canaanite — That is, which, though now possessed by the Philistines, who drove out the Canaanites, the old inhabitants of it, Deuteronomy 2:23; Amos 9:7; yet it is a part of the land of Canaan, and therefore belongs to the Israelites. The Avites — Or, the Avims, as they are called Deuteronomy 2:23, who, though they were expelled out of their ancient seat, and most of them destroyed by the Caphtorims or Philistines, as is there said, yet many of them escaped, and planted themselves not very far from the former.

2. All the borders of the Philistines — This territory is in the southern part of the Holy Land, lying on the Mediterranean. It was a confederacy of five powerful cities, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. These enemies of the sea-coast afterwards gave great trouble to the Hebrews. The Philistines, according to Genesis 10:14, sprang from Mizraim. See note, Acts 8:40. All Geshuri — Hebrew, all the Geshuri. These are not to be confounded with the Geshurites of Joshua 12:5, but were a nomadic and predatory people of the desert south of Philistia. David invaded their country and smote them while he dwelt at Ziklag. 1 Samuel 27:8.

V. 3. Counted to the Canaanites-That is, which though now possessed by the Philistines, who drove out the Canaanites the old inhabitants of it, Deuteronomy 2:23 Amos 9:7, yet is a part of the land of Canaan, and therefore belongs to the Israelites. The Avites-Or, the Avims, as they are called, Deuteronomy 2:23, who though they were expelled out of their ancient seat, and most of them destroyed by the Caphtorims or Philistines, as is there said, yet many of them escaped, and planted themselves not very far from the former.

Verse 3. From Sihor, which is before Egypt] Supposed by some to be the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, near to the Arabian Desert; called also the river of Egypt, Numbers 34:5; Jeremiah 2:18. On this subject an intelligent friend favours me with the following opinion:— “The river Sihor is supposed by some to be the Nile, or a branch of it. Others think it the same as what is frequently called the river of Egypt, which lay before or towards the borders of Egypt; which arose out of the mountains of Paran, and ran westward, falling into that bay of the Mediterranean which lies south of the land of the Philistines. This river is often mentioned as the boundary of the Israelites to the southwest, as Euphrates, the great river, was on the northeast.

“There was a desert of considerable distance between what is called the river of Egypt and the isthmus of Suez. Solomon reigned to the borders of Egypt, i.e., to this desert; but not in Egypt, nor to the river Nile.

“Upon the whole, (though there are difficulties in the matter,) I incline to think that the river in question was not the Nile. Sihor (black) might, from some circumstances, be applied to another river as well as the Nile; though some places in Isaiah and Jeremiah seem to restrict it to the Nile.”-J. C.

Ekron northward] Ekron was one of the five lordships of the Philistines, and the most northern of all the districts they possessed. Baal-zebub, its idol, is famous in Scripture; see 2 Kings 1:2, &c. The five lordships of the Philistines were Gaza, Ashdod, Askalon, Gath, and Ekron. There is no proof that ever the Israelites possessed Ekron; though, from Joshua 15:11, some think it was originally given to Judah, but the text does not say so; it only states that the border of the tribe of Judah went out UNTO THE SIDE of Ekron. From Joshua 19:43, we learn that it was a part of the lot of Dan, but it does not appear to have been possessed by any of those tribes.

Counted to the Canaanite] It is generally allowed that the original possessors of this country were the descendants of Canaan, the youngest son of Ham. The Philistines sprang from Mizraim, the second son of Ham, and, having dispossessed the Avim from the places they held in this land, dwelt in their stead. See Genesis 10:13, 14.

Five lords of the Philistines] These dynasties are famous in the Scriptures for their successful wars against the Israelites, of whom they were almost the perpetual scourge.

Also the Avites] These must not be confounded with the Hivites. The Avites seem to have been a very inconsiderable tribe, who dwelt in some of the skirts of Palestine. They had been originally deprived of their country by the Caphtorim; and though they lived as a distinct people, they had never afterwards arrived to any authority.

Verses 2, 3. This is the land that yet remaineth — Unconquered by thee, and to be conquered by the Israelites, if they behave themselves aright. All Geshuri — A people in the north-east of Canaan, as the Philistines were on the south-west. Which is counted to the Canaanite — That is, which, though now possessed by the Philistines, who drove out the Canaanites, the old inhabitants of it, Deuteronomy 2:23; Amos 9:7; yet it is a part of the land of Canaan, and therefore belongs to the Israelites. The Avites — Or, the Avims, as they are called Deuteronomy 2:23, who, though they were expelled out of their ancient seat, and most of them destroyed by the Caphtorims or Philistines, as is there said, yet many of them escaped, and planted themselves not very far from the former.

Ver. 3. Sihor, Sichor; that is, turbid, the waters being muddy. The map will show the geographical situation of most of the towns to which this chapter refers. The five cities of the Philistines belonged to Israel’s lot, but could not be taken.

3. Sihor is not, in this passage, the Nile, as some have supposed, but rather the Wady el-Arish or Rhinocorura, which is before Egypt, that is, east of Egypt, constituting the southern boundary of Canaan. It is also called “the river of Egypt.” Joshua 15:4. Ekron, the most northerly city of the Philistines, is represented by the modern village of Akir twenty-four miles west of Jerusalem, containing about fifty mud houses, without a remnant of antiquity except two large, finely built wells. [Which is counted to the Canaanite — As all that belonged to the Canaanite was now to be divided among the nine and one half tribes of Israel, it was important to know the whole extent of their ancient territory. The Philistines were not of Canaanitish but Egyptian origin, being descended from Mizraim. Genesis 10:14. They seem to have expelled the original Canaanites, and dwelt in their coasts by the sea.] Gazathites, and Ashdothites — See Joshua 11:22, note. Eshkalon stood upon the Mediterranean, about fifteen miles north of Gaza. Retaining nearly the same name, it now consists of very thick walls and ruins of temples and theatres. Gittites — People of Gath. Avites — An early, but probably not an aboriginal, people in Philistia.

V. 4. From the south-That is, from those southern parts of the sea-coast, now possessed by the Philistines, all the more northern parts of the sea-coast being yet inhibited by the Canaanites, almost as far as Sidon. The Amorites-The Amorites were a very strong and numerous people, and we find them dispersed in several parts, some within Jordan, and some without it, some in the south and others in the north, of whom he speaks here.

Verse 4. The land of the Canaanites] This lay on the south of the country of the Philistines, towards the sea-coast.

Mearah] Supposed to be the city Maratha, on the Mediterranean Sea.-Calmet. Or the river Majora, which falls into the Mediterranean Sea, between Sidon and Berytus. See PLINY, Hist. Nat. lib. v., c. 20. Aphek] See Clarke on “Joshua 12:18”.

