Bible Commentaries

Joshua 19:1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, [even] for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

Ver. 1. Within the inheritance of the children of Judah.] The reason whereof, see Joshua 19:9. And Judah yielded, as being rationis mancipium; - the wisdom from above is peaceable, gentle, and easy to be persuaded; - yea, [James 3:17] Judah parted afterwards with another fleece also. [Joshua 19:40-41] Concedamus de nostro iure, ut careamus lite. ^(a)

Joshua 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
Joshua 19:3 And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,
Joshua 19:4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

Ver. 2-4, &c. These, though but bare names of places, should not be skipped over in our course of reading, as being a part of God’s Holy Word: but to speak particularly of their signification or site, would be a work of more difficulty than use: and besides, it is but curiosity to search into those things whereof we can neither have proof nor profit.

Joshua 19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

Ver. 9. Out of the portion.] See Joshua 19:1.

Was too much for them.] More than came to their share, or more than they could man or manage.

Had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.] And so Jacob’s prophecy was fulfilled; [Genesis 49:7] an argument of the divinity of the Scriptures.

Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,

Ver. 12. Chislothtabor.] A mountain in the lower Galilee, called by Josephus, Itabirion. Here it is commonly conceived that our Saviour was transfigured. And of this place Jerome, on Hosea 5:1, writeth copiously and elegantly.

Joshua 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;

Ver. 13. To Gittahhepher.] Jonah the prophet’s birthplace, [2 Kings 14:25] and therefore the better thought of by God. [Psalms 87:6] {See Trapp on "Psalms 87:6"}

Joshua 19:18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,

Ver. 18. And their border was toward Jezreel, &c.] In a rich and fat soil, according to that was foretold by Jacob and Moses; [Genesis 49:14-15 Deuteronomy 33:18-19] - "And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant: and he bowed his shoulders to bear, and became a servant to tribute." This was a low poor spirit, and his posterity were, for the general, very unworthy and vile: for his lot here fell in Galilee. Now "doth any good come from Galilee?" saith good Nathanael.

Joshua 19:28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, [even] unto great Zidon;

Ver. 28. Unto great Zidon.] See Joshua 11:8.

Joshua 19:29 And [then] the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:

Ver. 29. To the strong city Tyre.] Founded upon a rock, environed with rocks, and encircled by the sea; whence she held herself invincible, but was sacked by great Alexander, and two thousand of her inhabitants were crucified. Let not the strong man glory in his strength.

Joshua 19:40 [And] the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

Ver. 40. For the tribe of the children of Dan.] Who also, as well as Simeon, had various cities taken out of the first lot of the tribe of Judah. See on Joshua 19:1.

Joshua 19:47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out [too little] for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

Ver. 47. Went up to fight against Leshem.] Called Laish in 18:7 Where they turned open idolaters, and are therefore cut out of the roll of Christ’s people. [Revelation 7:1-17 1 Chronicles 7:1-40]

Joshua 19:49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:

Ver. 49. When they had made an end of dividing.] Joshua was content to be last served, who had best deserved: such was his humility and modesty.

The children of Israel gave.] He took it as a gift, whenas it was his right by God’s own appointment, as it is in the next verse, "According to the word of the Lord," sc., that he and Caleb for their good service [Numbers 14:24; Numbers 14:30] should have whatsoever they best liked in the land.

Among them.] Among the many; in the barren mountains. This Jerome noteth in his epistle upon Paula. He saith she visited the sepulchre of Joshua, Et mirata est quod distributor possessionum sibi montana et aspera deligisset, and she wondered that he who had divided the land to others, had set out for himself so mean a preferment.

Joshua 19:50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, [even] Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

Ver. 50. Even Timnathserah.] Called also Timnathheres in 2:9; that is, the figure of the sun, because, belike, there the sun had been worshipped: another Heliopolis.

And he built the city.] An old ruinous city, but by him repaired and beautified, that there he might spend and end his days.

“ Regum aequabat opes animis. ”

And well he might have engraven over his gates that distich of Ennius concerning Scipio -

“ Si fas (caedendo / cedendo) caelestia scandere cuiquam,

Mi soli caeli maxima porta pater."