<<   Top  Contents   >>

CHAPTER 19

Next followed the lot of the tribe of Simeon, not as a mark of honor, but rather as a mark of disgrace. Jacob had declared with regard to Simeon and Levi, “I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:7) The punishment of Levi, indeed, was not only mitigated, but converted into an excellent dignity, inasmuch as his posterity were placed on a kind of watch-towers to keep the people in the paths of piety. In regard to Simeon, the dispersion of which Jacob prophesied, manifestly took place when certain cities within the territory of Judah were assigned to his posterity for their inheritance. For although they were not sent off to great distances, yet they dwelt dispersed, and as strangers in a land properly belonging to another. Therefore, on account of the slaughter which they had perpetrated with no less perfidy than cruelty, they were placed separately in different abodes. In this way the guilt of the father was visited upon his children, and the Lord ratified in fact that sentence which he had dictated to his servant. The truth of the lot also was clearly proven.

In the circumstance of a certain portion being withdrawn from the family of Judah, we again perceive that though the dividers had carefully endeavored to observe equity, they had fallen into error, which they were not ashamed to correct as soon as it was discovered. And though they were guided by the Spirit, there is nothing strange in their having been partially mistaken, because God sometimes leaves his servants destitute of the spirit of judgment, and suffers them to act like men on different occasions, that they may not plume themselves too much on their clear-sightedness. We may add that the people were punished for their carelessness and confident haste, because they ought at the outset to have ascertained more accurately how much land could be properly assigned to each. This they neglected to do. Through their unskillful procedure, the children of Judah had received a disproportion accumulation of territory, and equity required that they should relinquish a part. It would also have been better for themselves to have their limits fixed with certainty at once than to be subjected to a galling spoliation afterwards. Add that each tribe had indulged the vain hope that its members would dwell far and wide, as if the land had been of unlimited extent.

9. Out of the portion of the children of Judah, etc The praise of moderation is due to the tribe of Judah for not contending that the abstraction of any part of the inheritance already assigned to them was unjust. They might easily have obtruded the name of God, and asserted that it was only by his authority they had obtained that settlement. But as it is decided by the common consent of all the tribes that more has been given to them than they can possess without loss and injury to the others, they immediately desist from all pretext for disputing the matter. And it is certain that if they had alleged the authority of God, it would have been falsely and wickedly, inasmuch as though their lot had been determined by him in regard to its situation, an error had taken place with regard to its extent, their limits having been fixed by human judgment wider than they ought. Therefore, acknowledging that it would have been wrong to give them what would occasion loss to others, they willingly resign it, and give a welcome reception to their brethren, who must otherwise have remained without inheritance, nay, submit to go shares with them in that which they supposed they had acquired beyond controversy.

10. And the third lot came up, etc In the lot of Zebulun there is a clear fulfillment of the prophecy of Jacob, which had foretold that they would dwell on the sea-coast. An old man, an exile who could not set a foot on his own land, ^ft162 assigned a maritime district to the posterity of his son Zebulun. What could be more extravagant? But now, when the lot assigns them a maritime region, no clearer confirmation of his decision could be desired. It was just as if God were twice thundering from heaven. The tribe of Zebulun, therefore, do not occupy the shore of their own accord or by human suffrage, but a divine arrangement fixes their habitation contiguous to the sea. Thus, although men erred, still the light was always seen shining brightly in the darkness. Jacob goes farther, and makes a clear distinction between Zebulun and Issachar. The former tribe will travel far and wide, carrying on trade and commerce; the latter remaining in his tents, will cultivate ease and a sedentary life. (Genesis 49:13-15) Hence it is probable that the sea-coast where Zebulun settled, was provided with harbors and well adapted for the various forms of commercial intercourse, ^ft163 whereas the children of Issachar were contented with their own produce, and consumed the fruits which they had raised by their own labor and culture at home.

Those who are thought to be well acquainted with these countries, affirm that the land of the tribe of Asher was fertile in corn. ^ft164 This is in complete accordance both with the letter and the spirit of Jacob’s prophecy. (Genesis 49:20) From the fact that only a small number of cities are designated by name, we may infer that there were then many ruined cities which were not taken into account, and from the other fact that the people dwelt commodiously, we may also infer that they built many cities, with which it is plain from other passages that the land was adorned. And it is certainly apparent that only a summary of the division is briefly glanced at, and that thus many things were omitted which no religious feeling forbids us to investigate, provided we do not indulge in an excessive curiosity leading to no beneficial result. There cannot be a doubt that those to whom twenty or even only seventeen cities are attributed, had more extensive territories. Therefore, all we have here is a compendious description of the division as it was taken from the general and confused notes of the surveyors.

