Joshua 14:5

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 14:5

As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did ,.... Particularly with respect to the division of the land, and making provision for the Levites; this they did by their heads and representatives, the high priest and chief ruler, and the princes of the several tribes: and they divided the land ; met about it, and began to take measures in order to do it; they prepared for it, though as yet it was not actually done, and previous to it was the following incident. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:5

They divided the land - This work was begun some time before at Gilgal, and was finished some time after at Shiloh. It must have required a very considerable time to make all the geographical arrangements that were necessary for this purpose. 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

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 14:5

As = according as. Compare Neh 35:2 . Neh 14:2-5 . divided = divided by lot;". Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 14:5

Ver. 5. The children of Israel—divided the land— That is, they were disposed so to do; they began to set about it. The Scripture calls that done, which is begun or only resolved upon. Genesis 37:21. Exo 12:48 chap. Joshua 10:15. The text might be disposed thus: "The children of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses, by assigning cities and suburbs to the Levites, [ch. Joshua 21:1-2, &c.] when they divided the land, under the direction of Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Joshua 14:5

5. the children of Israel . . . divided the land—that is, they made the preliminary arrangements for the work. A considerable time was requisite for the survey and measurement. :-. CALEB BY PRIVILEGE REQUESTS AND OBTAINS HEBRON. 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

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