Commentary on Joshua, Commentary · Chapter 12
Chap. 12.
AND these are the Kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their lande, on the other side Iordan, toward the rising of the Sunne, from the riuer Arnon, vntounto mount Hermon, and all the plaine Eastward.
2 Sihon King of the Amorits, that dwelt in Heshbon, hauing dominion from Aroer, which is beside the riuer of Arnon, and from the middle of the riuer, and from halfe Gilead, vntounto the riuer Iabbok, in the border of the children of Ammon.
3 And from the plaine, vntounto the Sea of Cinneroth Eastward, and vntounto the Sea of the plaine, euen the salt Sea Eastward, the way to Behtieshimoth, and from the South, vnderunder the springes of Pisgah.
4 They conquered also the coast of Og King of Bashan, of the remnant of the Giantes, which dwelt at Ashtaroth, and at Edrei,
5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, vntounto the border of the Geshurites, and the Maachathites, and halfe Gilead, euen the border of Sihon King of Heshbon.
6 Moses the seruant of the Lorde, and the children of Israel smote them: Moses also the seruant of the Lord gaue their land, for a possession, vntounto the Rubenites, and vntounto the Gadites, and to halfe the tribe of Manasseh.
7 These also are the Kinges of the countrie, which Ioshue, and the children of Israel smote on this side Iordan Westward, from Baal-gad, in the vallie of Lebanon, euen vntounto the mount Halak, that goeth vp to Seir, and Ioshue gaue it vntounto the tribes of Israel, for a possession, according to their portions,
8 In the mountaines, and in the vallies, and in the plaines, and in the hill sides, and in the wildernesse, and in the Southe, where were the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Chanaanites, the Perizzites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites.
9 The King of Iericho, was one: the King of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one:
10 The King of Hierusalem, one: the King of Hebron, one:
11 The King of Iarmuth, one: the King of Lachish, one:
12 The King of Eglon, one: the King of Gezer, one:
13 The King of Debir, one: the King of Geder, one:
14 The King of Hormah, one: the King of Arad, one:
15 The King of Libnah, one: the King of Adullam, one:
16 The King of Makkedah, one: the King of Beth-el, one:
17 The King of Tappuah, one: the King of Hepher, one: page missing
5 And the land of the Gibilites, and all Lebanon, towardes the Sunne rising, from Bahal-gad, vnderunder mount Hermon, vntill one come to Hamath.
6 All the inhabitants of the mountaines, from Lebanon vntounto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, I will cast them out from before the children of Israel: onelyonly diuide thou it by lot vntounto the Israelites, to inherite, as I hauehave commanded thee.
7 Now therefore diuide this land to inherite, vntounto the nine tribes, and to the halfe tribe of Manasseh.
8 For with halfe thereof the Rubenites, and the Gadites, hauehave receiued their inheritance, which Moses gaue them beyond Iordan Eastward, euen as Moses the seruant of the Lorde had giuen them,
9 From Aroer, that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon, and from the citie that is in the middest of the riuer, & all the plaine of Medeba, vntounto Dibon,
10 And all the cities of Sihon King of the Amorites, whiche reigned in Heshbon, vntounto the borders of the children of Ammon,
11 And Gilead, and the borders of the Geshurites, and of the Maachatites, and all mount Hermon, with all Bashan, vntounto Salcah.
12 All the kingdome of Og in Bashan, which reigneth in Ashtaroth, and in Edrei, (who remained of the rest of the Giantes:) for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
13 But the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachatites: but the Geshurites and the Maachatites dwell among the Israelites, euen vntounto this day.
14 OnelyOnly vntounto the tribe of Leui he gaue none inheritaunce, but the sacrifices of the Lorde God of Israel are his inheritance, as he saide vntounto him.