To the borders of the Amorites] Though the term Amorite is sometimes used to designate the inhabitants in general of the land of Canaan, yet it must be considered in a much more restricted sense in this place. As no Amorites are known to have dwelt in this quarter, Calmet supposes we should read Aramites or Syrians. Joshua, says he, proceeds from Sidon to Aphek, a city of Syria, between Heliopolis and Babylon where was the temple of the Venus of Aphek, and which is spoken of in 1 Kings 20:26; 2 Kings 13:17, as the capital of the kings of Syria. From this Joshua passes on to the frontiers of the Syrians, towards Gebal or Gabala, which, according to Ptolemy, was situated in Phœnicia. This conjecture of Calmet is not supported by any authority either from the ancient versions or MSS. Houbigant, however, approves of it: the emendation is simple as it consists in the interchange of only two letters in the same word, ymrah haarammi, for yrmah haemori.

Verse 4. From the south — That is, from those southern parts of the sea-coast now possessed by the Philistines, all the more northern parts of the sea-coast being yet inhabited by the Canaanites, almost as far as Sidon. The Amorites — The Amorites were a very strong and numerous people, and we find them dispersed in several parts, some within Jordan, and some without it, some in the south, and others in the north, of whom he speaks here.

4. [From the south — This is to be connected with the Avites in the preceding verse, and stands in contrast with northward in the same verse. The Masoretic pointing is here noticeably wrong. Verses 2 and 3 describe the unconquered territory in the south, from its northern limit, Ekron, to its southern, the land occupied by the Avites; verses 4-6 describe the northern lands.] Mearah belonged to the Sidonians. The word beside is a mis-translation. Mearah signifies a cavern. Its location is a matter of conjecture. Aphek is identified by Gesenius with Aphaca of classical times, famous for its temple of Venus. Its modern name is Afka, situated some eighteen miles northeast of Beyroot. It was assigned to the tribe of Asher. Joshua 19:30. To the borders of the Amorites — This is taken by most interpreters to refer to the land of Bashan, which formerly belonged to the Amorites and was ruled by Og.

[5. Giblites — Inhabitants of Gebal, the Gyblos of the Greeks, the modern Jebail, situated on the seacoast at the foot of the northern slopes of Lebanon, and about seventeen miles north of Beyroot. A multitude of gray granite columns are built into the modern walls and houses, choke up the harbour, and lie scattered over the surrounding fields, and they attest the antiquity of the town. The Giblites were employed in building Solomon’s temple, (1 Kings 5:18, note,) and. according to Ezekiel 27:9, were skilled in shipbuilding. Baal-gad — See on Joshua 11:17. Hamath was probably founded by the youngest son of Canaan, (Genesis 10:18,) and so was one of the oldest cities in the world. In Amos 6:2, it is called “the great.” Its king Toi made peace with David, (2 Samuel 8:9,) but Solomon seems to have subjugated the kingdom and made it a part of his own empire. 2 Chronicles 8:3. It early fall into the hands of the great Assyrian conquerors. 2 Kings 18:34. It still exists, in the beautiful valley of the Orontes, about sixty miles southeast of Antioch, and has a population of 30,000. It lies on both sides of the river, and is noted for the immense wheels, eighty feet in diameter, which are turned by the rapid current and used for irrigation. The entering into Hamath is a geographical term used to designate the northern border of Israel. Numbers 34:8; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 14:25. It was evidently some great pass connected with the Lebanon mountains, but which one has been a matter of dispute. Robinson and Porter identify it with the depression between the northern end of Lebanon and the Nusairiyeh mountains, which opens westward, towards the coast of the Mediterranean. But as the Israelites never occupied territory so far north as that, most sacred geographers identify this entering with the southern opening into the great valley of Coele-Syria. This is by far the most notable entrance into the ancient kingdom and land of Hamath.]

Verse 5. The land of the Giblites] This people dwelt beyond the precincts of the land of Canaan, on the east of Tyre and Sidon. See Ezekiel 27:9; Psalm 83:7; their capital was named Gebal. See Dodd. All Lebanon] See Clarke on “Joshua 11:17”.

Ver. 5. The entering into Hamath, through the pass on mount Lebanon, which opened on a new country.

LIST OF UNCONQUERED CITIES AND DISTRICTS, 1-6.

1. Joshua was old — It was time for Joshua to be placed on the retired lists. Since he could not vigorously carry on the war, and no great captain had been raised up, it was deemed by God better that the delicate question of division should be made by Joshua, whose influence and authority would go far towards an amicable partition of the land. Joshua was now about one hundred years old. [Much land to be possessed — The writer proceeds (verses 2-6) to name the unconquered districts. Joshua had effectually subdued Palestine, and gained for Israel a firm and lasting foothold there. It does not militate against this fact that there remained still unsubdued a number of scattered cities and provinces in various parts of the land. See note on Joshua 11:23. It is usual, when a land is invaded and subdued, for the unconquered tribes to forsake the plains and seek refuge in the hills; but the unconquered nations here enumerated abode chiefly in the plains.]

V. 6. Will I drive out-Whatever becomes of us, however we may be laid aside as broken vessels, God will do his work in his own time. I will do it by my word; so the Chaldee here, as in many other places: by the eternal word, the captain of my host. But the promise of driving them out from before the children of Israel, supposes that the Israelites must use their own endeavours, must go up against them. If Israel, thro’ sloth or cowardice let them alone, they are not likely to be driven out. We must go forth on our Christian warfare, and then God will go before us.

Verse 6. Misrephoth-maim] See Clarke on “Joshua 11:7”. These will I drive out] That is, if the Israelites continued to be obedient; but they did not, and therefore they never fully possessed the whole of that land which, on this condition alone, God had promised them: the Sidonians were never expelled by the Israelites, and were only brought into a state of comparative subjection in the days of David and Solomon.

Some have taken upon them to deny the authenticity of Divine revelation relative to this business, “because,” say they, “God is stated to have absolutely promised that Joshua should conquer the whole land, and put the Israelites in possession of it.” This is a total mistake. 1. God never absolutely, i.e., unconditionally, promised to put them in possession of this land. The promise of their possessing the whole was suspended on their fidelity to God. They were not faithful, and therefore God was not bound by his promise to give them any part of the land, after their first act of national defection from his worship. 2. God never said that Joshua should conquer the whole land, and give it to them; the promise was simply this: “Thou shalt bring them into the land, and thou shalt divide it among them:” both of which he did, and procured them footing by his conquests, sufficient to have enabled them to establish themselves in it for ever. 3. It was never said, Thou shalt conquer it all, and then divide it; no. Several of the tribes, after their quota was allotted them, were obliged to drive out the ancient inhabitants. See Clarke on “Joshua 11:18”.

