Commentary on Numbers, Book · Chapter 32
CHAP. XXXII.
Chapter XXXII Ver. 1. NOW the Children of Reuben and the Children Verſe 1 of Gad.] Here the Children of Reuben, who was Jacob's Firſt-born, are mentioned in the firſt place; but in the reſt of the Chapter (v. 2, 6, 25, 29, 32.) the Children of Gad are conſtantly firſt mentioned, becauſe they were the firſt Movers of that which follows, as the Hebrews conjecture.
Had a very great multitude of Cattle.] More than any other Tribe.
And when they ſaw the Land of Jazer.] Which was lately taken from the Amorites, after they had ſlain Sihon their King, XXI. 32. This City, and Country belonging to it, were near to the Spring of the River Arnon: and there is frequent mention of it in the Book of Joſhua, and in Iſaiah XVI. 8, 9. and Jeremiah XLVIII. 34.
And the Land of Gilead.] A noble Country, ſo called from the Mountain Gilead, which bounded it on the Eaſt, as Jordan did on the Weſt, the River Jabbok on the South, and Mount Libanus on the North.
That behold the place was a place of Cattle.] Which in the fourth verſe is called a Land of Cattle, foreign, as the LXX. tranſlate it, fit for feeding of Cattle; being famous for Paſture and other grazing Ground. For Baſhan was in this Country, (III Deut. 12, 13.) where every one knows the largeſt and fatteſt Oxen were bred, XXII Pſal. 12. and Sheep alſo, XXXII Deut. 14. and therefore is joyned with Gilead, VII Micah 14. which, being woody and mountainous in ſome part of it, was no leſs famous for breeding Goats, (See IV Cantic. 1.) which delight to brouſe on ſuch Trees as Mount Gilead abounded withal. See Bochartus in his Hierozoicon. P. I. Lib. II. cap. 51.
Verſe 2 Ver. 2. And the Children of Gad, and the Children of Reuben.] Neither here, nor in the foregoing verſe, is there any mention of the Children of Manaſſeh, (half of which had their Portion in this Country) becauſe they were neither the Contrivers, nor Movers of this; but it is moſt probable had a lot aſſigned them here, becauſe theſe Countries were too much for the other two Tribes alone; and they of Manaſſeh had much Cattle alſo.
Came and ſpake unto Moſes and Eleazar, and the Princes of the Congregation.] Who were wont often to aſſemble, to diſpatch Publick Affairs, XXVII. 2. XXX. 1.
Ver. 3. Ataroth.] A place which was part of the Verſe 3 Portion of Gad, as appears by v. 34.
And Dibon.] This is mentioned as a place in the Kingdom of Sihon, XXI. 30. and was given to Gad alſo, as we read v. 34.
And Jazer.] See v. 1. and 35. where we find this alſo belonged unto Gad.
And Nimrah.] Called Beth-Nimrah, v. 36. and given to the ſame Tribe. It is uſual, I obſerved before, for the Hebrews to cut off the firſt part of the Names of places, for brevity ſake, (XXV. 1.) but this place is elſewhere called at length Beth-Nimrah, XIII Joſh. 27. where it is mentioned as a part of Sihon's Kingdom, and ſignifies as much as Domus Pardorum, an Habitation of Leopards. So Bochartus; who obſerves that when both Iſaiah XV. 6. and Jeremiah XLVIII. 34. ſpeak of the Waters of Nimrim, they mean this very place. Which was given to Gad, but in the days of thoſe Prophets, mentioned as in the Country of the Moabites; who had uſurped upon their Neighbours the Gadites, and taken this Place from them, as they had done Jazer alſo, as appears from the places above-mentioned, XVI Iſa. 8, 9. XLVIII Jerem. 34.
And Heſhbon.] The principal City of Sihon King of the Amorites, XXI. 26, 27, 28. and was given to the Reubenites, v. 37.
And Elealah.] This is frequently mentioned with Heſhbon, as a Place adjoyning to it, v. 37. XVI Iſa. 9.
