35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth," 36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor, 37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor, 38 And Iron, and Migdal-el, Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages. 40 And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. 41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh, W 42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah, 43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron, 44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath, 45 And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gathrimmon, 46 And Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho. 47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages. a 49 When they had made an end of dividing w Judg. 1. 35-x Or, over against-y Or, Joppa. Acts 9. 36.-z See Judg. 18. a Judg. 18. 29-b Ch. 21. 30.-c 1 Chron. 7. 24. the east, they might be considered as in some sort conjoined, because of the easy passage to each other by means of the river; but this might be said of several other tribes as well as of these. There is considerable difficulty in the text as it now stands; but, if, with the Septuagint, we omit Judah, the difficulty vanishes, and the passage is plain: but this omission is supported by no MS. hitherto discovered. It is however very probable that some change has taken place in the words of the text, ubihudah hayarden, "and by Judah upon Jordan." Houbigant, who terms them verba sine rê ac sententia, words without sense or meaning, proposes, instead of them, to read 1 m ubegiddoth hayarden, "and by the banks of Jordan," a word which is used, chap. iii. 15. and which here makes a very good sense. Verse 35. Chinnereth] See note on ch. xi. 2. Verse 36. Hazor] See the note on ch. xi. 1. Verse 33. Nineteen cities] But if these cities be separately enumerated, they amount to twenty-three; this is, probably, occasioned by reckoning frontier cities, belonging to other tribes, which are only mentioned here as the boundaries of the tribe.-See on ver. 30. Verse 41. Zorah, and Eshtaol] See the note on chap. xv. 33. Ir-shemesh] The city of the sun-another proof of the idolatry of the Canaanites. Some think this was the same as Beth-shemesh. Verse 42. Shaalabbin] The foxes. Of this city the Amorites kept constant possession.-See Judges i. 33. Ajalon] There was a place of this name about two miles from Nicopolis, or Emmaus, on the road to Jerusalem. Calmet. Verse 43. Thimnathah] Probably the same as Timnah. See on chap. xv. 57. Ekron] A well known city of the Philistines, and the metropolis of one of their fire dynasties. Verse 45. Jehud, and Bene-berak] Or, Jehud of the children of Berak. Verse 46. Jupho] The place since called Joppa, lying on the Mediterranean, and the chief sea port in the possession of the twelve tribes.-See the Map. Verse 47. Went out too little for them] This is certainly the meaning of the passage; but our translators have been obliged to add the words too little, to make this sense apparent. Houbigant contends that an ancient copyist, meeting frequently with the words ban veyalse hagebul, in the preceding history, became so familiarized to them, that he wrote them here instead of bran pæn vayaats hagebul, and the border of the children of Dan was STRAIT for them; and it was on this account that they were obliged to go and fight against Leshem, and take and possess it; their former inheritance being too strait for their increasing population. the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: 50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even & Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein. 51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country. HE LORD also spake unto Joshua, An. Exod. I. saying, 48. Anno ante 2 Speak to the children of Israel, J. Olymp. 667. saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: 3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities, shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. d Numb. 34. 17. Ch. 14. 1-e Ch. 14. 1. Numb. 21 17-29 -f Ch. 18. 1, 10-g Exod 21. 13. Numb. 35. 6, 11, 14. Deut. 19. 2, 9-h Ruth 4. 1, 2 And called Leshem, Dan] This city was situated near the origin of Jordan, at the utmost northern extremity of the promised land, as Beer-sheba was at that of the south; and as, after its capture by the Danites, it was called Dan, hence arose the expression, from Dan even to Beersheba; which always signified the whole extent of the promised land. Some suppose that Leshem was the same with Cæsarea Philippi; but others with reason reject this opinion. It must be granted that the whole account given in this verse, refers indisputably to a fact which did not take place till after the death of Joshua. It is another of the marginal or explicative notes which were added by some later hand. The whole account of this expedition of the Danites against Leshem, is circumstantially given in chap. xviii. of the book of Judges; and to that chapter the reader is referred. Verse 50. Timnath-serah] Called Timnath-peres in Judg. ii. 9. where we find that the mountain on which it was builded was called Guash. It is generally allowed to have been a barren spot in a barren country. Verse 51. At the door of the tabernacle] All the inheritances were determined by lot! and this lot was cast before the Lord: every thing was done in his immediate presence, as under his eye-hence there was no murmuring, each having received his inheritance, as from the hand of God himself. On the subject of dividing the land, and ascertaining the true position of the different cities and places mentioned in this book, enough has already been said; see on chap. xv. 1. The reader