Verse 6. Them will I drive out — Whatever becomes of us, however we may be laid aside as broken vessels, God will do his work in his own time. I will do it by my word; so the Chaldee here, as in many other places: by the eternal Word, the captain of my host. But the promise of driving them out from before the children of Israel, supposes that the Israelites must use their own endeavours, must go up against them. If Israel, through sloth or cowardice, let them alone, they are not likely to be driven out. We must go forth in our Christian warfare, and then God will go before us.

6. Misrephoth-maim — See chap. 40:8, note. Them will I drive out — God’s promises of good to man are all grounded on the implied condition of his obedience and faithful co-operation. This promise never was fulfilled, through the failure of the Hebrew nation to maintain an all-conquering faith in their divine Ally. Divide thou it — The pronoun it is to be referred to the land in the first verse, and the intervening verses are to be read parenthetically. Without a special command, Joshua, who supposed that all the land must be first conquered, would not have dared to allot territory still held by the enemy. By lot — A difficulty here arises. The land was to be apportioned by lot, and yet, according to Numbers 26:53-56, it was also to be divided according to the size of the tribes. The best solution of this difficulty is the supposition that the lot only determined the relative location of each portion, (Numbers 33:54,) while the extent and bounds were to be fixed by a board of commissioners. See Joshua 14:1, note. The manner of the lot is unknown, but probably there were two urns, one containing the names of the tribes, and the other the location of the portions; then by drawing one card or pebble from each urn, the question would be decided by the divine Providence, which directed the lots. The lot thus publicly drawn would allay jealousies and prevent disputes. As the result was in exact harmony with Jacob’s prophecy in his dying hour two hundred and fifty years before, and in striking fulfilment of Moses’ prediction just before his death, it would confirm the Israelites’ faith in Jehovah, who had inspired these predictions, and so guided the lots as to secure their accomplishment.

THE TRANS-JORDANIC ALLOTMENTS REVIEWED, 7-14.

Verse 7. The nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh] The other half tribe of Manasseh, and the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, had got their inheritance on the other side of Jordan, in the land formerly belonging to Og king of Bashan, and Sihon king of the Amorites.

Verse 7. Now, therefore, divide this land — Both that which was conquered and that which remained unconquered was to be divided, that every tribe might know what belonged to them by God’s gift, and be encouraged to attempt the conquest of it when they were able; might be preserved from entering into any covenant or society with those who kept their inheritance from them; and likewise with a view to hinder the unconquered people from joining their forces together to recover their country, the Israelites inhabiting the cities and fields that lay between them.

V. 8. Which Moses gave them-By my command, and therefore do not thou disturb them in their possessions, but proceed to divide the other possessions to the rest.

Verse 8. With whom — That is, with the other half of the tribe before mentioned. Which Moses gave them — By my command, and therefore do not thou disturb them in their possessions, but proceed to divide the other possessions to the rest. With this verse end the words of God to Joshua, begun verse 1; and in the next verse the writer of this book begins to describe the country which God ordered to be given to the fore-named two tribes and a half, that there might be no future dispute about this division; but it might be held as good as that which was made by lot among the rest of the tribes.

8. With whom — That is, with the half tribe of Manasseh — not the same half which received its portion of territory west of the Jordan, opposite their Eastern brethren, but the other half.

V. 9. Medeba unto Dibon-Two cities anciently belonging to the Moabites, and taken from them by the Amorites, Numbers 21:30, and from them by the Israelites; and after the Israelites were gone into captivity, recovered by the first possessors, the Moabites.

Verse 9. From Aroer] See Clarke on “Joshua 12:2”.

Verses 9-11. The city that is in the midst of the river — Some interpreters render this clause, The city in the midst of the valley; judging that, as Arnon was but a small brook, it could hardly have a city, or an island large enough for a city to be built on, in the midst of it. But certainly a city might be built on ground lying between two streams of the same river: see on Joshua 12:2. Medeba unto Dibon — Two cities anciently belonging to the Moabites, and taken from them by the Amorites, (Numbers 21:30,) and from them by the Israelites; and, after the Israelites were gone into captivity, recovered by the first possessors, the Moabites. And Maachathites — Whose land God had given to the Israelites without Jordan, though they had not yet used the gift of God, nor taken possession of it, as is noted, verse 13.

Ver. 9. From Aroer, a city of Moab, on the banks of Arnon, which disembogues into the sea of Sodom.

9-12. On the places named in these verses see the notes on verses 16-31, where the tribal territories are fully described.

Verses 9-11. The city that is in the midst of the river — Some interpreters render this clause, The city in the midst of the valley; judging that, as Arnon was but a small brook, it could hardly have a city, or an island large enough for a city to be built on, in the midst of it. But certainly a city might be built on ground lying between two streams of the same river: see on Joshua 12:2. Medeba unto Dibon — Two cities anciently belonging to the Moabites, and taken from them by the Amorites, (Numbers 21:30,) and from them by the Israelites; and, after the Israelites were gone into captivity, recovered by the first possessors, the Moabites. And Maachathites — Whose land God had given to the Israelites without Jordan, though they had not yet used the gift of God, nor taken possession of it, as is noted, verse 13.

9-12. On the places named in these verses see the notes on verses 16-31, where the tribal territories are fully described.

V. 11. And Maacathites-Whose land God had given to the Israelites without Jordan, though they had not yet used the gift of God, nor taken possession of it, as is noted, ver. 13.

Verse 11. Border of the Geshurites] See Clarke on “Joshua 12:5”.

Verses 9-11. The city that is in the midst of the river — Some interpreters render this clause, The city in the midst of the valley; judging that, as Arnon was but a small brook, it could hardly have a city, or an island large enough for a city to be built on, in the midst of it. But certainly a city might be built on ground lying between two streams of the same river: see on Joshua 12:2. Medeba unto Dibon — Two cities anciently belonging to the Moabites, and taken from them by the Amorites, (Numbers 21:30,) and from them by the Israelites; and, after the Israelites were gone into captivity, recovered by the first possessors, the Moabites. And Maachathites — Whose land God had given to the Israelites without Jordan, though they had not yet used the gift of God, nor taken possession of it, as is noted, verse 13.

9-12. On the places named in these verses see the notes on verses 16-31, where the tribal territories are fully described.

