C. The land west of the Jordan chs. 14-19The account of the Israelites’ settlement west of the Jordan received more attention by the writer since it was the primary area where Israel settled. read more
The Portion of Caleb1-5. Introductory Section.1. Eleazar the priest] The mention of the priest in association with the leader, to whom he is here given precedence, is one of the characteristics of the Priestly narrative.4. The children of Joseph were two tribes, etc.] This reckoning, with the subtraction of Levi, makes a total of twelve still. Practically, however, Simeon became absorbed in Judah, and each half-tribe of Manasseh came to count as a complete tribe.6-15. The inheritance of Caleb:... read more
Territories of the Western TribesChs. 14-19 inclusive describe the allotment of territories to the Western Tribes. There are two assignments. The first, embracing Judah and Joseph, is described as taking place at Gilgal (Joshua 14:6) under the auspices of Eleazar and Joshua and the ’heads of the fathers’ (Joshua 14:1). Judah (15), Ephraim (16), and Manasseh (17) each occupy a single chapter The second assignment, to the seven remaining tribes, takes place apparently at a later date (Joshua... read more
XIV.FOURTH DIVISION OF THE BOOK.DIVISION OF THE TEBBITORY ON THE WEST OF JORDAN TO NINE TRIBES AND A HALF(Joshua 14-19, inclusive).(1) And these are the countries which . . . Eleazar . . . and Joshua . . . distributed.—Here we enter upon the record of the third portion of Joshua’s great work. He had (1) to bring Israel over Jordan; (2) to conquer the land; (3) to divide it among the tribes.Eleazar . . . and Joshua.—Not Joshua and Eleazar, observe. This is in strict accordance with the law of... read more
Joshua 14:6-15 'It is beautiful,' says Dr. Blaikie, 'to see that there was no rivalry between them. Not only did Caleb interpose no remonstrance when Joshua was called to succeed Moses, but he seems all through the ware to have yielded to him the most loyal and hearty submission. God had set His seal on Joshua, and Caleb was too magnanimous to allow any poor ambition of his, if he had any, to come in the way of the Divine will and the public good.' Dr. Blaikie remarks also that there is... read more
3CHAPTER XXI.JOSHUA’S OLD AGE- DIVISION FOR THE EASTERN TRIBES.Joshua Ch. 13, 14:1-5. "THE Lord said unto Joshua, Thou art old and stricken in years." To many men and women this would not be a welcome announcement. They do not like to think that they are old. They do not like to think that the bright, joyous, playful part of life is over, and that they are arrived at the sombre years when they must say, ’’There is no pleasure in them." Then, again, there are some who really find it hard to... read more
2. Caleb’s Request and Inheritance CHAPTER 14 1. The inheritance by lot (Joshua 14:1-5 ) 2. Caleb’s request (Joshua 14:6-15 ) Judah’s portion comes first, and as they draw near to Joshua to receive their inheritance by lot (See Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:26 ) at Gilgal (note the recurrence of this place and its significance), Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, steps to the front. It was not forwardness or love of the preeminence which led him to do this, but the burning zeal in that old, yet... read more
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, Numbers 32:33. read more
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. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 14:1-5
1. The rationale for the allotments 14:1-5Eleazar the high priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes took the leadership in dividing this portion of the land (Joshua 14:1). These men determined the division of the land by casting lots (Joshua 14:2; Joshua 18:6). Apparently the casting of lots established the general location of each tribe within Canaan, but the population of that tribe affected the size of each tribe’s inheritance (cf. Numbers 26:52-56). [Note: See L. Wood, map 6, p. 186.]... read more