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Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 13:7

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Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

7. Now therefore divide ] Here we have a more definite statement of the tribes amongst whom western Palestine was to be divided.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 7. The nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh] The other half tribe of Manasseh, and the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, had got their inheritance on the other side of Jordan, in the land formerly belonging to Og king of Bashan, and Sihon king of the Amorites.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance,…. Having the command and authority of God for it, he was to set about it at once, with all diligence and application:

unto the nine tribes: of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Dan, Ephraim, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali, in which order they are placed, when the Lord gave to Moses the names of the men that should divide the land under Eleazar and Joshua, Nu 34:16;

and the half tribe of Manasseh; that half which had no inheritance on the other side Jordan, and for which a prince of the children of Joseph was appointed to divide, Nu 34:23.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them; 9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; 10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon; 11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah; 12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out. 13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. 14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them. 15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families. 16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba; 17 Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon, 18 And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath, 19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley, 20 And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth, 21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country. 22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. 23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof. 24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families. 25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah; 26 And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir; 27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward. 28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages. 29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families. 30 And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities: 31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families. 32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward. 33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

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 (v. 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 they must not always live in common, as now they did. Which way soever a just property is acquired, it is the will of that God who has given the earth to the children of men that there should be such a thing, and that every man should know his own, and not invade that which is another’s. The world must be governed, not by force, but right, by the law of equity, not of arms.

2. That it must be divided for an inheritance, though they got it by conquest. (1.) The promise of it came to them as an inheritance from their fathers; the land of promise pertained to the children of promise, who were thus beloved for their fathers’ sakes, and in performance of the covenant with them. (2.) The possession of it was to be transmitted by them, as an inheritance to their children. Frequently, what is got by force is soon lost again; but Israel, having an incontestable title to this land by the divine grant, might see it hereby secured as an inheritance to their seed after them, and that God kept this mercy for thousands.

3. That Joshua must not divide it by his own will. Though he was a very wise, just, and good man, it must not be left to him to give what he pleased to each tribe; but he must do it by lot, which referred the matter wholly to God, and to his determination, for he it is that appoints the bounds of our habitation, and every man’s judgment must proceed from him. But Joshua must preside in this affair, must manage this solemn appeal to Providence, and see that the lot was drawn fairly and without fraud, and that every tribe did acquiesce in it. The lot indeed causeth contention to cease, Prov. xviii. 18. But, if upon this lot any controversy should arise, Joshua by his wisdom and authority must determine it, and prevent any ill consequences of it. Joshua must have the honour of dividing the land, (1.) Because he had undergone the fatigue of conquering it: and when, through his hand, each tribe received its allotment, they would thereby be made the more sensible of their obligations to him. And what a pleasure must it needs be to a man of such a public spirit as Joshua was to see the people that were so dear to him eating of the labour of his hands! (2.) That he might be herein a type of Christ, who has not only conquered for us the gates of hell, but has opened to us the gates of heaven, and, having purchased the eternal inheritance for all believers, will in due time put them all in possession of it.

II. An account is here given of the distribution of the land on the other side Jordan among the Reubenites, and Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Observe,

1. How this account is introduced. It comes in, (1.) As the reason why this land within Jordan must be divided only to the nine tribes and a half, because the other two and a half were already provided for. (2.) As a pattern to Joshua in the work he had now to do. He had seen Moses distribute that land, which would give him some aid in distributing this, and thence he might take his measure; only this was to be done by lot, but it should seem Moses did that himself, according to the wisdom given unto him. (3.) As an inducement to Joshua to hasten the dividing of this land, that the nine tribes and a half might not be kept any longer than was necessary out of their possession, since their brethren of the two tribes and a half were so well settled in theirs; and God their common Father would not have such a difference made between his children.

2. The particulars of this account.

(1.) Here is a general description of the country that was given to the two tribes and a half, which Moses gave them, even as Moses gave them, v. 8. The repetition implies a ratification of the grant by Joshua. Moses settled this matter, and, as Moses settled it, so shall it rest; Joshua will not, under any pretence whatsoever, go about to alter it. And a reason is intimated why he would not, because Moses was the servant of the Lord, and acted in this matter by secret direction from him and was faithful as a servant. Here we have, [1.] The fixing of the boundaries of this country, by which they were divided from the neighbouring nations, v. 9, c. Israel must know their own and keep to it, and may not, under pretence of their being God’s peculiar people, encroach upon their neighbours, and invade their rights and properties, to which they had a good and firm title by providence, though not, as Israel, a title by promise. [2.] An exception of one part of this country from Israel’s possession, though it was in their grant, namely, the Geshurites and the Maachathites, &lti>v. 13. They had not leisure to reduce all the remote and obscure corners of the country in Moses’s time, and afterwards they had no mind to it, being easy with what they had. Thus those who are not straitened in God’s promises are yet straitened in their own faith, and prayers, and endeavours.

