Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Joshua · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
IN this Chapter Adonizedek King of Jerusalem, having heard that Gibeon had made peace with Joshua, and that Jericho and Ai were destroyed, hee feared V. 1, 2.greatly, and sent to call Hoham King of Hebron, Piram King of Farmoth, and Jophin King of Lachish, and D…bir King of Eglon, to goe with him against Gibeon, V. 3. V. 5.which they did. But the Gibeonites send to call Joshua from Gilgal to their succour, who hasteneth thither, and is incouraged by the Lord, promising to deliver them into his hands, and so he smote them and chased them, and V. 8, 9, 10, 11.the Lord cast hailstones upon them fleeing, whereby more perished then by the sword. Adonizedek signifieth the Lord of righteousnesse, as M…lch…z…d…k, Gen. 14. King of Righteousnesse. This is thought by some to have been the common Title of the Kings of that City, as Pharoah of the Kings of Egypt; Comestor Hyranus, &c.Abimelech of the Philistims; and Caesar of the Roman Emperours. Which if it were so, the present King was much degenerated from the vertues of his Ancestours, having nothing in him but the bare Title, which yet hee gloryed in as a Title of honour, as the Kings of Spain in the Title of Catholick; and the Fernch Kings of Christianissimi. It was said Ch. 9. 1. that all the Kings about combined themselves against Joshua, now the History proceedeth to Calvin.shew how this was done. 1 By the instigation of the King of Jerusalem, as being nearest the danger, these foure Kings are called together; first, to take revenge upon the Gibeonites as Traitours to their Countrey, and hereby terrour being stricken into others, to proceed with the more courage against Israel, as Calvin noteth. 2 Their overthrow being heard of, by the instigation of Jabin King of Hazor; all the rest of the Kings were gathered together from all parts, Ch. 11. 1, 2, 3. And God suffered these five Kings first to come against Gibeon, that being the second time delivered out of danger, they might the more willingly bear the yoke imposed upon them. This is by Ferus well turned into this Morall; So soon as any submit themselves to God and to his Ferus.service, they shall bee sure to have Enemies, the devill and his instruments, Note. that will attempt their destruction, but let us not fear in this case, but seek 2 Tim. 3. 12.for help of our Joshua, Jesus, who will undoubtedly save us. v. 2. Gibeon is said to have been A great City, as one of the Royall Cities, and all the men thereof to bee mighty. That is, although it had no King, yet it was not inferiour to a City that had a King. This is added, to shew that the forces of the Enemies Note. were not a little impaired by the revolt of this people. In that no King yeelded to Joshua, but this people only, that had no King: Ferus noteth, that Kings, Psal. 82.who have no feare of God in them, are proud, and think their power to bee so great, that none are able to withstand it, no not God himself, as Pharaoh, Sennacherib, and Nebuchadnezzar, but they shall fall like men. And herein was not obscurely figured out the resistance made by all Kings and Emperours The mystery.at the first going out of the Gospel, against Jesus, was prophesied Psal. 2. for the common people onelyonly submitted themselves, and suffered cruell persecutions therefore, for the space of 300 yeers.
Of the foure Cities under these foure Kings, wee shall read more afterwards, Ch. 14. 15. they fell to the lot of Judah, and so were not farre off from Jerusalem. Of Lachish, where that stood, see in this Chap. upon v. 31. Of Eglon, v. 34. And of Hebron, v. 36.
Whereas the Enemies comming against Gibeon, is first set down, and then their sending to Joshua for aid, Calvin thinketh that the order is inverted, and Calvin.that they stayed not so long, before they sent; but so soon as they heard of their preparations against them, which is not improbable. But whereas hee saith, that Joshua was three dayes in comming to their succour, it both seemeth contrary to the Text, which saith, that hee came suddenly, and went all night, v. 9. and against reason, seeing Gilgal was but 12 miles distant from Gibeon, as was shewed Ch. 9. 3. yet I hold with him, that Joshua first consulted with the Lord, as is intimated, v. 8. when God bade him not to fear, for this implyed his seeking to God for direction herein, that hee might erre no more, as formerly hee had done, when these Gibeonites first sought unto him for peace; Yet Augustine saith, that God unconsulted, spake to him, intimating that if it had been his will that the Gibeonites should not have been preserved before, hee would have told Joshua who they were, although hee asked him not.
