Joshua 14:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The historian, having in the foregoing chapter given an account of the disposal of the countries on the other side Jordan, now comes to tell us what they did with the countries in the land of Canaan. They were not conquered to be left desert, a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls, Isa. 34:13. No, the Israelites that had hitherto been closely encamped in a body, and the greatest part of them such as never knew any other way of living, must now disperse themselves to replenish these new... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim ,.... For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of Levi had no share in it; and which is also a reason why they had none, that Joseph's two sons might be reckoned two tribes: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land ; to make... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:4

The children of Joseph were two tribes - This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Genesis 48:5 , Genesis 48:6 ; and as Levi was taken out of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, one of these sons of Joseph came in his place, and Joseph was treated as the first-born of Jacob, in the place of Reuben, who forfeited his right of primogeniture. With their suburbs for their cattle - For the meaning of this passage the reader is referred to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:4

Verse 4 4.They gave no part unto the Levites, etc It is here repeated for the third time with regard to the Levites, that they were not included in the number, so as to have the portion of a tribe assigned to them; but it is mentioned for a different purpose, for it is immediately after added, that the sons of Joseph were divided into two tribes, and were thus privileged to obtain a double portion. Thus had Jacob prophesied, (Genesis 49:0) or rather, like an arbiter appointed by God, he had in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The allotment of the tribes. This record of the division of the land among the tribes is suggestive of principles that are capable of a wider and more general application, and also of one that is narrower and more individual. Note— I. THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE THAT DETERMINES THE SPHERE AND SURROUNDINGS OF ALL HUMAN LIFE . This is indicated in the division being made by lot. Whatever the form of the lot may have been, its meaning was that the destination of each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes (see Genesis 48:5 ): therefore they gave. There is no "therefore" In the original. The passage is a simple repetition of what we find in Joshua 13:14 , Joshua 13:33 , and is added here to explain how the twelve tribes who actually divided the land were composed. Suburbs . Rather, "pasture lands;" literally, places where the cattle were driven out to pasture (cf. Numbers 35:2 ; 1 Chronicles 13:2 , where the Hebrew is "cities of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:4-5

Joshua 14:4-5. The children of Joseph were two tribes That is, had the portion of two tribes, and therefore, though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half to be provided for in Canaan. They divided, &c. That is, the persons named, (Joshua 14:1,) who acted in the name of the children of Israel. They were disposed to divide it; they began to take measures for doing it. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

13:1-22:34 DIVISION OF THE LANDAll the land that Israel had conquered was now divided among the twelve tribes. The list of tribal boundaries may not make very interesting reading today, but it was necessary for Israel as a permanent and lawful record to which people could refer if any disagreement arose. It also told the tribes of the enemies that had yet to be destroyed, both within their own tribal areas and in lands round about.Overall plan for the division (13:1-14:5)The area west of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Joshua 14:4

4. The children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim—As two and a half tribes were settled on the east Jordan, and the Levites had no inheritance assigned them in land, there would have been only eight and a half tribes to provide for. But Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, had been constituted two tribes ( :-), and although Levi was excluded, the original number of the tribes of Israel was still preserved. read more

Thomas Constable

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