Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 14

AND these are the countreys which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazer the Priest , and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed for inheritance to them.

Mentioned Chap. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

See on Iosh. 8. 33. and 9. 15, 18. and 19. 51. He best understood the Laws of God by which this division was to be regulated▪ and he was to consult God upon any difficult occurrence.

Twelve persons, each the head of his Tribe, which were appointed and named by God, Numb. 34. 19. and if any of them were now dead, no doubt Ioshua and Eleazar, by Gods direction, put others in their stead.

Marginal references: Numb. 34. 17.

2 By lot was their inheritance , as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

This course God ordained, partly to prevent discontents, Enmities, Animosities and Quarrels among the Tribes about the quality of their several Portions: and partly to demonstrate the Truth and Wisdom of his Providence, by which alone those parts fell to each of them, which Iacob long since, and Moses lately, foretold; so that as a learned man saith, He must be more stupid than stupidity, and more impudent than impudence it self, that doth not acknowledg and confess a divine Hand and Providence in this matter. The Lot did only determine the several Parts or Provinces to the several Tribes, but did not precisely fix all the bounds of it, but these might be either enlarged or diminished according to the greater or smaller number of the Tribes, Numb. 26. 53, 56. and 33. 54. and that by the direction of those persons mentioned v. 1. and Iosh. 17. 14.—18.

Marginal references: Numb. 26. 5[illegible: 1+ letters]. & 33. 54.

4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes , Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in with their suburbs, for their cattel, and for their substance.

i. e. Had the double Portion, or the Portion of two Tribes, 1 Chron. 5. 1, 2. and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine Tribes and a half, as was said v. 2. to be provided for in Canaan.

5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land .

They, i. e. the persons named v. 5. who represented and acted in the name of the Children of Israel, divided it, either now, or presently after; which is here spoken by Anticipation.

Marginal references: Numb. 35. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]

6 ¶ Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal : and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite , said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

Either, 1. at that time when Ioshua and the rest were consulting about the division of the Land, though they did not yet actually and fully divide it. Or, 2. when Ioshua, and himself, and the Israelites, were proceeding in their Conquests, and were going against Hebron, Iosh. 10. 36. which Expedition there mentioned in a general manner, may be particularly described in this Chapter, and Iosh. 15. 13, 14. But the former seems more probable, because this was done when Ioshua▪ was in Gilgal, and not when he was pursuing his enemies.

Not so much to intercede for Caleb, which was not needful for Ioshua, especially in a thing already promised by God, but only to justifie and countenance him in his desire.

Where the division of the land was designed and begun, though it was executed and finished at Shiloh, Iosh. 18. 1, &c.

So he is called here and 1 Chron. 4. 15. to difference him from Caleb the Son of Hezron, 1 Chron. 2. 18.

Of the Posterity of Kenaz, of whom see Iudg. 1. 13. 1 Chron. 4. 13, 15.

In general, the gracious and comfortable promise he made us of possessing this land; and in particular, for my part, that which is expressed here, v. 9.

Whose words therefore thou art obliged to make good.

7 Forty years old was I , when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh barnea, to espy out the land, and I brought him word again, as it was in mine heart.

See on Iosh. 11. 18.

p I spake my opinion sincerely without flattery and fear, when the other Spies were blassed by their own fears, and the dread of the people, to speak otherwise than in their Consciences they believed, as appears from Numb. 13. 30, 31, 32. and 14. 36.

8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me, made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God .

Which self-commendation is justifiable, because it was necessary, as being the ground and foundation of his Petition.

Marginal references: Numb. 13. 31, 32.; Numb. 14. 24.

9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance , and thy childrens for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

See Numb. 14. 24. Deut▪ 1. 36.

10 And now behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years , even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel † wandred in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

Whereof 38. years were spent in the Wilderness, and seven since they came into Canaan.

Marginal references: Numb. 14. 30.; ‡ Heb. walked.

11 As yet I am as strong this day, as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so▪ is my strength now, for war , both to go out, and to come in .

Not only for Counsel, but for Action, for marching and fighting. And therefore this gift will not be cast away upon an unprofitable and unserviceable person.

To perform all the Duties belonging to my place.

Marginal references: Eccles. 46. 9.

12 Now therefore give me this mountain , whereof the LORD spake in that day, (for thou heardest in that day, how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced) if so be the LORD will be with me , then I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said .

i. e. This mountainous Countrey, in which was Hebron, Iosh. 11. 21. and 20. 7. and Debir, and Anab. He names the Countrey rather than the Cities, either, 1. because the Giants here following were already driven out of their Cities, but yet abode in their Caves or Holds in the mountains, whence they much molested the Israelites. Or, 2. because the Cities were given to the Levites, Iosh. 21. 11, 13.

i. e. Didst understand both by the Reports of others, and by thy own observation, as I also did. Hearing, the sense by which we get knowledg, is oft put for knowing or understanding, as Gen. 11. 7. and 42. 23. 2 King. 18. 26.

A modest, and humble, and pious Expression, signifying both the absolute necessity of Gods help, and his godly fear, lest God for his sins should deny his Assistance to him, as he might justly do; for although he was well assured in general, that God would crown his people with success in this War, yet he might doubt of his particular success in this or that Enterprize.

A modest, and humble, and pious Expression, signifying both the absolute necessity of Gods help, and his godly fear, lest God for his sins should deny his Assistance to him, as he might justly do; for although he was well assured in general, that God would crown his people with success in this War, yet he might doubt of his particular success in this or that Enterprize.

Out of their Fastnesses where they yet remain. Caleb desires this difficult work as a Testimony of his own Faith, and as a Motive to quicken and encourage his Brethren to the like attempts.

Marginal references: Numb. 13. 28, 32, 33.

13 And Joshua blessed him , and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance.

Either, 1. prayed to God to bless and help him according to his own desire. Or, 2. acknowledged his praise-worthy Carriage in the matter of the Spies, and the reasonableness of his request. Or, 3. consented to his desire, and as, it follows, gave it to him; as Gods Blessing is oft put for his actual conferring of favours upon men.

15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba, which Arba was a great man among the Anakims: and the land had rest from war .

In stature, and strength, and dignity, and authority, as being the Progenitor of Anak, the Father of those famous Giants called Anakims, Iosh. 14. 15.

Which gave them opportunity for the distribution of the Land.

Marginal references: Chap. 15. 13.