And Sheban.] Called alſo Shibmah, v. 37. and Sibmah, XVI Iſa. 8, 9. XLVIII Jerem. 31. where it appears to have been a Place famous for Vines: and in the days of that Prophet was faln into the Hands of the Moabites; as were Heſhbon and Elealah alſo.
And Nebo.] Which was given to the Reubenites, v. 38.
And Beon.] There is no mention of this place any where elſe; but it is probable was part of the Reubenites Portion, being mentioned together with other Places that were given unto them: and poſſibly may be the Place called Baal-Meon, v. 38. which they changed into Beon, becauſe of the name of Baal: but the Moabites, when it fell into their hands, reſtored part of its old name, calling it Beth-meon, XLVIII Jerem. 23.
Verſe 4 Ver. 4. Even the Country which the LORD ſmote before the Congregation of Iſrael.] And gave it to them for a Poſſeſſion, as he intended to do the Land of Canaan. See XXI. 24, 25.
Is a Land for Cattle, and thy Servants have Cattle.] Is very fit for us, v. 2.
Verſe 5 Ver. 5. Wherefore, ſaid they, if we have found grace in thy ſight.] A Phraſe often uſed by humble Petitioners; even by Moſes himſelf, when he ſpeaks to God, XI. 15.
Let this Land be given unto thy Servants for a Poſſeſſion.] The Iſraelites in common poſſeſſed it hitherto, as belonging to them all, XXI. ult. But they deſire to have it aſſigned to them, as their particular Portion.
And bring us not over Jordan.] We deſire nothing in the Land of Canaan.
Ver. 6. And Moſes ſaid unto the Children of Gad, and the Children of Reuben, ſhall your Brethren go to War?] Can you think it reaſonable, that the reſt of the Tribes ſhould fight ſtill for what they are to poſſeſs? Verſe 6
And ſhall ye ſit here?] And you take up your reſt here, and ſettle in their Conqueſts, which they have already made?
Ver. 7. And wherefore diſcourage ye the hearts of the Verſe 7 Children of Iſrael, from going over into the Land which the LORD hath given them?] He ſeems to have ſuſpected that mere cowardiſe, and a vile love of eaſe, made them deſire to ſtay where they were, and go no further. Which ill Example might diſhearten all the reſt of their Brethren, and make them have the ſame Inclination to ſettle in the Land they had conquered; and not engage in a War with the Canaanites.
Ver. 8. Thus did your Fathers.] i. e. They diſheartned Verſe 8 all their Brethren.
When I ſent them from Kadeſh Barnea to ſee the Land.] XIII. 3, 26.
Ver. 9. For when they went up unto the Valley of Eſchol.] Verſe 9 Men do not go up into a Valley; therefore the meaning is, they went up to ſearch the Country, (as it is ſaid they did, XIII. 21, 22.) and went on in their ſearch, till they came to the Valley or Brook of Eſchol, (XIII. 23.) where they cut down a Branch with a Cluſter of Grapes, to ſhow what Fruit the Country afforded.
And ſaw the Land.] Had taken a full view of the Country.
They diſcouraged the hearts of the Children of Iſrael.] Repreſented the People and the Cities to be ſo ſtrong, that they ſhould not be able to deal with them, XIII. 28, 29.
That they ſhould not go into the Land which the LORD had given them.] And therefore perſwaded them not to attempt to poſſeſs themſelves of it. For they ſaid expreſly, we are not able to go againſt the People, for they are ſtronger than we, XIII. 31.
Verſe 10 Ver. 10. And the LORD's anger was kindled at the ſame time; and he ſware, ſaying.] XIV. 21, 28.
Verſe 11 Ver. 11. Surely none of the Men that were come out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward.] XIV. 22, 29, 35.
Shall ſee the Land which I ſware unto Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob.] XIV. 23.
Becauſe they have not wholly followed me.] See there v. 22.
Verſe 12 Ver. 12. Save Caleb the Son of Jephunneh.] XIV. 24.
