Silo was delightfully situated, about the midst of the country, 12 miles south of Sichem. Hither the Israelites removed the ark from Galgal after having had their camp in the latter place seven years at least; the Jews say 14. But Josue might reproach the Israelites for their indolence, (ver. 3,) wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slack. These seven tribes had been accustomed to live in indolence, having their food provided for them in a miraculous manner. They were perhaps afraid lest, if the army of Israel should be divided, the different tribes would be too weak to make head against the enemy. (Calmet) --- Josue had, howe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tribe: it is not clear whether any but these seven were concerned. --- Out. Josephus says, that people well skilled in geometry accompanied them. (Calmet) --- They had to mark out seven portions of land, which might suffice for these remaining tribes, (Haydock) who would receive them by lot, to tak... [ Continue Reading ]
_North, with respect to Silo. Juda had taken possession of his territory, as well as the tribes of Joseph._... [ Continue Reading ]
The land in the midst, between these mark ye out into seven parts: that is to say the rest of the land, which is not already assigned to Juda or Joseph. (Challoner) --- For we must not suppose that Joseph occupied the most northern parts of the country, so as, with Juda on the south, to enclose all... [ Continue Reading ]
_Priesthood, and the rights attached to it, tithes, &c. (Calmet) --- It was therefore necessary to make eight portions. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Book. Hebrew, "described it, according to the cities, into seven parts, in a volume," (Haydock) or table, resembling a map. The ancients commonly wrote on boards covered with wax, and engraved on stone, lead, &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_First. A person might proclaim that the tribe, whose name was drawn first out of the urn, should have the territory which was described in the book by the land surveyors; or the names of the seven tribes might be in one urn, and seven parcels of land in another. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bethaven, or Bethel. Josephus says, (Antiquities v. 3,) that the territory of Benjamin extended as far as the Mediterranean: but it only went to Ataroth, ver. 13. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sea, on the west. (Haydock) --- The northern limits of Juda form the southern ones of Benjamin, only here Josue proceeds in a contrary direction, from west to east. (Menochius) See chap. xv. 5, 8._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Part. Hebrew, "end, or summit." (Calmet) --- That is, &c., and explication added by St. Jerome. Some say this dreadful vale (Haydock) was on the south of Jerusalem. (Button.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XVIII. _ Hills. Hebrew Geliloth, "the limits," (Calmet) or Galgal, on the road to Jerusalem from Jericho, and different from that where the Israelites encamped, chap. xv. 7. --- Adommim is a narrow pass in the vicinity, much infested with robbers. --- Abenboen. The explication is alone give... [ Continue Reading ]
_Towards, ( contra linguam) " the bay on the north," &c. (Haydock) --- There is another on the south, chap. xv. 2._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vale of Casis, "incision," so called, as some pretend, on account of the balm, which was extracted by cutting the bark with a stone, or with glass. But this etymology seems too far fetched, and there is no proof that balm was cultivated there in the days of Josue. (Calmet) --- Some of the cities of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ophni, the Gophna so celebrated in latter times, fifteen miles from Gabaa. St. Jerome attributes it to Ephraim, as perhaps it was chiefly inhabited by people of that tribe. --- Gabee. The wickedness of its citizens almost involved the whole tribe in destruction, Judges xix. It was twenty mile north... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mesphe, where Samuel assembled the people, 1 Kings vii. 5. It was regarded as a place of devotion, while the temple was in the hands of the profane, 1 Machabees iii. 46._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jebus. The city was called Salem in the days of Abraham, Genesis xiv. 18., and Psalm lxxv. 3. St. Jerome supposes that Melchisedec resided near Scythopolis, at Salem. (Genesis xxxiii. 17., ep. ad Evag.) Usher thinks he lived at Salim, John iii. 23. --- Gabaath. There seems to have been two cities o... [ Continue Reading ]