(2.) A very particular account of the inheritances of these two tribes and a half, how they were separated from each other, and what cites, with the towns, villages, and fields, commonly known and reputed to be appurtenances to them, belonged to each tribe. This is very fully and exactly set down in order that posterity might, in reading this history, be the more affected with the goodness of God to their ancestors, when they found what a large and fruitful country, and what abundance of great and famous cities, he put them in possession of (God’s grants look best when we descend to the particulars); and also that the limits of every tribe being punctually set down in this authentic record disputes might be prevented, and such contests between the tribes as commonly happen where boundaries have not been adjusted nor this matter brought to a certainty. And we have reason to think that the register here prescribed and published of the lot of each tribe was of great use to Israel in after-ages, was often appealed to, and always acquiesced in, for the determining of meum and tuum—mine and thine.

[1.] We have here the lot of the tribe of Reuben, Jacob’s first-born, who, though he had lost the dignity and power which pertained to the birthright, yet, it seems, had the advantage of being first served. Perhaps those of that tribe had an eye to this in desiring to be seated on that side Jordan, that, since they could not expect the benefit of the best lot, they might have the credit of the first. Observe, First, In the account of the lot of this tribe mention is made of the slaughter, 1. Of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in this country, and might have kept it and his life if he would have been neighbourly, and have suffered Israel to pass through his territories, but, by attempting to oppose them, justly brought ruin upon himself, Num. xxi. 21, c. 2. Of the princes of Midian, who were slain afterwards in another war (Num. xxxi. 8), and yet are here called dukes of Sihon, and are said to be smitten with him, because they were either tributaries to him, or, in his opposition to Israel, confederates with him, and hearty in his interests, and his fall made way for theirs not long after. 3. Of Balaam particularly, that would, if he could, have cursed Israel, and was soon after recompensed according to the wickedness of his endeavour (Ps. xxviii. 4), for he fell with those that set him on. This was recorded before (Num. xxxi. 8), and is here repeated, because the defeating of Balaam’s purpose to curse Israel was the turning of that curse into a blessing, and was such an instance of the power and goodness of God as was fit to be had in everlasting remembrance. See Mic. vi. 5. Secondly, Within the lot of this tribe was that Mount Pisgah from the top of which Moses took his view of the earthly Canaan and his flight to the heavenly. And not far off thence Elijah was when he was fetched up to heaven in a chariot of fire. The separation of this tribe from the rest, by the river Jordan, was that which Deborah lamented and the preference they gave to their private interests above the public was what she censured, Jdg 5:15; Jdg 5:16. In this tribe lay Heshbon and Sibmah, famed for their fruitful fields and vineyards. See Isa 16:8; Isa 16:9; Jer 47:32. This tribe, with that of Gad, was sorely shaken by Hazael king of Syria (2 Kings x. 33), and afterwards dislodged and carried into captivity, twenty years before the general captivity of the ten tribes by the king of Assyria, 1 Chron. v. 26.

[2.] The lot of the tribe of Gad, v. 24-28. This lay north of Reuben’s lot; the country of Gilead lay in this tribe, so famous for its balm that it is thought strange indeed if there be no balm in Gilead, and the cities of Jabesh-Gilead and Ramoth-Gilead which we often read of in scripture. Succoth and Penuel, which we read of in the story of Gideon, were in this tribe; and that forest which is called the wood of Ephraim (from the slaughter Jephthah made there of the Ephraimites), in which Absalom’s rebellious army was beaten, while his father David lay at Mahanaim, one of the frontier-cities of this tribe, v. 26. Sharon, famous for roses, was in this tribe. And within the limits of this tribe lived those Gadarenes that loved their swine better than their Saviour, fitter to be called Girgashites than Israelites.

[3.] The lot of the half-tribe of Manasseh, v. 29-31. Bashan, the kingdom of Og, was in this allotment, famous for the best timber, witness the oaks of Bashan–and the best breed of cattle, witness the bulls and rams of Bashan. This tribe lay north of Gad, reached to Mount Hermon, and had in it part of Gilead. Mispeh was in this half-tribe, and Jephthah was one of its ornaments; so was Elijah, for in this tribe was Thisbe, whence he is called the Tishbite; and Jair was another. In the edge of the tribe stood Chorazin, honoured with Christ’s wondrous works, but ruined by his righteous woe for not improving them.

[4.] Twice in this chapter it is taken notice of that to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance (Jos 13:14; Jos 13:33), for so God had appointed, Num. xviii. 20. If they had been appointed to a lot entire by themselves, Moses would have served them first, not because it was his own tribe, but because it was God’s; but they must be provided for in another manner; their habitations must be scattered in all the tribes, and their maintenance brought out of all the tribes, and God himself was the portion both of their inheritance and of their cup, Deu 10:9; Deu 18:2.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

A Description of the Land East of Jordan Jos. 13:7-14

Why were there nine and a half tribes? Jos. 13:7

Since Reuben, Gad, and part of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance east of the Jordan, there were nine and a half tribes left to receive land west of the Jordan, The western tribes were to receive the major part of the Promised Land. They received territory which lay west of the Jordan River and extended to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Since all of Simeons territory lay within the boundaries of the land given to Judah, the Simeonites are not counted as a separate tribe. In reality, they were divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel (Gen. 49:7).