The next lot mentioned is that of Naphtali, and it seems to correspond with the disposition and manners of that tribe. For Jacob had testified, Naphtali is a hind let loose; he give goodly words. For this reason they seem to have been contiguous on one side to the children of Judah, and to have been surrounded on other sides by the enclosures of their brethren. ^ft165 Indeed, in its being said that the tribe of Dan took Lesen, there seems to be a tacit comparison, because the children of Naphtali did not employ arms to force their way into their inheritance, but kept themselves quietly in a subdued territory, and thus enjoyed safety and tranquillity under the faith, and, as it were, protection of Judah and the other tribes. The capture of Lesen by the children of Dan, in accordance with the divine grant which they had received of it, did not take place till after the death of Joshua. But the fact which is more fully detailed in the book of Judges is here mentioned in passing, because praise was due to them for their boldness and activity in thus embracing the right which God had bestowed upon them, and so trusting in him as to go down bravely and defeat the enemy.

49. When they had made an end of dividing, etc We have here, at length, an account of the gratitude of the people towards Joshua. For although the partition of the land of Canaan, among the posterity of Abraham, behooved to be equitable, yet Joshua, by his excellent virtues, deserved some honorary reward. Nor could any complain that a single individual was enriched at their expense. For, first, in the delay there was a striking proof of the moderation of this holy servant of God. He does not give any heed to his own interest till the commonweal has been secured. How seldom do we find any who, after they have given one or two specimens of valor, do not forthwith make haste to the prey? Not so Joshua, who thinks not of himself till the land has been divided. In the reward itself also the same temperance and frugality are conspicuous. The city he asks to be given to himself and his family was a mere heap of stones, either because it had been demolished and converted into a heap of ruins, or because no city had yet been built upon it.

It is conjectured with probability, that with the view of making the grant as little invidious as possible, the city he requested was of no great value. If any one thinks it strange that he did not give his labor gratuitously, let him reflect that Joshua liberally obeyed the divine call, and had no mercenary feelings in undergoing so many labors, dangers, and troubles; but having spontaneously performed his duty, he behooved not to repudiate a memorial of the favor of God, unless he wished by perverse contempt to suppress his glory. For the grant voted to him was nothing else than a simple testimonial of the divine power, which had been manifested through his hand. Truly no ambition can be detected here, inasmuch as he desires nothing for himself, and does not rashly act from a feeling of covetousness, but seeks in the popular consent a confirmation of the honor which God had already bestowed upon him. To have been silent in such a case, would have been more indicative of heartlessness than of modesty. The statement in the concluding verse of the chapter, that Joshua and Eleazar made an end of dividing the land, points to the perpetuity of the boundaries, which had been fixed, and warns the children of Israel against moving in any way to unsettle an inviolable decree.

From A Translation of Calivn’s Translation

1               And the second lot came out to Simeon, the tribe of the children of Simeon by their families; and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Judah.

2               And they had for their inheritance Beer-seba, and Seba, and Moladah,

3               And Hasar-Sual, and Balah, and Asen,

4               And Eltholad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

5               And Siclag, and Beth-Marcaboth, and Hasarsusa,

6               And Beth-Lebaoth, and Saruhen; thirteen cities and their villages.

7               Ain, Rimmon, and Ether, and Asan; four cities and their villages.

8               And all the villages which were around those cities even to Baalath-beer, southern Ramath. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon by their families.

9               Out of a portion of the children of Judah was made the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the portion of the children of Judah was too great for them, and thus the children of Simeon received an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.

10             And the third lot came up for the sons of Zabulon, by their families, and the boundary of their inheritance was even to Sarid.

11             And their boundary goes up to the sea, and Maralah, and reaches to Dabbaseth, and arrives at the river which is over against Jocnea.

12             And returns from Sarid to the east, that is, to the sun-rising, to the border of Chisloth-Thabor, and thence goes out to Dabrath, and goes up to Japhia.

13       Thence, moreover, it passes to the east, at its rising, to Githah-Hepher, and Ihtahcasin: and thence it goes out into Rimmon, and winds round to Neah.

14             The same boundary likewise winds round from the north to Hannathon: and its goings out are to the valley of Iphthael,

15             And Catthath, and Nahalal, and Simron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities and their villages.

16             This is the inheritance of the children of Zabulon by their families: these cities and their villages.

17             The fourth lot came out to Issachar, to the children of Issachar, I say, by their families.

18             And their boundary was Jezrael, and Chesuloth, and Sunem.

19             And Hapharaim, and Sion, and Ana-harat,

20             And Rabbith, and Cision, and Abeth,

21             And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddad, and Beth-passes.

22             And their boundary reached to Thabor, and Sahasima, and Beth-semes: and the outgoings of their boundary will be at the Jordan sixteen cities and their villages.