And the Lord discomfitted them before Israel, Hebr. foreign, in the Vulgar Latine, V. 10.hee troubled them, and the word foreign signifieth to trouble, from which it may bee derived, the affixt foreign signifying them, but if the word them bee understood, it commeth of foreign Conterere, but because it is added, and smote them with a great slaughter: The first word may better bee understood of the feare and trouble caused amongst them, by Joshua his sudden comming with his Army, God working herewith, that the Israelites might the more easily overcome them; for fear taketh away all courage to resist. And chased them along the way that goeth to Bethoron. There were two Bethorons, the neather and the upper, both built by Sherah, the Daughter of Ephraim the Patriarch, 1 Chron. 7. 24. but they were not yet built: for how could shee come to build there, before the Land was conquered, this place therefore was called Bethoron, as some think, by anticipation, or rather being now an obscure Village H. B. Patriarchs Travailes.and decayed, but called by this name, shee inlarged and new built it, the same name being stiil retained. It was eight miles from Jerusalem, Northwest, not farre from the Castle of Emmaus the upper, 16 miles further towards the North. But if wee consult with Josh. 16. 5. wee shall finde that Bethoron the upper lay Eastward. Both these are said again to have been built by Solomon, 2 Chron. 8. 5.and fenced with walls and gates. See more of Bethoron the neather, Josh. 16. 3. And of the upper, v. 5. And smote them to Azekah, and to Makkedah. Azekah was a City eight miles also from Jerusalem Westward, and near this, stood the City Makkedah, both which fell afterwards to the lot of Judah, Josh. 15. 35. 41. so that the Enemies fled, some one way and some another, to save themselves, but all in vain: for the Lord cast down great stones upon them, as they went to Bethoron, and as they fled from thence to Azekah, and with V. 11.these hailestones more dyed then with the sword. That these hailstones were not ordinary, comming of naturall causes, but extraordinary and miraculous, appeareth both by the effect and the directing of them upon the heads of the Enemies, the Israelites escaping, who were so near unto them, even at their heeles, eagerly pursuing them, and killing them. Josephus saith, that it thundered and lightened also, Exod. 9. 24. There was haile and fire ruingled with it, sent upon Egypt by the same divine power, at the word of Moses. Also thunder and lightning is said to have been sent against the Enemies of Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperour, at the Prayers of a Christian Legion in his Army, when all the Army was ready to perish for thirst, and for their comfort Euseb. Hist. lib. 5 c. 5. Tertull. ap. l. …. 5.a gracious raine. And those hailstones are said to have been sent at the prayer of Joshua, Eccles. 46. 5, 6 o… strange stones falling out of the aire at sundry times, some of iron, some of brick, some of chalke, and some fiery, write Pliny, lib. 2. c. 56. Livy, lib. 1. Decad. 1. and lib. 10. Decad. 3. and P…utarch in Fabio. But many such relations are fabulous, this most true and certain.
Then spake Joshua to the Lord, &c. and hee said in the sight of Israel, Sunne stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou Moon in the valley of Aialon, &c. It may V. 12.be thought, saith Calvin, that by Joshua his speaking to the Lord, is meant his speaking before him; because when a man prayeth to God, hee is not said to Calvin.speake unto him, for this were too unreverent, but to pray or to call upon him; but by his speaking here, is undoubtedly meant his praying to him, and hee is said herein to speake to the Lord, because hee propounded what hee desired of him power to doe; and after this being certified of his grant, hee speaketh before Israel to the Sun to stand still, nothing doubting, but that both Sun and Moone should now obey his command. For if hee had not first sought to the Lord, and been made privle to his will, it had been temerity in him thus boldly to speake to the Sun and Moone before all men, and being able to effect nothing, it would have been to his great disgrace. Lyra saith, hee spake to the Lord by thanksgiving for the favour already shewed, and then being confident, Lyra.seeing God had given one signe out of the aerian Heaven, hee desired another in the starry Heaven. The Chaldee Paraphrast, and the Rabbins speake to the same effect with Lyra. But I rather subscribe herein to Calvin; and Augustine acknowledgeth a wish and a prayer in this his speaking to be implyed: and August. lib. 22 de Civit. c. 8. Ferus.Ferus saith, it is as if hee had said, I thanke thee O Lord that thou hast already thus shewed thy power, I would to God that all the world might see thy power. When it is therefore said, he spake to the Lord, the meaning is, that he spake secretly, praying in his heart for this thing, & then by faith believing it, in zeal for Gods glory, he saith before Israel, Sun stand thou stil, &c. for whatsoever, saith our Lord, yee shall aske in faith it shall be done for you, & who so shall in faith