CHAPTER XIV.

Eleazar, Joshua, and the heads of the fathers, distribute the land by lot to the people, 1-3. The Levites receive no land, but cities to dwell in, and suburbs for their cattle, 4, 5, Caleb requests to have mount Hebrou for an inheritance, bo cause of his former services, 6-12 Joshua grants his request, 13-15. An. Exod. Isr. 47. Anno ante

1. Olymp. 663.

AND these are the countries which

in the land of Canaan, h which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.

4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

5 m As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. 6 T Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephun

h Numb. 31. 17, 18.-i Numh. 26. 55. & 33. 51. & 31. 13.-k Ch. 13. 8, 32, 32-1 Gen. 48. 5. 1 Chron. 5. 1, 2-m Nunb. 35. 2. Ch. 21. 2-n Namb. 32. 12. & Ch. 15. 17. o Numb. 14. 24, 30. Deut. 1. 36, 33.-p Numb. 13. 26.

NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV.

8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me, made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

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9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in.

q Numb. 13. 6. & 11. 6-r Numb. 13. 31, 32. Deut. 1. 28-s Numb 14.24 Dec 1. 36-1 Numb. 14. 23, 24. Deut. 1. 36. Ch. 1. 3-u See Numb. 13, 22— Num. 14 30.-w Heb. walked-x Ecclus. 46. 9. See Deut. 34. 7-y Deut. 31. 2

portion was written on a separate slip of parchment, wood,

Verse 2. By lot was their inheritance] Concerning the meaning and use of the lot, see the note on Numb. xxxvi. 55. and concerning the manner of casting lots in the case of the scapegoat, see the note on Levit. xvi. 8, 9.

On this subject, Dr. Dodd has selected some good observations from Calmet and Masius, which I here borrow. "Though God had sufficiently pointed out, by the predictions of Jacob when dying, and these of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe; we readily discern an admirable proof of his wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means, the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses, were prevented: and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those who were to be appointed to distribute to them the conquered countries in the land of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the divinity of the Jewish religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot, exactly in the spot which Jacob and Moses had foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both those predictions and that lot. The event justified the truth of the promises. The more singular it was, the more clearly we discern the finger of God in it. The portion, says Masius, fell to each tribe just as Jacob had declared, two hundred and fifty years before, in the last moments of his life, and Moses immediately before his death; for to the tribe of JUDAH fell a country abounding in vineyards and pastures; to ZEBULUN and ISSACHAR, sea coasts: in that of ASHER was plenty of oil, wheat, and metals: that of BENJAMIN, near to the temple, was, in a manner, between the shoulders of "the Deity. EPHRAIM and MANASSEH were distinguished with a territory blest in a peculiar manner by Heaven. The land of NAPHTALI extended from the west to the south of the tribe of Judah. Since, therefore, the lot so well corresponded to these predictions, would it not be insolence and stupidity in the highest degree, not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the word of Jacob and Moses; the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event?"

How the lot was cast in this case, cannot be particularly determined. It is probable, 1. That the land was geographically divided into ten portions. 2. That each portion was called by a particular name. 3. That the name of each

ten on so many slips. 5. The names of the portions, and of the tribes, were put into separate vessels. 6. Joshua, for example, put his hand into the vessel containing the names of the tribes, and took out one slip; while Eleazar took out one from the other vessel, in which the names of the portions were put. 7. The name drawn, and the por tion drawn, being read, it was immediately discerned what the district was which God had designed for such a tribe. This appears to be the most easy way to determine such a business.

Verse 4. The children of Joseph were two tribes] This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Gen. xlviii. 5, 6. and as Leri was taken out of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, one of these sons of Joseph came in his place; and Joseph was treated as the first-born of Jacob, in the place of Reuben, who had forfeited his right of primogeniture.

With their suburbs for their cattle] For the meaning of this passage, the reader is referred to the note on Numb. XXXV. 5.

Verse 5. They divided the land] This work was begun some time before at Gilgal; and was finished some time after at Shiloh. It must have required a very considerable time to make all the geographical arrangements that were necessary for this purpose.

