1 וַיִּקָּהֲלוּH6950 כָּלH3605 עֲדַתH5712 בְּנֵֽיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 שִׁלֹהH7887 וַיַּשְׁכִּינוּH7931 שָׁםH8033 אֶתH853 אֹהֶלH168 מוֹעֵדH4150 וְהָאָרֶץH776 נִכְבְּשָׁהH3533 לִפְנֵיהֶֽםH6440
2 וַיִּוָּֽתְרוּH3498 בִּבְנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 אֲשֶׁרH834 לֹֽאH3808 חָלְקוּH2505 אֶתH853 נַֽחֲלָתָםH5159 שִׁבְעָהH7651 שְׁבָטִֽיםH7626
3 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 אֶלH413 בְּנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 עַדH5704 אָנָהH575 אַתֶּםH859 מִתְרַפִּיםH7503 לָבוֹאH935 לָרֶשֶׁתH3423 אֶתH853 הָאָרֶץH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 נָתַןH5414 לָכֶםH0 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֵיH430 אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶֽםH1
4 הָבוּH3051 לָכֶםH0 שְׁלֹשָׁהH7969 אֲנָשִׁיםH376 לַשָּׁבֶטH7626 וְאֶשְׁלָחֵםH7971 וְיָקֻמוּH6965 וְיִֽתְהַלְּכוּH1980 בָאָרֶץH776 וְיִכְתְּבוּH3789 אוֹתָהּH853 לְפִיH6310 נַֽחֲלָתָםH5159 וְיָבֹאוּH935 אֵלָֽיH413
5 וְהִֽתְחַלְּקוּH2505 אֹתָהּH853 לְשִׁבְעָהH7651 חֲלָקִיםH2506 יְהוּדָהH3063 יַעֲמֹדH5975 עַלH5921 גְּבוּלוֹH1366 מִנֶּגֶבH5045 וּבֵיתH1004 יוֹסֵףH3130 יַעַמְדוּH5975 עַלH5921 גְּבוּלָםH1366 מִצָּפֽוֹןH6828
6 וְאַתֶּםH859 תִּכְתְּבוּH3789 אֶתH853 הָאָרֶץH776 שִׁבְעָהH7651 חֲלָקִיםH2506 וַֽהֲבֵאתֶםH935 אֵלַיH413 הֵנָּהH2008 וְיָרִיתִיH3384 לָכֶםH0 גּוֹרָלH1486 פֹּהH6311 לִפְנֵיH6440 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֵֽינוּH430
7 כִּיH3588 אֵֽיןH369 חֵלֶקH2506 לַלְוִיִּםH3881 בְּקִרְבְּכֶםH7130 כִּֽיH3588 כְהֻנַּתH3550 יְהוָהH3068 נַחֲלָתוֹH5159 וְגָדH1410 וּרְאוּבֵןH7205 וַחֲצִיH2677 שֵׁבֶטH7626 הַֽמְנַשֶּׁהH4519 לָקְחוּH3947 נַחֲלָתָםH5159 מֵעֵבֶרH5676 לַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 מִזְרָחָהH4217 אֲשֶׁרH834 נָתַןH5414 לָהֶםH0 מֹשֶׁהH4872 עֶבֶדH5650 יְהוָֽהH3068
8 וַיָּקֻמוּH6965 הָאֲנָשִׁיםH582 וַיֵּלֵכוּH1980 וַיְצַוH6680 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 אֶתH853 הַהֹלְכִיםH1980 לִכְתֹּבH3789 אֶתH853 הָאָרֶץH776 לֵאמֹרH559 לְכוּH1980 וְהִתְהַלְּכוּH1980 בָאָרֶץH776 וְכִתְבוּH3789 אוֹתָהּH853 וְשׁוּבוּH7725 אֵלַיH413 וּפֹהH6311 אַשְׁלִיךְH7993 לָכֶםH0 גּוֹרָלH1486 לִפְנֵיH6440 יְהוָהH3068 בְּשִׁלֹֽהH7887
9 וַיֵּלְכוּH1980 הָֽאֲנָשִׁיםH582 וַיַּעַבְרוּH5674 בָאָרֶץH776 וַיִּכְתְּבוּהָH3789 לֶֽעָרִיםH5892 לְשִׁבְעָהH7651 חֲלָקִיםH2506 עַלH5921 סֵפֶרH5612 וַיָּבֹאוּH935 אֶלH413 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 אֶלH413 הַֽמַּחֲנֶהH4264 שִׁלֹֽהH7887
10 וַיַּשְׁלֵךְH7993 לָהֶםH0 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 גּוֹרָלH1486 בְּשִׁלֹהH7887 לִפְנֵיH6440 יְהוָהH3068 וַיְחַלֶּקH2505 שָׁםH8033 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 אֶתH853 הָאָרֶץH776 לִבְנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 כְּמַחְלְקֹתָֽםH4256
11 וַיַּעַלH5927 גּוֹרַלH1486 מַטֵּהH4294 בְנֵֽיH1121 בִנְיָמִןH1144 לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָםH4940 וַיֵּצֵאH3318 גְּבוּלH1366 גּֽוֹרָלָםH1486 בֵּיןH996 בְּנֵיH1121 יְהוּדָהH3063 וּבֵיןH996 בְּנֵיH1121 יוֹסֵֽףH3130
12 וַיְהִיH1961 לָהֶםH0 הַגְּבוּלH1366 לִפְאַתH6285 צָפוֹנָהH6828 מִןH4480 הַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 וְעָלָהH5927 הַגְּבוּלH1366 אֶלH413 כֶּתֶףH3802 יְרִיחוֹH3405 מִצָּפוֹןH6828 וְעָלָהH5927 בָהָרH2022 יָמָּהH3220 והיהH1961 וְהָיוּH1961 תֹּֽצְאֹתָיוH8444 מִדְבַּרָהH4057 בֵּיתH0 אָֽוֶןH1007