say to this mountain be removed, it shall be done. The word rendred here, stand stil, is foreign dum, be silent; but metaphorically it is put for move not, because when a man is silent, he moveth not his tongue to speak; and to shew that standing still is meant, the word is varyed, v. 13. into foreign stood, in speaking of the Moone, that stood still in Aialon; wherefore the Septuagint render it stand, and Jerome, move not. The Rabbins are over-bold here, to vent their one imaginations, saying, that the Sunne stood not still, but moved with a very slow motion, that could not bee perceived; but the text saith, it stood, which was by a strange and miraculous stay, the like to which was never heard of but onelyonly in Hezekiah his time it went backward ten degrees upon the diall of Ahaz at the word Isai. 38. 8.of Isaiah. But a question is here moved, at what time of the day Joshua spake thus? Comestor answereth, when hee saw the Sunne now ready to goe downe. Qu. Lyranus and Serrarius, when the Sun was now in the Meridionall point, because Schol. Histor. Lyra. Serrariusit is said, v. 13. that the Sun stood in the midst of heaven: Unlesse, saith Lyra, by the midst of heaven wee may understand whatsoever is above the horizon. And so Tostatus and Magalianus will have the midst here to bee understood of any part of the heaven somewhat above the horizon. But Bonfrerius Tostatus. Magalianus. Bonfrerius.consuteth this, because the word foreign chetsi here put for midst, signifieth precisely that part which hath two equall portions on either side thereof, although the word foreign upon which Tostatus insisteth, bee of a more large signification. And yet going from this, hee determineth, that this was spoken soon after the Sun rising, because it was hot at noone time to labour in the pursute of the enemies; and because Gibeon was castward from the place where Joshua now was, seeing Bethoron & Azekah were west & south from Gibeon. And for the taking away of that, which may seeme to make against his opinion, viz. the Suns standing still in the midst of the heaven, he saith, that by the midst may be understood the midst betwixt the horizon and the verticall point, to which hee would have the Sun now to be come; and to confirme this, hee saith, that Aialon where the Moon stood, was westward in the tribe of Dan, Josh. 19. Euseb. de locis Hebr.42. But Eusebius saith, it was eastward from Bethel, and the Author of the Book called the Patriarchs travailes, southeast; but Borchardus and Adricomius, make it west and south. The reason of this difference may bee, because there were two Aialons; and this, as Euseb. hath it, being but a little village, is not elsewhere named. That the Sun was not yet come to the noon point, is most improbable, because so much had been done that day; and it is against reason, that Joshua should so soone desire a stay of the course of the Sun, when as there was still day enough to follow the chase; and the like may be said against those that hold it now to have been about noon. I rest therefore in that of Comestor, the Sun was declining, and the Moone being at the full, rising, and so the night comming on, which might hinder the pursuit, therefore Joshua desired this stay, that hee might have the more time to make a perfect victory, and obtained it. And it is not absurd to hold, that the Sun being now declining, should bee said to bee in the midst of heaven, seeing all the heaven appearing to our sight above the horizon, is the midst in regard of all those parts hidden from us by the vast body of the earth. I determin then, that the Sun seemed now to stand over Gibeon westward, and the Moone eastward over Aialon, and here they were fixed an whole day more. But it is inquired here further, how Qu. long the day of this solstice was? It is most commonly held to have been as long as the space of time from the rising of the Sunne, to the Sunne setting in those parts, about the time of the summer solstice, when the days be at the longest, for about that time was this battell fought, and that was much longer then the longest of our dayes, viz. about 18 houres. Whereas it is further added, v. 14. There was no day like this neither before nor after it. If the day in Obj. Hezekiah his time be objected, when the Sun went 10 degrees backward; for if each degree was an houre, that day was lengthened 20 houres. It is answered, happily the days were at that time of the year shorter, viz. but 8 houres, and if so, it was not so long a day as this. 2. The motion of the Sun might then bee much swifter then ordinary, and so notwithstanding its going backward, the day little increased, to which I rather assent, because no annotation is made, as here, of the extraordinary length of that day. Turpinus in the life of Charles Turpin. de vita Caroli magni, c. 28. Lib. 2. de vitis patrum. Lib. 6.the Great, saith, that one day was made as long as three, whilst he was persecuting his enemies. Mutius is said, when hee went farre to visit one being sick, to have prayed, when hee saw the Sun ready to goe downe, that it might stand still, and it stood till hee came to his journeys end; and the like is said of Bessarion. But these and the like may well bee suspected to bee fabulous. That the Lord hearkened to the voice of a man; or it may bee rendred, for the Lords hearing of the voice of a man; that is, to doe such a miracle, in staying the two great lights of the world, contrary to the course of nature, for the like was never heard of before, nor after, neither hath any man ever defired it, that we read of, but Joshua, and therefore when the Sun went backward in Hezekiahs time, it was a signe voluntarily given by the Lord, and not desired by him. For the words inserted, v. 13. Is not this written in the booke of Jasher? Touching V. 13.this booke, something hath been said already upon Numb. 21. 