V. 12. These did Moses smite-Not all now mentioned, but Sihon and Og, and their people, and the generality of them.

9-12. On the places named in these verses see the notes on verses 16-31, where the tribal territories are fully described.

13. Expelled not the Geshurites — See Joshua 12:5. Geshur and Maacah so late as David’s time were small independent States. 2 Samuel 3:3; 13:37. The contrast between the radical policy of Moses and the conservative policy of the children of Israel in respect to these States seems to imply a censure upon the Israelites.

V. 14. He gave-That is, Moses. None inheritance-Namely, in the land beyond Jordan, where yet a considerable part of the Levites were to have their settled abode. This is mentioned as the reason both why Moses gave all that land to the Reubenites and Gadites and Manassites; and why Joshua should divide the land only into nine parts and an half, as was said, ver. 7, because Levi was otherwise provided for. Made by fire-Which are here put for all the sacrifices and oblations, including first-fruits and tithes, that were assigned to the Levites; and this passage is repeated, to prevent those calumnies and injuries which God foresaw the Levites were likely to meet with, from the malice, envy and covetousness of their brethren.

Verse 14. To the tribe of Levi he — Namely, Moses; gave none inheritance — That is, none in the land beyond Jordan, where yet a considerable part of the Levites were to have their settled abode. This is mentioned as the reason both why Moses gave all that land to the Reubenites, and Gadites, and Manassites, and why Joshua should divide the land only into nine parts and a half, as was said, verse 7; because Levi was otherwise provided for. Made by fire — Which are here put for all the sacrifices and oblations, including first-fruits and tithes, that were assigned to the Levites, and this passage is repeated to prevent those calumnies and injuries which God foresaw the Levites were likely to meet with, from the malice, envy, and covetousness of their brethren.

14. Only unto the tribe of Levi — Moses did not give any inheritance to the nine and a half tribes, not from lack of purpose, but from lack of opportunity. But the Levites he excluded from a territorial allotment by an express prohibition to Joshua. They received scattered cities with a narrow margin of pasture lands, but no separate share of the land. See chap. 21. Sacrifices is here used, in a broad sense, to include all offerings, even those, like the show bread, which were eaten and not burned. The Vulgate has it sacrificia et victimae. They were to receive a tenth of the fruits of the field, the trees, and the cattle. Twelve tribes received allotments because the two sons of Joseph were each reckoned as a tribe.

V. 15. According to their families-Dividing the inheritance into as many parts as they had families; but this is only spoken of the greater families; for the lesser distributions to the several small families was done by inferior officers, according to the rules which Moses gave them.

Verse 15. Moses gave, &c. — Having informed us in general what Moses gave to the two tribes and a half, the sacred historian proceeds to set down in particular what share each of them had in this country. According to their families — Dividing the inheritance into as many parts as they had families. But this is only spoken of the greater families; for the lesser distributions to the several small families were made by inferior officers, according to the rules which Moses had given them.

REUBEN’S LOT, 15-23.

[From this point on through chapter 19 follows a minute description of the territorial possessions assigned by Joshua to the tribes of Israel, and, while to a modern reader these chapters may appear as a dry and tiresome list of names, we should remember that they were as necessary and important as are the details of a modern deed of real estate to prevent future litigation. These lists of cities and borders were evidently compiled from the most ancient registers, and in all probability are substantially identical with those written by Joshua’s own hand, or under his supervision and direction. Their minuteness not only shows the care of the commissioners who determined them, but also the progress already made in the art of mensuration. See notes on Joshua 18:4, 9.

15. Children of Reuben — In Numbers 32 the children of Reuben and Gad are represented as petitioning Moses for an allotment on the east of Jordan, and they received their portion chiefly between the Arnon and the Jabbok. This district is now called the Belka, and Burckhardt describes the country and climate as exceedingly picturesque and delightful. “In the Belkan mountains we were refreshed by cool winds, and everywhere found a grateful shade of pine, oak, and wild pistachio trees, with a scenery more like that of Europe than any I had yet seen in Syria. The superiority of the pasturage of the Belka over that of all southern Syria is the cause of its possession being much contested. The Bedouins have this saying: ‘Thou canst not find a country like the Belka.’” Reuben and Gad had much cattle, and no wonder they desired a possession in these rich and delightful pasture hinds.

16. Aroer — A city on the northern bank of the river Arnon, and on the southern border of the territory conquered from Sihon, king of the Amorites. Compare Numbers 21:26. Its ruins, called Araayr, were discovered by Burckhardt on the summit of a lofty wall of rock overlooking the ancient Arnon. It is to be distinguished from the Aroer before Rabbah (verse 25) and the Aroer in the south of Judah. 1 Samuel 30:28. The city that is in the midst of the river is a subject of dispute. Some think it is the city Aroer itself. Others conjecture that Aroer consisted of two parts, or an upper and lower city, one on the high bank of the river, and the other in the valley below, where it may have been surrounded by the waters of the stream. Others think it was a city at the junction of the Arnon and one of its tributaries, where Burckhardt saw a hill with ruins on it. Keil thinks that it was Ar of Moab, and at that junction Ar Moab is located on Menke’s map. Plain by Medeba — “The whole plain of Medeba was occupied by the Reubenites; but the city itself was, perhaps, strongly fortified, and suffered to remain, like many in western Palestine, in the hands of its old inhabitants. Its ruins still exist, and bear their old name under the Arabic form Madeba. They lie about four miles southeast of Heshbon, with which they are connected by an ancient paved road. The city occupied a low hill, a mile and a half in circumference. The whole site is covered with ruins; not a solitary building remains standing. The plain around it, though now desolate, is fertile, and thickly dotted with ancient cities.” — J.L. Porter.

Verse 17. Bamoth-baal] The high places of Baal, probably so called from altars erected on hills for the impure worship of this Canaanitish Priapus.

17. Heshbon — The ancient capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites. See on Numbers 21:26-28. Its ruins, some twenty miles east of the Jordan at the spot where it empties into the Dead Sea, still bear the name of Hesban. It was on the summit and sides of a low hill that rises from the undulating plain, and commands a wide prospect. After its capture by the Israelites it was rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben, (Numbers 32:37,) and afterwards assigned to the Levites. Joshua 21:39. Dibon — A city three miles north of the Arnon, captured and occupied by the Israelites after they defeated Sihon. Numbers 21:30. It was rebuilt by the tribe of Gad, and called Dibon-gad. Numbers 32:34; 33:45. In Isaiah 15:9, it is called Dimon. It is identified with extensive ruins still bearing the name of Diban. Both Medeba and Dibon are mentioned on the famous Moabite stone recently discovered near this place. See note on 1 Kings 16:23. Bamoth-baal — That is, high places of Baal, so called, probably, because it had been a noted place of Baal worship. Knobel regards this place as identical with the modern Jebel Attarus, a mountain a few miles northwest of Dibon, but the true site of the place is as yet only a matter of conjecture. Bethbaal-meon — Called also Baal-meon (Numbers 32:38) and Beon. Numbers 32:3. It was evidently also associated with the worship of Baal. Its ruins are found in the modern Main, a few miles southwest of Medeba and a little north of the Wady Zerka.

