And was drawn from the north ,.... Turning northward, and looking that way from the west to the east: and went forth to Enshemesh ; or the fountain of the sun, see Joshua 15:7 , and went forth toward Geliloth ; called Gilgal, Joshua 15:7 , which is over against the going up to Adummim ; a place between Jerusalem and Jericho, see Joshua 15:7 , and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben ; see Joshua 15:6 . read more
En-shemesh - The fountain of the sun; a proof of the idolatrous nature of the ancient inhabitants of this land. Geliloth - As the word signifies borders or limits, it is probably not the proper name of a place: And went forth towards the Borders which are over against the ascent to Adummim. read more
Progress in the great work. The tribes gathered together at Shiloh, set up the common tabernacle for worship, and then proceeded, at Joshua's instance, to complete the division of the land. Several detached considerations may be derived from this chapter. I. THE DUTY OF A PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF GOD . The duty of public worship has been universally recognised in all religions, and is founded in a natural tendency of mankind. Philosophical sects, in which religious... read more
See the marginal references. There are many indications found in this and the next chapter that the text is in great disorder, and many of the places are still unknown.Joshua 18:14And compassed the corner ... - Render “and turned on the west side southward.” The meaning is, that at lower Beth-horon the northern boundary-line of Benjamin curved round and ran southward - Beth-horon being its extreme westerly point.Joshua 18:21The “Valley of Keziz,” or “Emek-Keziz,” is perhaps the “Wady el Kaziz,”... read more
The seven smaller tribes (18:1-19:51)Allotments were now finished for two and a half tribes on the east of Jordan (Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh) and two and a half tribes on the west (Judah, Ephraim and the other half of Manasseh). The next task was to settle the seven smaller tribes that remained. For this purpose the camp, including the tabernacle, was shifted from Gilgal to a more central location at Shiloh (18:1-2; cf. 5:10; 10:6,15,43; 14:6; 19:51; 22:9,12).Many of the people had by... read more
The inheritance of Benjamin 18:11-28Benjamin shared its territorial boundaries (Joshua 18:11-20) with Judah on the south and Ephraim on the north. On the east the Jordan River formed Benjamin’s border. On the west, about half way to the Mediterranean Sea, Israel’s leaders drew a border separating Benjamin from Dan.The towns of Benjamin (Joshua 18:21-28) fell into two groups. Twelve towns stood in the eastern part of the territory (Joshua 18:21-24) and 14 in the western (Joshua 18:25-28). read more
6. The inheritance of the remaining tribes 18:11-19:51First the two and one-half tribes east of the Jordan received their land. Then Judah, the primary recipient of Jacob’s patriarchal blessing, and Joseph, the recipient of Jacob’s patriarchal birthright, received their allotments (chs. 15-17). Finally the remaining tribes received their inheritances in the land. read more
The Second Allotment. Introduction. The Territory of Benjamin1-10. These vv supply an introduction to the second allotment in general, and agree with the passages which, in common with Judges 1, view the conquest as gradual and partial. The seven tribes still hang back through ’slackness’ (Joshua 18:3), while Judah and Joseph are already in possession.5. Judah shall abide, etc.] In the final allotment the S. border of Benjamin coincided with the N. border of Judah as far as Kirjath-jearim; the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 18:11-28
We have here the lot of the tribe of Benjamin, which Providence cast next to Joseph on the one hand, because Benjamin was own and only brother to Joseph, and was little Benjamin (Ps. 68:27), that needed the protection of great Joseph, and yet had a better protector, for the Lord shall cover him all the day long, Deut. 33:12. And it was next to Judah on the other hand, that this tribe might hereafter unite with Judah in an adherence to the throne of David and the temple at Jerusalem. Here we... read more