13 וְעָבַרH5674 מִשָּׁםH8033 הַגְּבוּלH1366 לוּזָהH3870 אֶלH413 כֶּתֶףH3802 לוּזָהH3870 נֶגְבָּהH5045 הִיאH1931 בֵּֽיתH0 אֵלH1008 וְיָרַדH3381 הַגְּבוּלH1366 עַטְרוֹתH0 אַדָּרH5853 עַלH5921 הָהָרH2022 אֲשֶׁרH834 מִנֶּגֶבH5045 לְבֵיתH0 חֹרוֹןH1032 תַּחְתּֽוֹןH8481
14 וְתָאַרH8388 הַגְּבוּלH1366 וְנָסַבH5437 לִפְאַתH6285 יָםH3220 נֶגְבָּהH5045 מִןH4480 הָהָרH2022 אֲשֶׁרH834 עַלH5921 פְּנֵיH6440 בֵיתH0 חֹרוֹןH1032 נֶגְבָּהH5045 והיהH1961 וְהָיוּH1961 תֹֽצְאֹתָיוH8444 אֶלH413 קִרְיַתH0 בַּעַלH7154 הִיאH1931 קִרְיַתH0 יְעָרִיםH7157 עִירH5892 בְּנֵיH1121 יְהוּדָהH3063 זֹאתH2063 פְּאַתH6285 יָֽםH3220
15 וּפְאַתH6285 נֶגְבָּהH5045 מִקְצֵהH7097 קִרְיַתH0 יְעָרִיםH7157 וְיָצָאH3318 הַגְּבוּלH1366 יָמָּהH3220 וְיָצָאH3318 אֶלH413 מַעְיַןH4599 מֵיH4325 נֶפְתּֽוֹחַH5318
16 וְיָרַדH3381 הַגְּבוּלH1366 אֶלH413 קְצֵהH7097 הָהָרH2022 אֲשֶׁרH834 עַלH5921 פְּנֵיH6440 גֵּיH1516 בֶןH1121 הִנֹּםH2011 אֲשֶׁרH834 בְּעֵמֶקH6010 רְפָאִיםH7497 צָפוֹנָהH6828 וְיָרַדH3381 גֵּיH1516 הִנֹּםH2011 אֶלH413 כֶּתֶףH3802 הַיְבוּסִיH2983 נֶגְבָּהH5045 וְיָרַדH3381 עֵיןH0 רֹגֵֽלH5883
17 וְתָאַרH8388 מִצָּפוֹןH6828 וְיָצָאH3318 עֵיןH0 שֶׁמֶשׁH5885 וְיָצָאH3318 אֶלH413 גְּלִילוֹתH1553 אֲשֶׁרH834 נֹכַחH5227 מַעֲלֵהH4608 אֲדֻמִּיםH131 וְיָרַדH3381 אֶבֶןH68 בֹּהַןH932 בֶּןH1121 רְאוּבֵֽןH7205
18 וְעָבַרH5674 אֶלH413 כֶּתֶףH3802 מוּלH4136 הָֽעֲרָבָהH6160 צָפוֹנָהH6828 וְיָרַדH3381 הָעֲרָבָֽתָהH6160
19 וְעָבַרH5674 הַגְּבוּלH1366 אֶלH413 כֶּתֶףH3802 בֵּיתH0 חָגְלָהH1031 צָפוֹנָהH6828 והיהH1961 וְהָיוּH1961 תצאותיוH8444 תֹּצְאוֹתH8444 הַגְּבוּלH1366 אֶלH413 לְשׁוֹןH3956 יָםH3220 הַמֶּלַחH4417 צָפוֹנָהH6828 אֶלH413 קְצֵהH7097 הַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 נֶגְבָּהH5045 זֶהH2088 גְּבוּלH1366 נֶֽגֶבH5045
20 וְהַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 יִגְבֹּלH1379 אֹתוֹH853 לִפְאַתH6285 קֵדְמָהH6924 זֹאתH2063 נַחֲלַתH5159 בְּנֵיH1121 בִנְיָמִןH1144 לִגְבֽוּלֹתֶיהָH1367 סָבִיבH5439 לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽםH4940
21 וְהָיוּH1961 הֶֽעָרִיםH5892 לְמַטֵּהH4294 בְּנֵיH1121 בִנְיָמִןH1144 לְמִשְׁפְּחֽוֹתֵיהֶםH4940 יְרִיחוֹH3405 וּבֵיתH0 חָגְלָהH1031 וְעֵמֶקH6010 קְצִֽיץH7104
22 וּבֵיתH0 הָֽעֲרָבָהH1026 וּצְמָרַיִםH6787 וּבֵֽיתH0 אֵֽלH1008
23 וְהָעַוִּיםH5761 וְהַפָּרָהH6511 וְעָפְרָֽהH6084
24 וּכְפַרH0 העמניH3726 הָֽעַמֹּנָהH3726 וְהָֽעָפְנִיH6078 וָגָבַעH1387 עָרִיםH5892 שְׁתֵּיםH8147 עֶשְׂרֵהH6240 וְחַצְרֵיהֶֽןH2691
25 גִּבְעוֹןH1391 וְהָֽרָמָהH7414 וּבְאֵרֽוֹתH881
26 וְהַמִּצְפֶּהH4708 וְהַכְּפִירָהH3716 וְהַמֹּצָֽהH4681
27 וְרֶקֶםH7552 וְיִרְפְּאֵלH3416 וְתַרְאֲלָֽהH8634
28 וְצֵלַעH6762 הָאֶלֶףH507 וְהַיְבוּסִיH2983 הִיאH1931 יְרֽוּשָׁלִַםH3389 גִּבְעַתH1394 קִרְיַתH7157 עָרִיםH5892 אַרְבַּֽעH702 עֶשְׂרֵהH6240 וְחַצְרֵיהֶןH2691 זֹאתH2063 נַֽחֲלַתH5159 בְּנֵֽיH1121 בִנְיָמִןH1144 לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽםH4940
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 In the midst of the story of the dividing of the land comes in this account of the setting up of the tabernacle, which had hitherto continued in its old place in the centre of their camp; but now that three of the four squadrons that used to surround it in the wilderness were broken and diminished, those of Judah, Ephraim, and Reuben, by the removal of those tribes to their respective possessions, and that of Dan only remained entire, it was time to think of removing the tabernacle itself into a city. Many a time the priests and Levites had taken it down, carried it, and set it up again in the wilderness, according to the directions given them (
