Joshua
JOSBttA, the son of Nun, of tbe tribe of Ephmim, traa fint called O^ied, or HoAed ynn Numb. xiii. 16. which ■ignifiea aaved, a Saviour, or Sahatim; out Afterward Moata, guided no doubt bjr ■ [vodietic i^nfi^ chenged fail name into prvi^ Y^Aothii^.Aahu^ vhieh aigoifies, Ae aftoU Mve, or the SaluUum ^ Jdurtah: referraig, w doubt, to hia being Ood's inatrumeut in tavinr the peopU from the handa of tbeir enemies, and luding tbezn from victory to victory over the different Canaanitiah oationa, tiJl he put them in uoaseaaion of the promised land. On the change and meaning of the name, aee the note on Numb. xiii. l6. By the Septuagint he iacalled Ihmvc N>wf, Jegta Naui, or Jenu ton qf Sati; and in die New Teatament, he ia expreaaly called Iikwc, Jbsos. See Acta vii 46. Heb. iv. 8. Joahua waa deuominatod the tertani ^ Motet, aa he aeema to have acted sometiroea aa hia secretary, aometiinea aa hia aid-da-eampt and aometlmet aa tfaie geaenU of the army. He waa early appointed to be the mceetaor at Moaeit ■eeBkod. Zvii. If. and under die initiuctiim of thii gnat maater, he waa fiiUyquahfied for the impo^ He vaa a great and pioua man, and God honoured him in a moat extraordinary manner, aa die eequef of ihc hiatory amply provea. Prom the preceding books it appears that he became attached to Mosea ahortlr after tbe exodua from E^eypt^ that he waa held by him in toe hi^iest eateem; had tbe command of the army confided to him in the war wiu tbe Amaiektteai and accompanied hia maater to the mount, when he went up loreceiTC the law from God. TbM wen flu ^igbM ItODOun he oould poaaifalv reoeiT^ during the lifetime of IStma.
Commentatora and critica are diriaed in opinion, wfaed>er tbe book that goea under hia name, were actually compthd by him.
It ia argued by thoae who deny Joshua 10 be the auilKW, dwt there are bodi noma* and trmaoefitflw in it, 'vlueh dil not eziat till conaidembly after Joahua's time. Hie account we have chap. iv. 9. of tbe twelve acooes aet up by Joafana in die midat of Jordan, remaining to the preeent day, aeema to prove that the book, at leaat thia verae, waa not writioi till after Joshua's time t the aame may be said of Xaa account of jlt, diat Joahua made it a heap far ever, even a dtaoldtim to tkt pretent dou chu. viii. 28. which ia a proo^ however that tbe book waa not written afln the lime of Ihe KSngn, aa Ai aubeialed after the return from die mptivity, aee ^ra iL 28. Hu men ^ Belh-tt and Ai tm inmdrtd twenty and ihrte. It ia mppoaed alao, thai dw relation of the marriage qf AA*ah, daugjnter of Calebs with Of/knia^ theaon of Eenaz, neoeaaari^ belongs to tbe time ot tbe Judgeai Joel), xv. 16—19. aa also tbe aooouiU of ibe WMore of Letftem by die Danites, cnap. xix. 47. compared with Judgea zviii. 7, 'J9.
*' What ia related chap. xv. 63. cooceming the Muaitea dieeUing wUh the Aitdren qf Judak at Jenuatem mfe tkie day, muat certainly nave been written before Ike timt of Davia; for he took the atrong hold of Zion, and expelled tbe Jcmiritea See 2 Sam. v. 7 — 9. Also what is said chap. xvi. 10. Ouy drove not out the CanaaniUa Oiat dmU in CUxer: but ikey dwelt among the EpkraimiUe unto thie day — muat have been written before the time of Solomon; for in hia time, Pbaraiih, king of Bg3rpt, had taken Gaccr, burnt it with fire, alain die Canaanitea (hat dwelt in it, and gave it a preaent to hia daughter, the wife of Solomon, 1 ICinga xix. 16. Ine country of Cabul, mentioned chap. xix. 27. had not this name till the time of Solomon, aa ^^wars from 1 Kings ix. 13. and the oity called.Mdkael, ehapi. zv. 38. had not this name till the reign of Joaeh, aa appnra frtim 2 Kings, chap. xiv. 7. ii having been pfevioudy caUkd Selak. The like may be aaid of T^e, chap. xix. 29. and of Galilee, dap. xx. 7. and zzi. 32."
Tbeae are the principal objectiona wiuch are made againat the boolL aa being the work of Joahua. Some of thcae difficuldea might be.ao removed, aa to render it atjll probable that Joshua was die author of the whole book, aa mme think lo be inUmaled, chap. xxiv. 26. And Joehua wrote tkete worde in tht book tf the law qf the Lord: (but this wohaldy refers to nowing more, than (he worde of ike covenant which waa dien made, and which is included in ver. Z— 21) but there are other difficulties that cannot be removed on the above auppoaitioa.* and dierefore it haa beat generally supposed that the book was written by some inspired person q/br Me time qf Joehua, and positively before many kings had reigned in Israel. The book haa been attributed to Samtul; though some rive thia himour to Ezra.
Ami afl, I cannot help conaideriag the book, in die main, aa tbe composition of Joehua himself. It is certain that Hoaea kept an accurate regiater of oil tbe events that took place during hie admioiatiation in die wilderness; at least from the giving of die Law to the time of his death. And in that wilderness he wrote die Book of Genen», aa well aa the others toM bear hia name. Now, it ia not likely diat Joehua, tbe ooDStant aervant and companion ot MootM, oould see all thia, be convinced, as be muat be, of ila utihqr, and not adopt die aame pnwtioe; eapedallyaa, at tbe death of Hoses, he came into the same office. I therefore lake it for granted, that the Book of Joahua ia as truly Am work, aa the Commentariea of Cenr are At^ and all the real difficuldea mentioned above, may be radonally and sadsfactohly aoeounted for, on the ground, that in transcribing this book in after agea^ especially between the times of Joehua anil tbe Kinge, some few changes were made, and a very few slight additions, which referred dtiefly to the inaertioa of names 1^ which cities were then known instead of those by which they had been anciniUy dewMnioated. Tbia book therefore, I oonceive to be not the work of Ezra, not ot Samuel, nor <rf any odier peraon of thooe times; nor can 1 aUow that *' it it called the Bo(A of Joahua, becaim he is dwi^iefaid^ Virgil iacalled tbe.<Siw^ beeauae of the prnue irtnn travala aad aodoiH it nlaloa," bat I ooiweive it
I. Beeanse Jatkua wrote m. 2. Beemue It ia dw relation of hia own conduct in the conquest, diviaion, and settleaaaw of the (iroiniaed land. 3. Because it contains a multitude of parHeulara (hat only himielf, or a constant eyewitneee, eould possibly relate. 4. Because it was evidendy designed to be a continuation iff the Book of Deutoronomy, and ia so connected with it in narrative aa to prove that it must have been immediately commenced on the termination of the other. 6. I migbt add lo diia, that widi the exoeption of a few individuals, the whole of tho ancient Jeviib and Chrisdan Churches have uniformly acknowledged Joahua to be its author.
IbeBoiA of Jodniais one of om most important wridi^ in the Old Covenant; and should never be aMsnttd from (be Pentateuch, of irtiiob it is at onoe both tbe eontionalion and comfdetion. Between thie hook and the Jb« ieoib^ JAseaiben is Ibe Mme analogy aa between die/our OiMpda and \bt Atia of the ApotOt*. The vamA-nmM ocmtains a history of the acra of the great Jewish Legietator, and die laws on vmich the Jewish thurch AoiM be established. TTie Book of Joanva gives an account of the eatabliAmmt of that church in the laitd of Caoaaiv aeeonling to the oft-iepeatedpromiaes and declarations of Qod. The OoanLs give an aoeount of die franattcftea* or J«nra Chtot, the great CSinBtian Legitlator, and of dioae uiwe on vrhichAu church riiould be established, and by it abouM be nvemad. l%o Acts of the Atostlss give an account of the ocftwi eatoUiaftmeirf «f diat church, aeoordw to the preaietiona and promiaes of iu great Pou^ Thus dien,die PeatefawA bears as pointed a relatioa to the OoopOot as dw Book of Joeima does la the AeU qf the Apoetlea. And we might, widi great appearance of pfOMnuV, cany this anakgy yet suther, and show that the writings of several of dw to tbs Apotlolteal BpiatU»,aM diebodn of £xaU«Iand2>anMilo toihe.^wca^ptt. Oq this venr grounl of aiudagtf, Christ ODvioiuly founded the Chrutian church; hence he had his tteelce aUeiptea, from whom the OirisUan tAurA wa* 10 spring, as the Jmnat^ dmrth or twelve iribet, sprang from the twelve toiu t(f Jacob. He had his seventy, or
Shis apostle* aadJbUowers the n»Min the CHrMian diunA, thu Moses and. Aabon were in die Jewish. As a rits initiation into his chujroh, he iMtituled bajtttm in Ibe place of einMmeffian; both being types of the purifieatioa of the hsait, and holiness m life; and as a nte of estahlimment and em^bmation. the holy etuharist in placa of the pasdtal lamb; both being: intended to commemorate the atonetnent made to Ood for the sins of the people. Tbe amlogies are so abundant, and indeed wtiversal, that time would fail to enumerate them. On this very principle^ it would be a matter (rf hirti utility, to read tkese Old Testament and New T^tament Books togtilur; as they reBect B MUvag and mutual liMit on each otheri bear the most decided testimony to the words and truth of prophecy, and duw the ample fulfilment « all the ancient and gracious designs of God. lluB appears particularly evident la the Jlvt Books qf lifyses, and Book qf JoAua, compared and collated with tbtJimT Guptas and the Aets ^ the ApostUsf and ihe analogy will be the more complete as to the number of Iboae books, though that is a matter or minor eoDsideratioo, wnen we consider Joshua as we ought, a continuation, ot the Book of Deutertnomy, tbou^ written by a different hand, which lieo books should be rated only as one history. Of Judges and Ruth, it may be said, they are a sort of supplement to the Book of Joshua.
