Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 18:11
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
11 20. Boundaries of the Tribe of Benjamin
11. between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph ] When the lots were now cast “before the Lord,” the lot of Benjamin came forth first, and we have an account of ( a) the boundaries, and then ( b) of the cities of this tribe, which, we are here told, lay between the sons of Judah on the south and the sons of Joseph on the north.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See the marginal references. There are many indications found in this and the next chapter that the text is in great disorder, and many of the places are still unknown.
Jos 18:14
And compassed the corner … – Render and turned on the west side southward. The meaning is, that at lower Beth-horon the northern boundary-line of Benjamin curved round and ran southward – Beth-horon being its extreme westerly point.
Jos 18:21
The Valley of Keziz, or Emek-Keziz, is perhaps the Wady el Kaziz, at no great distance east of Jerusalem.
Jos 18:22
Zemaraim, i. e. two wooded hills, is supposed to be the ruins called Es-Sumrah, on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Jos 18:23
Ophrah (Jos 15:9 note), to be distinguished here and in 1Sa 13:17 from the Ophrah of Jdg 6:11, is probably the Ephrain of 2Ch 13:19, and the Ephraim of Joh 11:54. It is conjecturally identified with Et-Taiyibeh, on the road from Jerusalem to Bethel.
Jos 18:24
Gaba – This name, like Gibeah, Gibeon, etc. Jos 9:3, indicates a town placed on a hill, and occurs repeatedly in various forms in the topography of Palestine. Gaba is the Gibeah (if 1Sa 13:15-16; 1Sa 14:5, where the Hebrew has Geba, which is undoubtedly the correct reading throughout. The city was one of those assigned to the Levites Jos 21:17, and lay on the northern border of Judah. It is identified with the modern Jeba, lying on the side of a deep ravine opposite to Michmash (Mukhmas). The famous Gibeah of Saul, or Giheah of Benjamin (the Gibeath of Jos 18:28) lay at no great distance southwest of Geba, on the high road from Jerusalem to Bethel, and is probably to be looked for in the lofty and isolated Tulcil-el-Ful.
Jos 18:25
Ramah – i. e. lofty; probably the native town and abode of Samuel 1Sa 1:19; 1Sa 25:1. Its exact site is uncertain.
Jos 18:26
Mizpeh – See Jos 11:3. Not the Mizpeh of Jos 15:38, but the place where Samuel judged the people and called them together for the election of a king 1Sa 7:5-16; 1Sa 10:17. In the Chaldaean times it was the residence of Gedaliah 2Ki 25:22; Jer 40:14. Its site is identified with Neby Samwil, about five miles northwest of Jerusalem.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. And the lot – of Benjamin came up] On the manner of casting the lot, see on Jos 14:2, and Nu 26:55. There were probably two urns, one of which contained the names of the seven tribes, and the other that of the seven portions. They therefore took out one name out of the first urn, and one portion out of the second, and thus the portion was adjudged to that tribe.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Wherein we see the wisdom of Divine Providence, this being the only place in which that prophecy, Deu 33:12, could have been accomplished.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. the lot of . . . Benjamin cameupIt has been supposed that there were two urns or vessels,from which the lots were drawn: one containing the names of thetribes, the other containing those of the seven portions; and thatthe two were drawn out simultaneously.
the coast of their lot cameforth between the children of Judah and the children of JosephThusthe prophecy of Moses respecting the inheritance of Benjamin wasremarkably accomplished. (See on De33:12).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families,…. This was the first lot of the seven that came up; it was but a small lot, and therefore called “little Benjamin”, Ps 68:27; but the land was very pleasant and fruitful. Josephus h says, this lot was very strait, because of the goodness of the soil, for it took in Jericho, and the city of Jerusalem:
and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph; having Judah on the south, and Joseph on the north; this was so ordered by the providence of God, that Benjamin should lie close to Joseph, being own brothers, and the only children of Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife; and that it should be next to Judah, with whom it was to unite, both in religious and civil affairs, and both met in and had a part of Jerusalem, the metropolis of Israel; and this lot fell exactly according to the prediction of Moses, and the order of it, who places Benjamin between Judah and Joseph, the tribe of Levi having no share in the division of the land, De 33:7.
h Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 22.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Inheritance of the Tribe of Benjamin. – Jos 18:11-20. Boundaries of the inheritance. – Jos 18:11. The territory of their lot (i.e., the territory assigned to the Benjaminites by lot) came out (through the falling out of the lot) between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.
