Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Joshua · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
HEre is 1. a capitulation made of the Kings, and their Cities and borders on V. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.the other side of Iordan subdued by the Israelites under the leading of Moses, of which see before, Deut. 2. & Ch. 3. For there bee the same bounds of both their Lands in generall, Deut. 3. 8. From the river Arnon to mount Hermon. And in particular of the Kingdom of Sihon, Numb. 21. 24. From Aroer upon Arnon to the river Jabbok: But here it is a little more fully described, From the middle of the River, that is, the river Arnon, and half Gilead, and the parts given in possession to the Reubenites and Gadites, Deut. 3. 16, 17. are here shewed to have been of the Kingdom of Sihon. The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof from Cinneroth to the sea of the plain, even the salt Sea under Ashdoth Pisgah eastward; of all which see upon that place. Touching the other Kingdom, viz. of Og, he is said to have dwelt in Ashteroth and Edrei, Deut. 1. 4. at Ashteroth in Edrei, Iosh. 13. 12. he reigned also in Bashan and Salcah, and Mount Hermon to the border of the Geshunites, and of the Maachathites, and half Gilead, &c. Of all these, see before upon Deut. 3. 10. 14. but onelyonly Mount Hermon, in part of which onelyonly it seemeth that hee reigned, it being the bound of his Kingdome, and part being possessed by the Canaanites was taken by Joshua, Josh. 11. 17. thus some: But by that which is said Josh. 11. 17. and v. 3. The Canaanites that dwelt under Mount Hermon; it appeareth rather that they possessed no part of this Mount, but the valley near unto it; and that all Hermon was taken and given away by Moses, is plainly affirmed, Ch. 13. 12. All this being taken by Moses, was given to the Reubenites, Gadites, &c. as is further shewed, Deut. 3. 14, 15, &c. Now all these Conquests, and those of Joshua are here briefly propounded in one view together, saith Ferus, that the people of Israel might the better take notice of the mighty Acts Ferus.which the Lord had done for them, according to his promise long before made Note. to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and after to Moses and Joshua, and the more confidently beleeve in him, and obey and serve him for all time to come. For it seemed sometime impossible to the children of Israel, that so many, and so strong Cities and people should bee subdued unto them; wherefore this being now done, there was great reason why they should not bee doubtfull, but confident touching the performance of all other promises for ever hereafter. And the same ground of faith should wee build upon for all promises of the Churches prevailing at last, of Christs second comming, &c. because all things hitherto promised, which were as hard to be beleeved, have been accomplished in their due times.
Here 2 is a capitulation made of the Kings on this side Jordan smitten by Joshua, V. 7, 8, 9, 10.whose Countreys are described and bounded, as before, Ch. 10. 40. & Ch. 11. 16 The King of Jericho one, the King of Ai one, &c. This tract of ground taken by Joshua, H. Bunt. Patriarchs Trav.saith H. Bunt. was 160 miles long, from Baalgad to mount Seir, & 28, or 32 miles broad. And touching the fifth King of Jarmoth here numbred, he saith, that his name was Perkam, and that Jarmoth was 20 miles from Jerusalem westward, but he is called Piram, Ch. 10. 3. The 8 King of Gezer, hee calleth Horam, so also Ch. 10. 33. hee is called: Gezer was 16 miles from Ierusalem westward, in the tribe of Dan. Gedar the seat of the 10 King, was 14 miles Westward from Ierusalem, in Iudah. Harmah of the 11 King, 40 miles from Ierusalem, upon the borders of Arabia deserta Southwest, in Iudah also. Arad of the 12 King, 22 miles from Ierusalem Southward. Tappuah the seat of the 17 King, not farre from Iordan and Iericho. Hepher the seat of the 18 King, 6 miles Northward from Ierusalem. Aphek the seat of the 19 King, 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward, within 2 miles of Iezreel. Lazaron of the 20 King, 18 miles Northwest from Ierusalem. Nadan of the 21 King, 14 miles Northwest. Simron of the 23 King, 68 miles from Ierusalem Northward, and neare Nazareth. Achsaph of the 24 King, 88 miles Northward in the tribe of Asher. Taanach of the 25 King, 44 miles from Ierusalem, and 6 from Iezreel. Megiddo of the 26 King, 4 miles from Taanach. Iokneam of the 28 King, 27 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the tribe of Zebulun. Dor of the 29 King, 48 miles from Ierusalem North: upon the Sea coast, between the hill Carmel, and Cesarea Stratonis. Gilgal of the 31 King, was neare Iordan. Tirzah of the 31 King, 24 miles from Ierusalem in Manasseh. Thus hee of most of these Kings, of the rest hee saith no more then is in the History of Ioshua, Ch. 10. Ch. 11. and Ch. 12. But whereas hee saith, the Gilgal of the 30 King was that neare Jordan, between it and Jericho, this is most improbable, because there was no City thus called before, but upon occasion of the foreskins there cut away, as is shewed upon Josh. 5. neither doe wee read of any King there to be cut off, but of the people of Israels comming to it the same day that they passed over Jordan, and pitching there, which they could not have done so quietly, if it had been before inhabited by the enemy. Moreover, this King is called the King of the Nations of Gilgal, arguing, that he had divers peoples under his dominion. Masius Masius.following one Copy of the Sept. for Gilgal hath Galilee. But although Galilee bee called foreign it is no where called foreign; that exposition therefore falleth, and so must remain uncertain where this Gilgal was.