The Kenezite.] A great deal hath been ſaid by many to prove that Caleb is called a Kenezite, becauſe his Father's Name was Kenaz. And this they prove, becauſe Othniel's Father was Kenaz, and he was Caleb's Brother, XV Joſh. 17. his younger Brother, I Judg. 13. III. 9. So that their Father muſt have two Names, Kenaz and Jephunneh. But it is very ſtrange, if this be true, that Caleb is no where called the Son of Kenaz, but conſtantly the Son of Jephunneh (even there where Othniel is juſt before called the Son of Kenaz, 1 Chron. 4.13, 15.) nor is Othniel any where called the Son of Jephunneh, but always of Kenaz. And indeed there is a demonſtration againſt this Opinion; for Othniel married Caleb's Daughter, which by the Law of Moſes was utterly unlawful, whatſoever the practice might have been before the Law was given. Therefore others think it more probable that Othniel was one of his Brother's younger Sons, (for Uncles and Nephews are often called Brethren, as Abraham and Lot were) and that from this Brother, whoſe Name was Kenaz, Caleb is alſo called a Kenezite. But this is very abſurd, for the Name of Kenezzi in the Hebrew, denotes the Deſcendants from one, who gave this denomination to the Family; which one Brother could not do to another. It is moſt probable therefore, that Kenaz was ſome common Anceſtor both of Othniel and Caleb, from whom Othniel's Father took alſo his Name. Accordingly we find Jephunneh called a Kenezite in XIV Joſh. 14. where it is ſaid that Hebron became the Inheritance of Caleb the Son of Jephunneh the Kenezite.
And Joſhua the Son of Nun, for they have followed the LORD.] Fully, XIV. 24, 30, 38.
Ver. 13. And the LORD's anger was kindled against Verſe 13 Iſrael.] He had ſaid this before, v. 10. but repeats it again, to make them the more ſenſible of a thing that was done Thirty eight years ago; and to deter them from giving him the like provocation.
And he made them wander in the Wilderneſs forty years, till all that had done evil in the ſight of the LORD were conſumed.] XIV. 31, 32, 33. XXVI. 64, 65.
Ver. 14. And behold.] Mark what I ſay. Verſe 14
You are riſen up in your Fathers ſtead, an increaſe of ſinful Men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD towards Iſrael.] Are multiplyed to as great a number as your Fathers; only to ſucceed them in their ſins: and thereby bring down ſtill more heavy Puniſhments upon the Nation.
Ver. 15. For if ye turn away from after him.] As your Fathers did; who refuſed to go and poſſeſs the good Land which he had beſtowed upon them.
Verſe 15 He will yet again leave them in the Wilderneſs.] Lead them back again into the Deſert, where your Fathers periſhed; and there forſake you.
And ye ſhall deſtroy all this People.] Who following your example, will refuſe to go over Jordan, (v. 5.) to take poſſeſſion of the Land of Canaan.
Verſe 16 Ver. 16. And they drew near unto him.] As Petitioners are wont to do, when they are aſſured of their Integrity, and hope to obtain their requeſt, XLIV Gen. 19.
And ſaid, we will build Sheepfolds here for our Cattle.] There are five words in the Hebrew Language for Folds for Sheep and Cattle; all ſignifying a place fenced in, that they might lye ſafely, and be defended from Wild-beaſts. And ſo this word gedera plainly imports. See Bochartus in his Hierozoic. P. I. Lib. I. cap. 45.
And Cities for our little ones.] Which ſtood in need only of repairing and fortifying, (v. 17.) for they already dwelt in thoſe Cities of the Amorites, XXI. 25.
Verſe 17 Ver. 17. But we our ſelves will go ready armed before the Children of Iſrael, until we have brought them unto their place.] That is, a conſiderable number of them, as many as ſhould be thought neceſſary, (III Deut. 18.) in all Forty thouſand, IV Joſh. 12.
And our little ones ſhall dwell in the fenced Cities.] Where it was neceſſary to leave ſome Men to guard them from their bad Neighbours, and to take care of their Cattle.
Becauſe of the People of the Land.] That is, the Moabites, who were the ancient Owners of this Country (XXI. 26.) and the Edomites, who had ſhowed no good will to the Iſraelites, as they paſſed through the Wilderneſs.