Jos 18:12-14 The northern boundary (“the boundary towards the north side”) therefore coincided with the southern boundary of Ephraim as far as Lower Beth-horon, and has already been commented upon in the exposition of Jos 16:1-3. The western boundary follows in Jos 18:14. At Beth-horon the boundary curved round and turned southwards on the western side, namely from the mountain before (in front of) Beth-horon southwards; and “ the going out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim,” the town of the Judaeans mentioned in Jos 15:60, the present Kureyet el Enab (see at Jos 9:17).
Jos 18:15-19 “ As for the southern boundary from the end of Kirjath-jearim onwards, the (southern) boundary went out on the west (i.e., it started from the west), and went out (terminated) at the fountain of the water of Nephtoah.” Consequently it coincided with the northern boundary of Judah, as described in Jos 15:5-9, except that it is given there from east to west, and here from west to east (see at Jos 15:5-9). In the construction ha , the noun is in apposition to the suffix: the outgoings of it, namely of the border (see Ewald, 291, b.).
Jos 18:20 The eastern boundary was the Jordan.
Jos 18:21-28 The towns of Benjamin are divided into two groups. The first group (Jos 18:21-24) contains twelve towns in the eastern portion of the territory. Jericho: the present Riha (see at Jos 2:1). Beth-hoglah, now Ain Hajla (see Jos 15:6). Emek-keziz: the name has been preserved in the Wady el Kaziz, on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, on the south-east of the Apostle’s Well (see Van de Velde, Mem. p. 328).
Jos 18:22 Beth-arabah: see at Jos 15:6. Zemaraim, probably the ruins of es Sumrah, on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, to the east of Khan Hadhur, on Van de Velde ‘s map. Bethel: now Beitin (see Jos 7:2).
Jos 18:23 Avvim (i.e., ruins) is unknown. Phara has been preserved in the ruins of Fara, on Wady Fara, three hours to the north-east of Jerusalem, and the same distance to the west of Jericho. Ophrah is mentioned again in 1Sa 13:17, but it is a different place from the Ophrah of Gideon in Manasseh (Jdg 6:11, Jdg 6:24; Jdg 8:27). According to the Onom. ( s. v. Aphra), it was a in the time of Eusebius ( Jer. vicus Effrem), five Roman miles to the east of Bethel; and according to Van de Velde, v. Raumer, and others, it is probably the same place as Ephron or Ephrain, which Abijah took from Jeroboam along with Jeshanah and Bethel (2Ch 13:19), also the same as Ephraim, the city to which Christ went when He withdrew into the desert (Joh 11:54), as the Onom. ( s. v. Ephron) speaks of a villa praegrandis Ephraea nomine ( in Euseb.), although the distance given there, viz., twenty Roman miles to the north of Jerusalem, reaches far beyond the limits of Benjamin.
Jos 18:24 Chephar-haammonai and Ophni are only mentioned here, and are still unknown. Gaba, or Geba of Benjamin (1Sa 13:16; 1Ki 15:22) which was given up to the Levites (Jos 21:17; 1Ch 6:45), was in the neighbourhood of Ramah (1Ki 15:22; 2Ch 16:6). It is mentioned in 2Ki 23:8; Zec 14:10, as the northern boundary of the kingdom of Judah, and was still inhabited after the captivity (Neh 7:30). It is a different place from Gibea, and is not to be found, as I formerly supposed, in the Moslem village of Jibia, by the Wady el Jib, between Beitin and Sinjil ( Rob. iii. p. 80), but in the small village of Jeba, which is lying half in ruins, and where there are relics of antiquity, three-quarters of an hour to the north-east of er-Rm (Ramah), and about three hours to the north of Jerusalem, upon a height from which there is an extensive prospect (vid., Rob. ii. pp. 113ff.). This eastern group also included the two other towns Anathoth and Almon (Jos 21:18), which were given up by Benjamin to the Levites. Anathoth, the home of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1; Jer 11:21.), which was still inhabited by Benjaminites after the captivity (Neh 11:32), is the present village of Anta, where there are ruins of great antiquity, an hour and a quarter to the north of Jerusalem ( Rob. ii. pp. 109ff.). Almon, called Allemeth in 1Ch 6:45, has been preserved in the ruins of Almt ( Rob. Bibl. Res. pp. 287ff.), or el-Mid ( Tobler, Denkbl. p. 631), on the south-east of Anta.
