The inheritance of Simeon was taken out of the portion of Judah, which proved on experience to be larger than the numbers of that tribe required. The Simeonite territory is described by its towns, of which fourteen were in the Negeb, and four others Joshua 19:7 partly in the Negeb and partly in “the... [ Continue Reading ]
Sarid, not yet identified, was evidently a leading topographical point on the south frontier of Zebulun. The boundary passed westward until it touched the Kishon, near “Tell Kaimon” (Joshua 12:22 note), and thence, turned northward, leaving Carmel, which belonged to Asher, on its west. The territory... [ Continue Reading ]
Gittah (or Gath)- hepher, the birthplace of the prophet Jonah 2 Kings 14:25, is probably the modern village of El-Meshhad, where the tomb of the prophet is still shown, a short way from Nazareth, on the road to Tiberias. REMMON-METHOAR TO NEAH - Read “and goeth out to Remmon, which reacheth to Neah... [ Continue Reading ]
Hannathon, more properly Channathon, has been supposed by some to be the Cana of Galilee of the New Testament, and Jiphthah-el is probably the present “Jefat”; the “Jotapata” of Roman times, which was so long and valiantly defended by Josephus against the legions of Vespasian. The “Valley” is the “W... [ Continue Reading ]
TWELVE CITIES - Only five have been mentioned, and the names in the verses preceding are apparently not names of Zebulonite cities, but merely of points in or near the boundary line. It would therefore appear that seven names have disappeared from the text, and perhaps also the definition of the wes... [ Continue Reading ]
Jezreel and its famous and fertile plain are the choicest part of the inheritance of Issachar Joshua 17:16. SHUNEM - Here the Philistines pitched before the battle of Gilboa 1 Samuel 28:4. The place is also known as the home of Abishag 1 Kings 1:3, and in connection with Elisha 2 Kings 4:8; 2 Kings... [ Continue Reading ]
EN-GANNIM - i. e. “fountain of gardens;” also a Levitical city Joshua 21:29, and called Ahem 1 Chronicles 6:73, the modern “Jenin,” a place on the main road from Jerusalem to Nazareth, just where it enters the plain of Jezreel. Many of the places enumerated in these verses are not known. Tabor Joshu... [ Continue Reading ]
Helkath, a Levitical town Joshua 21:31, is probably Yerka, a village about seven or eight miles north-west of Acre, in a Wady of the same name. Alammelech was in the “Wady Melik,” which joins the Kishon from the northeast, not far from the sea. SHIHOR-LIBNATH - i. e. “black-white.” The two words are... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses refer to the northern portion of the territory of Asher, on the Phoenician frontier. Some names may have dropped out of the text, the number Joshua 19:30 not tallying with the catalogue. Ramah still retains its ancient name, and lies about twelve miles southeast of Tyre. Achzib is the m... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM ALLON TO ZAANANNIM - Render “from the oak forest at Zaanannim.” From Judges 4:11 it appears that this oak or oak-forest was near Kedesh. ADAMI, NEKEB - Render “Adami of the Pass.” Possibly the ancient “Deir el Ahmar” (“red cloister”), which derives its name from the color of the soil in the ne... [ Continue Reading ]
AZNOTH-TABOR - This place (“ears of Tabor”) was no doubt in the neighborhood of Mount Tabor - probably on the eastern slope; and Hukkok on the western slope. TO JUDAH UPON JORDAN - i. e. to the “Havoth-jair” Numbers 32:41, which were on the opposite side of Jordan. Jair, from whom these towns or vil... [ Continue Reading ]
The number of the fortified cities of Naphtali is remarkable, though it does not tally with the catalogue. It was no doubt good policy to protect the northern frontier by a belt of fortresses, as the south was protected by the fenced cities of Judah. Hammath, a Levitical city (compare Joshua 21:32;... [ Continue Reading ]
Japho (the modern Jaffa, or Yafa), elsewhere (see the margin) called Joppa, is often mentioned in the history of the Maccabees and was, as it still is, the leading port of access to Jerusalem both for pilgrims and for merchandise. It is a very ancient town.... [ Continue Reading ]
The words “too little” are an insertion of the King James Version Render rather, “the border of the children of Dan was extended.” The Hebrew appears to mean “the children of Dan enlarged their border because they had not room enough.” The reason of this was that the Danites, a numerous tribe (Numb... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing is said of any express command of God respecting the inheritance of Joshua. But as such special portion appears to have been promised to Caleb at the time when he and Joshua alone out of the twelve spies remained faithful Joshua 14:6, it is probable that a like promise was made to Joshua. Th... [ Continue Reading ]