Whoever goes immediately from the reading of the PenloitfiuA, to the reading of the Chspels; and from the reading trf Jiufaui, to that of the A/is, will carry with him advantages, which, on no other plan, ae will be able to comnuuMT Even a eoounentator himself will derive advantages from this plan, which he will seek in vain from any other. To see the wisdom and goodness of Ood in the ritual of Hoees, we must have an eye eontipuallv on the incarnation and death of Chr^ to miich it refers. And to have a proper view of the great atonement maoe by the sacrifice of our Lord, we must have constant reference to the Mosaic taw, where this is shadowed forth. WUkout this reference, the law of Moees is a system of expensive and burdensome ceremonies:, destitute of adequate meaning: and without thi» entering in of the law, that the offence might abound, to show the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the frailty of man, anl die holiness of Ood i the Ooapel of Cbnst, including the account of his iDcamatioii, prtmMng, toinele% paaBO^ death, barioL aseensiai, and inianeMton, wonkl not appear to have a sufficient neetwjto to explain and jnsti^ tt. By tfwLAViiinaiiwHisalgeef «bi.* and by the Ckwra. its oubb. Either, taken eepantaty, will not miwar thfl pnipOM
Ood eottmands Jodtoa to lead (he people over dte Jtndao, aa^ promiaee lo pot dwm in pawewioo of tbe vfaols land. He enoooiagee and commands nim to be obedient, and promises him his continual preaence and protectioit. — Ctap.\.
Joebua sends two spies to examine the state of the inhabitants: th^ are received and concealed in the house of Rahsl)^ with whom and her family they make a covenanL AStet three myn, they return to Josbua, and make a finrounble repOTt. — Chap, iL
Tlie lAolelsiaelitish camp paa the Jordan onponle to Jerieho. nie waters of the Jordan are mimonkiaily eat offhand stud in a hean tiB the whole camp panad over. — Chap. iii.
By tbe commana of Ood, twelve stones are taken up fiomthn bed of Ote river i and twdn other sbHiee are sM up In as a memorial. Tbt twelve stonee broti^t out of the river are set up in CHtgal, as a monument of Ibe miiaculoas interposition of God. — Chap. iv.
At the command of Ood, Joshua circumcises tbe Israelites — they keep their first poasover; and Joirinia is encouiaged the ai^iearance of an extraordinary person who colls himself Oi^itain of the Lord's host — Chap. v.
The Israelites invest Jericho, and surroimd it seven days, the priests Uowing with seven trumpets. On the sevendt day, at the command of Joshua, the people shout, and tbe walls of JeriehofiUl down — tbe Israelites enter and put all to tbe svonL except Babeb and her Cuiuly.— Hie ci^ is laia under a curse. — Chap. vi.
Three thousand men being sent against At, are repuleed, and ibir^-nx of (hem elaat: Jodma being distressed, and the people greatly discouraged, he mquires of the Lord why they fell before their enemies? And is answered, that contrary to the enress command of God some of the people had secreted part of the spoils of Jericha which tbev had been ordered wholly to destroy. An inquirv is instituted: and Aehan, the son of Zerah, is disoovered to bate takea a liob Babylooisb garment 200 riidiels « silver, and a wedge of gokL lb is aenleneed to be stoned^-^ and aU his l»operty, his asws, dieep, oxen, and tent are destroyed in ibe valley of AAor, and a hMf td Mooes miied ow dw place. — Cha^. vii.
lliir^ thousand men attack Ai, and lake it by stnoagem: the^ put the inhabitants to the swori to the amount of twelve thousand persons, and hong the king: they preserve the came and spoil to themselves. Jooua builds en altar to the Lord, and offers sacrifices, writes the Jaw upon the stones of it, and reeds oU the blessings and curses over against Blount Oerizim and BbaL as tne Lord commanded Moees. — Chap. viii.
The Gibeoniies send ambassadors to the Israelites, and pretending to be of a very distant nadon, g^ the prinoes of Israel to moke a league with them: thedeceptieo is discovered, and they are condemned to a state perpetual slavery. — Ch*p. ix. ' iTie kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jormudi, Lachidi, and Eglon, attack (be Oibeonite^ because they bad made a league with the Israelites. 'Riey send to Joshua for assistance. Joshua attacks those five kings, and during the battle, by an extraordinary fiill of hail-stones, many are killed; and at the intercession of Joshua, the sun and moon stand still, and tbe day is prolonged till all the confederate Amorites are destroyed. The five kings are taken in a eav« at Makkedah, brought out and hanged. The Israetites afterward take and destroy Hakkedah, Liboah, Ladrii^ GetSfi Eglon, Hmoo, Debir, and all tbe country of the hilis, south, vaU, and springs.— CbKp. x.
JIbi^ Canaanit^ Amorite, Hitltt^ Permit^ Jebosita, and Hivita kings join together aninst Israel: Joshua attaoks and discomfits ibem at Merom. Afterward be attacks loeAnakim, and conquers the whole land.— Ch^zi
A catalmue of all the kings and kiiwloins that were conquered in this war} thirty-three in the whole: two on the cast side otJordan, and thir^-one on the west. — Chu>. xii.
An account of die countries not yet subjugated to the Israelites. "Hie manner in which the territories of Sihcm and Og were divided among ihe Reubeniteis Qadites, and the half tribe of Manosseh.— Chap. ziii.
Joshua and Eleazar, tbe priest, begin the distribution of Ihe land by lot— Caleb's portion.— Chap. xiv.
file borders of the tribe dT Jodah described.— Otbniel smites EiriMb-sepbar, and marriea Aobsab, Ibe daopiter of Galdi.— Hie cities of tbe tribe of Jndafa are enmnetated*— Cb^>> zvi.
The boundaries of the children of Joseph.— tbe Canaonites of Oezer not expelled, but become tnlmtary to the ^^aimites. — Chap. xvi.
Tlie boundaries of the half tribe of Manaeseb.— The inheritance of the daugbtere of Zelophebad.— iTie CMiaamtas are not expelled by the children of Hanasseh, bat serve under tribute. The children of JosefA complam thattbnr iwrtion is too small for them: and Joshoa oommaivls them to sdbdoe and iidiBbit tbe mountain eountry of Ibe IVrtxzites.— Chap. xvii...j j u_ i
The lafaemacle of God is set up at Shtloh, and the remnant of the land is farther examined and dmded bj ML— Bmiamin's portion is described.— Chap, xviii.,,,
Tlelot of Simeon, Zebuhin, Issachar, Aaher, Naphtali, and Dan.— Tbe Duitles tako Ae dQr <tf LedMa: and tfw Israelites give Joshua Ihe city of Tininatb-serab, which he rebuiUs and inhabits.— Chap. xix.
Sis eitiea of refbge an appoinMd, at tbe command ment of God.— Oi^ xk.
*ni« Levites bave fonjr-eigfat citjea appointed to them out of the diArent tribfle.— Iliey and Htotw vm deecribed. — The people enjoy rest, ell the promieee of God being aecomptidied. — Chap. xxi.
Jodkua rfwrniirn the two tribM of Reuben and GaiL and the half tribe of Man—eh. — On their return, tbej bntld m altar of teatimony on the eait ride of the Jordan, at which ihe other tribe* are alarmed, faairn^ tone idoktroaa dei^ | •nd preparing logo to war with them, they firet send Pbioehae and ten of the prinoea to rex^uure an expUnatiaa. — ^ney inquire uito uie buiineea, and find that the altar waa built to Jdbonh, merely to pmcnt aB idohunMis vonhip: md Ike paople an aUiafied. — Caap. xzii.
jWiua, in lua old age, ezhorti the people to be Authftil to their God. — Chap, zztii.
Be iwiiriihlri all ihe tribea at Snechem— reeounu Ood'a mereiAil dealiiiga «idi theni, and Ae deKvanneea ba bad viou^ Car Ibem and their &dieis; and eanaaa diem to mate ■ solemn eoramnt, wbioh ha writei in booh af tbe lBv.-^lodMw diee, aged UO yean; and diortly after, Eleaar, the high prieat, alao.— Ou^ zzfv. •
N. B. In pursuance of tbe promiae made in the General Prtface, I have given in tbe chronologieal iwtc^ at the head of aadi trajuaetion, in Ihe Collcrwiiig book, not only the Yeard'llu World, tbe Tear More Chritt, and the Year^ CMdExoAu frtna Sgypti butalao £e Year htfora thejtnt fMymvtad. Accor^ng to cbe ArtauielimK MnVee, and dta aoM acoorato conputatioii, ihtjrtt Otumpiad oommenced in tbe SS^year of £e Juhaa. Period 1 3XX yeaia from the Creaiion / 780 yean from the /oundohoa of the Athmian empires 406 yean after the faking <tf TWy; 24 yean b^OM^biMdlngtf Bonu, BMTI^bdcKtibeinccuiuiUntfeiir Lord.