Jos 18:25-28 The second group of fourteen towns in the western portion of Benjamin. – Jos 18:25. Gibeon, the present Jib: see at Jos 9:3. Ramah, in the neighbourhood of Gibeah and Geba (Jdg 19:13; Isa 10:29; 1Ki 15:17; Ezr 2:26), most probably the Ramah of Samuel (1Sa 1:19; 1Sa 2:11; 1Sa 25:1; 1Sa 28:3), is the present village of er-Rm, upon a mountain with ruins between Gibeon and Geba, half an hour to the west of the latter, two hours to the north of Jerusalem (see Rob. ii. p. 315). Beeroth, the present Bireh: see at Jos 9:17.
Jos 18:26-27 Mizpeh, commonly called Mizpah, where the war with Benjamin was decided upon (Judg 20-21), and where Samuel judged the people, and chose Saul as king (1Sa 7:5., Jos 10:17), was afterwards the seat of the Babylonian governor Gedaliah (2Ki 25:23; Jer 40:6.). According to the Onom. ( s. v. Massepha), it was near Kirjath-jearim, and Robinson (ii. p. 139) is no doubt correct in supposing it to be the present Neby Samvil (i.e., prophet Samuel), an hour and a quarter to the east of Kureyet Enab (Kirjath-jearim), two hours to the north-west of Jerusalem, half an hour to the south of Gibeon, a place which stands like a watch-tower upon the highest point in the whole region, and with a mosque, once a Latin church, which is believed alike by Jews, Christians, and Mahometans to cover the tomb of the prophet Samuel (see Rob. ii. pp. 135ff.). Chephirah, i.e., Kefir: see at Jos 9:17. Mozah is only mentioned here, and is still unknown. Jos 18:27. This also applies to Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah.
Jos 18:28 Zelah, the burial-place of Saul and his family (2Sa 21:14), is otherwise unknown. Gibeath or Gibeah, i.e., Gibeah of Benjamin, which was destroyed by the other tribes of Israel in the time of the judges, on account of the flagrant crime which had been committed there (Judg 19-20), is also called Gibeah of Saul, as being the home and capital of Saul (1Sa 10:26; 1Sa 11:4, etc.), and was situated, according to Jdg 19:13 and Isa 10:29, between Jerusalem and Ramah, according to Josephus (Bell. Jud. v. 2, 1, 8) about twenty or thirty stadia from Jerusalem. These statements point to the Tell or Tuleil el Phul, i.e., bean-mountain, a conical peak about an hour from Jerusalem, on the road to er-Rm, with a large heap of stones upon the top, probably the ruins of a town that was built of unhewn stones, from which there is a very extensive prospect in all directions ( Rob. ii. p. 317). Consequently modern writers have very naturally agreed in the conclusion, that the ancient Gibeah of Benjamin or Saul was situated either by the side of or upon this Tell (see Rob. Bibl. Res. p. 286; Strauss, Sinai, etc., p. 331, ed. 6; v. Raumer, Pal. p. 196). Kirjath has not yet been discovered, and must not be confounded with Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to the tribe of Judah (Jos 18:14; cf. Jos 15:60).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Lot of Benjamin. | B. C. 1444. |
11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. 12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon. 14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter. 15 And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjath-jearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah: 16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel, 17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, 18 And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah: 19 And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. 20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families. 21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz, 22 And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el, 23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, 24 And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages: 25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, 26 And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah, 27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah, 28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
We have here the lot of the tribe of Benjamin, which Providence cast next to Joseph on the one hand, because Benjamin was own and only brother to Joseph, and was little Benjamin (Ps. lxviii. 27), that needed the protection of great Joseph, and yet had a better protector, for the Lord shall cover him all the day long, Deut. xxxiii. 12. And it was next to Judah on the other hand, that this tribe might hereafter unite with Judah in an adherence to the throne of David and the temple at Jerusalem. Here we have, 1. The exact borders and limits of this tribe, which we need not be exact in the explication of. As it had Judah on the south and Joseph on the north, so it had Jordan on the east and Dan on the west. The western border is said to compass the corner of the sea southward (v. 14), whereas no part of the lot of this tribe came near to the great sea. Bishop Patrick thinks the meaning is that it ran along in a parallel line to the great sea, though at a distance. Dr. Fuller suggests that since it is not called the great sea, but only the sea, which often signifies any lake or mere, it may be meant of the pool of Gibeon, which may be called a corner or canton of the sea; it is called the great waters of Gibeon (Jer. xli. 12), and it is compassed by the western border of this tribe. 