Num 4:5, etc.); but now they must do it for good and all, not one of the stakes thereof must any more be removed, nor any of the cords thereof broken,
Isa 33:20. Observe,
I. The place to which the tabernacle was removed, and in which it was set up. It was
Shiloh, a city in the lot of Ephraim, but lying close upon the lot of Benjamin. Doubtless God himself did some way or other direct them to this place, for he had promised to
choose the place where he would make
his name to dwell, Deut 12:11. It is most probable God made known his mind in this matter by the judgment of Urim. This place was pitched upon, 1. Because it was in the heart of the country, nearer the centre than Jerusalem was, and therefore the more convenient for the meeting of all Israel there from the several parts of the country; it had been in the midst of their camp in the wilderness, and therefore must now be in the midst of their nation, as that which sanctified the whole, and was
the glory in the midst of them. See
Pss 46:5. 2. Because it was in the lot of that tribe of which Joshua was, who was now their chief magistrate, and it would be both for his honour and convenience and for the advantage of the country to have it near him. The testimony of Israel and the thrones of judgment do well together,
Pss 122:4,
Pss 122:5. 3. Some think there was an eye to the name of the place,
Shiloh being the name by which the Messiah was known in dying Jacob's prophecy (
Gen 49:10), which prophecy, no doubt, was well known among the Jews; the setting up of the tabernacle in Shiloh gave them a hint that in that Shiloh whom Jacob spoke of all the ordinances of this worldly sanctuary should have their accomplishment in a greater and more perfect tabernacle,
Hebre 9:1,
Hebre 9:11. And Dr. Lightfoot thinks that the place where the tabernacle was set up was therefore called
Shiloh, because of the peaceableness of the land at this time; as afterwards in Salem was his temple, which also signifies
peaceable. II. The solemn manner of doing it:
The whole congregation assembled together to attend the solemnity, to do honour to the ark of God, as the token of his presence, and to bid it welcome to its settlement. Every Israelite was interested in it, and therefore all testified their joy and satisfaction upon this occasion. See
2Sam 6:15. It is probable those tribes that were yet encamped when the tabernacle was removed to Shiloh decamped from Gilgal and pitched about Shiloh, for every true Israelite will desire to fix where God's tabernacle fixed. Mention is made, on this occasion, of the land being subdued before them, to intimate that the country, hereabouts at least, being thoroughly reduced, they met with no opposition, nor were they apprehensive of any danger, but thought it time to make this grateful acknowledgment of God's goodness to them in the constant series of successes with which he had blessed them. It was a good presage of a comfortable settlement to themselves in Canaan, when their first care was to see the ark well settled as soon as they had a safe place ready to settle it in. Here the ark continued about 300 years, till the sins of Eli's house forfeited the ark, lost it and ruined Shiloh, and its ruins were long after made use of as warnings to Jerusalem.
