_Jabin, "the intelligent," was perhaps the common name of the kings of Asor, the most powerful city in the northern parts of the country, (ver. 10.; Calmet) not far from the Cæsarea, (Menochius) which was built by Philip, where Lais stood before. (Haydock) --- Josue burnt Asor to the ground; but it... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ceneroth, or having the lake Genesareth on the south. They city of Cineroth, or of Tiberias, was situated on the southern borders of the lake. (St. Jerome) --- Side. Dor lay on the Mediterranean, the last of the cities of Ph\'9cnicia. All below was in a manner subdued. The Philistines did not enter... [ Continue Reading ]
_Chanaanite. Some lived near the Jordan, others upon the Mediterranean. --- Maspha. Probably where Laban and Jacob had met, Genesis xxxi. 48. Hermon lay to the east of Libanus. (Calmet) --- There was another Hermon near the torrent of Cisson. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shore. The Scripture sometimes uses an hyperbole, as well as the other figures of speech. (St. Augustine, City of God xvi. 21.) Josephus says they had 300,000 foot, 10,000 horse, and 20,000 chariots. These were frequently armed with scythes. The ancient heroes often fought on chariots of a differen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Merom, or the lake of Semechon, according to most interpreters; though it is more probable, that the confederates would advance to meet Josue near the lake of Cisson, to the important pass 12 miles north of Samaria, in the canton of Meron, or Merone, Judges iv. 10., and v. 18. This place was famous... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hamstring their horses, &c. God so ordained, that his people might not trust in chariots and horses, but in him. (Challoner) --- He mentions the very time, when the victory will be obtained, to inspire the Israelites with greater confidence. Josue had proceeded from Galgal to Meron, about 90 miles;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thereof. Josue divided his forces, and sent some to pursue the fugitives to Sidon and Sarepta, and others he dispatched to the east side of the Jordan. --- Sihon was famous for its commerce, and for its glass works. (Pliny, [Natural History?] v. 19.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_King. Jabin had thrown himself into the city, or perhaps a new king had been appointed, according to the custom of Persia, &c., when the former went to battle. Hence we find so many kings of Israel were chosen very young and while their fathers were living._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. (Deuteronomy vii. 22.) all the Chanaanites in arms, are ordered to be slain. (Calmet) --- Josue took the greatest part of the strong cities, and indeed all which he attacked. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire. Several towns built on eminences, were reserved to keep the country in subjection. But it was thought proper to destroy Asor. Hebrew may be, "He burnt not the towns which remained standing, with their fortifications," &c., or such as had opened their gates to the Israelites. (Chaldean; Septua... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spoil, excepting what was found on the idols, which was burnt, Deuteronomy vii. 25. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moses. It is not to be doubted but that the lawgiver would communicate many instructions, by word of mouth, to his successor. He would also tell him, in general, to observe whatever laws had been given to regulate the conduct of the leaders, (Calmet) as they were given not only to Moses, but to all... [ Continue Reading ]
_So. Here follows a recapitulation of the victories of Josue. --- Israel, or of Ephraim, which was the chief tribe of the kingdom of Israel: after the commencement of which, this seems to have been inserted; (Calmet) or having designated the southern parts by the name of Juda, (ver. 21,) the more no... [ Continue Reading ]
_And part. Hebrew, "from Mount Halak, (Haydock; or the bald mountain, destitute of wood) going up to Seir, (which is very shady; that is, from the southern parts of Chanaan, by Seir) as far as Baalgad," on the east side of the Jordan, perhaps unto C\'9closyria. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_A long time. Seven years, as appears from chap. xiv. 10., (Challoner) where Caleb informs us that he was 85 years old. He was 40 when he went to explore the country, and 38 years were spent in the wilderness. God was pleased to allow the Chanaanites time to repent, and he would not render the count... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hardened. This hardening of their hearts, was their having no thought of yielding or submitting: which was a sentence or judgment of God upon them, in punishment of their enormous crimes. (Challoner) --- God might indeed by his all-powerful grace have changed their hearts, but their crimes caused h... [ Continue Reading ]
Time. Among his other conquests, after the victory of Gabaon, Josue defeated the Enacim at Hebron, &c. Many of them fled into the country of the Philistines, and afterwards seized an opportunity of re-establishing themselves, so that Caleb had to drive them out afresh, chap. xv. 14. --- Cities, or i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gaza, the most southern city of the Philistines, was afterwards taken by the tribe of Juda, but lost again in a short time. It was particularly addicted to the worship of Jupiter, Marnas, or "the Lord." --- Geth was probably taken by David, who found a refuge with its king, 1 Kings xxi. After the r... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XI.... [ Continue Reading ]