2. The particular cities in this tribe, not all, but the most considerable. Twenty-six are here named. Jericho is put first, though dismantled, and forbidden to be rebuilt as a city with gates and walls, because it might be built and inhabited as a country village, and so was not useless to this tribe. Gilgal, where Israel first encamped when Saul was made king (1 Sam. xi. 15), was in this tribe. It was afterwards a very profane place. Hos. ix. 15, All their wickedness is in Gilgal. Beth-el was in this tribe, a famous place. Though Benjamin adhered to the house of David, yet Beth-el, it seems, was in the possession of the house of Joseph (Judg. i. 23-25), and there Jeroboam set up one of his calves. In this tribe was Gibeon, where the altar was in the beginning of Solomon’s time, 2 Chron. i. 3. Gibeah likewise, that infamous place where the Levite’s concubine was abused. Mizpeh, and near it Samuel’s Ebenezer, and also Anathoth, Jeremiah’s city, were in this tribe, as was the northern part of Jerusalem. Paul was the honour of this tribe (Rom 11:1; Phi 3:5); but where his land lay we know not: he sought the better country.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Benjamin’s Lot, vs. 11-28
The first lot of the seven car a out for Benjamin. The allotment of this tribe was located between the north border of Judah and the south border of Ephraim. It was a relatively small area compared to the earlier allotments. However, it was a prime area in other respects and capable of supporting more people because of its goodness.
Benjamin’s north border began at the Jordan, north of Jericho, and followed the line of Ephraim’s south boundary westward to is juncture with Judah and Dan.
Its western terminus was near Beth-horon on the north and Kirjathjearim on the south. See comments on Joshua, chapter 16, for the tracing of this boundary.
From this terminus in the west the southern border of Benjamin was drawn eastward along the line of Judah’s north border. The same place names along the boundary, with few exceptions, are the same as those delineated in describing the borders of Judah in Jos 15:5-9. Comments on this border can be found in the author’s discussion of those versed above.
The Jordan river was the east border of Benjamin.
Within the tribe of Benjamin were several of the most notable cities of Israel. They included Jericho, Bethel, Ophrah (Gideon’s home), Gibeon (the city which deceived Joshua and the elders, Joshua, chapter 9), and Jerusalem. These are in two groups of twelve (verses 21-24) and fourteen (verses 25-28).
The first group were in the northern part of the tribal possession, while the second was in the south. Gibeath, which is better known as Gibeah, was the city of Saul, the first king of Israel, and the chief city of Benjamin at that time.
We learn from chapter 18 not to be slack in doing the Lord’s work, that when a task is to be done, we should not delay, (Psa 119:60).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
In the lot of Benjamin nothing occurs particularly deserving of notice, unless that a small tribe takes precedence of the others. I admit, indeed, that its limits were narrowed in proportion to the fewness of its numbers, because it obtained only twenty-six cities; but still an honor was bestowed upon it in the mere circumstance of its receiving its inheritance before more distinguished tribes. We may add, that in this way they were conjoined and made neighbors to the other (165) children of Joseph, with whom their relationship was more immediate. For they were placed in the middle between the children of Ephraim and Manasseh on the one side, and those of Judah on the other. They had also the distinguished honor of including Jerusalem in their inheritance, though they afterwards granted it by a kind of precarious tenure to the children of Judah for a royal residence. (166)
It is strange, however, that having obtained such a quiet locality, they did not live on peaceful and friendly terms with their neighbors. But we possess the prophecy of Jacob,
“
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” (Gen 49:27)
They must, therefore, have been by nature of a covetous and turbulent disposition, or from some necessity not now known to us, they must have been impelled to live upon plunder. In regard to the city of Luz, the other name is added, (“the same is Bethel,”) because then only did the name given by Jacob come into common use. (Gen 28:19) It was at no great distance from Beth-Aven, whose name, as it was opprobrious and infamous, was transferred to Bethel itself, after it was corrupted and polluted by impious superstitions. (167) It is probable that Ciriath-Baal was called Ciriath-Jeharim, to take away the name of the idol, which would have been a stain on its true piety. For it certainly would have been base and shameful that the lips of the people should have been polluted by the name of a protector who was an enemy to the true God.