Verse 6. Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite] In the note on the parallel place, Numb. xxxii. 12. it is said, Kenez was probably the father of Jephunneh, and that Jephunneh, not Caleb, was the Kenezite: but still, allowing this to be perfectly correct, Caleb might also be called the Kenezite, as it appears to have been a family name; for Othniel, his nephew and son-in-law, is called the son of Kenez, chap. xv. 17. Judg. i. 13. and 1 Chron. iv. 13. and a grandson of Caleb is also called the son of Kenez, 1 Chron. iv. 15. In 1 Chron. ii. 18. Caleb is called the son of Hezron, but this is only to be understood of his having Hezron for one of his ancestors; and son here, may be considered the same as descendant; for Hezron, of the tribe of Judah, having come into Egypt one hundred and seventy-six years before the birth of Caleb, it is not at all likely that he could be called his father, in the proper sense of the term. Besides, the supposition above makes a very good sense; and is consistent with the use of the terms father, son, and brother, in different parts of the Sacred Writings.

Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said] In the place to which Caleb seems to refer, viz. Numb. xiv. 24. there is not a word concerning a promise of Hebron to him and his posterity: nor in the place (Deut. i. 36.) where Moses repeats what had been done at Kadesh-barnea. But it may be included in what is there spoken. God promises, because he had another spirit with him, and had followed God fully, therefore he should enter into the land whereinto lie came, and his seed should possess it. Probably this relates to Hebron, and was so understood by all parties at that time. This seems tolerably evident, from the pointed reference made by Caleb to this transaction.

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13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance.

14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance

of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the name of Hebron before was

z Numb. 13, 29, 33-a Psa. 18. 32, 34. & 60. 12 Rom. 8. 31.-b Ch. 15. 14. Judg. 1. M. —c. Ch. 22. 6.—d Ch. 10. 37. & 15. 13. Judg. 1. 20. See Ch. 21. 11, 12. 1 Chrou

Verse 7. As it was in mine heart] Neither fear nor favour influenced him on the occasion: he told what he believed to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Verse 9. The land whereon thy feet have trodden] This probably refers to Hebron: which was no doubt mentioned

on this occasion.

Verse 10. These forty and five years] See the note on chap. xiii. ver. 1.

Verse 11. Even so is my strength now] I do not ask this place because I wish to sit down now, and take my ease; on the contrary, I know I must fight to drive out the Anakim, and I am as able and willing to do it, as I was forty-five years ago, when Moses sent me to spy out the laud. Verse 12. I shall be able to drive them out] He cannot mean Hebron merely, for that had been taken before by Joshua: but in the request of Caleb, doubtless all the circumjacent country was comprised, in many parts of which the Anakim were still in considerable force. It has been conjectured that Hebron itself had again fallen under the power of its former possessors, who, taking the advantage of the absence of the Israelitish army, who were employed in other parts of the country, re-entered the city, and restored their ancient domination. But the first opinion seems best founded.

Verse 13. Joshua blessed him] As the word bless often signifies to speak good, or well, of or to any person, (see the note on Gen. ii. 3.) here it may mean the praise bestowed on Caleb's intrepidity and faithfulness, by Joshua; as well as a prayer to God, that he might have prosperity in all things; and especially that the Lord might be with him, as himself had expressed in the preceding verse.

Verse 14. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb Joshua admitted his claim, recognized his right, and made a full conveyance of Hebron and its dependencies to Caleb and his posterity: and this being done in the sight of all the elders of Israel, the right was publicly acknowledged, and consequently this portion was excepted from the general determination by lot: God having, long before, made the cession of this place to him and his descendants.

Verse 15. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba] That is, the city of Arba; or rather, the city of the four; for thus ya pkiryath arba, may be literally translated. It is very likely that this city had its name from four Anakim, gigantic or powerful men, probably brothers, who built or conquered it. This conjecture receives considerable strength from chap. xv. 14. where it is said that Caleb drove from Hebron the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai: now it is quite possible that Hebron had its former name, Kiriath-arba, the city of the four, from these three sons and their father, who, being men of uncommon stature or abilities, had rendered themselves famous by acts proportioned to their strength and influence in the country. It appears however, from chap. xv. 13. that Arba was a proper name, as there he is called the father of Anak. The Septuagint call Hebron The metropolis of the Enakim, pптporodis Tv Evaktp. It was probably the seat of government, being the residence of the above chiefs, from whose conjoint authority and power it might have been called pran chebron, as the word an chabar, literally signifies to associate, to join in fellowship; and appears to be used, Job xli. 6. for " associated merchants, or merchants' companions, who travelled in the same caravan." Both these names are expressive, and serve to confirm the above conjecture. No notice need be taken of the tradition that this city was called the city of the four, because it was the burial-place of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Such traditions confute themselves.

