Joshua 18:1-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 18:1

In the midst of the story of the dividing of the land comes in this account of the setting up of the tabernacle, which had hitherto continued in its old place in the centre of their camp; but now that three of the four squadrons that used to surround it in the wilderness were broken and diminished, those of Judah, Ephraim, and Reuben, by the removal of those tribes to their respective possessions, and that of Dan only remained entire, it was time to think of removing the tabernacle itself into... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 18:2-10

Here, I. Joshua reproves those tribes which were yet unsettled that they did not bestir themselves to gain a settlement in the land which God had given them. Seven tribes were yet unprovided for, though sure of an inheritance, yet uncertain where it should be, and it seems in no great care about it, Josh. 18:2. And with them Joshua reasons (Josh. 18:3): How long are you slack? 1. They were too well pleased with their present condition, liked well enough to live in a body together, the more the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:1

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh ,.... The whole body of the people, men, women, and children, as well as the camp, Joshua 18:9 ; at least all that had not received their inheritances in the land. Hither they came from Gilgal, where the camp and tabernacle had been ever since their passage over Jordan; but now the land being in the main subdued, that was too far off both for the camp and tabernacle, and therefore they moved further into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:2

And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes ,.... Which were those of Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan: which had not yet received their inheritance ; and for which the lots were not cast. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:3

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel ,.... To those of the seven tribes: how long are you slack to go to possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you ? not that they might have taken possession of it of themselves, without having it assigned to them by lot; that they did not do this, is not what is complained of, and they stand reproved for; but that when two tribes and a half had received their inheritance, these seemed indifferent to it, showed no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:4

Give out from among you three men for each tribe ,.... That is, for each of the seven tribes, in all twenty one; though some think they were to be taken out of all the nine tribes and a half, and were thirty six; and so Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 21. seems to understand it; but then he makes but one out of each tribe to be sent, and but ten in all, which is a great oversight in that historian: and I will send them ; Joshua would not take upon him to name the persons,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:5

And they shall divide it into seven parts ,.... According to the number of the seven tribes not yet settled; and this they were to describe and divide was all the land subdued, or not subdued, only the following excepted: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south ; on the south of the land of Canaan, where their lot fell, so that needed not to be measured and described; and this tribe was to retain what they were possessed of, unless it should appear they had too much, and others... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:6

Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts ,.... Or ye shall describe the land, even the seven parts of it when divided; it seems as if they were first to describe in general all the land not disposed of, and then divide it into seven parts, and make a particular description of each part, or form a plan, or draw a map of every part: and bring the description hither to me ; not by word of mouth, but as written in a book, or marked out in a map, and laid before him, see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:7

But the Levites have no part among you ,.... And so needed not to send any men out of their tribe to measure the land on their account, and is a reason why the remaining part of the land was to be divided into seven parts only: for the priesthood of the Lord is his inheritance ; not only the office, but what appertained to it, all the perquisites of it, the tithes, firstfruits, parts of the sacrifices, &c.; see Joshua 13:14 , and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:8

And the men arose, and went away ,.... The seven tribes took the advice of Joshua, chose three men out of each tribe, and presented them to him, who gave them their commission and instruction to go and describe the land of Canaan, not yet disposed of, and whether subdued, or not subdued; upon which they prepared for their journey, and took it, after he had given them the following charge: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land ; before they departed from him: saying,... read more

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