1 When Ioshue was olde, &c.) Because we hauehave seene before, that after one and thirtie Kinges were subdued, the land was in quiet: it is like, that some time of rest was graunted to the people to refresh themselues, lest vnderunder continuall warrefare they should hauehave fainted. Neither was that to be reprehended, so that they rested but for a time, and were alwayes bent to runne to the marke that was appointed for them. But lest that intermission that was graunted them to recouer new strength, should hauehave bene an occasion of slouthfulnes: God pricketh them forward againe to proceede in their enterprise. For he commaundeth the whole inheritance to be diuided among the tribes, & that all the coast of the Midland sea, which was yet possessed of the enimies, should be taken into the lot: surely, that partition might seeme to be foolish and vnreasonable, yea, worthie to be laughed to scorne, when they cast lottes for other mens lands, as if they had ben their owne. But God, of verie good purpose, appointed it to be so. For first they would hauehave cast aside all hope of the promise, and contented themselues with the present state. Yea, after the lottes were cast, and that God had assigned vntounto them wholy whatsoeuer he promised: yet, through their slouthfulnesse, as much as lay in them, they sought to discredite his woord. Neither was there any helpe in them, but that the truth of God should hauehave remained maimed and vnperfect. Wherefore, the casting of lottes, should hauehave ben to them a pledge of sure possession, that they should be alwayes in a redinesse. Now they, whose portion fell in the enimies land, because they were in the meane time but tenantes at will, and dwelt as it were by sufferance out of their owne inheritance, were appointed to be callers vppon the rest, to pricke them forward daily. And surely, it was to much blockishnesse, to neglect and forsake that, which was assigned vntounto them by God. Now we see for what ende it behoued the whole lande to be parted by lottes, and that euerie tribe should be placed in their owne seate. And that was necessarie to be done, while Iosue liued. For that, after his death, the people would not hauehave so readily obeyed. For no man succeeded, whose authoritie might hauehave atteined to so hard a matter. Moreouer, because God by the mouth of Moses commanded it so to be done, except he had done his duetie herein, the whole worke should hauehave ben made vnperfect for want of a sufficient minister. And although the time be not put in certaine, yet it is like, that when there was no more hope, that while Iosue liued, the people would take armour againe, to enlarge their borders, then at the length he tooke in hand to diuide the land: as though he cried out & promised with a solemne testification, that the effect of that diuision should be ratified and confirmed, because the trueth of God could not decay by the death of a man.
2 This is the land, &c.) The old borders appointed by God in times past, are called to remembrance: that Iosue, & the people, might be certeinly persuaded, that the couenaunt made with Abraham, should at the length be fulfilled to the vttermost. Wherefore, they are commanded to applie their diligence to conquere those partes that remained. And it will be an apte application, if this perseuerance be applied to that continuance which is required of vsus, namely, that forgetting these thinges whiche are behinde, wee laboure forward to the reward of our high calling, and continue our course to the marke that is sette before vsus. For, it shall nothing profite vsus, to hauehave runne in the race, vnlesse we studie to continue to the end. The beginning of the borders is from the riuer which diuideth Egypt, toward the Sea, from the holie land: whether it be Nilus, as we hauehave transla ted it, after the cōmon opinion: or else a litle riuer which …ū …eth by the towne Rhinocornia, which of many is thought to be Raphia or Raphane. But this is out of doubt, that the inheritance of the people on that side, bordered vppon Egypt. And although I hauehave followed the consent of many men, that their borders were extended no further, than to that coast, which is lesse inhabited, and almost desert, lest too neere neighborhood shuld hauehave ben hurtfull, if they had had familiar & neere acquaintance with the Egyptians: yet I do not vtterly refuse the contrarie opi…ion. In the first verse riseth a question, because that, after it is said, that there were fiue principalities about the Sea coast, the Auites are added in the sixt place. Some thinke they are not reckoned among the fiue, because it was a small prouince. But let the readers consider, whether there be not a secreat opposition betweene a people that was free, and of their owne gouernement, and of the fiue principalities. Therefore, because the state of the Auites was diuerse from the rest, they are numbered seuerally. And therefore a Nowne plurall is set for distinction sake. But as for the rehearsall of these principalities, is not made according to the dignitie or wealth of euerie one: but Aza occupied the first place, because it was next Egypt. And the same reson is in Asdod, & the rest. The Grecians, after their manner, for the Hebrue letter AIN, put their GAMMA, & so they cal that Gaza, which the Hebrues call Aza: like as of Amorrha they make Gomorrha. Wherby their error is sufficiently discouered, which faine that Gaza was a Persian name, so called of riches, because Cambyses, when he would make warre in Greece, laid vp his treasure there. But because in Luke, mention is made of the desert of Gaza…it appeareth, that a citie of the same name was builded neere to it, but in another place. Asdod is that Citie, which the Grecians called Azotus. Now, all this Sea coast, or that which is nigh the Sea, is brought a long euen vntounto Sidon. And there be which thinke, that the Phenicians in times past, were Lordes both of Gaza and Azotus. Nowe farre the mount Libanus extendeth, it is well knowne: for some time it comprehendeth the mount Hermon. And for the length of it, one part of it is called Antilibanus. Of that mount Hermon the reader shall find Deuteronomie. 4. Towarde the East is Hemath, which is also called Antiochia of Syria.