must consult the map for general information, on the situation of the land, and the position of its chief places-more than this cannot be given; and more, on such a subject, should not be expected." NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. Verse 2. Cities of refuge] An institution of this kind was essentially necessary wherever the patriarchal law, relative to the right of redemption, and the avenging of blood, was in force-we have already seen, that the nearest of kin to a deceased person, had not only the right of redeeming an inheritance that had been forfeited or alienated, but had also authority to slay on the spot the person who had slain his relative. Now, as a man might casually kill another, against whom he had no ill will, and with whom he had no quarrel, and might have his life taken away by him who was called the arenger of blood, though he had not forfeited his life to the law; therefore, these privileged cities were appointed, where the person might have protection till the cause had been fully heard by the magistrates, who certainly had authority to deliver him up to the avenger, if they found, on examination, that he was not entitled to this protection. On this subject, see the notes on Numb. xxxv. 11. to the end. The Levites apply to Eleazar, Joshna, and the ellers, for the cities to dwell in, which Moses hal promise1, 1, 2 Their request is granted, 3. The priests receive thirteen cities out of the tribes of Ju lah, Simon, and Benjamin, 1. The Levites receive ten cities ont of the tribe of Ephraim. Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 5; and thirteen out of the other half tribe of Manaseh, and the tribes of Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali, 6. The children of Merari had twelve cities out of the tribes of Reuben, Gal, ani Zebulun, 7. The names of the cities given out of the tribes of Justah anel Simeon, -16. Those granted out of the tribe of Benjamin, 17-19. Out of Ephraim, -22 Those out of Dan, 23, 24. Those out of both the halves of the tribe of Manasseh, 25-27 These out of the tribe of Isachar, 28, 29. Those out of Asher, 30, 31. Those out of Naphtali, 32. These were the cities of the Gershonites, 33. The cities of the Merarites, 34-40. The sum of the cities given to the Levites forty-eight, 41, 42. The exact fulfilment of all God's promises, 43-45. Verse 7. They appointed Kedesh in Galilee] The cities of refuge were distributed through the land, at proper distances from each other, that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance; the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair. In the concluding note on Numb. xxxv. it has been stated that these cities were a type of our blessed Lord; and that the apostle refers to them as such, Heb. vi. 17, 18. Hence their names have been considered as descriptive of some character or office of Christ. I shall give each, and its signification, and leave the application to others. 1. KEDESH from kadash, to separate, or set apart, because it implies the consecration of a person or thing to the worship or service of God alone; hence to make, or be holy; and hence Kedesh, holiness, the full consecration of a person to God. 2. SHECHEM D from shacam, to be ready, forward, and diligent; hence Shecem the shoulder, because of its readiness to bear burdens, prop up, sustain, &c. and from this ideal meaning, it has the metaphorical one of GOVERN MENT. 3. HEBRON 7 CHEBRON, from an chabar, to associate, join, conjoin, unite as friends; and hence, bron, fellowship, friendly association, or with the diminutive nun, the little fellowship or association. son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; 2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded, by the hand of Moses, to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle. 3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs. 4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe o Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities. 6 And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 7 The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 8 d And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. 9 And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name, 10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the s Ch. 21. 27-t Numb. 35. 15-a Ver. 6.-v Ch. 14. 1. & 17. 4.-w Ch. 18. 1. x Numb. 35. 2-y Ver 8, 19-z See Ch. 24. 33-a Ver. 20, &c.-b Ver. 27, &c. c Ver. 81, &c-d Ver. 3.-e Numb. 35. 2-f Heb. called.-g Ver. 4. Bezer was on the east side of Jordan, in the plain, opposite to Jericho. Ramoth was about the midst of the country occupied by the two tribes and half; about the middle of the mountains of Gilead. Golan was the capital of a district called Gaulonitis, in the land of Bashan, toward the southern extremity of the lot of Manasseh. Verse 9. For all the children of Israel, and for the stranger] As these typified the great provision which God was making for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, hence the stranger, as well as the Israelite, had the same right to the benefits of these cities of refuge. Is HE the God of the Jews only? Is HE not also the God of the Gentiles? Until he stood before the congregation.] The judges and elders of the people, in trying civil and criminal causes, always sat; the persons who came for judgment, or who were tried, always stood; hence the expressions so frequent in Scripture, STANDING before the Lord—the judges -the elders, &c. IT is worthy of remark that the cities of refuge were given to the Levites, see the following chapter.