(165) Latin, “ Reliquis filiis.” French, “ Des autres enfans;” “The other children,” — an apparent oversight, as if Benjamin had been a son and not a brother of Joseph. — Ed.
(166) Latin, “ Postea filiis Juda quasi precario sedem regiam concederent.” French, “ Depuis ils la baillerent aux enfans de Juda comme par emprunt, pour en faire le siege royal;” “Afterwards they let it to the children of Judah as by loan, to make it the royal residence.” These words seem to imply that at some time or other a regular agreement to this effect had been made, but we nowhere find any mention of such an agreement. It would rather seem from Jos 15:63, and Jud 1:8, that the inhabitants of Judah possessed Jerusalem in consequence of their having wrested it from the Jebusites. — Ed.
(167) This refers to the setting up of the golden calves by Jeroboam, and the idolatrous worship which thus impiously originated by him was long practiced by his successors. See 1Kg 12:28; 1Kg 13:0; 2Kg 10:29; 2Kg 23:15; Amo 4:4; Amo 5:4; Hos 4:15; Hos 10:5. Bethel or “the house of God,” so called by Jacob the morning after he had risen from his wonderful vision, having forfeited its name in consequence of the abominations practiced at it, became afterwards known by that of Bethaven, “the house of idols,” or of vanity and iniquity. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Benjamins Inheritance Jos. 18:11-20
11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains west-ward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon.
14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
15 And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjath-jearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:
16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel,
17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
18 And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:
19 And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the Salt Sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast.
20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.
6.
Which lot came up first? Jos. 18:11
The first lot to be assigned was that given to Benjamin. Benjamin was the son of Jacob by Rachel (Genesis 35). The children of Benjamin inherited a territory which lay north of Judah and south of Ephraim. His land did not extend all the way from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, but reached to the boundary of the children of Dan who had territory on the west of the territory of Benjamin.
7.
What were the borders of Benjamin? Jos. 18:12
The border of Benjamin on the east was the Jordan River. From a point on the river just north of Jericho the northern boundary ran almost due west to Beth-el, or Luz, as it was called in the early times. The western border ran directly south from lower Beth-horon to Kirjath-jearim. The southern border ran directly east from Kirjath-jearim to the north shore of the Dead Sea. The tribe of Ephraim was on the north, Dan was on the west, and Judah was on the south. The Jordan River (and across it, the tribe of Gad) was on the east.
8.
Where was Jebusi? Jos. 18:16
Jebusi was the city of the Jebusites. This site later was captured by David and became known as Jerusalem, Davids capital and the capital of the succeeding kings of Judah until it was finally captured by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This passage of Scripture clearly indicates that the site lay within the border of the tribe of Benjamin. It is mentioned again later in the list of the cities which belonged to Benjamin (Jos. 18:28).
List of Benjamins Cities Jos. 18:21-28
21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz,
22 And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el,
23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,
24 And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:
25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
26 And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
9.
Why was Jericho mentioned? Jos. 18:21
Although Jericho was destroyed earlier, its site was important. The city itself was not rebuilt until much later in the days of Ahab. Nevertheless, the site was important to Israel and was worthy of mention among the cities possessed by the men of Benjamin. In addition, certain smaller villages pertained to most of the larger cities; and such was probably the case with Jericho.
10.
Where was Betb-el? Jos. 18:22
Beth-el was in the hill country, and was famous as well as hallowed among the Israelites since it was there that the father of the twelve sons who were heads of the tribes of Israel had worshiped, At Beth-el Jacob received the vision of a ladder set upon the earth and saw angels going up and down on it (Genesis 28), Abraham had pitched his tent near Beth-el, with Beth-el on the west and Ai on the east (Genesis 12); and the people of Benjamin must have counted themselves fortunate to have such an important spot within their borders.
11.
Where was Gibeon? Jos. 18:25
Gibeon was a Canaanite city west and a little south of Beth-el. The Hivites, a group of the Canaanites, had lived here. These people had tricked the children of Israel, pretending to have come from a great distance to make peace with Gods people (Joshua 9). It was the defecting of these people which led to the formation of the southern coalition of Canaanite kings who attacked Israel and were defeated on the occasion when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, thus giving more time for his warriors to attack their enemies (chapter 10).