6 All the inhabitantes of the hill, &c.) Iosue is againe admonished, that although the Israelites did not yet possesse those regions: yet he shoulde not deferre the partition, but trust in the promise of God: because men doe maliciously defame his power, when they doubt of the end. Wherefore it is said, Only doe thou thy duetie in distribution of the lande, neither let that bee exempted from the lottes which the enimies doe quietly possesse, bycause I will hauehave a care to fulfill that I hauehave promised. Hereof let vsus learne, in taking affaires in hand, so to depend vppon the mouth of God, that no doubtfulnesse doe stay vsus. Indeede it is not our parte to frame vaine hope vntounto our selues: but when our trust is grounded vppon God onelyonly, let vsus obey his commandements: because it is not to be feared, that wee can be deceiued in the successe. Afterward he assigneth the land of Chanaan to nine tribes & an halfe: because the Rubenites & Gadites, and the halfe tribe of Manasses, had their portion geuen them on the other side of Iordan. And although there seemeth to be a vaine repetition in these wordes, which Moses gaue vntounto them, as Moses gaue vntounto them: yet is there nothing super fluous, for that in the second member the gift is confirmed, as if God ratified that which was done. Therfore, as Moses gaue thē that land so let them remaine in quiet possession. And for this cause he is adorned with the title of The seruant of God: that no man should breke that decree, which Gods faithfull minister had published by his authoritie. And surely, it was needfull to stay all controuersies, which otherwise might daily hauehave arisen.
14 OnelyOnly to the tribe of Leui, &c.) This exception also was necessarie, least the Leuites should complaine, that they were vniustly disherited, and so might raise great trouble about their right. Therefore he admonisheth them, that Moses was the authour of this distinction: and with all teacheth, that they hauehave no cause to complaine for any thing taken from them, because a goodly recompense was geuen vntounto them. And although the sacrifices were not equally diuided among the Leuites: yet it is sufficient, that they all had their liuing of the first fruites and tenthes. And as God by reward allure…h them to take charge of the holy things: so likewise he exhorteth the people to performe and pay their holie oblations faithfully, when he pronounceth that his sacrifices are their liuing.
15 Moses then gaue vntounto the tribe of the children of Ruben, inheritance, according to their families.
16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon, and from the citie that is in the middest of the riuer, and all the plaine which is by Medeba:
17 Heshbon, with all the cities thereof, that are in the plaine: Dibon and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon:
18 And Iahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath:
19 Kiriathaim also, and Sibmah, & Zerethshahar, in the mount of Emek:
20 And Beth-peor, and Ashdoth-pisgah and Beth-ieshimoth:
21 And all the cities of the plaine: and all the kingdome of Sihon King of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the Princes of Midian, Eui, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the Dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the countrie.
22 And Balaam the sonne of Beor the southsayer did the children of Israel slaie with the sworde, among them that were slaine.
23 And the border of the children of Ruben was Iordan, with the coastes: this was the inheritance of the children of Ruben, according to their families, with the cities, and their villages.
24 Also Moses gaue inheritance vntounto the tribe of Gad, euen vntounto the children of Gad, according to their families.
25 And their coastes were Iazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and halfe the land of the children of Ammon, vntounto Aroer, which is before Rabbah:
26 And from Heshbon vntounto Ramoth, Mizpeh, and Betonim: and from Mahanaim, vntounto the borders of Debir:
27 And in the vallie Beth-aram, and Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdome of Sihon King of Heshbon, vntounto Iordan, and the borders, euen vntounto the Sea coast of Cinereth, beyonde Iordan Eastward.
28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad, after their families, with the cities, and their villages.
29 Also Moses gaue inheritance vntounto the halfe tribe of Manasseh: and this belonged to the halfe tribe of the children of Manasseh, according to their families.