« "MOW after the death of Moses the iM.s«a.hK'.m. -Li servant of the Lobo, it came to LOta^^ pass, that the LoHD make unto J<whaa
3 ■'Moees my servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this peofHe, unto the laod wtuch I do give to them, oven to the children of Israel.
3 0 Every place that the sole <^ yoar foot ■hall tread opon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites; and unto the great
Verae 1. Ntne afu^ Ou deaUi, nf AImuX >n*) va-yAi, and it w, or happened, after the deadi of Mom*. Evea the fim words in this book ihov it U> be a continuation o/ (he preceding, and inUmately connected with the narrative in the laet chapter of Deuteronomy, of which I aup-
EM Joehua to have bees the auUiort and that chapter to m wigioally made ibe eomm«7ic6meiti gf thia bow; aee the notea there. The time referred to here, must have been at the conciuaion of die Ihirlt/ dayt, in which they mourned (or Mtieea.
Verse 2. Motet my tervani] Tha word tervant, as appjiod both to Moses and Joehua, is to be underitood in a v«fy pecuhor seiue. It si^ifies God's prime minitler, the person by whom he iMued his orders i tad by whom lia scoompiialied all hia purposes and deainu. No persoo ever bora this title in the like sense, but uie Redeemer of mankind; of \7b0.n both Moaes and Joshua were types.
Ga over Uiit Jordan] The account given by Jost^phua of thia river, nuy not be unacceptable liere. " Panium is thought to be the fountain of Jordan j but in reality it is cocrioa thiiher in an occult manner, from the place called Pkiata. Thia place lies on the road to IwDoiutis, and ia one hundred and twenty fttrlonga fr«>m Cnaturaa, not fer ffit of the road, on the right hand. It has its name Phiaia (a bowl or basin) very juatlr, from the roundness of iu circumference, bdnj round lite a wheel. It ts always full, without ever sinkjog or running over. This origia of the Jordan was not known till (he ume of Philia utrarch of Tracboiutis, who having ordered some cAojf to be thrown io at Phiaia, it was found at Panium. Jojdia'a tirible stream arise* frou this cavern, (IHiiaU^ wad dividca the mirsbes and feni of the lake StmeAon: ■ad when it has run another hundred and taealy furlongs, H first puses by the city Juliat, and then passes through dke miodle of tne lake Oennetarelh, after which, running ■ leog way over the desert, it empties itaelf io the lake A^ihaUitet." Wab, b. iii. c. z. s. 7. Sea the note on Nsnb. xxxiv, 12. aitd sec the Map. YeraaS. TV «ofe ^your /oof ff^freoiftmn] Hist of dw whole land occupied by the aersn Canssnitiih Mfions; and aa br as (he Bupfantes oa the taetj fbr (bit w«a eertatnly (he utmoat of tm graat now made to dma; VouI.-69 ■ sea, toward the goinff down of Uie son, diall be
5 TT * There sball not any man be able to stand before thee all the davs of thy life: '' as I was with Moses, so ' I will oe with thee: I will Bot lail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 1 fie strong and of a good courage: for^^unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to aa the law, ' which Moses my servant commanded thee: ■ turn not from it to the right hand or io the left, that thou mayest "prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but p thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all tliat is writteii therein: for then thou shfut make thy way proqmmis, and then tboa shalt ' have good success. -
and on that waa mcluded in what is termed the Promieed Land, the boundaries of which have^lready been defined: see Deut. chap, xxxiv, 1 — 4. and see ver. 4. below. It has ' been Bupposed, that the words every place that the tote qf your fool sfto/I tread on, were intended to express the eoBt with whish they were to coni]upr the whole Innd, nn instance of which occurs in the taking of Jericho. It was only thdr unfoithfulness to Ood, tmt rendered the eonquest, in any cose, difficult.
Verse 4. From the vnldemeat, and thie Lebanon] Joshua appearti to be standing with his fice towards the promieed Uoid, and pointing out their different places, or their situation with nit hand, This Lebanon, &c. The' utmost of iheir limits should be from the desert ot Arabia Petreta on the south, to Lebanon ou the hosts i and from the EujAratee on the uvr, to (he MMliierranean eta on the wbst. ' The Israelites did not possess the full extent of this grant till the dws of David. See 2 Sam. viii. 3. pjidZ Chron. i^. 26.
Land qf the BiUUet] Theae are generally reputed to have been the most hardy and warlike of all the Canaanitish nations; and as they occupied the mountainous countries on the south of the laud of Canaan, it is natural to ■uppoae that they would be the moat dfmcult to subdue: and on (his aecoun(, it is supposed, God particularly spentfles Aese—m shall Bi;ri)due and possess even all the land of the HltlUet: but it is probable that under this one term, all the other nalioua are included; as it is certain they are, in other place^imder the term Amoritet.
Great ted] The MediterroTUan, called gr^at, in respect of the laktt in die land of Judea, siieh as the sea of Oennefsorett, or sea of T^bcrfoh and the Dead tea, wiath were but comparatively amall lakst; but (he Hebrews gave the name of tea, yam, to every large eolketioa of waters.
Terse 6. Be oMs to ttand b^are Oue] Because Ood shall be thee, dterefore thou shalt be ineaistibte. This promise was most punctually and literally fulfilled.
9 'Have cot I commanded thee? Be stroiif; and orafi;ood courage: *be not afraid, neither be thou diamayed: for the I^ord thy God is with thee whitherBoever thou soest.
10 IT Then Joshua commanded the ofiicerB of the people, saying,
11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for "withui tnree days ye shall pass over thie Jordan, to ep in to possess the land, which the Lobd your God giveth you to poBseea it.
12 TT And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, sayin?,
13 Rememiier.' the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saylne. The Lord your God hath givm you rest, and hath given fou this land.
14 Your wives, your little ones, and your catde, duUl remain in the land which Moses gave
Aill; and avail hinuelf to the Httennoet of all tbe ituav», natund and providentia],. which God ahould placa within his reiuh. God will not help them who refiiae to help Ihemaelvea.
VeneS. book »f the taw thaU net dqiart mt ^ af MOftM The law which had alrotdy ben written far OSes, and from which he and the people were to tsike all thote precepts by which their lives were to be governed, liough there waa a copy of the law laid up in the sanctuary, yet this was not auScient. Joahua moat have a eopy ibr hEmseK (uid he was to consult it inreaaantly, that his way mi^t be made prosperoua, and that be might have gooA ancceas. ir he kept Ood'a word, 0«d woald keep him in body and soul,— if he ahould obaerre to do ueording to that void, then God woald cause all his way to be proaperooa. Those who are obedient to Ood, fatck no maiUMr of dting that ts good.
Tens 10. Commanded th» offiMra] Cftav AeUerim, these were different from the omav ah»phetim, who were jo^ss among the people and whose businees it waa to •elamine in ul civil cases. The aAofarfm have been auppoaed to bs aobordioate officers, whose business it was to see tbs decisions of the thophtlim carried into effect. Oalmet conjectures thftt the theUritn bere, may have been the haralda of the army, like those so often met with in Aimar, who were called tbe matengtrt both qf Hit god* and mm; who bore seep Ires, and whose persons were ever held sacr^. See on DeuL i. 13, 16.
Terse 11. Prepore you viHuaU\ nu tttdah, such pny 91 ■pnjvinona as they had taktn from the conqutrtd emaUriu, such as com, oxen, sfaee|L &a. for the word signifies prey, or what ia taken by hunting, Ac Thin was nseessary, as they were about to undergo considerable iaiigue in maiching, and ki makiiu preparaiiMis lor the paasagaof the Jowsat for aldtou^ tbe nanna had not yst ceased to faU, yet such other nroviBions as are mentuned abov^ were necessary on this occasion. ~
For -within thru daym ye ihail paa»\ Calmet contends, with mat appearance of truth, diat these three days shoula be reocooed from the firat day of their encamping at Jordan, three days after tbe return of the spies, i. e. on tbe eil^ib day of tbe first mondi, on the Un&. of which rhey pMSsd OT«r Jmrdao. The text, therefore, is supposed to vma^vropan vicluattjbrthrteday^ mank, for "on the Aird day afier your decampment from ISutiim, ye shall pMs over tbe Jordsn."
Verse 13. Remembtr the woriC\ He puts the S«id>enitsa, Ae. in remembrance of the engu^meots they had made with Hoses, see 14'iunb. xxxii. 20. when he granted them tbeir portion on the east side of Jordan.
Verse 14. Your tm'vai, your little onat] Andwidllheee it afqwars from Numb, xxxii. 17. were left behind 70,680 flSeotive men to guaxd them and their proper^; only 40,000 having passed ovn* Jordan to asaiat the atne tidies and half to conquer tba land. See chap. iv. 13.
Artncd\ o^vdt^ Aarmuhim, byfivta} in several lines, ^in front J probably tbe usual method of mulling, but it sesins 4o signily, orroyad B9U(pped; aecoiUre£^ wdl arTMd, and rsady for battle. See the note on Exod. xiii. 18.