Verse 18. Jahaza] A city near Medeba and Dibon. It was given to the Levites, 1 Chronicles 6:78.

Kedemoth] Mentioned Deuteronomy 2:26; supposed to have been situated beyond the river Arnon.

Mephaath] Situated on the frontiers of Moab, on the eastern part of the desert. It was given to the Levites, Joshua 21:37.

18. Jahaza — Written also Jahaz. It was the place of the decisive battle of the Israelites with Sihon, (Numbers 21:23,) and seems to have been on the confines of the desert, to the southeast of Heshbon, but its site has not been discovered, Kedemoth was also a city of this eastern desert, but as this region has not yet been explored its exact situation is not known. Mephaath is always mentioned in connexion with the two cities previously named, but, like them, is unknown. In the time of Eusebius it was the station of a Roman garrison to cheek the wandering Arabs of the desert.

V. 19. In the mount of the valley-In the mountain bordering upon that valley, which then was famous among the Israelites; whether that where Moses was buried, which was near to Beth-peor, Deuteronomy 34:1,6, or some other. And this clause is thought to belong to all the cities now mentioned.

Verse 19. Kirjathaim] This city, according to Eusebius, was nine miles distant from Medeba, towards the east. It passed from the Emim to the Moabites, from the Moabites to the Amorites, and from the Amorites to the Israelites, Genesis 14:6; Deuteronomy 2:20. Calmet supposes the Reubenites possessed it till the time they were carried away by the Assyrians; and then the Moabites appear to have taken possession of it anew, as he collects from Jeremiah 48:1 &c., and Ezekiel 25:9 &c.

Sibmah] A place remarkable for its vines. See Isaiah 16:8, 9, Jeremiah 48:32.

Zareth-shahar, in the mount of the valley] This probably means a town situated on or near to a hill in some flat country.

Verse 19. In the mount of the valley — In the mount which overlooked the great plain before mentioned, or which bordered upon the valley, a mount which, it seems, was then famous among the Israelites; whether that where Moses was buried, which was near to Beth-peor, or some other.

19. Kirjathaim — The word means the double city, and in the English version is sometimes written Kiriathaim. In its plain Chedorlaomer and his confederate kings smote the Emim in the days of Abraham. Genesis 14:5. There is some uncertainty as to its site, but J.L. Porter very plausibly identifies it with Kureijat, a ruined town on the southwestern slope of Jebel Attarus. Sibmah — From Isaiah 16:8, 9, and Jeremiah 48:32, this place seems to have been famous for the cultivation of the vine. According to Jerome it was hardly five hundred paces distant from Heshbon, but no trace of its name has yet been found among the ruined cities of that district. Zareth-shahar — This place was in a mount of the valley, that is, a mountain overlooking the valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea. Seetzen conjectured that its name still lingered in the ruins of Sara, a little northwest of Jebel Attarus, and near the mouth of the Wady Zerka.

Verse 20. Beth-peor] The house or temple of Peor, situated at the foot of the mountain of the same name. See Numbers 25:3.

20. Beth-peor — That is, house of Peor. The town probably got its name from having been the chief seat of the worship of the Moabite god Baal-peor. Numbers 25:3-5. It was situated on or beside Mount Peor, and close to the valley where the Israelites encamped immediately before descending into the plain of the Jordan. Deuteronomy 3:29. It was in this valley — apparently the modern Wady Hesban — Moses was buried, (Deuteronomy 34:6,) and Mount Pisgah, on which he died, could not have been far distant to the south. The valley of Heshbon has never been fully explored. “Whatever traveller may succeed in doing so will be rewarded by the discovery of the ruins of Beth-peor, and the closest approximation that has yet been made to the place of Moses’ sepulchre.” — J.L. Potter. Ashdoth-pisgah and Beth-jeshimoth — See notes on Joshua 12:3.

V. 21. Cities of the plain-Opposed to the cities of the mountain of the valley. All the kingdom of Sihon-A great part of it; in which sense we read of all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, Matthew 3:5, and all Galilee, Matthew 4:23. Whom Moses smote-Not in the same time or battle, as appears by comparing Numbers 21:23,24, with Numbers 31:8, but in the same manner. And they are here mentioned, partly because they were slain not long after, and upon the same occasion, even their enmity against Israel; and partly because of their relation and subjection to Sihon. Dukes of Sihon-But how could they be so, when they were kings of Midian? Numbers 31:8. There were divers petty kings in those parts, who were subject to greater kings; and such these were, but are here called dukes or princes of Sihon, because they were subject and tributaries to him, and therefore did one way or other assist Sihon in this war, though they were not killed at this time. It is probable, that when Sihon destroyed those Moabites which dwelt in these parts, he frighted the rest of them, and with them their neighbours and confederates, the Midianites, into some kind of homage, which they were willing to pay him. Dwelling in the country-Heb. inhabiting that land, namely Midian, last mentioned; whereby he signifies, that tho’ they were subject to Sihon, yet they did not dwell in his land, but in another.

Verse 21. The princes of Midian] See the history of this war, Numbers 31:1, &c.; and from that place this and the following verse seem to be borrowed, for the introduction of the death of Balaam here seems quite irrelevant.

Verse 21. Cities of the plain — Opposed to the cities of the mountain or the valley. All the kingdom of Sihon — A great part of it; in which sense we read of all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, Matthew 3:5; and all Galilee, Matthew 4:23. Whom Moses smote — Not in the same time or battle, as appears by comparing Numbers 21:23, 24, with Numbers 31:8, but in the same manner. Dukes of Sihon — But how could they be so, when they were kings of Midian? Numbers 31:8. There were divers petty kings in those parts, who were subject to other kings, and such these were, but are here called dukes or princes of Sihon, because they were subject and tributaries to him, and therefore did one way or other assist Sihon in this war, though they were not killed at this time.

