Within the inheritance of Judah — This was so ordered by God's providence, partly to fulfil that threatning that he would divide and scatter this tribe in Israel, Genesis 49:7, which was hereby done in part, because they had no distinct lot, but were as inmates to Judah; partly, because now upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
Toward the sea — The lot of this tribe was washed by the midland sea on the west, and by the sea of Tiberias on the east, answering Jacob's prophecy, Zebulun shall be an haven of ships; trading ships on the great sea, and fishing ships on the sea of Galilee. Before Jokneam — Supposed to be Kishon.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beth — lehem — Not that where Christ was born, which was in Judah, but another. Twelve cities — There are more numbered here, but the rest either were not cities properly so called, or were not within this tribe, but only bordering upon it, and belonging to other tribes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jezreel — The royal city, 1 Kings 21:1. This tribe, because it lay between Benjamin on the south, and Zebulun on the north, is not here described by its borders, which were the same with theirs; but by some of its cities.... [ Continue Reading ]
Carmel west — ward — Or, Carmel by the sea, to distinguish it from Carmel in the tribe of Judah. This was a place of eminent fruitfulness, agreeable to the prophecy concerning Asher, Genesis 49:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cubal — A city so called. Left hand — That is, on the north, which, when men look towards the east, as is usual, is on their left hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
Kenah — Namely, Kenah the greater, in the upper Galilee; not Kenah the less, which was in the lower Galilee. Zidon — Called great for its antiquity, and riches, and glory. The city either was not given to the Israelites, or at least was never possessed by them; not without a singular providence of G... [ Continue Reading ]
To Ramah — From the north southward. To Tyre — Exclusively, for this city was no part of the land given them. But this was not the same city we read of afterwards. For that was built on an island, this on the continent. Probably into these strong holds Tyre and Sidon, many of the Canaanites fled, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Twenty two cities — Here are more named, but some of them were not within this tribe, but only bordering places.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their coast — Their northern border drawn from west to east, as appears, because when this coast is described and brought to its end, the coast is said to turn from the east westward, Joshua 19:34. The out — goings — The end of that coast.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cinnereth — Whence the lake of Cinnereth or Genesareth received its name.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of their inheritance — Which is here described only by its cities, not its borders, which are in part the same with Judah's, and their inheritance is in good part taken out of Judah's too large portion; as appears from divers of the cities here mentioned, which are also reckoned in Judah's portion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went up to fight — This was done after Joshua's death, and seems to be here inserted, that all the chief places where the Danites dwelt, tho' far distant, might be mentioned together; and to give an account of this strange accident, why they removed from their appointed portion to so remote a place;... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of Israel — That is, they are said to give it, because the whole land was given to Joshua, and Eleazar, and the princes, as joint trustees, acting in the name, and for the good of the people: so that even Joshua could take nothing without their gift.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word of The Lord — As God had promised, or commanded; either formerly, or at this time by Eleazar. He built — That is, repaired and enlarged it, in which sense Nebuchadnezzar is said to have built Babylon, Daniel 4:30.... [ Continue Reading ]