Verse 16. Toicard the nnrMng} That is, tbe xast j M toward Alia going detm ((f the sun, >i$nifiea the waar.
verae 16. AU that thou eowtvutnaetl us, iM wiU da] Hsn tb^ aoknovledse the divine miasiOD of Joshua, as tbn had done thit oTMosest and unsstpieady promin to faUowhiidincUoiis in aU things. ' *^ you ob this side Jordan; but re shall pass befim your brethren *armed, all the mighty men tf
15 Unlit the Lord hath given your brethren rest, as he hath given y<m, and they also have poseesflcd the land which the Lord your God giveUi them: ■ then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses, the Lord's servant, fcave you on this side Jordan, toward the sunrieii^.
16 If And they answered Joshua, eaynv, AS that thou commandest us we will do, and whitlkereoever thou sendest as, we will go.
17 AecordingaswehearkenedimtoMosesinaH thines, BO will wehear ken unto thee: only the Leas thy God ' be with thee, as he was with Moses.
18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou eosamandest him, he sballbe puttodeath: onlybestrongaDdofagoodcoorace.
Verse 17. Only the Lord thy God be with thee] PtOTid> ed Ood be with n««, aa be waaviridt Moae% irr nill impb citly obey (bee. Toe wonla however may ■ean so bmr than an earnest prayer for Jodiua's prosperity. Kay Ood be with thee as be was with Hoses I
Verse Ul Be Aatl be ma to doatK\ lUs was Msrlisl law; be who disobeyed ine command of bis general dMNiU be put to deaib. To this tbe people agreed; and >t was essentially necessary, in order inat proper discipline sbooU be kept op in this great amy. Br insuborAnaiion tb^ fathers had sufifefed much in me wildemesa: they rneetc4 the fiuthority of Hoaea, mutinied, and made tin insiiliis ■ leader to ooodaet diem ba<^ to Erm; sse Nuaib. xtv. 4. And Joshua Umssl^ ftr atteaptug to sneoanics than against their Cears, was Dear being stosod to deslh. A wis neeessaiy, tbenfare, thit tbay dMuU give hiai dw bmm positive assuianee, ourt they would not act as tbsti fcihm bad done.
1. NoTwrnuTAXsnto tbe great honour God put on bis serroDtSiHoses^ Aaron, Phtnotas, and Joshua; juwvtnd him uaiw every means to induce the people to tnisi in himtiif uone. Hence he is ever dwwiog tbein, that even those great men hod nothing but what ibey bad reesivo^ and that Ihey were as folly oepenJent npoo himsdC as ifae meanest of the people. What was even A§mm, widwwM his GOD 1
2. Is it not strann that at tbe death of Xoees^ eotsr deepair had not overwnelmed the whole camp; as he whw they expected to give them rest, hod died before any conquest waa mode in Canaan t We find, however, that they are not discouraged: He who gave them JUbecs, has new
Even Oi^ra Joafma in bis place; and <beT had new folly amed, that if God be for them, none eonid be aoeosMMly against them.
3. From oil this wc may learn, that when Godhasa groat work to accomplish, he will provide himself avitaUe mstruments; and though one, which he has greatly bo*- oured, appear to &ul, we should know that he b not eo^ fined to work by that one alone. He has way every wbete, and all things serve the purposes of his will. He will as surely support his church on earth, as he will support tbs earth itself; and ^ile tbe sun and moon eooure, tbe church shall lloiniili} Aiis ia for hb own hofxjnr; arid he certainly is more concerned for his own glory in the administration of justice, judgment, and satvatioo in tbesar^ than any of the children of men can pOMibly be.
4. Though God hnd so impliciily promised tbembishelf^ yet he strongly insists on their own eo-operoHon, He requires the use of every power and talent he has giws: even Joshua himself must be atrohg and very nmragoamt, and the people must obey Mm in St thingu, in order fbat they may ep over tbe Jordan to possess die good land t and without lois, they hod never got into the proniaed rest. Shall we suppose then, that if uw be not woricers together with God, that we shall be savedl Vain ezpeciatiool He works in us to leiU and to do; L e. he gives ibe prtuc^Cs of volition in things that are boly, aild tbe prmei|le of power, -to bring the ads of wtU into good praetualcneef—' therefore, Mys the apostle, worJt out your own omhaUm with- fear and ttwhUng. FPftt, therefiire, under die fiueooe of the gracious principle of volitian.- act, niAr the influence of the principle o( power. Widmut tbs power, you can iwitber wtU nor ds.- but baviiw die pinrast k is your dn^ to teftt and dsi It is enot^ Omt Ood dw peww. It is ear du^, vrim we imsw dMss HissS% to improve them. In r million of cases, mut mvr be bodi able to viil aad to da, and yet do neither to the ndn- Uoa of Ua aouL
Terae 1. Jochtio— «citf— too man ta «py MO-st^l It ii very likelvthat ifaeae apiea had been Mot out aoen alter the de«th of.Hosea; and therefore our marginal reading, Aotf tent, ia U> be preferred. SeereUy — It ia very probable also, that theae were confidential peraone: and that the transaction was between (hem ana him alone. Aa they ware to pass over the Jordaa <^^aaita to Jericho, it was neceasary that tbej ahould have posaeftdon of thia citjr, that in eaae of any reveraea, they might have no enemiea in (heir rear. He aent the men dierefore, to see Ate atate of the citv, avenuea of approach, fortifications,' &c. that he might die better concert hia mode of attack.
A hariofa Aotwe] HarUAt and ir.n-keeper» seem to have been called 1^ the aane name: a% no doubt, manv who IbUowed this mode of life, from uteir exposed siroation, were not die most correct in their morals. Among the ancienlB, wmun mnerally kept houses of entertainment; ADd among the Egyptians and Greeks this was common — I shall subjoin a lew proo&, HaaODOrra, speaking concerning the many dilfereoces betveen Egypt and other countries, and the peoiliority of (heir lawa'and customs, flxpreaaly WKJ», Ep rwn ei /uv ysraistf ays^seai mi mtn- >(M«ai' SI ii Mftt, mt'. oimvc asrrrt, v^tWMi. "Among the Egyptians t)w women carry on all cotnmercial concerns, and A^cD taverns; while the men contintie at home and weave." Herod, in Euterp. c. xxiv. DiODOBcrs Sarnxm, lib. i. s. 8. aad c. xxvii. asserts, that "the m<>n were the ■laves of the women in Eg^t, and that it is stipulated in the maniaoe contract, that the woman doUl be the ruler of herhowiuid; atkd that he shall obey her in oil dkings." The same historian auppoees, that women had these high privileffes among the Egyptians^ to perpetutte the memoly of die beoclicent adminlBiralioa of Jii«, who was afteorward deified among them.
NritrHODOBtm, quMed by die ancient scholiart on <Edijm» CWonus of Sophocles, accounts for these cusioma; he aavSi that " deaoatne, finding die population of Egypt rapialy inereaaiDz; fearing that he should not be able to goveni the people, or keep them united under One head, obliged die men to assume the oceiipations of women, in order thai they mi^t be rendered effeminate."
Shqihoeles confirms die account given by Herodotua; qwakins of Egypt, he says,
" There the men stay in their houses weaving clodi; while the women transact all fruatncM out <ff doort, provide food for die family," && It ia on thia peaaage, that the acholiaat cites iVympAorforu* for the in&rmauon given abov^ and which, he aaya, is found in the 13di chap, of his work "On the Customs of Barbarous Nations."
TTiat the same custom prevailed among the Grttkt, we have the following proof from ArnLEius: Sgo vera quod primum ingruma ttabulum eonwpieatxu sum, ooeasH, tt ds ocADAM AXD cAupOKA Uliof fercofUor. Metam. lib. i. p. 18. Edit. Bip. "Having entered into the first fnn I met with, and there seeing a oertain out wohai^ the niir- KBsraa, I inquired of tier — "
It is very likely that women kept the placet of public entertainment among the PUUsttnet; and tbAt it was with nuk an ons, and not with a harlot, that Samaoo lodged; MM Judges zvi. 1. dkc. for as this custom eortainly did prevail among the Egyptiatu, of which we have iba AiUeot proof above; ve may naturally expect it to have prevailed also among the Canaanites and Philistine as we find from ApuJeiuM, that tt did afWw&rd among the Greeks.
erea Jericho. And they wantrOiid ■ came into a harlot*! home, named 'Raibb, and 'lodged
2 And ' it was told the king of Jericho, saying. Behold, there came men inTnither to-night, of the ehitdren of Israel, * to search out the coantrv. • 3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahan, Baying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out alt the.country.