21. All the cities of the plain — That is, all the other mirror cities of the southern plain which had not been particularly described. All the kingdom of Sihon — These words must not be taken as the entire extent of the territory belonging to Sihon, but must be qualified by the statement of verse 27, that the northern part of his kingdom, which extended even to the Sea of Chinnereth, was allotted to Gad. The words are therefore to be understood of the southern part of his territory, which, lying south of Mount Gilead, and including by far the larger part of the kingdom, with its capital and most important cities, might easily have been called all the kingdom. Dukes of Sihon — For their defeat by Moses see Numbers 31:1-12. These dukes were sheiks of the neighbouring towns, tributary to and dependent upon Sihon.

V. 22. Were slain by them-This was recorded before, Numbers 31:8, and is here repeated, because the defeating of Balaam’s purpose to curse Israel, and the turning that curse into a blessing, was such an instance of the power and goodness of God, as was fit to be had in everlasting remembrance.

Verse 22. Were slain by them — This was recorded before, (Numbers 31:8,) and is here repeated, because the defeating of Balaam’s purpose to curse Israel, and the turning that curse into a blessing, was such an instance of the power and goodness of God, as was fit to be had in everlasting rememberance.

22. Balaam… the soothsayer — A Syrian prophet and diviner whom Balak hired to curse Israel, but whose curses were supernaturally turned to blessings in his mouth. His history and oracles are detailed in Numbers 22-24.

V. 23. The border thereof-That is, those cities or places which bordered upon Jordan.

Verse 23. The cities and the villages] By villages, µyrxj chatserim, it is likely that moveable villages or tents are meant, such as are in use among the Bedouin Arabs; places where they were accustomed to feed and pen their cattle.

23. This was the inheritance of… Reuben — The tribe of Reuben never did excel. Compare Genesis 49:4. They were never noted for mighty deeds, and their indifference in the war with Sisera, when the mighty ones went up to battle and they “abode among the sheepfolds to hear the bleatings of the flocks,” is properly satirized in the song of Deborah. Judges 5:16, note. Their territory was overrun by the army of Tiglath-pileser, and they were carried away captive into upper Mesopotamia. 1 Chronicles 5:26. Then their depopulated cities and country were repossessed by their ancient owners, the Moabites, and hence it is that we find so many cities of Reuben afterwards in possession of the Moabites.

GAD’S LOT, 24-28.

24. The tribe of Gad had their inheritance in the central district of eastern Palestine, between Reuben and Manasseh, so that the mountains of Gilead fell largely to them. Mr. Buckingham describes this elevated region as having “its plains covered with a fertile soil, its hills clothed with forests, and at every new turn presenting the most magnificent landscapes that could be imagined. Every new direction of our path opened up to us views which surprised and charmed us by their grandeur and beauty. Deep valleys, filled with murmuring streams and verdant meadows, offered all the luxuriance of cultivation, and herds and flocks gave life and animation to the scene.” Mr. E. Smith travelled through Gilead in 1834. and found the ground clothed with luxuriant grass a foot or more in height, and decked with a rich variety of wild flowers.

V. 25. The cities of Gilead-That is, all the cities of eminency; all the cities properly so called, which lay in that part of Gilead; and so this may well agree with ver. 31, where half the country of Gilead is said to be given to the Manassites; but there is no mention of any cities there. The land of the children of Ammon-Not of that which was now theirs, for that they were forbidden to meddle with, but of that which was anciently theirs, ‘till taken from them by the Amorites, from whom the Israelites took it. Aroer-The border between them and Moab. Rabbah-The chief city of the Ammonites.

Verse 25. Half the land on the children of Ammon] This probably was land which had been taken from the Ammonites by Sihon, king of the Amorites, and which the Israelites possessed by right of conquest. For although the Israelites were forbidden to take the land of the Ammonites, Deuteronomy 2:37, yet this part, as having been united to the territories of Sihon, they might possess when they defeated that king and subdued his kingdom.

Verse 25. All the cities of Gilead — All the cities of eminence; all the cities properly so called, which lay in that part of Gilead; and thus what is here assured may well agree with verse 31, where half the country of Gilead is said to be given to the Manassites, for there is no mention of any cities being there. Half the land of the children of Ammon — Not of that which was now theirs, for that the Israelites were forbidden to meddle with; but of that which was anciently theirs, till taken from them by the Amorites, from whom the Israelites took it. Aroer — The border between them and Moab. Rabbah — The chief city of the Ammonites.

Ver. 25. Half the land of the children of Ammon, of which the Amorites had possession, for Moses had forbidden them to meddle with the Ammonites. Deuteronomy 2:37.

25. Jazer — Written also Jaazer. It was an important city, having dependent villages, (Numbers 21:32,) and giving its name to the surrounding country, “the land of Jazer.” Numbers 32:1. It was one of the four cities of Gad assigned to the Levites. Joshua 21:39. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:32) speaks of the “sea of Jazer,” which may have been some lake or pool in the vicinity. Burckhardt, Van de Velde, and others, identify it with a ruined town called Seir or Sir, some twelve miles north of Heshbon. All the cities of Gilead — That is, of the southern portion of Gilead, for the northern was given to Manasseh. Ver. 31. Half the land of the children of Ammon — The country between the Arnon and the Jabbok. See Judges 11:13, note. This ancient possession of the children of Lot Israel captured, not of Ammon, but of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had previously taken it out of the hand of the king of Moab. Numbers 21:26. Yet it retained the name of its ancient owners. Aroer that is before Rabbah — That is, Aroer is before or in front of Rabbah to one who advances towards Rabbah from the Jordan. This Aroeris supposed by many to be identical with the ruined site Ayra, which Burckhardt discovered about seven miles southwest of es-Salt, and nearly half way between the Jordan and Rabbah. Rabbah was the great city and capital of the Ammonites, and is called in Deuteronomy 3:11 Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and here Og’s great iron bedstead was preserved. But as Israel was not to meddle with the children of Ammon, (Deuteronomy 2:19,) Rabbah was not disturbed, nor included in the territory of Gad. It was afterwards besieged and taken by David. 2 Samuel 12:29. Its ruins are known under the modern name of Amman, about twenty-two miles east of the Jordan.

V. 26. Ramath-mizpeh-Called Ramoth-Gilead, or Ramoth in Gilead. Mahanaim-Exclusively; for Mahanaim was in the portion of Manasseh, beyond Jabbok, which was the border of Gad and Manasseh.

Verse 26. Ramath-mizpeh] The same as Ramoth-gilead. It was one of the cities of refuge, Joshua 20:8; Deuteronomy 4:47. Mahanaim] Or the two camps. Situated on the northern side of the brook Jabbok, celebrated for the vision of the two camps of angels which Jacob had there; see Genesis 32:2.