Go, see what I did to Shiloh, Jer 7:12;
Pss 78:60.
2 Here, I. Joshua reproves those tribes which were yet unsettled that they did not bestir themselves to gain a settlement in the land which God had given them. Seven tribes were yet unprovided for, though sure of an inheritance, yet uncertain where it should be, and it seems in no great care about it,
Josh 18:2. And with them Joshua reasons (
Josh 18:3):
How long are you slack? 1. They were too well pleased with their present condition, liked well enough to live in a body together, the more the merrier, and, like the Babel-builders, had no mind to be scattered abroad and break good company. The spoil of the cities they had taken served them to live plentifully upon for the present, and they banished the thoughts of time to come. Perhaps the tribes of Judah and Joseph, who had already received their inheritance in the countries next adjoining, were generous in entertaining their brethren who were yet unprovided for, so that they went from one good house to another among their friends, with which, instead of grudging that they were postponed, they were so well pleased that they cared not for going to houses of their own. 2. They were slothful and dilatory. It may be they wished the thing done, but had not spirit to stir in it, or move towards the doing of it, though it was so much for their own advantage; like the sluggard, that
hides his hand in his bosom, and it grieves him to bring it to his mouth again. The countries that remained to be divided lay at a distance, and some parts of them in the hands of the Canaanites. If they go to take possession of them, the cities must be rebuilt or repaired, they must drive their flocks and herds a great way, and carry their wives and children to strange places, and this will not be done without care and pains, and breaking through some hardships; thus
he that observes the wind shall not sow, and he that regards the clouds shall not reap, Qoh 11:4. Note, Many are diverted from real duties, and debarred from real comforts, by seeming difficulties. God by his grace has given us a title to a good land, the heavenly Canaan, but we are
slack to take possession; we enter not into that rest, as we might by faith, and hope, and holy joy; we live not in heaven, as we might by setting our affections on things above and having our conversation there. How long shall it be thus with us? How long shall we thus stand in our own light, and
forsake our own mercies for lying vanities? Joshua was sensible of the inconveniences of this delay, that, while they neglected to take possession of the land that was conquered, the Canaanites were recovering strength and spirit, and fortifying themselves in the places that were yet in their hands, which would make the total expulsion of them the more difficult. They would lose their advantages by not following their blow; and therefore,
as an eagle stirreth up her nest, so Joshua stirs them up to take possession of their lot. He is ready to do his part, if they will but do theirs.