-The sacrificial system alone afforded refuge-and while the susChe-pected person was excluded from his family, &c. he had the advantage of being with those whose business it was to instruct the ignorant, and comfort the disconsolate. Thus he had the means constantly at hand, by a careful use of which he might grow wiser and better; secure the favour of his God, and a lot of blessedness in a better world. How wise, equal, and beneficent, are all the in 4. BEZER, from batsar, to restrain, inclose, shut up, or encompass with a wall; and hence the goods or treasure thus secured: and hence a fortified place, a fortress. 5. RAMOTH, N from DN raam, to be raised, made high, or exalted; and hence Ramoth, high places, emi-stitutions of God! nences. 6. GOLAN, 1 from a galah, to remove, transmigrate, or pass away; hence golan, a transmigration, or passage. Some derive it from a gal, to rejoice; hence, GOLAN, rejoicing, or exultation. A person of the spirit and turn of Origen, could preach the whole Gospel from these particulars. Kedesh and Hebron were at the two extremities of the promised land-one was in Galilee, the other in the tribe of Judah; both in mountainous countries; and Shechem was in the tribe of Ephraim, nearly in the middle, between both. See Calmet. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. Verse 1. The heads of the fathers of the Levites] The Levites were composed of three grand families, the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, independently of the family of Aaron, who might be said to form a fourth. To none of these had God assigned any portion in the division of the land. But in this general division it must have been evidently intended, that the different tribes were to furnish them with habitations: and this was according to a positive command of God, Numb. xxxv. 2, &c. Finding now that each tribe had its inheritance appointed to it, JOSHUA. 11 And they gave them the city of Arba 12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession. 13 Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; Pand Libnah with her suburbs, A. M. 2561. B. C. 1443. 24 Aijalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; four cities. Tanach with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon 25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, with her suburbs; two cities. for the families of the children of Kohath that 26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs remained. the families of the Levites, out of the other 27 And unto the children of Gershon, of Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge half tribe of Manasseh they gave d Golan in for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her sub 14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Esh-urbs; two cities. temoa with her suburbs, 15 And Holon with her suburbs, with her suburbs, and Debir 16 And "Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes. 17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, 18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities. a 2 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs. 20 T And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. b 21 For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities. 23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs, h1 Chron. 6. 55-i Or, Kirjath-arba, Gen. 23. 2-k Ch. 15. 13, 14.-1 Ch. 20. 7. Luke 1. 39-m Ch. 14. 14. 1 Chron. 6. 56-1 Chron 6, 57, &co Ch. 15. 51 & 20. 7-p Ch. 15. 42-q Ch. 15. 45-r Ch. 15. 50-s 1 Chron. 6. 53, Hilen, Ch. 15. 51. t Ch. 15. 49. the heads of the Levites came before Eleazar, Joshua, and the chiefs of the tribes, who had been employed in dividing the land, and requested that cities and suburbs should be granted them according to the Divine command. Verse 3. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites] They cheerfully obeyed the Divine command; and cities for habitations were appointed to them out of the different tribes, by lot, that it might as fully appear that God designed them their habitations, as he designed the others their inheritances. Verse 4. Out of the tribe of Judah-Simeon, and Benjamin thirteen cities] These tribes furnished more habitations to the Levites, in proportion, than any of the other tribes; because they possessed a more extensive inheritance; and Moses had commanded, Numb. xxxv. 8. From them that have many, ye shall give many; and from them that have few, ye shall give few; every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according to his inheritance. It is worthy of remark, that the principal part of this tribe, whose business was to minister at the sanctuary, which sanctuary was afterward to be established in Jerusalem, had their appointment nearest to that city so that they were always within reach of the sacred work which God had appointed them. : Verse 5. And the rest of the children of Kohath] That is, the remaining part of that family that were not priestsfor those who were priests, had their lot in the preceding tribes. Those, therefore, of the family of Kohath, who were simply Levites, and not of the priest's or Aaron's family, see ver. 10. had their habitations in Ephraim, Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh. It has been asked, in what sense did the Levites possess those cities, seeing they had no inheritance? To which it may be answered, that it is not likely the Levites had the exclusive property of the cities in which they dwelt; for it is evident that the other Israelites dwelt among them. We know, says Calmet, by history, that the cities of the Levites were almost entirely filled with Israelites of other tribes. For instance, Gibeah of Benjamin, which is here given to the Levites, ver. 17. was always peopled by the Benjamites, as appears from the history of the Levite, whose wife was so horribly abused by them, Judges xix. the same city; and David and his court spent the first Saul and all his family dwelt in years of his reign at Hebron, which was also a city of the Levites, ver. 10. It appears, therefore, that they had no 590 with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, 30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal 32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her subin Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge urbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities. to their families were thirteen cities with their 33 All the cities of the Gershonites according suburbs. f of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the her suburbs; four cities. 