23             This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar by their families, their cities and villages.

24             And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Aser by their families.

25             And their boundary was Helcath, and Hali, and Bethen, and Achsaph,

26             And Alamelech, and Amad, and Misal: and it reached to Carmel at the sea, and to Sihor-libnath.

27             And it returns to the east in Beth-dagon, and reaches to Zabulon, and to the valley of Iphtahel on the north, and to Beth-emec, and Neel, and it goes out to Chabul on the left,

28             And Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Canah, even to great Sidon

29             And the boundary returns to Ramah, even to the fortified city of the rock; thence the boundary returns to Hosah, and its outgoings are at the sea by the coast of Achzib;

30             And Ummah, and Aphec, and Rehob: twenty-two cities and their villages.

31             This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Aser by their families; those cities and their villages.

32             To the sons of Naphtali the sixth lot came out, to the sons of Naphtali, I say, by their families.

33             And their boundary was by Heleph, and by Elon in Saanannim, and Adami, Neceb, and Jabneel, even to the lake, and its outgoings are at the Jordan.

34       Afterwards the boundary returns to the sea at Aznoth-thabor, and proceeds thence to Huccoc, and reaches to Zabulon on the south, and reaches to Aser on the west, and to Judah on the Jordan on the east.

35             And the fortified cities are Siddim, Ser, and Hammath, Raccath, and Chinnereth,

36             And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hasor,

37             And Cedes, and Hedrei, and En-Hasor,

38             And Iron, and Migdal-el, Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-semes nineteen cities and their villages.

39             This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, by their families, their cities, and their villages.

40             The seventh lot came out to the tribe of the children of Dan, by their families.

41             And the boundary of their inheritance was Sorah, and Esthaol, and Ir-semes,

42             And Saalabbin, and Ajalon, and Ithlah,

43             And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ecron,

44             And Elthece, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,

45             And Jehud, and Bene-berac, and Gath-rimon,

46             And Mehaiarcon, and Raccon, with its boundary against Japho.

47             And the boundary of the children of Dan went out from them: and the children of Dan went up and fought with Lesem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and received it with their inheritance, and dwelt in it, and they called Lesem Dan after the name of Dan their father.

48             This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan, by their families; those cities and their towns.

49             And when they had made an end of dividing the land, assigning each their boundaries, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua himself the son of Nun, in the midst of them:

50       According to the word of Jehovah, they gave him the city which he asked, Thimnath-serah in mount Ephraim; and he built a city and dwelt in it.

51       Those are the inheritances, possession of which was delivered by Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chiefs of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, by lot, in Silo, before Jehovah, at the door of the tabernacle of convention; and they made an end of dividing the land.

Footnotes

^ft162French, “Estant un vieillard, povre banni, qui n’avoit pas un pied de terre a luy ou il peust marcher;” “Being an old man, a poor exile, who had not a foot of land of his own on which he could walk.” — Ed.

^ft163The extent of coast possessed by Zebulun was of very limited extent, but included the large and beautiful bay of Acre, which commences in the north at the promontory on which the town of Acre stands, and is terminated magnificently in the south by the lofty heights of Mount Carmel. — Ed.

^ft164The greater part of it consisted of a rich and undulating plain, diversified by gentle hills, well watered by the Leontes and other streams which derived their supplies from the snowy heights of Lebanon, and sloping gradually to that part of the sea-coast, on which were built the famous cities of Tyre and Sidon. According to Clarke, the plain of Asher and Zebulun boere a considerable resemblance to the southern districts of England. — Ed.

^ft165The tribe of Naphtili, as marked out by Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes, harmonizes well with the figurative description of it given by Jacob, for both in scenery and fertility it is one of the fairest in the Promised Land, but the locality assigned to it in the Commentary is singularly inaccurate. In the Latin it is said that the children of Naphtali “Videntur contigui ab una parte fuisse filiis Juda: alibi autem cincti coste ils estoyent contigus aux enfans de Juda; et d’autrepart qu’ils estoyent environnez du secours de leurs freres;” “It seems that on one side that they were surrounded by the help of their brethren.” The fact, however, is that Judah and Naphtali are at the opposite extremities of the country, and so far from being contiguous to each other, are widely separated by the intervention of no fewer than five tribes, which commencing on the frontiers of Judah, and proceeding northwards, are, in succession, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun. Then, as it stretched from the shores of the lake of Gennesaret, north to the roots of Lebanon, it cannot well be said to have been surrounded on all sides by the enclosures of other tribes. It certainly had Zebulun on the south-west, and Asher on the west, but on the north and east, it formed the extreme frontiers of the Promised Land, and, of course, bounded with foreign and hostile settlements. — Ed.

<<   Top  Contents   >>