30 And their border was from Mahanaim, euen all Bashan, to wit, all the kingdome of Og King of Bashan, and all the townes of Iair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:
31 And halfe Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdome of Og in Bashan, were geuen vntounto the children of Machir the sonne of Manasseh, to halfe of the children of Machir after their families.
32 These are the heritages, which Moses did distribute in the plaine of Moab, beyonde Iordan, towarde Iericho Eastward.
33 But vntounto the tribe of Leui Moses gaue none inheritance: for the Lorde God of Israel is their inheritance, as he saide vntounto them.
15 Moses gaue, &c.) That which he seemed to hauehave spoken clerely enough, nowe he prosecuteth more distinctly, not onelyonly that the reading thereof might prouoke the people to geue thankes, while the benefite of God shalbe registred in the publike monumentes, and as it were conuersant before their eyes: but also, that euerie one might enioy their inheritaunce without trouble or strife. We knowe how wittie the couetousnesse of men is, to inuent pretenses of going to lawe: that no mans right might remaine quietly vntounto him, except a cleere and perfect definition of euerie mans right should take away all controuersies. That region was geuen them without lot. The rest might hauehave obiected, because euen measure was not kept, that inequalitie must be corrected. Therefore, that no vntimely strife shoulde euer trouble their peace, the boundes are set in all places by Gods authoritie, and as it were hedged in, to cutte away all contentions. For God doeth not onelyonly by one worde adiudge the whole kingdome of Sihon to the tribe of Ruben: but draweth the vttermost border from Aroer, to the riuer Arnon, and so in all the compasse doth either restraine them, or enlarge them, that the possession of one acre should not be in doubt. And howe profitable so exact a description was, we may knowe by prophane histories, where often times we may see, not onelyonly hatefull, but also hurtfull contentions hauehave arisen betweene neighbours about their marches. Moreouer, this diligence which God disdained not to vse, to prouide for his people, that they might continue in peace one with another, doth verily declare his fatherly louelove, because he omitted nothing, that might be profitable for their quietnesse. And surely, if prouision had not beene made in time, they would hauehave bene consumed by ciuil and intestine contentions. Once againe I would hauehave the readers excuse me, if I labour not carefully, in describing the situation of the cities, & am not curious in the names. Yea I could well abide that some names shuld be taken appellatiuely, and so translated, which otherwise I hauehave thought good to leaue in their owne tongue, as proper names. This is worthie to be noted, that where he speaketh of the land of the Madianites, the Princes which ruled there are called the Dukes of Sihon, that we may knowe, that they were partakers of the same calamitie, because they intangled them selues with vniust warre, and perteined to the gouernement of Sihon, which was a professed enimie. And that it may better appeare, that they were iustly destroyed: Balaam is said to hauehave bene slaine amongst them, by whose tongue they laboured to wound the Israelites more greeuously, than with a thousand swordes, as if it were saide, In the verie slaughter there was found a banner of hostilitie, by which they professed, that they serued in warre against the Israelites. Where it is said in the Hebrue, that Iordan was the end & the end, that the repetition may not seeme to be in vaine, we may aptly translate it, that Iordan, according to his …oundes, was their border.
24 Moses gaue to the tribe of Gad, &c.) The same reason is to be obserued in the tribe of Gad, that it is hedged in with lawfull boundes, that their possessions shoulde not be litigious, or subiect to contention. In the meane time, the liberalitie of God is commended, that he draue out nations of great renowme, in whose roome he had placed them, which is more clearely expressed in the halfe tribe of Manasse, while in the portion of their inheritance, there are rehearsed three score cities. Whereby also it is made manifest, that Moses was not deceiued in his liberalitie, because God was not ignorant how manie cities, (according to his bountifull largesse) he would geue them. In the conclusion, the tribe of Leui is againe excluded, least the Leuites in time to come should pretende, that the land which was graunted to the Gadites, and Rubenites, & the halfe tribe of Manasses, without casting of lotts, was common to them also: because they were by name forbidden to cast lottes with their brethren, which they might easily hauehave expounded subtily for their owne aduantage, that their part was left them in the other landes. But now, the sacrifices are not called their inheritance, as a while before they were: but God himselfe, with whom if they be not content, they bewray too greate pride, and intollerable disdainefulnesse.