12.
Why mention Ramah? Jos. 18:25
Ramah was the home of Samuel. It was a high place, and the name itself means height. Such a high hill rises above Gibeon, and is pointed out as the burial place of Samuel. The land of Benjamin was filled with sites which became famous as events in later Israelite history transpired. Other sites to the north of Gibeon are also identified as Ramahs or heights and are considered to have been the Ramathaim-Zophim, the heights of Zuph, the home of Samuels parents (1Sa. 1:1).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
THE INHERITANCE OF BENJAMIN.
(11-28) The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.It can have been by no accident that their lot came forth between Judah and Joseph. No wiser method could have been devised to secure an united Israel than thus to make Benjamin the link between the two most powerful and naturally rival tribes. In the story of Joseph, the brethren are reconciled through the mutual affection of Judah and Joseph for Benjamin as their fathers youngest and best-loved son.
The position thus given to Benjamin under Joshua was still further developed by circumstances. The tribe was almost exterminated in the time of the judges; the survivors were united in marriage with women of Ephraim and Manasseh (?). On the other hand, the city of Jerusalem, although assigned by Joshua to Benjamin, was first a joint possession of Judah and Benjamin (1Ch. 8:28; 1Ch. 8:32; Jdg. 1:8; Jdg. 1:21), then the royal city of the kings of the house of Judah. The selection of the first king of Israel from Benjamin, and the ultimate planting of the religious and political centre of all the tribes on the confines of Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem, would have been two masterstrokes of policy if they had been schemes of mans devising. They were really links in the long chain of Gods providential dealing with the chosen people.
(12) And their border.This is first described on the north side, where it coincided with the southern border of Ephraim. Conder draws it from El Aujeh (sheet 15), five miles north of Jericho, towards Beth-el (Beitin), perhaps going along the Wdy Aujeh, Beth-el lying within the territory of Benjamin (Jos. 18:22), and so on to Archi (Jos. 16:2), now Ain Arik (near the top of sheet 17), and thence to Ataroth-addar (Ed-Drieh), near Beth-horon the nether (Beit- r-et-Tahta). This line is from east to west.
(14) And the border was drawn thence . . .At this point it turns southward, and runs from the neighbourhood of Beth-horon to Kirjath-jearim (Khurbet Erma, in sheet 17: very small, and not easily found).
Corner of the sea.Phath Ym, the west side.
(15) And the south quarter.Here the borderline again turns to the east, and runs to Ain Atn (the waters of Nephtoah), near Bethlehem. Thence it turns to the north-east, and follows the line described above (Jos. 15:6-8) as the northern boundary of Judah.
(17) The stone of Bohan the son of Reuben must have been near the Jordan. Is it possible that Bohan, the son of Reuben, did on his own account what was done for all Israel by the command of Joshua? (Jos. 4:8).
(21) The cities of the tribe of . . . Benjamin.The following are identified: viz., in Jos. 18:21, Ain-es-Sultan, Ain Hajlah (sheet 18); Jos. 18:22, Khurbet es-Smnrah, Beitin (sheet 18); Jos. 18:23, Ftah (sheet 18), Taiyibeh (sheet 14); Jos. 18:24, Jeb a (sheet 17).
(22) Beth-el seems to have passed into the hands of Ephraim without question when the tribe of Benjamin was all but exterminated. In the division of the kingdoms, though the tribe of Benjamin followed the house of Judah, the town of Bethel was regarded as part of the kingdom of Israel, and Jeroboams southern boundary. He set up two golden calves, one in Bethel and the other in Dan, at the northern and southern extremities of his kingdom.
(25) El-Jb, Er-Rm, Bireh (all in sheet 17).
(26) Shaft, Kejreh, Beit Mizzeh (Kefireh, i.e., Kefriyeh, sheet 14); the others are in sheet 17
(27) Rft (sheet 17).
(28) Lifta, El-Kuds, Jeba, Kuriet-el- anab (all in sheet 17).