Ver. 18. We will not return unto our Houſes, until Verſe 18 the Children of Iſrael have inherited every Man his Inheritance.] Be ſettled in the poſſeſſion of the Land of Canaan, as we deſire to be in this Country.
Ver. 19. For we will not inherit with them on yonder Verſe 19 ſide Jordan, or forward.] We will not deſire any ſhare in the Country beyond Jordan, though it lye near to us; nor in that Country which lyes ſtill further Weſtward.
Becauſe our Inheritance is faln on this ſide Jordan eaſtward.] We look upon this as our Inheritance (with which we ſhall be fully ſatisfied) here in the Land of Gilead. Which lay Eaſtward of Jordan, and of the Land of Canaan.
Ver. 20. And Moſes ſaid unto them, if ye will do Verſe 20 this thing.] Be as good as your word.
If ye will go armed before the LORD to war.] To go before the LORD, was to go before the Ark, which was the Symbol of God's Preſence, over which his Glory reſided. And it is to be obſerved, that theſe two Tribes, Reuben and Gad, (together with Simeon) alway lay encamped before the Sanctuary; as appears from the ſecond Chapter of this Book, v. 10, 14, 15, 16, 17. And accordingly, when the Camp removed, they marched immediately before it, as is particularly noted, X. 18, 19, 20, 21. So that here he requires them, only to hold their uſual place, when they went to the War againſt the Canaanites. And accordingly it is expreſly ſaid, they did (together with half the Tribe of Manaſſeh, who were joyned with them) paſs over before the LORD unto battle, IV Joſh. 12, 13.
Verſe 21 Ver. 21. And will go all of you.] As many as ſhall be required, and can be ſpared, v. 17.
Armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his Enemies from before him.] Not only bring us into Canaan, but continue with us, till we have expelled the Inhabitants of that Country. Which he incourages them to undertake, by repreſenting the Canaanites, as the Enemies of the LORD, who would therefore fight for them.
Verſe 22 Ver. 22. And the Land be ſubdued before the LORD.] By this Expreſſion, and that in the foregoing words, it appears that the Ark was carried along with them to the War every where, till it was ended; as it was when it begun, at the taking of Jericho, VI Joſh. 6, 7, &c.
Then afterward ye ſhall return, and be guiltleſs before the LORD, and before Iſrael, and this Land ſhall be your poſſeſſion.] Not only be free from all blame in this deſire, but have what you deſire.
Before the LORD.] By his order and appointment.
Verſe 23 Ver. 23. But if you will not do ſo.] If this be not your intention; or if you go back from your word.
Behold.] Obſerve what I ſay.
Ye have ſinned against the LORD; and be ſure your ſin will find you out.] Your Guilt is exceeding great; and ſhall be moſt certainly puniſhed, as it deſerves.
Verſe 24 Ver. 24. Build ye Cities for your little ones, and Folds for your Sheep, &c.] As for the reſt of their Propoſals, about their Children and Cattle, he conſented to them, without any Exception.
Ver. 25. And the Children of Gad, and the Children of Reuben, ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying.] The word for Verſe 25 ſpake, in the Hebrew, being jomer, in the Singular Number, inſtead of jomru, in the Plural, their Doctors take it for an Indication, that ſome one principal Perſon ſpake in the name of all the reſt. But there is no need of this; for the Singular Number in this Language is often uſed for the Plural; and they never ſpake all of them together, but ſome one in the name of their Brethren. And it had been better, if they had obſerved, that this ſignifies one and all (as we now ſpeak) were of the ſame mind.
Thy Servants will do as my LORD commandeth.] And as they themſelves had propoſed, v. 17.
Ver. 26. Our little Ones, our Wives, our Flocks, and Verſe 26 all our Cattle, ſhall be there in the Cities of Gilead.] Here they promiſe to leave all that was dear to them, in this Country, and go to ſerve their Brethren.