The land had rest from war] There were no more

CHAPTER XV. The lot of the tribe of Judah described, 1.

Their south border, 2-4. Their east border, 5-11 Their west border, 12. Caleb's conquest, 13-15 Promises his daughter to the person who should take Kirjath-sepher, 16. Othniel, his kinsman, renders himself mister of it, and gets Acheah to wife, 17. Her request to her father to get a well watered land, which is granted, 18, 19. The cities of the tribe of Judah are enumerated, 20-23.

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Anno ante

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HIS then was the lot of the tribe An. Exod. Lar. of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom, the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast. 2 And their south border was from the shore

6. 55, 56-e Ch. 21. 12. 1 Mac. 2. 56.-f Ver. 8. 9.-g Gen. 23. 2. Ch. 15. 13.-h Ch. 11. 2-1 Numb. 34. 3.-k Numb. 33. 36.

general wars; the inhabitants of Canaan, collectively, could make no longer any head, and when their confederacy was broken by the conquests of Joshua, he thought proper to divide the land, and let each tribe expel the ancient inhabitants that might still remain in its own territories. Hence the wars after this time were particular wars-there were no more general campaigns, as it was no longer necessary for the whole Israelitish body to act against an enemy now disjointed and broken. This appears to be the most rational meaning of the words, The land had rest from war.

THE Jewish economy furnishes not only a history of God's revelations to man; but also a history of his providence; and an ample, most luminous and glorious comment on that providence. Is is possible that any man can seriously and considerately sit down to the reading even of this book, without rising up a wiser and a better man? This is the true history which every where exhibits God as the first mover and prime agent, and men only as subordinate actors. What a miracle of God's power, wisdom, grace, justice, and providence, are the people of Israel, in every period of their history, and in every land of their dispersions! If their fall occasioned the salvation of the Gentile world, what shall their restoration produce! Their future inheritance is not left to what men would call the fortuitous decision of a lot: like Caleb's possession, it is confirmed by the oath of the Lord; and when the end shall be, this people shall stand in their lot at the end of the days; and shall again be great to the ends of the earth. NOTES ON CHAPTER XV.

Some of

Verse 1. This then was the lot of the tribe of Judah] The geography of the Sacred Writings presents many difficulties, occasioned by the changes which the civil state of the promised land has underwent, especially for the last two thousand years. Many of the ancient towns and villages have had their names so totally changed, that their former appellations are no longer discernible-several lie buried under their own ruins, and others have been so long destroyed, that not one vestige of them remains. On these accounts it is very difficult to ascertain the situation of many of the places mentioned in this and the following chapters. But, however this may embarrass the commentator, it cannot affect the truth of the narrative. the principal cities in the universe, cities that were the seats of the most powerful empires, are not only reduced to ruins, but so completely blotted out of the map of the world, that their situation cannot be ascertained. Where is Babylon, where is Nineveh, Carthage, Thebes, Tyre, Baalbec, Palmyra, and the so far-famed, and greatly-celebrated TROY? Of the former and the latter, so renowned by historians and poets, scarcely a vestige, properly speaking, remains; nor can the learned agree on the spot once occupied by the buildings of those celebrated cities! Should this circumstance invalidate the whole history of the ancient world, in which they made so conspicuous a figure? And can the authenticity of our sacred historian be impaired, because several of the places he mentions no longer exist? Surely, no: nor can it be called in question, but by the heedless and superficial, or the decidedly profane. Although some of the cities of the holy land are destroyed, and it would be difficult to ascertain the geography of several, yet enow remain, either under their ancient names, or with such decisive characteristics, that, through their new names, their ancient appellatives are readily discernible. On the general information we have, the Map accomnying this book is constructed.

It is natural to suppose, that the division mentioned, here, was made after an accurate survey of the land, which might have been made by proper persons accompanying Nine tribes and a the conquering army of the Israelites. half were yet to be accommodated; and the land must be divided into nine parts and a half. This was no doubt

southward:

m to

3 And it went out to the south side "Maaleh-acrabbim, and passed along to Zin. and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

4 From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

5 And the east border was the Salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

6 And the border went up to P Beth-hogla, and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan, the son of Reuben:

7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward,

1 Heb. tongue-m Numb 34. 4.-- Or, the going up to Acrabbim.-o Numb. 31. 5-p Ch. 18. 19.9 Ch. 18. 17.-r Ch. 7. 26-2 Sam. 17. 17. 1 Kings 1. 9.--t Ch. done with the utmost judgment and discretion: the advantages and disadvantages of each division being carefully balanced. These were the portions which were divided by lot; and it appears that Judah drew the first lot: and because of the importance and pre-eminence of this tribe, this lot is first described.