What was the extent of the land east of the Jordan? Jos. 13:8-14

The territory east of the Jordan had all been conquered in the days of Moses. It is apparent that there was less territory unconquered in those campaigns. At least no mention is made of land which had not been taken from its original inhabitants. The land east of the Jordan extended north from Aroer, a settlement on the north bank of the Arnon River. This river flowed into the Dead Sea about halfway up the east coast of that body of water. The territory extended through all of what was called Gilead and reached to the territory east of the Sea of Galilee, This northern part had been ruled by Og and was best described by the word Bashan.

Who were the giants? Jos. 13:12

The American Standard Version translates the word from the original language with the English word Rephaim. The word is elsewhere translated as dead things (Job. 26:5), and the word seems to be a derivative of the verb which means to sink or to relax. It probably was a reference to the descendants of Rapha, and properly translated as a proper noun in the American Standard translation. Og did have a large bedstead, but he may have had this as a symbol of his affluence as much as for the accommodation of his large body (Deu. 3:11).

How did these people live among the Israelites? Jos. 13:13

Reference is made to the fact that the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwelt among the Israelites for a considerable length of time. If Joshua lived fifty years after he came into the Promised Land and perhaps even forty years after the original conquest was finished, sufficient time had elapsed to incline him to make mention of the fact that these people were still among the Israelites. Radical critics say this reference is an indication of the fact that the book was not written by Joshua, but the argument is not strong enough to overcome all the other indications of its having been written by Joshua.

Why did the Levites receive no inheritance? Jos. 13:14

In two different verses of this chapter mention is made of the fact that the Levites did not receive an inheritance. One is in this verse and the other is in the closing verse of the chapter. In the latter instance it is said that the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance (Jos. 13:33). At this point it is said that the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance. The descendants of Levi were given the responsibility of teaching the Law to the people of God. Out of their midst came the priestly family, the descendants of Aaron. They did not receive land which they could till, but they were given forty-eight cities in which they might live. Around these cities lay suburbs, or open ground which they could use for grazing animals or for other small crops, but it was not their privilege to have vineyards and fields of grain. They lived from the tithes and offerings made by the people of Israel. Certain portions of the sacrifices were designated for their consumption. This was Gods way of taking care of these servants.

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

THE TRANS-JORDANIC ALLOTMENTS REVIEWED, Jos 13:7-14.

8. With whom That is, with the half tribe of Manasseh not the same half which received its portion of territory west of the Jordan, opposite their Eastern brethren, but the other half.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The Command to Divide the Land ( Jos 13:7 ).

Jos 13:7

‘ Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance for the nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh.’

“This land” is the whole land of Canaan not just the part mentioned above. God has now turned from the land yet to be possessed to the whole land. It was to be divided between all but the two and a half tribes Beyond Jordan. The inheritance was under the covenant. It was a fruit of the covenant promises, reminding them that it was a gift from God.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

It is remarkable that this land of Canaan is called an inheritance, because ages before it was given to Abraham. Gen 12:7 . But yet Israel obtained it by conquest. Doth not this resemble the everlasting inheritance? Jesus and his blessings are the gift of God; but yet Jesus hath purchased, and sought for our salvation with his blood. Reader! it is perfectly plain and intelligible, how our mercies are our Father’s free gift, and yet obtained for us by the work of the Lord Jesus. So thought the Apostle, and so hath he explained it, when he saith, in whom (that is in Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins: but all that is according to the riches of his grace; that is the Father’s grace, to the praise of the glory of whose grace it is, that he hath made us accepted in the beloved. For the admitting Jesus as our surety, makes it a matter of grace and a free gift, while the accomplishment of redemption, is by the conquests of the Lord Jesus in his victories, like Joshua, over all the obstructions to Canaan. Eph 1:6-7 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Jos 13:7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

Ver. 7. Now therefore divide this land. ] Even those parts thereof also that are yet unsubdued; for it is theirs, but so as they must win it before they wear it. Sic petitur caelum. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Manasseh. The Septuagint adds, “from the Jordan to the Great Sea westward thou shalt give it: the Great Sea shall be the boundary; and to the two tribes, and to the half tribe of Manasseh”.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Num 26:53-56, Num 33:54, Num 32:2-14, Eze 47:13-23, Eze 48:23-29

Reciprocal: Gen 48:5 – two sons Jos 18:8 – that I may here Jos 23:4 – Behold 1Ch 12:37 – the other side Psa 78:55 – divided Psa 105:44 – inherited

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jos 13:7. Now, therefore, divide this land Both that which was conquered and that which remained unconquered was to be divided, that every tribe might know what belonged to them by Gods gift, and be encouraged to attempt the conquest of it when they were able; might be preserved from entering into any covenant or society with those who kept their inheritance from them; and likewise with a view to hinder the unconquered people from joining their forces together to recover their country, the Israelites inhabiting the cities and fields that lay between them.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The land referred to here included all that God had promised west of the Jordan River.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)

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