Ver. 27. But thy ſervants will paſs over every man Verſe 27 armed for war, &c.] We our ſelves will go, and fight for our Brethren. It hath been often ſaid (v. 17, 21.) that this doth not ſignifie, all the Men of War among them ſhould go, but as many as could be ſpared, and as were thought ſufficient. For it is manifeſt, the far greater half of them were left in this Country to defend their Wives and Children, and look after their Flocks and Herds; as will appear by computing all the Men of War that were found in the Tribes of Gad and of Reuben, which were above Fourſcore and four thouſand, (XXVI. 7, 18.) to which, if we add half of the Tribe of Manaſſeth, (who were in all above Fifty two thouſand) there were much above an Hundred thouſand Men, able to bear Arms; and not above Forty thouſand of them marched into Canaan, as was before obſerved.
Verſe 28 Ver. 28. So concerning them Moſes commanded Eleazar the Priest, and Joſhua the Son of Nun, and the chief Fathers of the Tribes of Iſrael.] He left this in charge with the principal Perſons, who had the government of Affairs under him; particularly with Joſhua, who was not unmindful of it, but remembred theſe Tribes what Moſes had ſaid, when he was about to attempt the Conqueſt of Canaan, I Joſh. 13, 14, &c.
Verſe 29 Ver. 29. And Moſes ſaid unto them, if the Children of Gad and the Children of Reuben will paſs with you over Jordan, &c.] He repeats to theſe great Men, who were to ſee it executed, what he had ſaid to the Gadites and Reubenites themſelves, v. 21, 22.
Then ye ſhall give them the Land of Gilead for a poſſeſſion.] They had not a right to it, till they had performed the Condition upon which it was granted, viz. till their Brethren were in poſſeſſion of their Inheritance in the Land of Canaan.
Verſe 30 Ver. 30. But if they will not paſs over before you armed.] Perform their Promiſe, v. 17.
They ſhall have poſſeſſion among you in the Land of Canaan.] Take what falls to their ſhare there; and this Country be diſpoſed of, as God ſhall order.
Verſe 31 Ver. 31. And the Children of Gad, and the Children of Reuben ſaid, as the LORD hath ſaid unto thy Servants, ſo will we do.] They confirm what they had promiſed to Moſes, v. 25. and here take all that he had ſaid, as ſpoken by the order of God, who beſtowed this Land upon them, on the Condition often mentioned.
Ver. 32. We will paſs over armed before the LORD into the Land of Canaan.] This they offered at firſt of themſelves, v. 17. and ſolemnly promiſed, when Moſes accepted their Propoſal, v. 27. and again here Verſe 32 ratifie and confirm it before Eleazar and Joſhua, and all the Princes, v. 28.
That the poſſeſſion of our Inheritance.] Which we have deſired to have for our Inheritance.
On this ſide Jordan.] They were now in the Land of Gilead, and ſo might properly call it, on this ſide Jordan: but when they were in the Land of Canaan, it was ſaid to be on that ſide Jordan.
May be ours.] Settled upon us and our Poſterity.
Ver. 33. And Moſes gave unto them.] Not an abſolute Verſe 33 Grant, but a conditional; if they did as they engaged, v. 29, 30, 31, &c.
Even to the Children of Gad, and the Children of Reuben, and half the Tribe of Manaſſeh the Son of Joſeph.] This half Tribe is not mentioned before, becauſe they did not put in any Claim, till they ſaw how thoſe of Gad and Reuben would ſucceed in their Petition. Which being granted, it is likely that thereupon they repreſented alſo what ſtore of Cattle they had; and that the Country would be more than enough, for thoſe who had deſired it. This being found to be true, Moſes thought fit to give them a Portion in it, rather than any other; becauſe the Children of Machir, the Son of Manaſſeh, had by their Valour ſubdued part of this Country, v. 39. XVII Joſh. 1.
The Kingdom of Sihon King of the Amorites, and the Kingdom of Og King of Baſhan.] XXI. 24, 29. Which were the firſt Countries that the Iſraelites poſſeſſed; and were the firſt that were carried Captive out of their Land, 2 Kings XV. 29.
The Land with the Cities thereof in the Coaſts, even the Cities of the Country round about.] The Land with the Cities, within ſuch a Compaſs or Limits: and all the Towns within that Circuit.