36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer u1 Chron. 6. 59, Ashon, Ch. 15. 42-v Ch. 15. 55.-w Ch. 15. 10.-x Ch. 18 25. y Ch. 18. 24, Gaba-z 1 Chron. 6. 60, Alemeth-a Ver. 5. 1 Chron. 6 66-b Ch. 20. 7.- Ver. 6. 1 Chron. 6. 71.-d Ch. 20. 8-e Ch. 20. 7.-f Ver. 7. See I Chron. 6. 77.-g Ch. 20. 8. other property in those cities, than merely the right to certain houses, which they might sell, but always with the right of perpetual redemption; for they could finally having sold it, did not redeem it, at the year of jubilee it alienate nothing; and if the possessor of such a house, cattle, which extended two thousand cubits without the reverted to the Levites. And as to their lands for their city, these they were not permitted to sell-they were considered as the Lord's property. See Levit. xxv. 32-34. first instance, the Levites had simply the right to choose, and the notes there. It is therefore very likely that, in the in all the cities assigned them, the houses in which they city belonged, occupied all the other dwellings. There is were to dwell; and that those of the tribe to which the families of the Levites increased, they had more dwellings also reason to believe, that in process of time, when the assigned to them, which were probably builded at the public expense. lutely bound to live in these and no other cities; for when Verse 12. The fields of the city-gave they to Caleb] Verse 18. Anathoth] Celebrated as the birth-place of time mentioned here, certainly thirteen cities was too large name, the upper and the nether-but which is intended with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs. 37 Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities. 38 And out of the tribe of Gad, h Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs, 39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all. 40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities. 41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. 42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities. 43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. h Ch. 20. 8-i Numb. 35. 7.- Gen. 13. 15. & 15. 18. & 26. 3. & 23. 4, 13-1 Ch. 11. 23. Verse 24. Aijalon] See on chap. x. Verse 27. Golan in Bashan] On this and the other cities of refuge mentioned here, see the note on chap. xx. ver. 7. Verse 35. Dimnah with her suburbs, &c.] It is well known to every Hebrew scholar, that this and the following verse are wholly omitted by the Masora; and are left out in some of the most correct and authentic Hebrew Bibles. Between critics there is no small controversy relative to the authenticity of these verses-and those who wish to see the arguments at large on both sides, must consult the Varie Lectiones of De Rossi, on this place. Dr. Kennicott, who is a strenuous advocate for their authenticity, argues thus in their behalf: "Verses 41 and 42 of this chapter tell us that the Levitical cities were forty-eight, and that they had been all as such described; so that they must have been all specified in this chapter; whereas now, in all the Hebrew copies printed in full obedience to the Masora, which excludes two verses, containing four of these cities, the number amounts only to forty-four. "The cities are first mentioned, in the general, as being thirteen and ten, with thirteen and twelve, which are certainly forty-eight. And yet when they are particularly named, verses 13 to 19 give thirteen cities; verses 20 to 26 give ten cities; verses 27 to 33 give thirteen; verses 34 and 35 give four cities; and then verses 35, 36, give four more; all which can make but forty-four. And what still increases the wonder is, that verse 40 infers from the verses immediately preceding, that the cities allowed to the Merarites were twelve, though they here make eight only, unless we admit the four other cities expressed in those two verses, which have been rejected by that blind guide, the Masora. In defiance of this authority, these two verses, thus absolutely necessary, were inserted in the most early editions of the Hebrew text, and are found in Walton'a Polyglott, as well as in our English Bible. But they have scarce ever been as yet printed completely; thus-And out of the tribe of Reuben A CITY OF REFUGE FOR THE SLAYER, Bezer, IN THE WILDERNESS, with her suburbs; and Jahazah, with her suburbs; Kedemoth with her suburbs ; and Mephaath with her suburbs: four cities. See on this place my edition of the Hebrew Bible: where no less than one hundred and forty-nine copies are described which happily preserve these verses, most clearly essential to the truth and consistency of this chapter. See also General Discourse, p. 19, 26, 54." Though this reasoning of Dr. Kennicott appears very conclusive, yet there are so many and important variations among the MSS. that retain, and those that reject these verses, as to render the question of their authenticity very difficult to be determined. To Dr. Kennicott's one hundred and forty-nine MSS. which have these two verses, may be added upwards of forty