Joshua 12

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:3

And from the plain. There is no "from" in the original, which here ceases to describe the territories of Sihon, but continues the account of the Israelite dominions, which included the Arabah (not the plain as in our version) up to the sea of Chinneroth. On the east; i.e; the east of Jordan. So also below. The way to Beth-jeshimoth (see Numbers 33:48 , Numbers 33:49 ). There was a desert tract near the Dead Sea called Jeshimon, or the waste district. It is described by travellers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:4

The giants. Hebrew, Rephaim cf. Genesis 14:5 ; Genesis 15:20 ; also Joshua 17:15 ). The word, according to Ewald, is equivalent to "stretched out." It was also applied to the dead. The Rephaim were one of the various tribes of giants, like the Anakims, Zuzims, and Emims, of whom we read in the land of Canaan. They occupied the land of Bashan and "half Gilead"—that is, its northern portion (see Deuteronomy 3:13 ). The term "remnant" would imply that they had suffered some reverses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:5

The Geshurites. See Joshua 13:2 , Joshua 13:11 , Joshua 13:13 ; and Deuteronomy 3:14 ; also 2 Samuel 13:37 , where we find the principality of Geshur still in possession of its independence. It was in the northeast corner of Bashan, abutting upon Syria, and is called "Geshur in Syria" ( 2 Samuel 15:8 ). It is perhaps an instance of undesigned coincidence that Maachah, the mother of Absalom and the daughter of the king of Geshur, was so named, since she probably derived her name... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:6

Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave. Theodoret makes the tribes which received their inheritance through Moses the types of the believing Jews, and those who received it through Jesus (Joshua) the types of the believing Gentiles. Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were the first born of their respective mothers, and were thus types of the Jews, who were God's firstborn. As they passed over armed before their brethren, so we received the good tidings of salvation from the lips of Jews. This is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:7

And these are the kings of the country. We now proceed to the enumeration of the kings whom Joshua had overcome on the western side of Jordan. And the first thing that strikes us is their immense number, as compared to the two potentates who alone occupied the large tract of country subdued on the other side of Jordan. Such a divided territory could hardly have maintained itself in the face of the powerful monarchs Sihon and Og to the eastward of Jordan. We are thus led to the conclusion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:7-8

Diversity of lots. The diversity of situation and character in the several lots of the tribes of Israel is illustrative of the similar diversity which is seen in all human experience. I. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS A NECESSITY . If we could attain uniformity we could not retain it. II. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS LESS SEVERE THAN IT APPEARS TO BE . III. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS BENEFICIAL TO US INDIVIDUALLY , Justice is not equality, but fitness.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:7-24

The catalogue of the vanquished. A melancholy document, meaning little more to us than a column in a directory, but meaning much to multitudes. Many of these kings would be lamented in elegies as sweet as David's song over Saul and Jonathan. Some, doubtless, were noble, perhaps some devout, but implicated in a national fate to the deserving of which they had not contributed. Linger over these a little and observe— I. ALL ARMIES WILL FIND THEIR PLACE IN ONE OF TWO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:8

The mountains. "Which, as the mountains of Judah ( Joshua 15:48 ), Ephraim ( Joshua 16:1 ), and Naphtali ( Joshua 19:32 ), ran through the midst of the land" (Knobel). See Joshua 11:16 , Joshua 11:21 , and note. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:9

The list of the cities subdued . The king of Jericho, one . Here follows a list of the royal cities of the Canaanites, the remainder being daughter, or dependent cities, or else, perhaps, like Gibeon, cities whose government was not regal. See Joshua 9:3 , and Introduction. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 12:12-13

The partition of the land of Canaan. "Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes" ( Joshua 12:7 ). In the partition of the land of Canaan there was nothing arbitrary. God Himself directed it, and assigned to each tribe its lot, save only to the tribe of Levi, which was to occupy an exceptional position. There was a very special reason why the inheritance of the various tribes should be marked out by God Himself, since Israel was His chosen people, destined to... read more

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