Joshua 13:26

26. From Heshbon Which belonged to the Reubenites, (Joshua 13:17,) but stood so near the boundary between Reuben and Gad as to be occupied in common by both tribes. Compare Joshua 13:17 and Joshua 21:39, notes.

Ramath-mizpeh Probably identical with Ramoth-gilead and Mizpeh of Gilead, which was allotted to the Levites and appointed one of the cities of refuge. Joshua 20:8; Joshua 21:38. Most modern scholars are inclined to locate it at the village of es-Salt, thirty miles north of Heshbon. “This is indicated,” says Porter, “(1) by its position on the summit of a steep hill; (2) by its old ecclesiastical name, Saltus Hieralicus, which appears to point to its original sacerdotal and holy character; (3) by the fact that about two miles to the northwest of es-Salt is the highest peak of the mountain range, still bearing the name Jebel Jilead; (4) by the statement of Eusebius that Ramoth-Gilead lay in the fifteenth mile from Philadelphia towards the west, and this is the exact distance of es-Salt from Rabbath-Ammon.” From its lofty position and sacred character it became a great sanctuary of the eastern tribes. See Judges 10:17, note.

Betonim Probably identical with a ruined village Batneh, marked on the maps of Menke and Van de Velde about five miles west of es-Salt.

Mahanaim The place where Jacob met with the angels of God, and therefore called by a name which signifies a double host or camp. Genesis 32:2, note. It stood on the border between Gad and Manasseh, (Joshua 13:30,) and was assigned to the Levites. Chap. Joshua 21:38. Here after Saul’s death Abner made Ishbosheth king, (2 Samuel 2:8,) and to this place David fled during the rebellion of Absalom. Its site is yet a matter of uncertainty. Some think it is the modern Mahneh, near Jebel Ajlun; while Porter suggests that it may have stood upon the site now occupied by the ruins of Gerasa. The border of Debir is utterly unknown. The Hebrew for of Debir is לדבר , and the first letter ל , lamedh, may be a part of the name, Lidbir. Reland thinks it may be the same as Lodebar, which, according to 2 Samuel 9:4, must have been in this same vicinity.