14. out of Tostatus, affirming it and the book of the Warres of the Lord there spoken of Tostatus.to be one and the same. Junius & Tremelius render it liber recti, according to the Iunius.signification of the word Jasher, expounding it of the book of Annals, which is lost. Calvin not much differing understandeth by the just, Israel, sometime before Calvin. Deut. 32. 15. Ch. 33. 26. Lyra.called Ieshurun, here Iasher, holding it to have been a book setting forth the gests of Israel that is not now extant Lyra calling it liber justorum, reciteth the opinions of others, and rejecteth them; As 1. That it was a book never translated, and so came not to us. 2. The book of the small Prophets, because Hab. 3. it is said, that the Sunne and Moone stood still; and then hee followeth the Hebrews, holding that it was the book of Genesis, so called for the just ones, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob there written of, wherein Chap. 48. 19. Iacob in blessing Ephraim, saith, a multitude of Nations shall come of thee, therein pointing at Ioshua that came of Ephraim. But all this, and whatsoever else can bee said, is but a conjecturing about that which cannot certainly bee known. Masius thinketh, that there was some Propheticall Book, like the Apocalyps, thus called, A Masiuswherein these things were before spoken of; this book of Jasher, is againe cited, 2 Sam. 1. 18. some think, that it was a book in Meeter, setting forth the most notable things in the sacred history, because in Hebrew, here are three sentences that seem to bee Metricall. And so although it bee not now extant, yet wee have no want in the sacred history, because that was but a setting forth in Meeter of the same things which are here and there contained in the Bookes that wee have. To mee it seemeth to have been a Book of the annalls of Israel, begun happily in the time of Moses, and continued in Davids time, &c.
Mystically by the Suns standing still, that the day might bee prolonged by The Mysterie. Origen.the meanes of Ioshua, Origen understandeth the prolonging of the time to the end of the world at the request of Jesus, that the Nations might bee subdued unto him. For when the Gospel was first preached, it is said, this is the last time, but ask of mee, saith God to his Son, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, &c. Whilest then the fulnesse of the Gentiles Psal. 2.bee come in, hee asked and obtained a prolonging of the time, for still the Sun shineth, light is in the world, and goeth not out. OnelyOnly let us make use of it, and bee subdued by this Jesus to our Salvation, as the Canaanites were to Joshua to their destruction.
And Joshua returned and all Israel with him to the Campe to Gilgal. This, saith V. 15. Lyra.Lyra, is put down here by anticipation, for Joshua was yet encouraging his Souldiers to pursue his Enemies, and returned not till the Victory perfected, and many Cities taken, v. 43. till which time the Campe was at Makkedah, v. 21. The Septuagint, because it seemeth to bee superfluously set down here, leave it quite out. Masius saith, hee returned, that is, prepared to return; but that cannot stand, because they went on in the fight long after this. Others hold that this verse crept in here by the fault of the Scribe. But there is no need, neither is it safe to grant that. The meaning is, hee returned with all Israel to Gilgal, but first, as followeth v. 16. hearing of the five Kings hid in a Cave, hee took order about them, and prosecuted his Victories to the full, and then returned thither, v. 43. To make this yet more plain, wee may thus conceive of the relation here made. 1 It is done briefly, the Sun stood still till the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies, after which, some Annotation being made upon that day, it is said, Joshua retunrned, &c. V. 13. V. 14, 15.2 More largely, as if hee had said, I have given you the briefe of the gests of Israel, and Joshua at that time against their Enemies, after which they returned to Gilgal, now I will relate all things in order, before their return, v. 16, 17, 18. &c. And then finally hee telleth of his return, v 43. Here tidings are brought to Joshua, that the five Kings were hid in a Cave at Makkedah, V. 16, 17. &cthen hee biddeth to stop them in with great stones, and to goe on in the pursuite of their men, which they did, and smote many of them, but some escaped into fenced Cities.
