Bible Commentaries
Joshua 13

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 13:1, The bounds of the land not yet conquered; Joshua 13:8, The inheritance of the two tribes and half; Joshua 13:14, The Lord and his sacrifices are the inheritance of Levi; Joshua 13:15, The bounds of the inheritance of Reuben; Joshua 13:22, Balaam slain; Joshua 13:24, The bounds of the inheritance of Gad; Joshua 13:29, and of the half tribe of Manasseh.

Verse 1

am 2560, bc 1444, An, Ex, Is, 47

Joshua: Joshua 14:10, Joshua 23:1, Joshua 23:2, Joshua 24:29, Genesis 18:11, 1 Kings 1:1, Luke 1:7

to be possessed: Heb. to possess it, Deuteronomy 31:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons Leviticus 14:34 - which I Joshua 12:7 - Joshua gave Joshua 20:1 - spake Psalms 136:21 - General Ezekiel 48:29 - General

Verse 2

the land: Exodus 23:29-31, Deuteronomy 11:23, Deuteronomy 11:24, Judges 3:1

borders: Genesis 10:14, Genesis 26:1, Joel 3:4

Geshuri: Joshua 13:11, Joshua 13:13, Joshua 12:5, 1 Samuel 27:8, 2 Samuel 3:3, 2 Samuel 13:37, 2 Samuel 13:38, 2 Samuel 15:8

Reciprocal: Joshua 23:4 - Behold 2 Chronicles 9:26 - river Obadiah 1:19 - the plain

Verse 3

Sihor: Jeremiah 2:18

which is counted: Genesis 10:15-19, Numbers 34:2-14

five Lords: Judges 3:3, 1 Samuel 6:4, 1 Samuel 6:16, 1 Samuel 6:17, Zephaniah 2:4, Zephaniah 2:5, The Philistine were not descended from Canaan, but from Mizraim, the son of Ham; - compare Genesis 10:6, with Joshua 13:13, yet they were numbered with the Canaanites in this distribution.

Avites: Deuteronomy 2:23, Avims

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:4 - river Joshua 15:45 - Ekron Joshua 15:47 - the river Judges 1:18 - General Judges 16:5 - the lords 1 Samuel 6:18 - the five lords 1 Samuel 29:2 - the lords 1 Kings 8:65 - the river 1 Chronicles 13:5 - Shihor 2 Chronicles 7:8 - from the entering Isaiah 14:29 - whole Ezekiel 48:28 - the river Obadiah 1:19 - the plain Acts 8:26 - Gaza

Verse 4

the land of: Joshua 10:40, Joshua 11:3, Joshua 12:7, Joshua 12:8

Mearah: or, the cave

Aphek: This is probably the Aphek spoken of in 1 Kings 20:26. 2 Kings 13:18, as the capital of the kings of Syria; and the same as is mentioned by Sozomen, Eusebius, and Theophanes, as situated near the river Adonis - now Nahr Ibrahim between Heliopolis and Byblos, and celebrated for the infamous temple of Venus the Aphacite. The village Afka, situated in the bottom of a valley, and hour and three quarters from Akoura, and three hours' distance from Lake Liemoun, is supposed to occupy its site. Burckhardt, however, could not hear of any remains of antiquity in it neighbourhood. Joshua 19:30, 1 Samuel 4:1

the Amorites: Judges 1:34-36

Verse 5

Giblites: Probably the inhabitants of the country, around Gebal - Ezekiel 27:9, or Byblos, as the LXX render, a city of Phoenicia, situated on the Mediterranean, between Sidon and Tripoli, on the north of the river Adonis. It is now called Gibyle, of Djebail, situated about a day's journey south of Tripoli. Its walls are about a mile in circumference, with square towers about every forty yards' distance. Anciently it must have been a place of no mean extent and of considerable beauty, from the ruins still visible. 1 Kings 5:18, *marg. Psalms 83:7, Ezekiel 27:9

Lebanon: Deuteronomy 1:7, Deuteronomy 3:25

Baalgad: Joshua 12:7

under mount: Joshua 11:17

unto the: Numbers 34:8, Isaiah 10:9, Amos 6:2

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:1 - Lebanon Judges 3:3 - in mount 1 Kings 8:65 - from the entering 1 Chronicles 13:5 - Hemath Jeremiah 39:5 - Hamath Jeremiah 52:9 - Hamath Ezekiel 11:10 - in

Verse 6

Misrephothmaim: Joshua 11:8

them: Joshua 23:13, Genesis 15:18-21, Exodus 23:30, Exodus 23:31, Judges 2:21-23

only divide: Joshua 14:1, Joshua 14:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 34:8 - the entrance Numbers 36:2 - The Lord commanded Joshua 17:18 - for thou shalt Joshua 23:4 - Behold Joshua 23:5 - he shall Ezekiel 45:1 - shall divide by lot Matthew 15:21 - Tyre

Verse 7

Numbers 26:53-56, Numbers 33:54, Numbers 32:2-14, Ezekiel 47:13-23, Ezekiel 48:23-29

