Joshua 14:3 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 14:3

And Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes, and an half tribe, on the other side Jordan ,.... The two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, whose inheritance is described in Joshua 13:8 , but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them ; this is frequently observed, that it might be taken notice of, to show the disinterestedness of Moses in this affair, Levi being his own tribe; and to recommend the care of the Levites to the other tribes, according... 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

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

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 14:1-15

C. The land west of the Jordan chs. 14-19The account of the Israelites’ settlement west of the Jordan received more attention by the writer since it was the primary area where Israel settled. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:1-15

The Portion of Caleb1-5. Introductory Section.1. Eleazar the priest] The mention of the priest in association with the leader, to whom he is here given precedence, is one of the characteristics of the Priestly narrative.4. The children of Joseph were two tribes, etc.] This reckoning, with the subtraction of Levi, makes a total of twelve still. Practically, however, Simeon became absorbed in Judah, and each half-tribe of Manasseh came to count as a complete tribe.6-15. The inheritance of Caleb:... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:1-51

Territories of the Western TribesChs. 14-19 inclusive describe the allotment of territories to the Western Tribes. There are two assignments. The first, embracing Judah and Joseph, is described as taking place at Gilgal (Joshua 14:6) under the auspices of Eleazar and Joshua and the ’heads of the fathers’ (Joshua 14:1). Judah (15), Ephraim (16), and Manasseh (17) each occupy a single chapter The second assignment, to the seven remaining tribes, takes place apparently at a later date (Joshua... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 14:1-5

XIV.FOURTH DIVISION OF THE BOOK.DIVISION OF THE TEBBITORY ON THE WEST OF JORDAN TO NINE TRIBES AND A HALF(Joshua 14-19, inclusive).(1) And these are the countries which . . . Eleazar . . . and Joshua . . . distributed.—Here we enter upon the record of the third portion of Joshua’s great work. He had (1) to bring Israel over Jordan; (2) to conquer the land; (3) to divide it among the tribes.Eleazar . . . and Joshua.—Not Joshua and Eleazar, observe. This is in strict accordance with the law of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Joshua 14:1-15

Joshua 14:6-15 'It is beautiful,' says Dr. Blaikie, 'to see that there was no rivalry between them. Not only did Caleb interpose no remonstrance when Joshua was called to succeed Moses, but he seems all through the ware to have yielded to him the most loyal and hearty submission. God had set His seal on Joshua, and Caleb was too magnanimous to allow any poor ambition of his, if he had any, to come in the way of the Divine will and the public good.' Dr. Blaikie remarks also that there is... read more