Then all the people returned to the Campe to Joshua at Makkedah in peace, none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This Cave was nigh unto V. 21.Makkedah, not in the City, which was not yet taken, till v. 28. By rolling great stones to the mouth of it, they imprisoned the five Kings, that they might afterward bee brought forth to execution. Whereas they are said to return to the Campe at Makkedah, it is to bee understood, that there was a pitcht Campe there, for that was at Gilgal, but here was the place appointed by Joshua for them to return unto when they had done smiting their enemies, that they could come unto, that from thence they might proceed together against their Cities. And all the people of Israel are said to have come hither againe in peace, to intimate that none of them was slain in this battail, so that it was rather a going out to kill men condemned and disarmed, then a fighting against the Armed. And to shew a perfect Victory now obtained, all their Enemies in the way being destroyed, it is added, None moved his tongue, that is, there was none left to attempt the least hurt against any of Israel. A like speech to this is had, Exod. 11. 7. Jud. 11. 15.
Joshua and all the Army being again at the Cave at Makkedah, the five Kings V. 22, 23, 24.are brought out, and the Captains put their feet upon their necks, and they are slain and hanged upon five trees. Joshua would have them to set their feet V. 25, 26.upon these Kings necks, not out of insolency, but in token of subjecting likewise all their Enemies unto them, that they might bee the more courageous against the rest. They triumphed thus, saith Calvin, over all the rest, as if they Calvin.had been already subdued. This putting of their feet upon their necks may seem to bee prophefied of Deut. 33. 29. where the Septuagint have it, Thou shalt ascend upon their necks, and the Vulgar Latine, Thou shalt tread upon their necks, but Hebr. it is Ʋpon their high places, see Expos. Thus Tamerlane, but with more pride, made Bajazet his footstool, when hee took horse, and Justinian having recovered his Empire again, from which hee had been put by Tiberius and Leontius, set his foot upon their necks, and having made them a publick Zonar. tom. 3.spectacle, caused their heads to bee cut off in hunting. Hee killed them, and then hanged them up, saith Calvin, for greater ignominy, that other Kings Calvin.of the Countrey being inraged at it, might come against him, and so bring destruction upon themselves the sooner. For his commanding, that they should bee taken down at the Sun going down, see the like before, Josh. 8 29. but this is not so to bee understood, as if Joshua stayed their taking down, but only appointed it to bee thus done by some left for the purpose, for hee went the same day and took Makkedah, and destroyed the people, and from thence to Libnah, and served it likewise, v. 28, 29. For on the second day Lachish was taken, v. 32. and other Cities, from whence most probably this Army was V. 28, 29. V. 32.raised.
Mystically by the treading of these Kings under their feet, was set forth our The Mystery. Origen.treading of our spiritual enemies, which, before Faith commeth, reign as Kings, under our Feet; and accordingly the phrase is used, Rom. 16. 20. God shall tread Satan under your feet. For this is done by the power of Jesus, when sin is mortified in us, and doth not reign in our mortall bodies: to this effect Origen. And Rom. 6 12, 14.morally the mightiest of the wicked, shall bee most mightily tormented. Libnah was a City within the lot of the Tribe of Judah, it fell to the Priests, Ch. H. B. Patriarchs travailes.21. 13. And lay between Makkedah and Eglon, 10 miles from Jerusalem, but two from Makkedah, Libnah signifieth white Frankincense, whereof plenty was found there, and from hence it is thought to have taken the name. These Cities were doubtlesse fenced with walls and gates, wherefore it was no lesse miracle, that they were both in the latter part of a day subdued, then that the Enemies were before destroyed with stones cast upon them. Joshua did but come and Conquer, for God presently opened the way, and took away all power of resistance, and the like is to bee held for the Cities here following, all are said to have been subdued at one time, for God fought for Israel, v. 42. they returned not to the Campe at Gilgal, till they had finished all these expeditions. Morally the wicked, whose punishments are deferred, are in no better Note. case then they that are presently cut off, but rather in a worse; they are reserved for greater judgements, as these in fenced Cities, not onelyonly to bee slain, but to see the destruction of their wives and children, neither is any defence of force to resist, when God will judge.