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:5 - two sons Joshua 18:8 - that I may here Joshua 23:4 - Behold 1 Chronicles 12:37 - the other side Psalms 78:55 - divided Psalms 105:44 - inherited

Verse 8

Moses gave: Joshua 4:12, Joshua 22:4, Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 3:12-17

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:21 - Gilead Genesis 31:48 - Galeed Genesis 49:19 - General Numbers 21:24 - Israel Numbers 21:31 - General Numbers 32:19 - because Numbers 32:22 - this land Numbers 34:14 - General Deuteronomy 33:20 - Blessed Joshua 12:6 - gave it Joshua 14:3 - Moses Joshua 18:7 - and Gad Judges 11:19 - General 2 Samuel 2:9 - Gilead Psalms 108:8 - Gilead Mark 3:8 - beyond

Verse 9

Aroer: Joshua 13:16, Joshua 12:2, Deuteronomy 3:12, Deuteronomy 3:16

all the plain: Numbers 21:30, Isaiah 15:2, Jeremiah 48:18, Jeremiah 48:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:21 - Gilead Genesis 31:48 - Galeed Deuteronomy 2:36 - Aroer Deuteronomy 3:8 - the land 2 Samuel 24:5 - Aroer 1 Kings 4:19 - the country of Sihon 2 Kings 10:33 - the land of Gilead 1 Chronicles 19:7 - Medeba Jeremiah 48:20 - Arnon

Verse 10

Numbers 21:24-26

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:4 - General Deuteronomy 33:20 - Blessed Joshua 24:8 - General Judges 11:26 - Heshbon

Verse 11

Joshua 12:2-5, Deuteronomy 4:47, Deuteronomy 4:48, 1 Chronicles 2:23

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:10 - Edrei Joshua 11:3 - Hermon Joshua 12:5 - Salcah Joshua 13:2 - Geshuri Joshua 13:13 - expelled Joshua 22:9 - the country of Gilead 2 Samuel 10:6 - Maacah 1 Chronicles 5:11 - Gad 1 Chronicles 5:23 - Hermon Psalms 133:3 - As the dew of Hermon

Verse 12

Og: Joshua 12:4, Deuteronomy 3:10, Deuteronomy 3:11

these did: Joshua 14:3, Joshua 14:4, Numbers 21:23-35

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Ashteroth Numbers 21:33 - they turned Numbers 21:35 - General Deuteronomy 3:3 - General

Verse 13

expelled: Joshua 13:11, Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13, Numbers 33:55, Judges 2:1-3, 2 Samuel 3:3, 2 Samuel 13:37, 2 Samuel 13:38

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:14 - Geshuri Joshua 13:2 - Geshuri Joshua 13:3 - five Lords 1 Samuel 27:8 - the Geshurites 1 Chronicles 2:23 - Geshur 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Geshur

Verse 14

See note on Joshua 13:33. Joshua 14:3, Joshua 14:4, Numbers 18:20-24, Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:19, Deuteronomy 18:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:62 - those that Deuteronomy 3:12 - from Aroer Deuteronomy 18:1 - they shall Joshua 18:7 - the Levites Ezekiel 44:28 - I am their inheritance

Verse 15

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:14 - these be Joshua 22:4 - get Judges 11:20 - General 1 Chronicles 5:8 - Aroer Ezekiel 48:6 - Reuben

Verse 16

Joshua 13:9, Joshua 12:2, Numbers 21:28-30, Numbers 32:33-38, Deuteronomy 3:12, Isaiah 15:1, Isaiah 15:2, Isaiah 15:4, Isaiah 16:7-9, Jeremiah 48:21-24

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:28 - Aroer 2 Samuel 24:5 - Aroer Isaiah 16:2 - the fords Isaiah 17:2 - Aroer

Verse 17

Dibon: Eusebius says the city was situated in the plain of Arnon.

Bamothbaal: or, the high places of Baal, and the house of Baal-meon, Numbers 21:19, Numbers 22:41, Numbers 32:38

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:30 - Dibon Joshua 21:39 - Heshbon 1 Chronicles 5:8 - Baalmeon Isaiah 15:2 - is gone Jeremiah 48:18 - Dibon Jeremiah 48:23 - Bethmeon Ezekiel 25:9 - Baalmeon

Verse 18

Jahaza: A city near Medeba and Dibon, afterwards given to the Levites. Joshua 21:36, Joshua 21:37, Numbers 21:23, Jahaz, 1 Chronicles 6:78, 1 Chronicles 6:79, Jahzah

Kedemoth: Supposed to have been situated east of the Arnon.

Mephaath: Situated near the desert, east of Moab. In the time of Eusebius, he says the Romans kept a garrison there.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:26 - Kedemoth Isaiah 15:4 - Jahaz Jeremiah 48:21 - Jahazah

Verse 19

And Kirjathaim: This city, according to Eusebius, was situated ten miles west of Medeba. Numbers 32:37, Numbers 32:38, Sibman, Called Shibmah, Numbers 32:38, and celebrated for its vines Jeremiah 48:32. Isaiah 16:8, Isaiah 16:9, on which last place, Jerome says, there were scarcely 500 paces between it and Heshbon.