4 ■> And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men onto ma, but I wist not whence they were:
5 And it came to pa«« about the time of ahnt-
Besides, there is more dian presumptive proof, that this cat* tom obtained aramg the Israelites themselves, even in the most polished period a€ their history; for, it ia muda mora reasonable to suppose, that tlie tm ieomtn, who came to Solomon for judgment relative to the detid child, I Kioga iiL 16,&c wcreinn-Accpers, tbanthat they were AaWetonlt is well known, that common prostitutes, from their abandoned course of life, scarcely ever have children: and the laws were so strict against such in Israel, see Deut. zxiii. 19. diat if ihne Iwd been of that class, it is not atall likehr they would have dared to appear before Solomon. AQ these eircunutanees conuilered, I am ftitly satisfied, diat the term rm xenah, in the text, which we translate hartat, should be rendered fmem or fnn-A«pep, or Aostoss. The ipiet, who were sent out on this occasion, were undoubtedly the most confidential persons that Joshua had in his hoal: they went on an errand of the most weighty imporb' ance, and whi<^ involved the greatest consequences. Tllia risk they ran of losing their lives in thia enterprise, was extreme. Is it therefore likely, that persons who eouM not escape apnrdiension aixl death, without the miraculoiN interference <n Ood, should, in despite of the law, which at du's time must have been so well known unto them, go into a place where thny might expect, not (be blessing, but the curse of God 7 la it not, therefon, more Ittely, that they went rather to an tnn to lodge, than to a bnihd? But what eompletes in my judgment, iba evidence on ttiia point, is, that this very Rahab^ whom we call a korlol, was aetually married to Salmm, a Jewish prinet, aee Matt. i. 5. And is it probable, that a prince tff Jvdah would have taken to wtfo such a persoo as our text re^iresenta Sahab to bel
It ia granted, that dw Septuagint, who are followed by Heb. XI. 31, and James ii. 26. (nuislata the Hebrew rot xmahf by tro/ive, which generally signifiea a protMfulc / but it ia not stwotutely evident that the Septuagint used the word in diis sense. Every scholar knova^ tint the Greek word vsprir comes ffom ttprM, to teU, as this does from vapw, to pan from one to another: — trantirs Jitcw a me ad alterum: dakk. But may not thia be spolun as well of the woman's goods, as of her ptrtmr In this sense the Cbaldee Targiim understood the terin, Mtd hoa therefore translated it Nn>|mB muw itetha punaaleitha, a woman, a TAvxBN-KEXPna. "nut this is the true sense, many eminent men are of opinion: and the preeeding arguments render it at least very probable.. To all thia may be added, that as our blessed Lwd came throagfa the lioe of thia woman, it nmwt be a matter of hule consequence, to know what Tiorat diaraeter she snstaioed: as an itmkemer, she might be retpti^abh, if not honaurabUi as a miDlie proatitute, she could he neither: and it ia not very likely, that the providence of Ood would have suffered a penon of such a notoriously bad choraeter M enter tniotho sacred line of his genealogy. It is true, that the eases of Tamar and Bathsheba majDS thoo^itaiiffiotent to dealrof diis argument) bat whoever eoimders ihne two eases matnre^, will see that they differ totallv from that of Rijiab, if we allow the word harlot to be legitimate. As to the olijection, that her hueband is nowhere mentioned in die account here nven, it appears to me to have litda weight. She Aiight nave been either a Hnglt woman, or a vndov: and in either of theae case^ there couW havo been no mention of aAttsftonil.- or if she even had a hoaband, it is not likely he would have been mentioned on this occasion, as (he secret seems to have been kept religiously between Aer and the tpies. If she were a married woman, her husband might be included in (he general terms, AU Oiat aha had; and, AU htr kindred, chap vi. 23. Bat it is most Kkely, diat she was a tingle woman, or a wt^foiD, who got her oread hones^, by keeping a ftoissa qf entertainment for tlrangere. See nelow.
tkvr of tbe gate, when- it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went. I wot not: porsne aOer tltem quickly; for ye shall overtake
6 But 1 ^e hail brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon tbe roof.
7 And the men pursued after them, tbe way to Jordan, unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were pone out, they shut the gate.
8 H And before Ihey were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9 And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that ^your terror ie falfen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of tbe land > faint because of you.
10 For we have heard how the Lord " dried np the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Effypt; and "what yedid unto the two kin»a of the Amorites, that were on the other Bide Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye Utterly destroyed.
11 And as soon as we had * heard the^e thing's, V our hearts did melt, neither ' did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for ■ the Lord your Goa, he is God in heaven dwve, and in earth beneath.
12 Now tiierefore, I pray you, ' swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you bind-
■ppean to be a proof of the preceding opinion: liad bIw be«i B prottitute, or a person of iU-JiuM,M could at oDce hsve Bent officers to have aeizeo tbe peraoiu lodged with h«r, u vagaboodi: but if abe kept a nouae of entertainment, the perwnu under her roof were tacred, according to tbe univerMd custom tt the Asiaiiea; and eould not be molested on any trifliDggrODnds. A ^wi^ or a.^-»eiid; U nerad, in whMsver boue be may be reedvut, in every put m the East, to the present day.
Terse 4. And hid iJuml^ Probably she secreted them for the time being, in some private comer t till she bad the opportunity ot coaceaUoK Uiem on the bouse-top, in the manner meotioned ver. 6.
Terse S. WKm it ww dork} So it sppears, that it was after night tt«t tint king of Jericho sent to Buab^ ordering ber 10 produce the persons who lodged with her. The MosoR itself "was friendly to the whole plot: had these transactions taken nlaoe in day-light, it is scarcely possible that tbe spioe could have esoapea. But thra is no excuse far the -woman's prevarication: for God cculd have saved his messengers independently of ber JiiitUy. God never wtym to any, Do evil that good nay come of it. See at tbe «nd of die ehnpler.
Tstse 6. mi Asm triA tiu »taik» itfjtax] It is « matter of little consequenoe whether we translate yv^^ vtvc pUleyhaitt, stalks of flax, or stalks of hemp: the word n H*> 'vrhica signifies wooc^ serves to show, that whedier it was hmip or Jtax, it was in its rou^ unmanubctured stale: and as this was about the season, viz. the end of Manh or the b^inuing of April, in which the flax is ripe in that eowntry, eonoequeauly.llahab'a^/liu might have been recently BRdled. and was now drying on the roof of bar house, "nte reader may find some usefiil remarks upon this BulMset in Mr. Uaritur't Observations, vol. iv, p. 97, Ac
Upon the roqf} We have already seen, that all tbe houses in tbeeaaiwcremAdej8(]/-Tw/ea.- for whichalaw is given, Deut. xxii. 8. On these flat roofs, the Asiatics to this day, walk, converse, and oftentimes even sleep and pass the night. It is probable, that this hiding was after that referred to in the fourth verse.
Terse 9. I know that Oie Lord hath, givtn you, VitUmd\ It is likely she had this only from conjtelurt, having beard id their successes against the Amorites, their prodigious lumbers, and seeing the state of terror and dismay, to wbicb tbe inhabiumls of her own land were reduced.
Terse 11. fft is Ood in htaven abaceyand in earth bontath.'\ This coofe«sion of the true God is amazingly fiill, and argues considerable li^t and information. As if she had seKl. "I know your God to be omnipotent and omnipresent:*' and m consequeoee of this ftith, she hid uw spie^ and rialnd ber own life in dtriog it. Bat bow ness, tliat ye will atao show kindnees unto " my father's house, and 'sire me a true token:
13 And that ye wiH save alive mr father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that thoy have, and deliver oor Krea from death.
14 And the men answered her^ our life * (or yours, if ye utter not this our busmess. And it shall he, when the Lord hath given ns tbe hud. that ' we will deal kindiv and triily with thee.
15 Then she ' let them down by a «tfd through the window: for her house va* upon the town wall, Eind she dwelt upon i^e wall.
16 And she said unto ihem^ Get you to tbe moimtain, lest the pursuers meet you: and hida yourselves there three days, tmtii tbe pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17 And the men said unto her. We viU be ' blameless of thine oath which thou hast made
18 'Benold, wAenwe come into the land, thou sbait hind this litie of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by; ^ and than shall * bring thy father.and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy fathers household, home unto thee.
19 And it shall be, that whosoever diall sn out of the doors of thy house into tbe etreet, his blood shall be upon bis head, and we irt» be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in
bad she this clear knowledge of the Divine nature? 1. Possibly tbe knowledge of Sie true God was general io tbe earth at this time, though eonneeted witli much superstition ood idolatry: the people believing that thm was A god for er«ry dUlrict, and for eeery jteajde: for tfaa mautUaino and for the 9aU^. See 1 Kings xx. 23. 2. Or slie received iliia instruction Irom the spies, with wbon she appears to have had a good deal of conversation; or, 3. She had it from a supernatural influence of Ood apoo her own soul. She probably made a better use of the light she had received, tlian tbe rest of ber countrymen, and Ood increased that lighL
Terse 12. Smdar tinio me by Hit Lard\ Tium is • farther proof thai this woman had receivea eoosideialils instnwtion in ths Jewidi faith i she acknowledged (he trot God by his eaaeotial character, Jdiovak: am knsw that ao oatk in his name, was the deepest and most aolemo oblintion under which a Jew could possibly come. Does not this also refer to the command of Goo, Thau thalt fear th* M^ord, and a/tail twtar by hiM name 7 See the noie on DeuL vi. 13.
Verse 13. DtHtcr our lira from death} She had learnt eidier from the spiesi or otherwise^ that all tte ishabitanta of tbe land were doomed to destruction; and therefore she obliges them to enter into a covenant with her, for the preservation of herself and her household.
Verse 14. Our l^fe for yourt} "Slay our life be destroyed if we sufler yours to be injured V This is what wasaacienlly ealleiL in our country, pled/fing — siakii^a man's life for that of his neighbour or fiiend.
Terse 16. Tiun sfte lei them dmen by a esrt^ Ac] The natural place fbr diis verse, is after llw first elaase at the 21st verse; for it is certain that she did not let them down in the basket, till all thoee circa mstaitces, markrd from the 16th to the 20th verse inctiiaive, had taken ptaer.
She diBelt upon the vxU!.] Tlmt is, either the vralt of the city made & part of her house, or her house was builded close to llie wall, so that the top or batilemeata ot it were above the wall, with a window that looked out m the country. As the city gates were now phut, 'berr was no way for the spies to escape but throus^h this window; and in order to this, she let them down through the window, in a basket, suspended by a cord, till they reathed tha pmind on the txitaide of the wall.