Lachish the first City taken the second day, was within the lot of Judah also, Ch. 15. 39. and was eight miles from Libnah, and lay Northwest; of both these Cities, see 2 King. 19. 8. Here Horam, the King of Gezer was also smiten V. 33.with his people, for hee came hither to help the King of Lachish.
From Lachish, Joshua went to Eglon, and smote it the same day. This was also in the lot of Judah, Ch. 15: 39. and was eight miles from Lachish, standing V. 34.Southward from Jerusalem.
From Eglon they went to Hebron and smote it, and the King thereof: this V. 36.was done another day; it stood 16 miles from Eglon, and was also in the lot of Judah, Ch. 15. 54. and was given to the Priests, Ch. 21. 11. of Hebron see before, Gen. 13. 18.
Here two questions are moved; 1 How the King of Hebron could now bee Qu. 1 said to bee slain, seeing hee was one of the five Kings that were slain and hanged, v. 26? To this Lyra answereth well. It was another new King, either succeeding Lyra.his Father, or presently elected. 2 How it can bee justified, that Joshua now smote it, and all the soules therein, when as Ch. 15. 14. Caleb is said to Qu. 2 have taken it, and likewise Judg. 1. 10. Judah is said to have smiten it, after Ioshua his death? Answ. Lyra saith, that Joshua took the nether Hebron, and Caleb the upper, held still by Giants, the Sons of Anak, there being happily a Castle, which hee hastening to other places would not stay to take. But this is both against the Text, hee left none remaining, but smote all the Cities thereof, and all the soules thereof, and against that, Ch. 11. 21. Joshua cut off all the Anakims in Hebron, Debir, &c. and left none remaining, saving in the Philistims Countrey. It is therefore to bee held rather, that Hebron being subdued at this time, was repossessed again by Anakims, comming out of the Philistims Countrey, against whom Caleb fought. For it was not one work onelyonly to subdue all those Cities, but the Enemy entring into some of them again, caused more expeditions against the same.
From Hebron Joshua and all Israel returned to Debir, and smote it likewise. V. 38.This City lay Northwest from Hebron about a mile, and it is also said to have been taken by O…hniel, Josh. 15. 17. and Judg. 1. but that was likewise upon a repossessing of it again by the Enemies. It was also called Kiriathsephar, the City of Scribes, because such as studied the Law dwelt there, and Debir commeth of Daber, hath spoken, it signifieth an Oracle. It stood in the lot of Judah, Josh. 15. 49. and was a City of Priests and Levites.
So Joshua smote all the Country of the Hills, and of the South, of the Vales and V. 40.of the Springs, and hee smote all their Kings, and destroyed all that breathed, &c. Here for brevities sake, other particulars being omitted, it is shewed in generall, what a large tract of ground Joshua ran over, destroying all, before his return again to the Campe at Gilgal, wherefore v. 41. it is said, all these Kings, and all their Land did Joshua take at one time, that is, prosecuting his Victories begun from day to day, till that hee had fully subdued all that tract of ground which lay from Kadesh-Barnea to Gaza, and from Goshen to Gibeon, that is, from the South to the West; for Kadesh-Barned lay Southward, being the limit Numb. 34. 4. Josh. 15. 3. Josh. 15. 51.of the lot of Judah that way, and Gaza of the Philistims, was the utmost limit of the land of Canaan Westward towards the Sea. Goshen also was a large Countrey lying Southward. All this tract is thus described by H. B. It lay towards the South, bordering Eastward upon the dead Sea, South: upon Kadesh, West: upon Gaza, North: upon Gibeon and Gilgal, containing in circuit 156 miles. And because those parts were some Mountainous, some barren, through the parching heat of the Sun, some plain, and some watery, hee distributeth the parts conquered accordingly into foure. For towards the South, the Sun lying hot upon it parched the ground, and made it more barren. For Vales, and Springs, the vulgar Latine hath Campestrem, & Asedoth; so likewise the Septuagint; But foreign signifieth the flowings down of Waters, and therefore may well bee rendred Springs, and by the other word, all plain places are meant. By every thing that breathed, understand with Lyra all mankind, for the beasts they were permitted to take for a prey, Ch. 11. 14. All this being done, Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the Campe at Gilgal. v. 43. Thus they did because here they had left, as in a place before subdued, their wives and children, for their safeguard, with some company doubtlesse to keep the Campe.