Verſe 34 Ver. 34. And the Children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth.] Repaired and fortified theſe Towns, which are mentioned before v. 3. For they were not deſtroyed, but only their Inhabitants, 2 Deut. 34, 35. and if they had, there was not time now to rebuild them. Thus Jeroboam is ſaid to have built Schechem, 1 Kings XII. 25. which was a City before, but gone to decay. And Azariah to have built Elah, 2 Kings XIV. 22. which he reſtored to Judah, as a City formerly belonging to them.
And Aroer.] A City of the Amorites, upon the brink of the River Arnon, as Moſes tells us, II Deut. 36. III. 11. IV. 48. It formerly belonged to the Moabites; but was taken from them by Sihon.
Verſe 35 Ver. 35. And Atroth, and Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehak.] We do not read of any of theſe Towns elſewhere, but only of Jaazer: which ſeems to be that called Jazer, v. 3.
Verſe 36 Ver. 36. And Beth-Nimrah.] Called v. 3. Nimrah for ſhortneſs ſake; as (it may be further obſerved) Jemini is put for Benjemini, II Eſther 5. Sheba for Beer-ſheba, XIX Joſh. 2. where we find theſe two mentioned; but they do not ſignifie two ſeveral Cities, but are two Names for one and the ſame City; as if he had ſaid, Beerſheba, which is alſo called Sheba. This is clear to a demonſtration; for otherwiſe there would be more than thirteen Cities in the Tribe of Simeon, contrary to v. 6. of that Chapter.
And Beth-haran.] A place, ſome ſay, between Dibon and Jordan.
Fenced Cities, and Folds for Sheep.] All theſe Cities the Children of Gad fortified; and built Folds for Sheep in the Paſtures near to them.
Ver. 37. And the Children of Reuben built.] Repaired Verſe 37 and fortified, as I ſaid v. 34.
Heſhbon and Elealah.] Mentioned above v. 3.
And Kirjathaim.] A place where a Giant-like People formerly dwelt, called Emims, XIV Gen. 5. who were expelled by the Moabites, as they were by the Amorites.
Ver. 38. And Nebo.] This City is mentioned in Verſe 38 XLVIII Jerem. 1. when it was faln again into the poſſeſſion of the Moabites, as was alſo Kirjathaim. It ſeems to have been near Dibon, being mentioned together with it, XV Iſa. 2. At leaſt there were in theſe places two famous Temples; for the deſtruction of which, the Prophet repreſents the People making Lamentation. So the LXX. foreign, Nebo is deſtroyed where your Altar is. And Heſychius ſaith of foreign (i. e. Dibon) that it was foreign, a place where a Temple of the Moabites was built. And St. Hierom ſuſpects that there was an Oracle at this place; the word Nebo importing Prophecy, or Divination, as he ſpeaks.
And Baal-Meon.] Another place, where it is likely Baal was worſhipped; which made them change the names of theſe places, as it here follows.
Their names being changed.] For Nebo, as well as Baal, was the name of a God, as we learn from XLVI Iſaiah 1. and ſeems to have been an Aſſyrian Deity; there being footſteps of it in the names of ſeveral great Men there; ſuch as Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, and many others. And it is not unlikely, that they therefore changed the names of theſe Cities into ſome other, becauſe they would aboliſh all Remainders of Idolatry in this Country, according to the Precept XXIII Exod. 13. that they ſhould not take the name of their Gods into their Mouth. But notwithſtanding this, they ſtill retained their ancient Names, as appears from XIII Joſh. 17. XXV Ezek. 9. ſo hard it is to alter any thing for the better.
And Sibmah.] See v. 3.
And gave other Names unto the Cities which they builded.] If this refer to all the Cities here mentioned, it is manifeſt they either retained, or recovered their former Names: For we read of them all in future times; particularly in the XVth and XVIIth of Iſaiah. And Kirjathaim is mentioned in the place I now quoted out of Ezekiel.