(28) Jebusi, which is Jerusalem.When Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killed the prophets, and stoned them that were sent unto her, was called to account for all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, the cup was found in Benjamins sack, having been put there, as we see, by Joshua, the steward (after Moses) of the true Josephs house. (See Names on the Gates of PearlBenjamin, p. 191.) Jerusalem is always thought of as the capital of Judah. Probably few readers of the Bible would answer, if asked for its position, that it was originally a Benjamite city. And we may add that no later writer than Joshua would be likely to have placed it in the territory of Benjamin.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
BENJAMIN’S LOT, Jos 18:11-28.
Benjamin’s lot lay on the south of the sons of Joseph, so that the descendants of Rachel were all adjoining, and in the very heart of the land. As Benjamin’s lot included Mount Moriah, the site of the sacred edifice, we find here a remarkable fulfilment of the prophecy in Deu 33:12. “Hemmed in as it was between the two powerful neighbours of Ephraim and Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, nevertheless, retained a character of its own, eminently indomitable and insubordinate. The wolf which nursed the founders of Rome was not more evidently repeated in the martial qualities of the people of Romulus, than the wolf to which Benjamin is compared in his father’s blessing, (Gen 49:27,) appears in the eager, restless character of his descendants.” Stanley.
11. Lot of Benjamin came up “The lot comes up when it is drawn out of the urn.” Masius.
The Allotments to the Tribes ( Jos 18:11 to Jos 19:51 ).
We now have indicated how the lot divided the land among the seven remaining tribes.
1). The Lot of the Tribe of Benjamin ( Jos 18:11-28 ).
Jos 18:11
‘ And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.’
In Psa 68:27 Benjamin was called ‘little Benjamin’ but that was partly because they had been made so as a result of the war over Gibeah (Judges 19-21), although compared with Judah and Joseph they were little, and they received ‘according to their families’. Their lot was a strip of land in the passes between the hill countries of the two, with Dan to the west. It was good land but made them vulnerable to invasion.
“The lot came up –.” This would suggest that the lot was picked out of something such as an urn or a pocket or a plate or suchlike.
“The tribe of the children of –.” With the exception of 1Ch 6:65 this phrase only occurs in Num 10:15-27; Num 34:14-29; Num 36:8 and in Joshua. The emphasis in the word for tribe is on the fact that this refers to the judicial overview of ‘the children of –’. They were under judges and princes, both in leading the people forward (Num 10:15-27), and in the reception of the lot of their inheritance (Num 34:14-29; 1Ch 6:65). Num 36:8 does not quite use it in the same way and is not really a parallel. Thus in Numbers the phrase uniquely applied to the situation of being under princes. We cannot doubt that the thought is the same here and elsewhere in its use in Joshua.
Jos 18:12-13
‘ And their border on the north quarter was from Jordan, and the border went up to the side (shoulder, slope) of Jericho on the north, and went up through the hill country westward, and its goings out were at the wilderness of Beth-aven, and the border passed along from there to Luz, to the slope (shoulder) of Luz southward, the same is Bethel, and the border went down to Attaroth-addar, by the mountain that lies on the south of Lower Beth-horon.’
For this description compare the border of Ephraim (Jos 16:1-5). The slightly differing descriptions reveal the work of different surveyors using their own markers. The border starts from the Jordan and climbs the slope of Jericho (compare the ‘waters of Jericho’ which indicate a similar point – Jos 16:1), probably the rising ground three miles to the north, then on north-westward via the wilderness of Beth-haven to Luz, then on to the southward slope of Luz, which was Bethel, and then via the mountain that lies to the south of Lower Beth-horon to Attaroth-addar. Note that Beth-aven, Luz and Bethel are distinguished, although at times each can be used for the other. They clearly each had a distinct significance while able to be used for the whole. Thus Luz/Bethel was a part of Benjamin while the slope of Luz (Bethel) was not.
Jos 18:14
‘ And the border was drawn and turned about on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth-horon southward, and its goings out were at Kiriath-baal, the same is Kiriath-jearim, a city of Judah. This was the west quarter.’
Having given the northern border, the west border is now given, from south of Beth-horon down to north of Kiriath-baal, thus excluding the latter.
Jos 18:15-16
‘ And the south quarter was from the furthest point of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went out westward and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah. And the border went down to the uttermost point (the base?) of the mountain which lies before the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is the vale of Rephaim northward, and it went down to the valley of Hinnom to the slope of the Jebusite southward, and went down to En-rogel.’