By their families] It is supposed, that the family divisions were not determined by lot. These were left to the prudence and judgment of Joshua, Eleazar, and the ten princes, who appointed to each family a district, in proportion to its number, &c. the general division being that alone which was determined by the lot.

To the border of Edom] The tribe of Judah occupied the most southerly part of the land of Canaan. Its limits extended from the extremity of the Dead sea southward along Idumea, possibly by the desert of Sin, and proceeding from east to west to the Mediterranean sea, and the most eastern branch of the river Nile; or to what is called the river of Egypt. Calmet very properly remarks, that Joshua is particular in giving the limits of this tribe, as being the first, the most numerous, most important, that which was to furnish the kings of Judea-that in which pure religion was to be preserved, and that from which the Messiah was to spring.

Verse 2. From the bay that looketh southward] These were the southern limits of the tribe of Judah, which commenced at the extremity of the lake Asphaltites or Dead sea, and terminated at Sihor, or the river of Egypt, and Mediterranean sea; though some think it extended to the Nile.

Verse 3. Maaleh-acrabbim] The ascent of the mount of Scorpions, probably so called from the multitude of those animals found in that place.

Kadesh-barnea] This place was called En-mishpat, Gen. xiv. 7. It was on the edge of the wilderness of Paran, and about twenty-four miles from Hebron. Here Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, died; and here Moses and Aaron rebelled against the Lord; hence the place was called Meribah-Kadesh, or the contention of Kadesh.

Karkaa] Supposed to be the Coracea of Ptolemy, in Arabia Petra. Calmet.

Verse 4. Toward Azmon] This was the last city they possessed toward Egypt.

The river of Egypt] The most eastern branch of the river Nile. See on chap. xiii. 3. But there is much reason to doubt, whether any branch of the Nile be meant, and whether the promised land extended to that river. On this subject it is impossible to decide either way.

Verse 5. The cast border was the Salt sea] The Salt sea is the same as the Dead sea, lake Asphaltites, &c. And here it is intimated, that the eastern border of the tribe of Judah extended along the Dead sea, from its lowest extremity to the end of Jordan, i. e. to the place where Jordan falls into this sea.

8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

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9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjath-jearim:

10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

18. 16. 2 Kings 23. 10. Jer. 19. 2, 6-u Ch. 18. B. Jurig. 1. 21. & 19. 10. — Ch. 13. 16. w Ch. 18. 15-x 1 Chron. 13 6.-y Judg. 18. 12-z Gen. 35 13. Judges 14. 1.

from the punishment of Achan. See the account, chap. vii. 24, &c.

En-shemesh] The fountain of the sun; it was eastward of Jerusalem, on the confines of Judah and Benjamin. Verse 8. The valley of the son of innom] Who Hinnom was is not known: nor why this was called his valley. It was situated on the east of Jerusalem; and is often mentioned in Scripture. The image of the idol Moloch appears to have been set up there; and there the idolatrous Israelites caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, in honour of that demon, 2 Kings xxii. 10. It was also called Tophet, see Jer. vii. 32. When king Josiah removed the image of this idol from this valley, it appears to have been held in such universal execration, that it became the general receptacle of all the filth and impurities which were carried out of Jerusalem: and it is supposed, that continual fires were there kept up, to consume those impurities, and prevent infection. From the Hebrew words any gei ben Hinnom, the valley of the son of Hinnom, and by contraction angei Hinnom, the valley of Hinnom, came the récvva, Gehenna, of the New Testament, called also гierva Tov πupos, the Gehenna of fire, which is the emblem of hell, or the place of the damned. See Matt. v. 22, 29, 30. x. 18. xviii. 9, &c.

The same is Jerusalem] This city was formerly called Jebus, a part of it was in the tribe of Benjamin; Sion, called its citadel, was in the tribe of Judah.

The valley of the giants] Of the Rephaim. See the notes on Gen. vi. 4. xiv. 5. Deut. ii. 7, 11. On this subject, a very intelligent clergyman favours me with his opinion in the following terms.

