The princes of Midian - See the history of this war, Numbers 31:1 , etc.; 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. read more
The cities and the villages - By villages, חצרים 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. read more
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. read more
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 . read more
Beth-aram - This city was rebuilt by Herod, and called Livias, in honor 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 . read more
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. read more
The towns of Jair - These were sixty cities; they are mentioned afterwards, and in 1 Chronicles 2:21 , etc. 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 . read more
Verse 24 24.And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, etc The observation made above applies also to the tribe of Gad, namely, that their legitimate boundaries were carefully defined in order to prevent disputes as to their possession. Meanwhile God is extolled for his liberality in having expelled nations of great celebrity, and substituted them in their stead. This is expressed more clearly in regard to the half tribe of Manasseh, when sixty cities are enumerated as included in their... read more
The inheritance of Levi. I. THE TRIBE OF LEVI RECEIVED NO INHERITANCE OF LAND . II. THE TRIBE OF LEVI HAD ITS TEMPORAL WANTS ADEQUATELY PROVIDED FOR (see Joshua 13:14 ). (a) just ( 1 Corinthians 9:11 ), (b) necessary for unhindered service, and (c) not injurious to true devotion so long as the servant of God does not degrade his vocation into a trade by working for money instead of receiving money that he may have means for work. ... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 13:20
Beth-peor - The house or temple of Peor, situated at the foot of the mountain of the same name. See Numbers 25:3 . read more