II. He puts them in a way to settle themselves.
1. The land that remained must be surveyed, an account taken of the cities, and the territories belonging to them,
Josh 18:4. These must be divided into seven equal parts, as near as they could guess at their true value, which they must have an eye to, and not merely to the number of the cities and extent of the country. Judah is fixed on the south and Joseph on the north of Shiloh, to protect the tabernacle (
Josh 18:5), and therefore they need not describe their country, but those countries only that were yet undisposed of. He gives a reason (
Josh 18:7) why they must divide it into seven parts only, because the Levites were to have no temporal estate (as we say), but their benefices only, which were entailed upon their families:
The priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance, and a very honourable, comfortable, plentiful inheritance it was. Gad and Reuben, with half of the tribe of Manasseh, were already fixed, and needed not to have any further care taken of them. Now, (1.) The surveyors were three men out of each of the seven tribes that were to be provided for (
Josh 18:4), one-and-twenty in all, who perhaps for greater expedition, because they had already lost time, divided themselves into three companies, one of each tribe in each company, and took each their district to survey. The matter was thus referred equally, that there might be neither any partiality used in making up the seven lots, nor any shadow of suspicion given, but all might be satisfied that they had right done them. (2.) The survey was accordingly made, and brought in to Joshua,
Josh 18:8,
Josh 18:9. Josephus says it was seven months in the doing. And we must in it observe, [1.] The faith and courage of the persons employed: abundance of Canaanites remained in the land, and all raging against Israel,
as a bear robbed of her whelps; the business of these surveyors would soon be known, and what could they expect but to be way-laid, and have their brains knocked out by the fierce observers? But in obedience to Joshua's command, and in dependence upon God's power, they thus put their lives in their hands to serve their country. [2.] The good providence of God in protecting them from the many deaths they were exposed to, and bringing them all safely again to the host at Shiloh. When we are in the way of our duty we are under the special protection of the Almighty.
2. When it was surveyed, and reduced to seven lots, then Joshua would, by appeal to God, and direction from him, determine which of these lots should belong to each tribe (
Josh 18:6):
That I may cast lots for you here at the tabernacle (because it was a sacred transaction)
before the Lord our God, to whom each tribe must have an eye, with thankfulness for the conveniences and submission to the inconveniences of their allotment. What we have in the world we must acknowledge God's property in, and dispose of it as before him, with justice, and charity, and dependence upon Providence. The heavenly Canaan is described to us in a book, the book of the scriptures, and there are in it mansions and portions sufficient for all God's spiritual Israel. Christ is our Joshua that divides it to us. On him we must attend, and to him we must apply for an inheritance with the saints in light. See
John 17:2,
John 17:3.
11 We have here the lot of the tribe of Benjamin, which Providence cast next to Joseph on the one hand, because Benjamin was own and only brother to Joseph, and was little Benjamin (
Pss 68:27), that needed the protection of great Joseph, and yet had a better protector, for
the Lord shall cover him all the day long, Deut 33:12. And it was next to Judah on the other hand, that this tribe might hereafter unite with Judah in an adherence to the throne of David and the temple at Jerusalem. Here we have, 1. The exact borders and limits of this tribe, which we need not be exact in the explication of. As it had Judah on the south and Joseph on the north, so it had Jordan on the east and Dan on the west. The western border is said to
compass the corner of the sea southward (
Josh 18:14), whereas no part of the lot of this tribe came near to the great sea. Bishop Patrick thinks the meaning is that it ran along in a parallel line to the great sea, though at a distance. Dr. Fuller suggests that since it is not called
the great sea, but only
the sea, which often signifies any lake or mere, it may be meant of the pool of Gibeon, which may be called
a corner or
canton of the sea; it is called the
great waters of Gibeon (
Jer 41:12), and it is compassed by the western border of this tribe. 2. The particular cities in this tribe, not all, but the most considerable. Twenty-six are here named. Jericho is put first, though dismantled, and forbidden to be rebuilt as a city with gates and walls, because it might be built and inhabited as a country village, and so was not useless to this tribe. Gilgal, where Israel first encamped when Saul was made king (
1Sam 11:15), was in this tribe. It was afterwards a very profane place.
Hos 9:15,
All their wickedness is in Gilgal. Beth-el was in this tribe, a famous place. Though Benjamin adhered to the house of David, yet Beth-el, it seems, was in the possession of the house of Joseph (
Judg 1:23-
Judg 1:25), and there Jeroboam set up one of his calves. In this tribe was Gibeon, where the altar was in the beginning of Solomon's time,
2Chr 1:3. Gibeah likewise, that infamous place where the Levite's concubine was abused. Mizpeh, and near it Samuel's Ebenezer, and also Anathoth, Jeremiah's city, were in this tribe, as was the northern part of Jerusalem. Paul was the honour of this tribe (
Roma 11:1;
Phili 3:5); but where his land lay we know not: he sought the better country.