collated by De Rossi. Those who deny their authenticity, say they have been inserted here from 1 Chron. vi. 78, 79. where they are found, it is true, in general, but not exactly as they stand here, and in Dr. Kennicott's Hebrew Bible. Verse 36. Jahazah] See on chap. xiii. 18. Verse 41. Forty and eight cities] At the last census of the Hebrew people, related Numb. xxxvi. we find, from ver. 62. that the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000; and it is supposed that forty-eight cities were too great a proportion for this tribe, the other tribes have so very few. But, 1. All the cities of the other tribes are not enume 44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45" There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass. CHAPTER XXII. Joshna assembles, commends, blesses, and then dismisses the two tribes of Reuben and Gel, and the hall tribe of Manasseh, 1--3. They return and build an altar by the side of Jordan, 9, 10 The rest of the Israelites hearing of this, and suspecting that they had built the altar for idolatrons purposes, or to make a schism in the national worship, prepare to go to war with thein. II, 12; but first send a deputation to know the truth, 13, 14. They arrive and expostulate with their brethren, 15-–20. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, make a noble defence, and show that their altar was bad led as a monument only, to prevent idolatry, 21-29. The deputation are satisfied, and return to the ten tribes and make the report, 30---32 The people rejoice, and praise God, 33; and the Reubenites and Giadites call the altar they had raised Ed, that it might Le considered a witness, between them and their brethren on the other side Jordan, 34. Anno ante THE HEN Joshua called the Reuben- Au. Exod. Isr. 48. ites, and the Gadites, and the I. Olymp. 667. half tribe of Manasseh, 2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, & 22. 4.-m Deut. 7. 24.—n Ch. 23. 14. 1 Kings 8. 56.-0 Numb. 32. 20. Dent. 3. 18. rated. 2. They had the circumjacent country as well as the cities. 3. The Levites had no other cities than those enumerated. 4. They had no country annexed to their cities, the 2,000 cubits for their cattle, &c. excepted. 5. Cities in those ancient times were very small, as most villages went under this appellation. 6. The Levites had now the appointment that was suited to their consequent increase. The other tribes might enlarge their borders and make conquests; but this was not suitable to the mere servants of God: besides, had they made conquests, they would have become proprietors of the conquered land; and God determined that they should have no inheritance in Israel, God himself being their portion. Verse 43. And the Lord gave-all the land which he sware] All was now divided by lot unto them--and their enemies were so completely discomfited, that there was not a single army of the Canaanites remaining to make head against them; and those which were left in the land, served under tribute; and the tribute that they paid was the amplest proof of their complete subjugation. Add to this, they had as much of the land in actual possession as they could occupy; and, as they increased, God enabled them to drive out the rest of the ancient inhabitants; but in consequence of the infidelity of the Israelites, God permitted their enemies often to straiten them, and sometimes to prevail against them. It should also be remembered, that God never promised to give them the land, or to maintain them in it, but on condition of obedience: and so punetually did he fulfil this intention, that there is not a single instance on record, in which they were either straitened or subjugated, while obedient and faithful to their God. The cavil is as foolish as it is unprincipled, which states, "The Israelites never did possess the whole of the land which was promised to them, and therefore that promise could not come by Divine revelation."-With as much reason might it be urged, that Great Britain has not subdued the French West India islands, and Batavia, (February, 1812,) because the ancient inhabitants still remain in them: but is not their serving under tribute an absolute proof that they are conquered, and under the British dominion? So was the whole land of Canaan conquered, and its inhabitants subdued, though the whole of the ground was not occupied by the Israelites till the days of David and Solomon. In the most correct and literal sense, it might be said, There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass. Nor shall one word of his ever fail to any of his followers, while the sun and moon endure. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXII. Verse 1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, &c.] We have already seen, that 40,000 men of the tribes of Reuben, and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their stipu lation with Moses. The war being now concluded, Joshua assembles these warriors; and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having first given them the most pious and suitable advices. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families: and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp at Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had, during that time, ever revisited their own home, which they might have done any time in the year, the harvest excepted, as at all other times that river was easily fordable. P and have obeyed my voice in all that I com- | the half tribe of Manassch built there an altar manded you: by Jordan, a great altar to see to. 3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. 4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get ye unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. 