Verſe 39 Ver. 39. And the Children of Machir the Son of Manaſſeh, went to Gilead and took it.] Here Gilead is uſed in a ſtrict ſence, not ſo largely as before, (v. 1, 26, 29.) where it is taken for all the Country, on that ſide Jordan, where Gilead was; but here for a part of it, about Mount Gilead. This is plain from the next verſe: and Gilead the Son of Machir, one would think, was the Perſon that took it, XVII Joſh. 1.
Verſe 40 Ver. 40. And Moſes gave Gilead unto Machir, the Son of Manaſſeh.] i. e. To the Children of Machir, (for he was dead long ago) who had a conſiderable Portion of that half of the Land of Gilead, which was given to the half Tribe of Manaſſeh. For one half was given to the Reubenites and Gadites, and the other half to them, III Deut. 12, 13. where Gilead ſignifies all that Country properly ſo called; neither ſo much as the whole Territory, which theſe Tribes demanded, v. 1. nor ſo little as was given to Machir, v. 15. where Moſes ſays, And I gave Gilead unto Machir; i. e. to that Family of Manaſſeh, which were properly called Machirites, XXVI Numb. 29. and to that Family deſcended from his Son, which from him were called Gileadites. For as Manaſſeh had only this Son Mach…r, ſo Machir had only Gilead; but he had many, XXVI. 30, 31, 32. who all raiſed Families. And as to the Macharites (and I ſuppoſe the Gileadites) was given a Portion in this Country, XIII Joſh. 29, 30, &c. ſo Joſhua gave to the reſt an Inheritance in the Land of Canaan, XVII. 2. And he gives a reaſon in the foregoing verſe, why he gave Gilead and Baſhan to the Poſterity of Machir, becauſe they were a warlike People, inheriting their Father's Valour, who was a Man of War; and therefore fit to be placed in the Frontiers of that Country.
Ver. 41. And Jair the Son of Manaſſeh.] One of Verſe 41 the Poſterity of Manaſſeh, by his Mother's ſide: For he was the Grandſon of Gilead, the Son of Machir, by his Daughter, 1 Chron. II. 21, 22. but his Father was of the Tribe of Judah. It ſeems he joyned with the Children of Machir in their Expedition againſt Gilead (mentioned v. 39.) and was ſo ſucceſsful, that he took ſeveral ſmall Towns in that Country, and ſo had his Inheritance among the Children of Manaſſeh, on this ſide Jordan, where they now were. There were threeſcore of them in the whole, which were afterward called Cities, XIII Joſh. 13. 1 Kings IV. 23. but he had only twenty three for his Poſſeſſion, 1 Chron. II. 22, 23.
And called them Havoth-Jair.] That is, the Habitations of Jair. For Havah is a dwelling, as Bochartus obſerves in his Phaleg. Lib. IV. cap. 29. And among the Arabians the word Havoth properly ſignifies, many Tents, orderly diſpoſed in a Ring or Circle; which in thoſe Countries made that which we call a Village. For Hava in their Language ſignifies to compaſs. The ſame he obſerves in his Hierozoicon, P. I. Lib. II. c. 44. p. 466.
Verſe 42 Ver. 42. And Nobah.] Who he was we find in no other place; but an eminent Perſon, no doubt, in ſome of the Families of the Manaſſites: either of the Machirites or the Gileadites. For they only, as I take it, inherited on this ſide Jordan.
Went and took Kenath and the Villages thereof.] At the ſame time, I ſuppoſe, that Jair took the Towns above-mentioned; of which this was one, 1 Chron. II. 23. But though Jair was the chief Conductor in that Expedition, yet he kept, as I ſaid, only twenty three Towns to himſelf: the reſt were given to them who accompanied him, of whom, it is probable, Nobah was one.
And called it Nobah after his own Name.] But it retained its old name alſo: for St. Hierom ſays in his time, there was a City called Canatha, in the Region of Trachonitis, not far from Boſra.
Thus this Country being ſettled upon theſe two Tribes and an half, the Land of Canaan was divided by God's Command, for an Inheritance to the remaining nine Tribes, and the other half of the Tribe of Manaſſeh, XIII Joſh. 7.