Joshua 14

Jos 14:1-5.

THE

NINE

TRIBES AND A

HALF TO

HAVE

THEIR

INHERITANCE BY

LOT.

1. these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in

the land of Canaan--This chapter forms the introduction to an account

of the allocation of the land west of Jordan, or Canaan proper, to the

nine tribes and a half. It was also made by lot in presence of a select

number of superintendents, appointed according to divine directions

given to Moses

(see on

Nu 34:16).

In everything pertaining to civil government, and even the division of

the land, Joshua was the acknowledged chief. But in a matter to be

determined by lot, a solemn appeal was made to God, and hence Eleazar,

as high priest, is named before Joshua.

4. The children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim--As two

and a half tribes were settled on the east Jordan, and the Levites had

no inheritance assigned them in land, there would have been only eight

and a half tribes to provide for. But Ephraim and Manasseh, the two

sons of Joseph, had been constituted two tribes

(Ge 48:5),

and although Levi was excluded, the original number of the tribes of

Israel was still preserved.

5. the children of Israel . . . divided the land--that is, they made

the preliminary arrangements for the work. A considerable time was

requisite for the survey and measurement.

Jos 14:6-15.

CALEB BY

PRIVILEGE

REQUESTS AND

OBTAINS

HEBRON.

6-11. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb

. . . said--This incident is recorded here because it occurred while

the preparations were being made for casting the lots, which, it

appears, were begun in Gilgal. The claim of Caleb to the mountains of

Hebron as his personal and family possessions was founded on a solemn

promise of Moses, forty-five years before

(Nu 14:24;

De 1:36;

Jos 14:10),

to give him that land on account of his fidelity. Being one of the

nominees appointed to preside over the division of the country, he

might have been charged with using his powers as a commissioner to his

own advantage, had he urged his request in private; and therefore he

took some of his brethren along with him as witness of the justice and

propriety of his conduct.

12. give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day--this

highland region.

for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there--The report

of the spies, who tried to kindle the flame of sedition and discontent,

related chiefly to the people and condition of this mountain district,

and hence it was promised as the reward of Caleb's truth, piety, and

faithfulness.

13, 14. Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb Hebron for an

inheritance--Joshua, who was fully cognizant of all the circumstances,

not only admitted the claim, but in a public and earnest manner prayed

for the divine blessing to succor the efforts of Caleb in driving out

the idolatrous occupiers.

15. Kirjath-arba--that is, the city of Arba, a warrior among the

native race remarkable for strength and stature.

the land had rest from war--Most of the kings having been slain and

the natives dispirited, there was no general or systematic attempt to

resist the progress and settlement of the Israelites.