"The boundary between Judah and Benjamin went up from the valley of Hinnom on the east, to the top of the hill southward, leaving Jebusi (or Jerusalem) to the northwest adjoining to Benjamin. This mount (Jebusi) lay between the two tribes; which the Jebusites possessed till the time of David. At the 63d verse here, it is said Judah could not drive out these people; and in Judges i. 21. the same is said of the Benjamites. Each tribe might have attacked them at various times. There were various mounts or tops to these hills. Mount Zion, and Moriah, where the temple stood, was in the tribe of Judah; Psal. lxxviii. 68, 69. Ixxxvii. 2.)

"In Deut. xxxiii. 12. it is said of Benjamin, the Lord shall dwell by him; i. e. near him, or beside his borders: between his shoulders: the line might be circular between the two hills or tops, so as in part to encompass mount Zion in the tribe of Judah, on which the temple stood. Benjamin's Gate (mentioned Jerem. xxxvii. 12, 13. and xxxviii. 7.) was the gate leading out of the city into the tribe of Benjamin, so the gate of Ephraim (2 Kings xiv. 13.) was a gate which led toward the tribe of Ephraim. We give names to roads, &c. in the same way now.

Verse 7. The valley of Achor] Debir mentioned in this verse is unknown. The valley of Achor had its name

12 And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

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13 And unto Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even d the city of Arba, the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher.

16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

17 And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

18 m And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah, according to their families.

a Chap. 19. 43-b Ver. 47. Numbers 34. 6, 7.-e Ch. 14. 13-d Ch. 14. 15. Or, Kirjath-arba-f Judg. 1. 10, 20-g Nurib, 13. 24-h Ch. 10. 33. Judg. 1. 11. i Julg. 1. 12.

being the residence of the ark, for 20 years after it was sent back by the Philistines; see I Sam. v. vi. and vii. 1, 2. Verse 10. Beth-shemesh] The house or temple of the sun. It is evident that the sun was an object of adoration among the Canaanites; and hence fountains, hills, &c. were dedicated to him. Beth-shemesh is remarkable for the slaughter of its inhabitants, in consequence of their prying curiously, if not impiously into the ark of the Lord, when sent back by the Philistines. See 1 Sam. vii.

Verse 12. The great sea] The Mediterranean. Verse 13. And unto Caleb-he gave a part] See the notes on chap. xiv. 14, &c.

Verse 14. The three sons of Anak] See on chap. xiv. 15. Verse 15. Kirjath-sepher] The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See ver. 49.

Verse 16. Will I give Achsah my daughter] In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage: and it was customary for a king, or great man, to promise his daughter in marriage, to him who should take a city, kill an enemy, &c. So Saul promised his daughter in marriage to him who should kill Goliah, 1 Sam. xvii. 25. and Caleb offers his, on this occasion, to him who should take Kirjath-sepher. Profane writers furnish many similar examples.

Verse 18. As she came] As she was now departing from the house of her father, to go to that of her husband.

She moved him] Othniel, to ask of her father a field, one on which she had set her heart, as contiguous to the patrimony already granted.

She lighted off her ass] Valilsnach, she hastily, suddenly alighted, as if she had forgotten something, or was about to return to her father's house. Which being perceived by her father, he said, What wouldest thou? What is the matter? What dost thou want?

Verse 19. Give me a blessing] Do me an act of kindness. Grant me a particular request.

Thou hast given me a south land] Which was probably dry, or very ill watered.

Give me also springs of water.] Let me have some fields in which there are brooks, or wells already digged. The upper springs, and the nether springs.] He gave her even more than she requested: he gave her a district among the mountains, and another in the plains, well situated, and well watered. There are several difficulties in this account with which I shall not trouble the reader. What is mentioned above, appears to be the sense.

22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, 23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, 24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, 27 And Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-palet, 28 And Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah,

29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, 31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah.

32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:

33 And in the valley, and Ashnah,

Eshtaol, and Zoreah,

34 And Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam, 35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh,and Azekah, 36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:

37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad, 38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, 39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, 41 And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:

k Jndg. 1. 13 & 3. 9.-1 Numb. 32. 12. Ch. 14. 6.-m Judg. 1. 14. 28am. 7. 29. n See Gen. 24. 64. 1 Sam. 25. 23.-0 Gen. 33. 11.--p 1 Sam. 27. 6.-q Numb. 13. 23. r Or, or 2 Kings 14. 7.