26. From Heshbon — Which belonged to the Reubenites, (ver. 17,) but stood so near the boundary between Reuben and Gad as to be occupied in common by both tribes. Compare verse 17 and Joshua 21. 39, notes. Ramath-mizpeh — Probably identical with Ramoth-gilead and Mizpeh of Gilead, which was allotted to the Levites and appointed one of the cities of refuge. Joshua 20:8; 21:38. Most modern scholars are inclined to locate it at the village of es-Salt, thirty miles north of Heshbon. “This is indicated,” says Porter, “(1) by its position on the summit of a steep hill;

(2) by its old ecclesiastical name, Saltus Hieralicus, which appears to point to its original sacerdotal and holy character; (3) by the fact that about two miles to the northwest of es-Salt is the highest peak of the mountain range, still bearing the name Jebel Jilead; (4) by the statement of Eusebius that Ramoth-Gilead lay in the fifteenth mile from Philadelphia towards the west, and this is the exact distance of es-Salt from Rabbath-Ammon.” From its lofty position and sacred character it became a great sanctuary of the eastern tribes. See Judges 10:17, note. Betonim — Probably identical with a ruined village Batneh, marked on the maps of Menke and Van de Velde about five miles west of es-Salt. Mahanaim — The place where Jacob met with the angels of God, and therefore called by a name which signifies a double host or camp. Genesis 32:2, note. It stood on the border between Gad and Manasseh, (verse 30,) and was assigned to the Levites. Chap. 21:38. Here after Saul’s death Abner made Ishbosheth king, (2 Samuel 2:8,) and to this place David fled during the rebellion of Absalom. Its site is yet a matter of uncertainty. Some think it is the modern Mahneh, near Jebel Ajlun; while Porter suggests that it may have stood upon the site now occupied by the ruins of Gerasa. The border of Debir is utterly unknown. The Hebrew for of Debir is rbdl, and the first letter l, lamedh, may be a part of the name, Lidbir. Reland thinks it may be the same as Lodebar, which, according to 2 Samuel 9:4, must have been in this same vicinity.

V. 27. The rest of the kingdom-The northern part of his kingdom.

Verse 27. Beth-aram] This city was rebuilt by Herod, and called Livias, in honour of Livia, the wife of Augustus. Josephus calls it Julias, Julia being the name which the Greeks commonly give to Livia.-Calmet. Succoth] A place between Jabbok and Jordan where Jacob pitched his tents, from which circumstance it obtained its name, see Genesis 33:17.

27. The valley — The Jordan valley from the border of Reuben northward to the sea of Chinnereth. Beth-aram is doubtless the same as Beth-haran in Numbers 32:36. In Eusebius, Jerome, and the Talmud it is called Bethramtha. It has not been accurately identified, but very probably will be found at the ruins called er-Ram just north of the Wady Heshban. The site of Beth-nimrah is still preserved in Nimrin, located, according to Robinson’s map, near the mouth of the Wady Shoaib, and about twelve miles north of er-Ram. In Numbers 32:3, it is called simply Nimrah. From its abundance of water and likeness of name in the Septuagint it seems to meet the requirements of the Bethabara of the New Testament. See note on John 1:28. Succoth — An important place east of the Jordan, where Jacob built a house and made booths for his cattle after his meeting with Esau. Genesis 33:17. Its exact location is unknown. Zaphon is mentioned again only at Judges 12:1, where see note. No modern trace of it has been discovered. The rest of the kingdom of Sihon — That is, the portion of it that was left after allotting the southern part to the tribe of Reuben. See note on verse 21. Sea of Chinnereth — See note on Joshua 11:2. The subsequent fate of the children of Gad was very like that of the tribe of Reuben. See note on verse 23.

GAD’S LOT, 24-28.

24. The tribe of Gad had their inheritance in the central district of eastern Palestine, between Reuben and Manasseh, so that the mountains of Gilead fell largely to them. Mr. Buckingham describes this elevated region as having “its plains covered with a fertile soil, its hills clothed with forests, and at every new turn presenting the most magnificent landscapes that could be imagined. Every new direction of our path opened up to us views which surprised and charmed us by their grandeur and beauty. Deep valleys, filled with murmuring streams and verdant meadows, offered all the luxuriance of cultivation, and herds and flocks gave life and animation to the scene.” Mr. E. Smith travelled through Gilead in 1834. and found the ground clothed with luxuriant grass a foot or more in height, and decked with a rich variety of wild flowers.

V. 29. Of Manasseh-Not that thou desired it, as Reuben and Gad did, Numbers 32:1, but partly as a recompence to Machir the Manassite, for his valiant acts against Og; and partly for the better defence of the other two tribes, by so considerable an accession to them, which also was without any inconvenience to them, because the country was too large for the two tribes of Reuben and Gad.

Verse 29. The half tribe of Manasseh] When the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to have their settlement on the east side of Jordan, it does not appear that any part of the tribe of Manasseh requested to be settled in the same place. But as this tribe was numerous, and had much cattle, Moses thought proper to appoint one half of it to remain on the east of Jordan, and the other to go over and settle on the west side of that river.

Verse 29. Unto the half-tribe of Manasseh — Not that they desired it, as Reuben and Gad did, (Numbers 32:1,) but partly as a recompense to Machir the Manassite, for his valiant acts against Og, and partly because the country was too large for the two tribes of Reuben and Gad.

MANASSEH’S (EASTERN) LOT, 29-33.

29. The half tribe of Manasseh — The division of a tribe in Israel into two parts is a strange and singular fact. In some respects it seems accidental, in other respects providential. “Machir, Jair, and Nobah, the sons of Manasseh, were no shepherds. They were pure warriors, who had taken the most prominent part in the conquest of those provinces which up to that time had been conquered, and whose deeds are constantly referred to with credit and renown. Numbers 32:39; Deuteronomy 3:13-15. ‘Jair the son of Manasseh took all the tract of Argob… sixty great cities.’ ‘Nobah took Kehath and the daughter towns thereof, and called it after his own name.’ Deuteronomy 32:42. ‘Because Machir was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.’ Joshua 17:1. The district which these ancient warriors conquered was the most difficult in the whole country. And had they not remained in these wild and inaccessible districts, but had gone forward and taken their lot with the rest, who shall say what changes might not have occurred in the history of their nation through the presence of such energetic and warlike spirits?” — Grove, in Smith’s Dict. But perhaps these very warlike spirits were providentially settled in these eastern hills to save western Palestine from the proximity of dangerous foes that might otherwise have settled there.

The country of Bashan, occupied by these Manassites, was, according to Porter, “the richest in all Palestine. It is to this day the granary of a great part of Syria. Its whole surface is dotted with ruined or deserted towns and villages.”

