Joshua 18:1-3 NIV

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:1

Israel assembled together at Shiloh - This appears to have been a considerable town about fifteen miles from Jerusalem, in the tribe of Ephraim, and nearly in the center of the whole land. To this place both the camp of Israel, and the ark of the Lord, were removed from Gilgal, after a residence there of seven years. Here the tabernacle remained one hundred and thirty years, as is generally supposed, being the most conveniently situated for access to the different tribes, and for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:3

How long are ye slack to go to possess the land - We find an unaccountable backwardness in this people to enter on the inheritance which God had given them! They had so long been supported by miracle, without any exertions of their own, that they found it difficult to shake themselves from their inactivity. When it was necessary that all the people should go out to battle, they went with a measure of confidence, expecting miraculous help from God, and confiding in their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:1

Verse 1 1.And the whole congregation of the children of Israel, etc Here we have a narrative of the celebrated convention held in Shiloh, where it was deliberated, as to the casting of the remaining lots. For although with pious zeal they had attempted the casting of lots, yet the proceeding had been interrupted, as if victory behooved to precede the distribution which depended solely on the mouth of God. They assemble, therefore, in Shiloh to determine what was necessary to be done in future.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:1

EXPOSITION THE CONTINUED DIVISION OF THE LAND .— Congregation . The word signifies a body of persons gathered together at a spot before indicated. The LXX . renders by συναγωγή . The idea is evidently that of an assembly gathered together for some specific acts of worship. This passage teaches the duty of a national recognition of religion. Whatever evils there might be in Israel at that time, the absence of a general and formal acknowledgment of God was not one of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:1

Shiloh, the sanctuary. The choice of Shiloh as a resting place for the tabernacle was not left at Joshua's discretion: it was a matter of Divine appointment ( Deuteronomy 12:10-12 ). At the same time it was not without its natural reason. The situation was both central and secluded; in the midst of the land, as the tabernacle had always been "in the midst of the camp" in the wilderness ( Numbers 2:17 ), and yet removed from the main routes of the country's traffic. Its name, dating... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 18:1

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:1

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