5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents. 7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan": but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them. 8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren. unto w 9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and Verse 5. But take diligent heed, &c.] Let us examine the force of this excellent advice; they must ever consider that their prosperity and continued possession of the land depended on their fidelity and obedience to God; to this they inust take diligent heed. Do the commandment] They must pay the strictest regard to every moral precept. And the law] They must observe all the rites and ceremonies of their holy religion. Love the Lord your God] Without an affectionate, filial attachment to their Maker, duty would be irksome, grievous, and impossible. Walk in all his ways] They must not only believe and love, but obey; walk not in your own ways, but walk in those which God has pointed out. Keep his commandments] They must love him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength; and their neighbour as themselves. Cleare unto him] They must be cemented to him in a union that should never be dissolved. Serve him They must consider him as their master, having an absolute right to appoint them, when, where, how, and in what measure they should do his work. With all your heart Having all their affections and passions sanctified, and united to him. And with all your soul.] Giving up their whole life to him, and employing their understanding, judgment, and will, in the contemplation and adoration of his perfections; that their love and obedience might increase in proportion to the cultivation and improvement of their understanding. Verse 7. Then he blessed them] Spoke respectfully of their fidelity and exertions-wished them every spiritual and temporal good-prayed to God to protect and save them; and probably gave some gifts to those leaders among them, that had most distinguished themselves in the seven years' war. In all the above senses, the word bless is frequently taken in Scripture. Verse 8. Return with much riches] It appears they had their full proportion of the spoils that were taken from the Canaanites; and that these spoils consisted in cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron, and raiment. x 11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. 12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, y the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them. 13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, a Phinchas the son of Eleazar the priest, 14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was a head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. 15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying, 16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD? d 17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD, 18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to-day against the LORD, that to-morrow f he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel. 19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, & wherein the x Deut. 13. 12, &c. Judg. 2. 12-y Julg. 20, 1.-z Deut. 13. 14. Judg. 20 12 a Exot. 6. 25. Numb. 25. 7.-b Heb. the house of the father. -c Numb. 1. -d See Lev. 17. 8, 9. Deut. 12 13, 14.- Numb. 25. 3, 4. Deu: 4.3.- Numb. 16. 22-g Cb. 18. L Divide the spoil—with your brethren] It was right that those who staid at home to defend the families of those who had been in the wars, and to cultivate the ground, should have a proper portion of the spoils taken from the enemy: for had they not acted as they did, the others could not have safely left their families. Verse 10. The borders of Jordan, that are in-Canaan] This verse can never mean that they builded the altar on the west side of Jordan, for this was not in their territories -nor could it be a place for the purpose of public worship to their own people, if builded on the opposite side of Jordan: besides, the next verse says, it was built over against the land of Canaan. It appears that when they came to the river, they formed the purpose of building the altar; and when they had crossed it they executed their purpose. A great altar to see to] A vast mass of earth, stones, &c. elevated to a great height, to serve as a memorial of the transactions that had already taken place. Probably it was intended also to serve as a kind of watch tower, being of a stupendous height, altare infinitæ magnitudinis, an altar of an immense size, as the Vulgate terms it. Verse 12. To go up to war against them] Supposing that they had builded this altar in opposition to that which Moses, by the command of God, had erected, and were consequently become rebels against God, and the Iraelitish constitution; and should be treated as such. Their great concern for the glory of God led them to take this step, which, at first view, might appear precipitate: but that they might do nothing rashly, they first send Phinchas and ten princes, one out of each tribe, to require an explanation of their motives in erecting this altar. Verse 17. Is the iniquity of Peor too little] See this history, Numb. xxv. 3, &c. and the notes there. Phinehas taking it for granted that this altar was builded in opposition to the altar of God erected by Moses, and that they intended to have a separate service, priesthood, &c. which would be rebellion against God, and bring down his curse on them and their posterity; and in order to show that God is jealous of his glory, he refers to the business of Baalpeor, which took place in that very country they were now about to possess; the destructive consequences of which, |