Verse 24. Ziph] There were two cities of this name in the tribe of Judah: that mentioned here, and another, ver. 55. One of these two is noted for the refuge of David, when persecuted by Saul: and the attempts made by its inhabitants to deliver him into the hands of his persecuSee 1 Sam. xxiii. 14-24.

tor.

Verse 28. Beer-sheba] A city famous in the book of Genesis, as the residence of the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, chap. xxii. 19. xxviii. 10. xlvi. 1. See the note on Gen. xxi. 31. It lay on the way between Canaan and Egypt, about forty miles from Jerusalem.

Verse 30. Hormah] A place rendered famous by the defeat of the Hebrews by the Canaanites. See Numb. xiv. 45. Deut. i. 44.

Verse 31. Ziklag] The Philistines seem to have kept possession of this city, till the time of David; who received it from Achish, king of Gath, 1 Sam. xxvii. 6. after which time it remained in the possession of the kings of Judah.

Verse 32. All the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages] But, on a careful examination, we shall find thirty-eight; but it is supposed, that nine of these are excepted, viz. Beer-sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Baalah, Azem, Hormah, Ziklag, Ain, and Rimmon, which were afterward given to the tribe of Simeon. This may appear satisfactory, but perhaps the truth will be found to be this: several cities in the promised land are expressed by compound terms; not knowing the places, different translations combine what should be separated; and in many cases separate what should be combined. Through this, we have cities formed out of epithets. On this ground, we have thirty-eight cities as the sum here, instead of twenty-nine.

Verse 33. Eshtaol, and Zoreah] Here Samson was buried, it being the burial place of his fathers, see Judges xvi. 31. These places, though first given to Judah, afterward fell to the lot of Dan; chap. xix. 41.

Verse 35. Jarmuth] See the note on chap. x. 3.
Adullam] See the note on chap. xii. 15.

Socoh] It was near this place that David fought with and slew Goliah, the champion of the Philistines; 1 Sam. xvii. 1.

Verse 36. Gederah] See the note on chap. xii. 13. Fourteen cities] Well reckoned, we shall find fifteen cities here: but probably Gederah and Gederothaim, ver. 36. are the same. See the note on ver. 32.

Verse 39. Lachish,-and Eglon] See the note on chap. x. 3.

Verse 41. Beth-dagon] The house or temple of Dagon.

W

50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, 51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh ; eleven cities with their villages:

52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,

53 And Janum, and Beth-tappuah, Aphekah, 54 And Humtah, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:

55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, 56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,

t Heb. by the place of-u Ver. 4- Numb. 31. 6--w Chap. 10. 41. & 11. 16. x Or, Janus.--y Chap. 14. 15. & Ver. 13.

This is a well known idol of the Philistines, and probably the place mentioned here was in some part of their territories; but the situation, at present, is unknown.

Verse 42. Libnah] See the note on chap. x. 29. Ether] From chap. xix. 9. we learn, that this city was afterward given to the tribe of Simeon.

Verse 44. Keilah] This town was near Hebron, and is said to have been the burying place of the prophet Habakkuk. David obliged the Philistines to raise the siege of it, see 1 Sam. xxiii. 1-13. but finding that its inhabitants had purposed to deliver him into the hands of Saul, who was coming in pursuit of him, he made his escape. See this remarkable case explained in the note on Deut. xxxii. 15.

Mareshah] Called also Maresheth and Marasthi; it was the birth-place of the prophet Micah. Near this place was the famous battle between Asa, king of Judah, and Zerah, king of Cush or Ethiopia, who was at the head of one thousand thousand men, and three hundred chariots. Asa defeated this immense host, and took much spoils: 2 Chron. xiv. 9—15.

Verse 46. Ekron] One of the five Philistine lordships; see the note on chap. xiii. 3.

Verse 47. Ashdod] Called also Azotus, Acts viii. 40. See the foregoing note.

Unto the river of Egypt] The Pelusaic branch of the Nile, or Sihor. But see on ver. 4.

The great sea] The Mediterranean.

Verse 48. Socoh] See a town of this name, ver. 35.
Verse 49. Kirjath-sannah] See the note on ver. 15.
Verse 51. Goshen] See the note on chap. x. 41.
Giloh] The country of the traitor Ahitophel, 2 Sam.

xv. 12.