Terse 16. Wde yourtixea Biere Aree doys^l Timy were to travel I7 nxght, and hide themselves m am daytime; otherwise they might bav« been discovmdby ma pursuers, who were m search of thf^m.
T%kkevath ihut ha^Aani. Probably this may mean, m's pifeAoi aearid doth—or.lhiM doih {mitt)ofiKurUttliTead. vVhoi the Isrselilea toM tbe ct^, this pMee of rtd cMh seems to ha^becn hun^ out 01 Aejgladow, bjt ws^ ot
the house, ' hie blood Aall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thoa haet narfe us to swear.
21 And she said. According onto yonr words, ■o 6e it. And she sent them awav, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the wiitdow.
22 And they went, and came onto the moun* tain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: * and the pursuers souffht them throughout all the way, nut found mem
23 IT So the two men returned, and descended from the moontatn, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all tiUngs that befel them:
24 And the/ said unto Joshua, Truly ' the Loan hath delivered into our hands all the land; ibr even alt tlie inhabitanu of the country do < fiiint because of us.
Tht IntUilih CU9 wmw Inm AMlbn to Jonkn, t ni efct kfoa tin >o«tk« anuiivMUH nw.ud iha dimiDM Unr mto toiB ftimi itn ut, •— I, JoAuJ^acitailMIMi^.S.a. Andtba Lonl ci<a<UiHtlMIBjgAu,T.l H« ilii Hi -in III IT i nil iliiiiliM mill ii« lij piMrt. Iilfci >■< ilii
^iHLto.*. AND Joshua rose early in the LoSV^ morning; and they removed kfrom Shittim, and came to Jordan, tag! and thia ww the aiga on which ibe mod the apio osdagraed.
Vorae 20. Huu uiler &U our fruatruaaj It waa prud«iu to mak» bar lift depend on faer ucrteyi bad it been otherwise, abe misnt have been templed to bsve given infbrmatioD, not onl^ concenuof the Mpia^ but coneemiag the deaigna of the laraelitea. JBut her li& being at atake, added lo every oiher motive, aha kept the aecret for the aake of her own peraonal safety, and that of all her relativea.
Verae 113. So tht tioo nun returjudl Having concealed diemaelvea in the mountain that night, all the next day. and the night enming: and on the thud day, they returned Id Joshua.
Verae24. Truly At Ziord hath delivered into mtrkandM aU the landl How different waa thia report fj-om that brought by the apiea on a former occasion I lltey found Ibst all the inhabttanta of the land were panie atnidc Hie people had heard of the great exploits ta the laraelitea on Ibe other aide of Jordan; and aa they had deatroyed the potent kioga of the Amoriies, ibey took it for gnjoied, that nothing cmdd atand befcH^ them. Thia information waa oeceasary to Joahua, to guide him in forming the plan of hia campaign.
1. It may be aaked, Did not Rahob £ie in the account dw gave to Ibe offieera of the kitw of Jericho? ver. 4, 6. Tlwv msM mm mUo nu, Ac. I aiuwer, She certainly did: and the iaapjred writer seta down the tmot merely aa it atood, without making the Spirit of God reapoiuible for the diaaimnlation of the woman. But waa she not rewarded, t Yea I for her hoapitality and foith; not for her Itc Biu oottid ahe have aaved the apiea without telling a liel Yea, ahe eartaiidy might. But what notion eould a woman of her occupaiionj though nothing vorae diui so tfinJtuper, have of the ntcer disiinctiona between truth and falsehood, living among a moat profligate and depraved people, where truth could acarcely be known?
2. Tliere is a morality in the world, that recommenda a lU, rather than the tntlh, when the purpoaes of region nod AumonUy can be served by it I But when authiabel The relision of Chriat ia one eterml ayatem of truth, and can oeitner be served by a iw^ nor admit of ooa^ Cm diiB vile subject fins words have been snAen. TWao^ in his elegant episode of SopJironia and OUndo, in the <7enuaicmtne Ltberaia, b. ii. v, 22. repreaenta the former aa telling a lie to Saladin, relative to the atealii^ of an image; for which, aa he could not discover the culnrit, be doomed all the Christiana in hia power to death. Bophronia, a pioua Chriatian virgin, fretting into the presence of the tyrant, in order to save ner peopl&accusea hsAel^ tbougn parfeotly innoeent, of the theft. Her conduct on thia oceasioa. the poet embellishes in the fbHowioB MtMinsr, for which ne religion of that time, which dsatt bk Ao^ytistuli, woald no donht ap|^s«d Ub:
he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 f And it came to pass ' aAer three dayi, that the officers went through the host;
3 And they ooramanded the people, saying, * When ye see the itrk of the covenant of the Lord your God.)and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from yotir place* and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and It, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye most go: for ye have not passed this way ■ heretofore.
5 f And Joshua said tmto the people, • Sanctify yourselves: for tCMnorrow the Loan wiU do woiuiers amoni; you.
6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, pTake up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
7 J And tfie Lobd said unto Joshua^ This dav will I be^ to <■ magnify thee in the sight of all ' Israel, that they may know that, as 1 was with Moses, to I will be with thee.
8 And thou shall coihmand ■ the prieets that bear the ark of the covenant, saying. When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, « ye shall stand still in Jordan.
9 IT And Joshtia said unto the children of
Thus a lit is ornamented with qtleiKlid decomtion% both by the Italian and EngHA poet, and Ibe whole mnued into an anti-apoatoUe maxim | Zitl ua do svu, that oooD may eomt qfit.
j{ purer morality waa taught by one of the most ancient heathen writers, man ia here preached fay thass denU- CAriaftona.
Tlie following is the advice of a ^uine Qiriattan poa^ and one of the nolieat men of hia nine:
\.vmmmm tmii ami mma mme^nm rwmru
Fur D^b^'r ol^rvationa on this aubjeel, aee the notes oo Gfii. Kii.?nd, and xa- J.2.
'J, TlitiuR)! tLc hand of Ood WIS evidently in every thing thnieancemnl tlieiBraelitea; and th^ were taught lo oonsiderth^t bvAUfli^^ alone, they were to be put inpos-. aewion of me pnnntaBd land; yet th^ were as fiilly eODvi]i<'(^] 'hiLi iT liipv tIli) licit use the counael, prudence, aimjl sti"ii>-ili. wKi. lk ill-;,- ti:Lil g«eeived from him, they should ncL jiucci^eil. UcLCC, mIuIc they depeoded on the Divins direction and power, they exercised their own prudeoo^ and put forth their own ttrength: and thus they were workers together with hini. and did not receive the graos of Ood in vain, lie application of thia maxim is easy; and we cannot expect any aucceaa, either in things spiritiial or temporal, unlesa wa walk t>y the aame nile^ and mind the asime thing.
TbH AUMwHb pubUe ml, IlM MMK« WbatMtwt(b«aba/aMtaodcuooav«Rl Jfeofc
Verae I. JbaAtM rose ""jlfi Archbiahop TTadier supposes that this was upon WedTueday, the 28ih of Apnl, A. M. 2B63, the fortieth year after the Exodus from Enrpt From Stiittim, where ihey had lately been encamped, lo Jordan, was about aixw stadia, according to Joaspbus | that is, about fight Rngi"** mjlf,
Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God. „., „.
10 And Joshua eaid. Hereby ye ehall know that " the living Go4i« among you, and that he will, without fiul, * drive out from before you the Canaanitea, and the Hittiiew, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the OirgashiteB,aiia the Araorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of tlie covenant of » the Lord of all the earth, passeth over before you, into Jordan.
12 Now therefore * lake you twelve men out of the tribea of Israel, out of every tribe a man;
13 And it shall come to pass, » as soon as the coles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, ■ the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of
bsbly 10 he ihua underatood. Ab too* m Jodiua took the eommand of the iirmy he sent tlie spies to ascertain the ■tale of Jericho, as we have seen chap. i. 12. They returned at the end of three days, or rather on the third dav, and made their report. It was at this time, immediately on the return of the spies, thai he made the proclamation mftilioned here: in consequence of which the people immedistelj stractc their tenl^ and marched forward to Jordan.
Terse 4. About Iw Amuand eubUt] Tha distance they were to keep, 1. For the greater remeet, because the presence of ^e ark was the symbol and pledge of the Divine presence. 2. That the ark, which was to be their jtilot over these waters, might be the more amspieumt, which it could not have been, had the pMple crowded upon it.
Verse 6. iSiinetj/Vycnu-AahesT VVnatwaa implied in this command, we are not infbimed; but it is likely, that it was (he same as thai givetk by Hoses, Exod. xix. 10 — 14. 1%«y were to wash inemselves and their garmenU, and abstain ftom every thing that mieht indispose their minds from a i>rofitable attention to the miracle about to be wrought in their behalf.
Verse 6. iS^^ unto the prittU, toying. Take up the ark] It is remarkable that the prUsU, noi the Lentet, whose ordinuy buuness it was, were employed to carry die ark on this occasion. Calmei conjectures that this was because it was probably carried wWuntt bdn^ wrapped up in Ua eurlaitu, as it always was when the Leviies carried iL Tliough it was the business of the Levit«s, the sons of Eohath, to carry the ark; yet on certain occasions, the priests alone penbrmed this office. 1. In thepreseht case. 2. When they encompassed Jericho, ehan. vi. 6. 3. When it was carried to the war asainst the Philistines by the priests, die sons of Eli, 2 Sm. xv. 26. 4. When David sent it back to Jerusalem, at the lime he was obliged to fly from ii, through the r^llion of his son Absalom, 2 Sam. XV. 2S. And 6. At the time that it waa taken out of the tabernacle, to be deposited in the temple, see 1 Kings viii. 6—11. These were the mott toUmn Ofxaaions, and on such alone, we may presume, the prieaU perforined this office^ instead of Ibe LepiitA.