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Shaveh Kiriathaim Jeremiah 48:23 - Kiriathaim Ezekiel 25:9 - Baalmeon

Verse 20

Bethpeor: Numbers 25:3, Deuteronomy 4:46

Ashdothpisgah: or, springs of Pisgah, or, the hill, Joshua 12:3, Deuteronomy 3:17

Bethjeshimoth: Numbers 33:49, Ezekiel 25:9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:49 - under the springs

Verse 21

And all the: Deuteronomy 3:10

whom Moses: Numbers 21:24-35, Deuteronomy 2:30-36

with the: Numbers 31:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:4 - elders Numbers 25:15 - Zur Joshua 21:39 - Heshbon

Verse 22

Balaam: Numbers 22:5-7, Numbers 24:1, Numbers 31:8, 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11, Revelation 2:14, Revelation 19:20

soothsayer: or, diviner

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:4 - elders Numbers 24:25 - General Jeremiah 27:9 - hearken

Verse 23

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:14 - these be

Verse 24

Numbers 32:34-36

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:48 - Aroer Deuteronomy 33:20 - Blessed 1 Samuel 13:7 - Gad 1 Chronicles 5:11 - Gad Jeremiah 49:2 - Rabbah Ezekiel 48:27 - Gad

Verse 25

their coast: Numbers 32:35

Jazer: A city near a brook of the same name, now called Wady Szyr; and probably the present Szyr occupies its site.

half: Numbers 21:26-30, Deuteronomy 2:19, Judges 11:13-27

Rabbah: Deuteronomy 3:11, 2 Samuel 11:1, 2 Samuel 12:26, Ezekiel 21:20, Amos 1:14

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:1 - Jazer Joshua 22:9 - the country of Gilead Judges 5:17 - Gilead 1 Chronicles 6:81 - Jazer Isaiah 16:8 - Jazer Jeremiah 49:2 - Rabbah Obadiah 1:19 - Benjamin

Verse 26

Ramathmizpeh: Joshua 20:8, Genesis 31:49, Judges 10:17, Judges 11:11, Judges 11:29, 1 Kings 22:3

Mahanaim: Joshua 21:38, Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:2, 2 Samuel 2:8, 2 Samuel 17:27

Debir: 2 Samuel 9:4, 2 Samuel 9:5, 2 Samuel 17:27, Lodebar

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:30 - General 2 Samuel 17:24 - Mahanaim 1 Chronicles 6:81 - Heshbon

Verse 27

Betharam: A city near mount Peor, and not far from the entrance of the Jordan into the Dead Sea; rebuilt and called Livias by Herod, in honour of Livia, wife of Augustus. Numbers 32:36

Bethnimrah: Numbers 32:3, Numbers 32:36

Succoth: Genesis 33:17, Judges 8:5, Judges 8:6, Judges 8:14-16, 1 Kings 7:46

Chinnereth: Joshua 11:2, Joshua 12:3, Chinneroth, Numbers 34:11, Deuteronomy 3:17, Luke 5:1, Gennesaret

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:35 - Chinnereth Psalms 60:6 - valley Isaiah 15:6 - Nimrim

Verse 29

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:22 - this land Numbers 32:40 - General Deuteronomy 3:13 - the rest Joshua 17:5 - beside Joshua 22:7 - General 1 Chronicles 5:23 - Baalhermon Ezekiel 48:4 - Manasseh

Verse 30

Joshua 13:26, Numbers 32:39-41, Deuteronomy 3:13-15, 1 Chronicles 2:21-23

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:33 - Og Numbers 32:41 - Jair Deuteronomy 3:3 - General Deuteronomy 3:4 - all his cities 1 Chronicles 2:22 - Jair

Verse 31

Ashtaroth: Joshua 12:4

the children of Machir by: Numbers 32:39, Numbers 32:40

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Ashteroth Deuteronomy 3:4 - all his cities Deuteronomy 3:10 - Edrei Joshua 22:9 - the country of Gilead Judges 5:17 - Gilead 1 Chronicles 7:14 - Machir Obadiah 1:19 - Benjamin

Verse 32

Reciprocal: Joshua 14:3 - but unto

Verse 33

At Joshua 13:14, as well as here, notice is taken, that to the tribe of Levi, "Moses gave no inheritance," for so God had appointed. Numbers 18:20. If they had been appointed to a lot entire by themselves, Moses would have served them first, not because it was his own tribe, but because it was God's, but they must be provided for in another manner; their habitation must be scattered in all the tribes, and their maintenance brought out of all the tribes, and God himself was the portion both of their inheritance and of their cup. Joshua 18:7, Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 18:1, Deuteronomy 18:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:62 - those that Deuteronomy 12:12 - General Joshua 14:3 - but unto Ezekiel 44:28 - I am their inheritance Hebrews 11:33 - through