Verse 53. Beth-tappuah] The house of the apple, or citron tree. Probably a place where these grew in great abundance and perfection.

Aphekah] See the note on chap. xii. 18. Verse 54. Kirjath-arba] See the note on chap. xiv. 15. Verse 55. Maon] In a desert to which this town gave name, David took refuge for a considerable time, from the persecution of Saul. And in this place, Nabal the Carmelite had great possessions. See 1 Sam. xxiii. 24, 25.

xxv. 2.

Carmel] Not the celebrated mount of that name, but a village, the residence of Nabal. See 1 Sam. xxv. 2. It was near Maon, mentioned above, and was about ten miles eastward of Hebron. It is the same place where Saul erected a trophy to himself, after the defeat of the Amalekites, see 1 Sam. xv. 12.

Ziph] See on ver. 24.

Verse 57. Timnah] A frontier town of the Philistines: it was in this place that Samson got his wife, see Judg. xiv. and xv.

Verse 58. Gedor] See the note on chap. xii. 13. In this place, the Alexandrian MS. of the Septuagint, and the Codex Vaticanus, add the eleven following towns: Theca, and Ephratha, (that is, Bethlehem,) and Phagor, and Etan, and Kulon, and Tatam, and Thebes, and Karam, and Galam, and Thether, and Manocho; eleven cities and their villages. St. Jerom, on Mic. v. 1.

Anne ante

Borders of the children of Joseph, 1--4. The borders of the Ephraimites, 5-8. The Canaanites dwell tributary among them, 10. AN ND the lot of the children of Jo- An Exod. Isr. seph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, L Olymp. 667. to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount & Beth-el,

2 And goeth out from Beth-el to Luz, and

z Ch. 18. 14.--a See Judg. 1. 8, 21. 2 Sam. 5. 6.--b Judg. 1. 21.-e Heb. went forth.-- I Sam. 13. 2-e Ch. 18. 13. Judg. 1. 26.

"The

mentions them, so that we find they were in the copies he used. Dr. Kennicott contends that they should be restored to the text, and accounts thus for their omission. same words rechatsareyhen, And their villages, occuring immediately before this passage, and at the end of it, the transcriber's eye passed from one to the other by mistake. A similar accident has caused the omission of two whole verses, the 35th and 36th of chap. xxi." See the note there.

Verse 60. Kirjath-baal] The same as Baalah. See on

ver. 9.

Verse 62. The city of Salt] Or of Melach. This city was somewhere in the vicinity of the lake Asphaltites, the waters of which are the saltest, perhaps, in the world. The whole country abounds with salt: see the note on Gen. xix. 25. Some suppose that it is the same as Zoar, the place to which Lot escaped, after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

En-gedi] The well of the kid: it was situated between Jericho and the lake of Sodom, or Dead sea.

Verse 63. The Jebusites dwell-at Jerusalem unto this day] The whole history of Jerusalem previously to the time of David, is incumbered with many difficulties. Sometimes it is attributed to Judah, sometimes to Benjamin; and it is probable, that, being on the frontiers of both those tribes, each possessed a part of it. If the Jebusites were ever driven out before the time of David, it is certain they recovered it again, or at least a part of it, what is called the citadel, or strong hold of Zion, see 2 Sam. v. 7. which he took from them; after which the city fell wholly into the hands of the Israelites. This verse is an additional proof that the book of Joshua was not written after the times of the Jewish kings, as some have endeavoured to prove-for, when this verse was written, the Jebusites dwelt with the children of Judah, which they did not after the days of David: therefore the book was written before there were any kings in Judea.

It is very likely that many cities have, by the lapse of time, not only changed their names, or have been totally destroyed, see the note on ver. 1. but that the names of those in the preceding catalogue have been changed also; several of them are repeated that should have been mentioned but once, and not a few confounded with the terms by which they are described. But we must not suppose, that every repetition of the same is through the carelessness of copyists; for there are often two places which bear the same name, which is frequently the case in England. But, besides this, villages are mentioned as being apparently in the tribe of Judah, which afterward appear to have been in another tribe. The reason appears to be this: many towns are mentioned which were frontier towns, and when the limits of a tribe are pointed out, such places must necessarily be mentioned, though allotted to a different tribe. This consideration will serve to remove several difficulties which occur in the reading of this and the following chapters.

NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI.

Verse 1. The children of Joseph] Ephraim and Manasseh, and their descendants. The limits of the tribe of