In all their former marches, the ark was carried in the eejitre at this immense camp; see the scheme at the end Af chap. ii. of the book of rfumbers. but nov it was to proceed at the head of the army, and to go befiwe them, and at such a distance, about three quarters of a tnttt, as the whole camp might sec it as their guide.
Verse 7. TAw day leiU I begin to magnify tkte] By making him the instrument in this miracuTotts passa^ he dkl him honour, and gave him high credit in the sinit of the people: hence his authority was established, and obedience to him as their leader Ailly secured. What must have confirmed this authority, was his eircunulsntially ibretelllng how the waters should be cut off, as soon as the feel of ttie priests had touched them, ver. 14. "niis denunutmied that the secret of the Lord was with him.
Verse 8. Ye sAoU eland tHU in ^mlan} T^e priests proceeded first with the ark, and entered into the bed of the river, the course of which was immediately arrested, the waters eollacting aboce the place where die priests stood, wiiile the stream fell off towards rhe Dead tea} so diat the whole channel below where the priests were standing, became dry. The whole camp, therefore, paned over below where the priests were standinz, keeping at the distanoe of 2000 ciibiu from the ark: this ihey could rendily dik M the whole bed of the river was dry for many miles below the plaee where ^^iHts entsred.
Jordan shall be cut oSfrtm the waters that come down from above; and they ■ sh^ staal
14 TS And it came to pass, when the peopU removed from their teols, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were- come unto Jordan, and * the feet of the priests that bare the ark, were dipped in the lirim of the, water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks * all the time of harvest.)
16 That the waters which came down from above, stood and rose up upon a heap, very far from the city Adam, that i« beside ' Zaretao: and those that came down ■ toward the sea of tfae plEUn, even * the salt sea, failed, and were cnt i^: and the people passed over right ai^inst Jericho.
Verse 10. Hereby ye Aall know that the uviicc Goo is among you] The Israelites were apt to be discouraged, and to faint at even the appearance of danger; it was necessary, therefore, that they should have the fullest assurance of the presence and assistance of God ia d» importsnt enteipnse on which they were now entering. Iney are to combat idolater^ who nave nothii«lo trust in, and help them, but god* of wood^Htne, ana mCaf; whereas they are to have the living God in the midst of them, Hx who is die author of If/v and of ftetn^— who can give, or take it away, at his pleasure; and who bf this miracle ifk-oved that he had undertaken to guide and defend them: and Joshua makea Otio manifestabM «f God, the proof ihuhe will drive out the Hittiie^ Hivius^ &c. before them.
With regard to die ntuation of each of these nationa in the land of Canaan, Calmet rvmarks, that dtoae called CANAAKrrBS chiefly inhabited what is called PSanueia, the environs of Tyre and Sidon: the Hmrm occupied the mountains, southward of the Promised Land. The HrviTKS dwelt by Ebal and Oetixim, Sidum, and Gibeon, toward the mountains of Hermon. The Pntx- BiTBS were probably not a distinet nation or tribe, but rather villagera, scattered fhroo^ the country in cAaeimL The QiaaABHim possessed the country bnond uie Jordan, toward the lake of Oennesareih; the Jnoams possessed Jenisalem: and the AMoarraa occupied dM mountainous country in the vicinity of the western nn of the Dead sea, and also that part of the land of Moafc which the Israelites conquered from Sihon and Og.
Verse 12. Thke you twette men] See the note od chap. iv.
Verse 16. And Vie feet of the prieaU tsers dipped i» the brirH qf the water] Thus wc find that evenr thing occurred Exactly in the way in which Joshua had foretoU it. I^is roust have greatly increased his credit ameng
Fbr Jordan tnerJIowtA aU Ms banliB, It has oiten been remarked, thai there was no nra) of a mtraels in crossing Jordan, as it is but an inconsidentble stream, easily fordable; being but about twenty yards in bnadth. But the circumstance marked here by t"e sacred historian proves, that there was a time in the year, viz. in the harteat, that this said river merjtowed hu bankt: and dtis ia confirmed by another place in Scripture, 1 Chron. xii. 16. As the miracle reported here took place about the bqriftning of April, a time in which rivers in general areleas dian in winter, it may be asked, bow there could be sodi an increase of waters at this time 1 The simple fact that ihe Jordan, as we have already seen, has lU origin at the foot of Mount Lebanon; whioi mountain is alw^s cowred with mow, during the winter roondis.- in those months, iberefinv, the river is low; but when the sumroer's sun has melted these snows, there is cmisequaitlj a prodigious increase of waters, so that the old diaanel ia not capable of containipg them; and this accounts for the statement in the text, uiat the Jordan eveiJlo»A his banlu all the time <{f karveal; and this was die due which God chose they should pass over it, that a miitteolous interposition might be neeessaiy; and that liydw miracle they should be convinced of his omnipntenoe^ w)io was not only their guide, but had promised to put then in possession n this G^od land.
Verse 16. jRoee up upon a heap] TTiai ii^ dkev continued to accumulate, filling up the whole of the chaDne) toward dis soiim, afld the adjacent.ground over vhMi thoy were now spresd, ta a modi greater d^ik; dis
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of (he Lord, stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, < and all the laraeliies passed over on dry ground, ontil all the people ware passed clean over Jordan.
Am. Emi i«. * ]N{D cftmc to pasB, when all the ammwm xX people were dean passed * over i.<xp^m. Jordan, that the Lorb spake unto Joshua, saying,
8 I Take ^ou twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3 And command ye them, sajring, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan^out of the place where "th^ priests* feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in 'the lodgins place, where ye shall lodge this night
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom
power <rf God giving a oontraxy direction to the current. We need not mppoae ihem to be nuhered up Ulce a mounlain, iutlttr wmiis, u the Vutgalt expreeseeit, but tbnt they eontinued to flow hock in the course of the channel; nnd ere th^ oould have leached the lake of Genne- Mveib, where they might have been eAsilr accumulated, Am whole laraelitiih anny woukl have all got safely to the opposite side.
Ytry far /rmn A» dtg Adam-~be»ida 2Saretan\ Where thoaa pUoee were, it u diflkult to lay.. The ci^ Adas* ia wbolly unknown. - From 1 Kinga iv. 12. we learn, lhat ZarUmah was below Jej^eel, near Seth-aluan or Seytiu^MUt i and not far from Suecoth, I Ein^ vji. 46- And It eppeara from Gen. xzziii. 17. Jooh. xiii. 27. that SueeoA lay on the east aide of Jordan, not far from the lake of OmnaareAi and probably Adam was on Ae aaine aide, to the north of Sueeoih. It ia probable, that the lareelitea croaaed the Jotdan near Belhabara, where John baptized, John L 23. and which probably had iti name, Uie lunut qf pa—age, from this very circumstance. See Calmet's Commentary, and die Map. After all, it is extremely diffioult to ascertain the exact situation of these places; as in the li^we of upwu^ of 3000 years, the face of the oountry must have Wn totally changed. Seas, rivers^ and mountaina, ohange nott and though we cannot Mosrtain the ml, it ia atmeiantly evident that we can come iwsr to me plmet. It has Men considered a lame (Atiaetioa against ifae truth of the iluu, that the situation of TVoy eannot now be exactly ascertained. Tliere are even many aneiemt cities and oonsiderBble towns in Europe, that though they still bear their former names, do not oceopy the same spot: there are not a few of those even in Rngland, among such, Nvrmidi, Saluburi/j Ac may be ■mnked.
Righi agairul Jerieho.] It would be impos^ble for the moU camp to pass over in the space oppotUe to Jeritha, as they must nave taken up some mUe* in breadth, besuea the 2000 eobiu which were left on the right, between them and the ark; but the river was divided oppoaite to Jerieha; and t/ure, the camp began to pass over.
Verae 17. "The priaU — «tooci firm on dry t!TOUTu£\ thfty stood in the mid channel, and shifted not their position, till the camp, consisting of nearly 600,000 efl»ctive men, besidea women, children, &c. had passed over.
1. Is it not surprisins, that the GaoaaniCea did not dispots diis psaaage with dta larselilea 1 It is likely they wtmld, hea they had any expectation thatkodi a paasoge would hue been sltempted. "niey most have known diat. the Isnelitiah camp was oa the other side of the Jordan; but could they have supposed, that a P*ssage for such a hoot was possibla, when the banks of the Jordan were quite overnowedl It was not merely because they were mmie sfmeft, that Iher did not dispute this passage { but peesoee tbey must nave auppoaed it impauibu t and wbma tbmr found the attempt woa made, the peeaage was e&eted, Mm they could prraeie to prevem il.
% QoD now appesra in ueh a vmy, and works in audi a MiHBr, to leave no doiiht «(me«nung hii prsMnc^ or he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordim, and take yon up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the ntunber of the tribes of the children orlsraei:
6 That thia may be a si^n among you, that " when your children aak their fathers fin time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shfdl answer them, That i the waters of Jordan were cut oil' before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut ofi': and these stones shall be for ' a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
8 And the children of Israel did so, as Joshua commanded, and- took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake uiito Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the i^ace where they lodged, and laid th«n down ther«.