V. 30. Of Jair-Who, though of the tribe of Judah, by the father, 1 Chronicles 2:21,22, yet is called the son of Manasseh, Numbers 32:41, because he married a daughter of Manasseh, and wholly associated himself with those valiant Manassites; and with their help took sixty cities or great towns, Deuteronomy 3:4,14, which thence were called the towns of Jair.

Verse 30. The towns of Jair] These were sixty cities; they are mentioned afterwards, and in 1 Chronicles 2:21, &c. They are the same with the Havoth-jair mentioned Numbers 32:41. Jair was son of Segub, grandson of Esron or Hezron, and great-grandson of Machir by his grandmother’s side, who married Hezron of the tribe of Judah. See his genealogy, 1 Chronicles 2:21-24.

Verse 30. All the towns of Jair — Who, though of the tribe of Judah, by the father, (1 Chronicles 2:21, 22,) yet is called the son of Manasseh, (Numbers 32:41,) because he married a daughter of Manasseh, and wholly associated himself with those valiant Manassites; and with their help took sixty cities or great towns, (Deuteronomy 3:4, 14,) which thence were called the towns of Jair.

30. All Bashan — This region, distinguished for its fertility, thrifty herds and flocks, and lofty oaks, extended from Gilead on the south to Mount Hermon on the north, and from the Jordan valley on the west far into the eastern and northeastern desert. See on Deuteronomy 3:1-14. All the towns of Jair — That is, the towns that were taken by Jair, the son of Manasseh, and called by his own name. Numbers 32:41. They have the name Havoth-jair and Bashan-havoth-jair, (Deuteronomy 3:14,) and Porter affirms the two names are not to be confounded. “The towns of Havoth-jair were situated in Gilead south of the river Hieromax, while those of Bashan-havoth-jair were in Bashan, and identical with the sixty great cities of Argob.” According to this distinction the threescore cities here mentioned constituted Bashan-havoth-jair. See 1 Kings 4:13, note.

V. 31. Children of Machir-Whom before he called the children of Manasseh, he now calls the children of Machir, because Machir was the most eminent, and as it may seem, the only surviving son of Manasseh, Numbers 26:29 1 Chronicles 7:14-16.

Verse 31. Children of Machir — Whom before he called the children of Manasseh, he now calls the children of Machir, because Machir was the most eminent, and, as it may seem, the only surviving son of Manasseh, Numbers 26:29; 1 Chronicles 7:14-16.

31. Half Gilead — The northern half, for the southern was assigned to Gad. Ver. 25. Ashtaroth — Generally supposed to be identical with the Ashteroth-karnaim of Genesis 14:5. It was doubtless so called from being the seat of worship of the Phenician goddess Ashtoreth, the Greek Astarte. Its ruins are supposed to lie at the modern Tell-Astereh, some fifteen miles east of the Sea of Galilee. Edrei was the other chief city of the kingdom of Bashan, and here King Og was defeated and slain. Numbers 21:33-35. It was a stronghold among the rocks, and its ruins have been found in the modern Edra, thirty miles or more northeast of the Sea of Galilee. J.L. Porter visited the ruins a few years ago and thus wrote: “The situation is most remarkable; without a single spring of living water; without river or stream; without access, except over rocks and through defiles all but impassable; without tree or garden. In selecting the site everything seems to have been sacrificed to security and strength. The huge masses of shattered masonry could scarcely be distinguished from the rocks that encircled them, and all, ruins and rocks alike, are black as if scathed by lightning.” Unto the children of Machir — “Because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.” Joshua 17:1. Even to the one half — The heads of the families of this half are named in 1 Chronicles 5:24.]

Verse 32. Which Moses did distribute] Moses had settled every thing relative to these tribes before his death, having appointed them to possess the territories of Og king of Bashan, and Sihon king of the Amorites. For particulars on this chapter, the reader, if he judge it of consequence, may consult Calmet.

JOSHUA

MANASSEH’S (EASTERN) LOT, 29-33.

29. The half tribe of Manasseh — The division of a tribe in Israel into two parts is a strange and singular fact. In some respects it seems accidental, in other respects providential. “Machir, Jair, and Nobah, the sons of Manasseh, were no shepherds. They were pure warriors, who had taken the most prominent part in the conquest of those provinces which up to that time had been conquered, and whose deeds are constantly referred to with credit and renown. Numbers 32:39; Deuteronomy 3:13-15. ‘Jair the son of Manasseh took all the tract of Argob… sixty great cities.’ ‘Nobah took Kehath and the daughter towns thereof, and called it after his own name.’ Deuteronomy 32:42. ‘Because Machir was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.’ Joshua 17:1. The district which these ancient warriors conquered was the most difficult in the whole country. And had they not remained in these wild and inaccessible districts, but had gone forward and taken their lot with the rest, who shall say what changes might not have occurred in the history of their nation through the presence of such energetic and warlike spirits?” — Grove, in Smith’s Dict. But perhaps these very warlike spirits were providentially settled in these eastern hills to save western Palestine from the proximity of dangerous foes that might otherwise have settled there.

The country of Bashan, occupied by these Manassites, was, according to Porter, “the richest in all Palestine. It is to this day the granary of a great part of Syria. Its whole surface is dotted with ruined or deserted towns and villages.”

MANASSEH’S (EASTERN) LOT, 29-33.

29. The half tribe of Manasseh — The division of a tribe in Israel into two parts is a strange and singular fact. In some respects it seems accidental, in other respects providential. “Machir, Jair, and Nobah, the sons of Manasseh, were no shepherds. They were pure warriors, who had taken the most prominent part in the conquest of those provinces which up to that time had been conquered, and whose deeds are constantly referred to with credit and renown. Numbers 32:39; Deuteronomy 3:13-15. ‘Jair the son of Manasseh took all the tract of Argob… sixty great cities.’ ‘Nobah took Kehath and the daughter towns thereof, and called it after his own name.’ Deuteronomy 32:42. ‘Because Machir was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.’ Joshua 17:1. The district which these ancient warriors conquered was the most difficult in the whole country. And had they not remained in these wild and inaccessible districts, but had gone forward and taken their lot with the rest, who shall say what changes might not have occurred in the history of their nation through the presence of such energetic and warlike spirits?” — Grove, in Smith’s Dict. But perhaps these very warlike spirits were providentially settled in these eastern hills to save western Palestine from the proximity of dangerous foes that might otherwise have settled there.

The country of Bashan, occupied by these Manassites, was, according to Porter, “the richest in all Palestine. It is to this day the granary of a great part of Syria. Its whole surface is dotted with ruined or deserted towns and villages.”