Matthew Henry on Joshua 13:7–end
Here we have, I. Orders given to Joshua to assign to each tribe its portion of this land, including that which was yet unsubdued, which must be brought into the lot, in a believing confidence that it should be conquered when Israel was multiplied so as to have occasion for it (Jos 13:7): Now divide this land. Joshua thought all must be conquered before any must be divided. "No," said, God, "there is as much conquered as will serve your turn for the present; divide this, and make your best of it, and wait for the remainder hereafter." Note, We must take the comfort of what we have, though we cannot compass all we would have. Observe,
1. The land must be divided among the several tribes, and t…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 13:8
With whom--Hebrew, "him." The antecedent is evidently to Manasseh, not, however, the half-tribe just mentioned, but the other half; for the historian, led, as it were, by the sound of the word, breaks off to describe the possessions beyond Jordan already assigned to Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh (see on Num 32:1; Num 32:33; also see Deu 3:8-17). It may be proper to remark that it was wise to put these boundaries on record. In case of any misunderstanding or dispute arising about the exact limits of each district or property, an appeal could always be made to this authoritative document, and a full knowledge as well as grateful sense obtained of what they had received from God (Psa 16…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Joshua 13:18
Jahaza - A city near Medeba and Dibon. It was given to the Levites, Ch1 6:78.
Kedemoth - Mentioned Deu 2:26; supposed to have been situated beyond the river Arnon.
Mephaath - Situated on the frontiers of Moab, on the eastern part of the desert. It was given to the Levites, Jos 21:37.
John Gill on Joshua 13:18
And Jahazah,.... Called Jahaz, Numbers 21:23, where the battle was fought between Sihon and Israel:
and Kedemoth; near to which was a wilderness, which took its name from it, from whence Moses sent messengers with words of peace to Sihon, Deuteronomy 2:26,
and Mephaath; thought to be the Maipha of Ptolemy (f); here Jerom says (g), in his time was a garrison of Roman soldiers, because of the desert that was near. It was a city, with its suburbs, given to the Levites, as were the two preceding, Joshua 21:36; Adrichomius (h) takes it to be the same with Malle, which, Josephus says, (i) was called the city of the strangers.
(f) Geograph. l. 6. c. 7. (g) De loc Heb. fol. 93. D. (h) Theatrum Te…