9 IT And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the jMace where the feet of the priest which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there imto this day.
his power, nor of his love to Israel. Af^ this, was it possible for this people ever to doubt his being or his bounty? nUa, with the miraculous pasMwe of the /ted sea, were well calculated to have established their faith for ever i and those who did not yield to the evidence afforded by these two miracles, were incapable of rational conviciion.
3. In some respects, the paeaage of the Jordan was more strikingly miraculous, man that even of the Red tea. In thia latter, God was pleased to employ an agent; the tea went hack by a atrmgeiut mnd all lhat ntghl,and mada the tea dry land, Exod. xiv, 21. Nothing of this kind appeared in tiie pasaage of the Jordan; a very rapid river, for so all travellers allow it to be, went back to its source, without any kind of agency, but the invisible hand of die invisible God.
4. Through the whole period of the Jewish history^ these miracles, so circumstantially related, were never denied by any; but on the contrary, etmseientioualy believed by alL Nor did any of ihem inlheirrevolta from God, which were both foul and freqtient, ever call these great mcts in question; when even so full of enmity against God as to olaspheroe his i>ame, and give his glory to dumb idols! Is not this a manifest proof that these facts were incontestable t and that Jehovah had so done his marvellous works, that they dtould be bad in evedastii^ remembrance 1 Reader, the same Ood who is over all, is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. Ha cftan^e* not, neidier is he weary: trust in the Lord for ever; lor in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength; and Hs ever saves his followers out of the hands of all their enemies, and having guided them by his counsel, will receive them into his glory.
Verse 2. TW:« you twelve men] From chnp. lii. 12. it appears, that diese twelve men had been b^ort appointed, one taken out of each of the twelve tribes; and now they are employed for that purpose lot which they had been bafore selected.
Verse 3. Wh«rt ye Aall lodge Ihte night^ Hiis was in the place that was afterward colled Gilgal. Sm ver. 19.
Verso 4. T\oelve men, uAorn he had prepared] must refer to their appointment, ch. iii. Iz.
Verse 6. Hue may be a sign] Stand as a contlntial memorial of this miraculous passage; and consequently a proof of their lastiitg obligation to God.
Verse 9. And JoAua ut vp twelve elonee in the midet Iff Jordan] It ssema from this chapter, that there were two eett of stones, ereeted as a memorial of this great event; twelve at Gil^ ver. 20. and twelve in the bed of Jordan, ver. 9. The twelve stones in the bed of Jordan might have been so placed, on a base of strong stone-work, so nigh aa alwajrs to bo visible, and serve to mark the very spot where the priests stood wiut the arit. The twelve stones set up at OUgal, wouM stand as a momunent of the place of^ihe firA meampmeiU, alter this miraculous passase. Hough dUBsppeantometobeihemeaningof this pUee, yet Kenncot^a eriliotam here diould not be paaaed by. *' I( is veil known," says "that w^ Jodtus led the lassel-
10 IT For the Driesta which hate the ark stood In the midat of Jordan, untU ererr thing waa finished tiiat the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, aecordinff to all that MoBea commanded Joshtui: and the people haated, and IMBsed over.. «.
11 And it came to paw, ^en dl the people were passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.
12 And ■ die children of Reuben, and the children of Oad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, OB Moses spake unto them:
13 About forty thousand * prepared for war, passed over before the Lobd uoto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
14 IT On that dav the Lord - magnified Joriiua in the sieht of bII Israel: and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
15 1 And the Loan spake nnto Jo^ua, saying,
16 Command the priests that bear * the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.
18 And it came to pass, when the priests that
ius over Jordan, he was commanded to take tvelve Hom out of the midst Jordan^ to be a memorial that the nouxtd in the very midti of that river had been made dry. But tcA«n waa ihu memorial to be Mt up 1 The ninth verse aays-^oaAua Mtt up thae Mtona iv tiu mitUt nf Jordan. But ia it likely that the atonea should be placed, or set down, vhere they were taken up: and that the memorial should be erectecT there, where, when the river was again tmited, it would be eonixaUd, and of course could be no memorial ■t all? 'nitEj however, flatly contradicts the rest of the ehapter; winch says theas stones were pitched in Giigal, where Israel lodzed in Canaan for the ftrat time. The solution of this difficulty is, that "p^^ bdoe, m Ae midtt, iriiould be here t^d nutoq raoH the midst, as in ver. 3, 8, 30. and aa the word ia here also in the Syriae version. The tiue renderioff iberefbte And JbsAua wtup the Iwdvt atone* (taken) nou the midtt qf Jordan," Slc I eonfeaa I see no need for this criticism, which is not supported by a single MS. either in his own or De Rossi's collection, thouffh they amount to ^finir hundred and ninety-four to number. Twelve stones mig^t be gathered in tiifierent parts of Ote bed of the Jordan, and be set up as a nillar in another, and be a continual visible memorial of this grand evenL And if twelve were set up in Oilgal aa a memorial of their first encampment in Canaan; it is still more likely, that twelve would be set up in the bed of the river, to ^ow where it had been divided, and the place where the Israelitish host had passed over dry shod. The reader may follow the <minion he judges most Hkelv.
Verse 10. And the peop^ haeled, and patted over.] How very natural is diia eireumatance I The people seeing the waters divided, and Jordan numing back, misht be apprehensive that it would soon resume iu wonted course; and this would nanirallv lead them to hasten over, with as much tpeed aa possibleL The circumstance itaelf, thus marked, is a prtrnf that the rehoor was an eyewitness of ihia miraculous passage.
VoFse 12. Tke chiidren qf Reuben, and — Gad] Concerting the numbers of these tribes that staid bclitod, to take care of the women, dpldren, and cattle, and which Amounted to 70,660 men, see the note on Numb, zxxii. 17.
VerM 18. TTu walert qf Jordan relumed unfo their place] It is particuUrly remarked by the sacred historian, that u soon aa the aoln of the prieau' l^t touched the water, the stream of the Jordan was cut off, chap. iii. 16. and the course of the river continoed to be invoiea all die time ihey continued in its channel.- and that, aa soon as the soles «f their feet had touched the di^r land, on their return from die bed of (he river, the waters immedialely resumed their natural eoum. All this waa done by dw sovereign influenee of that Ood, whose jtreatnee was represented by the •fk of Ae oovenanL
Terse la On the teaOi day o/theJlrM motUh] At the Israelilss left G^t on the fifl^nih day of the ftrM nonih, A. M. SB13, aaeExod. xtv. ud Ibey entend into Canaan bare the ark of the oovenflnt of the Loan were come up out of the midst of' Jordan, and the strfeo of the priestB* feet were * lifted up onto the dry land, mat the waters of Jordan rctomed onto their place, * and ' flowed over all bis banks, as they aid before.
19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped ■ in Gil^l, in the east border of Jericho.
20 TfAnd • those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordui, did Joahoa pitch in GilgaL
21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, ^ When your children shall ask their fathers * in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
22 Then ye shall let yonr children know, saying, ^ Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23 For the Loan yoor God dried in> the wsters of Jtmlan from before yoo, until je were nassed over, as the Loan your God did to the Red sea, • which he dried up from befiwe n>, until we were gone over:
24 ' That the pet^de oS the earth might know the hand of the Loan, that it w fniicbH: that ye might ^fbar the Loan your God • lor
die tenth of (he first mondi, A. M. 2MB, it ia evidem lbs> forty years, wantingjlus days, had dspaad, ftosa dts tioM of their exodus frtnn Egyp^ to their eatnnee iwo iW promised inheritance.
Ejieamped in Oagai] That is, m the place dwi was qfleruara called Oilpd, see chap. v. 9. for here the nams is given it by onfie^oiton. In Hd>rew. 'n gat, signifiss to roll / and the doubling of the roof Sto gmgat, or gilgal, signifies roUmf round and round or rotting qf, or ataay, because, in circumcising the children that had mcb bom in the wilderness Joshua rolled away, rolled qf completely, the reproach of the people. From this tima Oilgal became a plaee of cooaiderable eminence in the sacred history. 1. It was the plsee, where the kraebtiA camp rested the first night of dieir entering into that Isn^ which had been promised to dieir fiuheri from the days af Abraham. 2. It waa the plaee in irtiich Joshua ciranacised all the people who had been bom in the wilderaesa, during the forty years of their wcuidcring after diey left Egypt 3. It was die plaee in which Jorima had what we mi^t term his fortified camp; and to which he aad his army constantly returned, Bfter each of their expeditkmsa^unst dtelnhahtianiaof tbsland. 4. It^ipeanto have been dw place where aU (be womm, dtiUreo, etftlc^ and goods, Ac were lodged, probably, during the vbiria of the Canaanttish war. B. It was the place when they celdirated the first pasaover diey kept in the promiaed land. 6. It waa the place where Saul, die first king of Israel, was proclaimed. 7. There the manna ceased to fiUl. And, 8. there the ark waa fixed, till after the <xmquest of die country it was removed to Shikh.
Oilgal was about ten fiiriongs from JerielKi, aad Jtfly from Jordan: Jericho being on the west, and Jordan on the east, Oilgal being between both. iS^ Joeephus, Do Belto, «c. lib. v. c 4. and Calnut on this place, Calmet supposes there waa neither ci^ nor town oen hefbi* the arnval of the Israelites.