Eleazar the priest — He best understood the laws of God by which this division was to be regulated. Heads of the fathers — Twelve persons, each the head of his tribe, who were appointed and named by God, Numbers 34:19, and if any of them were now dead, no doubt Joshua and Eleazar, by God's direction... [ Continue Reading ]
By lot — This course God ordained, partly to prevent discontents, enmities and quarrels among the tribes, and partly to demonstrate the truth and wisdom of his providence, by which alone those parts fell to each of them, which Jacob long since, and Moses lately, foretold; so that as a learned man sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Were two tribes — That is, had the portion of two tribes, and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half, to be provided for in Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
They — That is, the persons named, Joshua 14:5, who acted in the name of the children of Israel, divided it, either now, or presently after.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then — When Joshua and the rest were consulting about the division of the land, though they did not yet actually divide it. The heads of that tribe who were willing thus to shew respect to him; and to testify their consent, that he should be provided for by himself, and that they would not take it a... [ Continue Reading ]
As it was in mine heart — I spake my opinion sincerely, without flattery and fear, when the other spies were biased by their own fears, and the dread of the people, to speak otherwise than in their consciences they believed.... [ Continue Reading ]
I wholly followed the Lord — Which self — commendation is justifiable, because it was necessary, as being the ground of his petition. Therefore it was not vain glory in him to speak it: no more than it is for those, who have God's spirit witnessing with their spirits, that they are the children of G... [ Continue Reading ]
Forty — five years — Whereof thirty — eight years were spent in the wilderness, and seven since they came into Canaan. The longer we live the more sensible we should be, of God's goodness to us in keeping us alive! Of his care in prolonging our frail lives, his patience in prolonging our forfeited l... [ Continue Reading ]
For war — 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 go out, and to come in — To perform all the duties belonging to my place. Moses had said, that at eighty years old, even our stre... [ Continue Reading ]
This mountain — That is, this mountainous country. He names the country rather than the cities, because the cities were given to the Levites, Joshua 21:11, Joshua 21:13. Thou heardest — Didst understand, both by the reports of others, and by thy own observation. Hearing, the sense by which we get kn... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed him — Prayed to God to bless and help him according to his own desire.... [ Continue Reading ]
A great man — In stature, and strength, and dignity, and authority, as being the progenitor of Anak, the father of those famous giants called Anakims.... [ Continue Reading ]