Here the southern border of Benjamin is given which corresponds with the northern border of Judah (Jos 15:6-9) but is traced in the opposite direction. Again evidence of different surveyors. We also note again that Kiriath-jearim is excluded. The border begins by going westward but then proceeds eastward to the waters of Nephtoah near Jerusalem (Jos 15:9), proceeds to the base of the mountain (compare Jos 15:8) as described and then through the valley of Hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite and on to En-rogel, thus encompassing at least part of Jerusalem. En-rogel (‘well of the launderer’) was just outside Jerusalem (2Sa 17:17; 1Ki 1:9) and is known today as Job’s Well
Jerusalem as a whole was divided between Benjamin and Judah. It was built on two mountains with a valley between, the Jebusite stronghold being on top of the southeast ridge with terraces constructed eastward. Houses would also be built outside the walls forming part of ‘Jerusalem’. It may well be these that Judah captured (Jdg 1:8) although they may have caught the fortress unprepared and empty of troops away on an expedition. But they did not permanently occupy it and later could not drive the Jebusites out (Jos 15:63). Benjamin made no attempt to drive out the Jebusites in their part (Jdg 1:21).
Jos 18:17-19
‘ And it was drawn on the north, and went out at Enshemesh, and went out to Geliloth, which is over against the Ascent of Adummim, and it went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. And it passed along to the side over against the Arabah northward, and went down to the Arabah. And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northwards, and the goings out of the border were at the north tongue of the Salt Sea at the south end of Jordan. This was the south border.’
See on Jos 15:5-7 where more detail is given, in the reverse direction. (Note that Jos 15:7 calls Geliloth (‘regions’) ‘Gilgal’ (a cartwheel). It is not the Gilgal in the Jordan valley). The whole description is an interesting contrast between two surveyors. Some of the language was no doubt technical so that we are not able to follow it fully. Even LXX had difficulty with it.
Jos 18:20
‘ And Jordan was the border of it on the east quarter. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by its borders round about, according to their families.’
The final quarter (border) was the Jordan. Then follows a formula similar to the official formula found at the end of each portion (see Jos 18:28 b), here applied to the Benjamite boundaries for solemn confirmation.
Jos 18:21-24
‘ Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, according to their families, were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and Emek-keziz, and Betharabah, and Zemaraim,and Bethel, and Avvim, and Parah, and Ophrah, and Chephar-ammoni, and Ophni, and Geba. Twelve cities with their villages.’
This was the first of two regions into which Benjamin was divided, east and west of the road between Jerusalem and Shechem. While Jericho was not rebuilt as a city the area around was inhabited, and probably called Jericho. And its mound stood there as a reminder of its presence.
Beth-hoglah has been identified with the ruins of Kasr Hajleh, and is four kilometres (three miles) north of the present Dead Sea. Beth-arabah (‘house of the Arabah’) was in the barren, rocky country between the Central Range and the Dead Sea, sometimes called Jeshimon (waste, desert) mentioned in 1Sa 23:19; 1Sa 23:24. In verse 61 it belongs to Judah. Here it is a Benjamite border town. As with many border towns it was probably shared between them, the boundary going through it. It would have lands at both sides. Each might see it as their own. Emek-keziz (‘the valley or plain of Keziz’ whose name is applied to the city) is unknown. Zemariam was probably situated near Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim (2Ch 13:4). Various sites have been suggested (e.g Khirbet al-Samra; Ras al-Zaimara and Ras al-Tahuna).
Bethel is slightly complicated in that it can be represented by Luz (Jdg 1:23), Beth-aven (Hos 4:15; Hos 5:8; Hos 10:5) and the Bethel sanctuary (Gen 28:19 – compare ‘the shoulder of Luz’? (Jos 18:13)), although in Joshua Bethaven is distinguished from Bethel (Jos 7:2) . In Jdg 1:22-25 Luz was captured from the Canaanites by Ephraim (we are never told of it being taken earlier). See also 1Ch 7:28. Here some section of what was called Bethel was named as Benjamite.
“And Avvim, and Parah.” Avvim may be a variation of the name Ai (Jos 7:2 – both have the article). The name Parah may survive in Khirbet Farah, five kilometres (three miles) north east of Anathoth, near the junction of Wadi Farah with Wadi es-Suweinit. Ophrah (not that in Jdg 6:11) which is that in the direction to which the Philistine spoilers came in 1Sa 13:17. Called Ephron in 2Ch 13:19, it is modern et-Tayibeh, about eight kilometres (five miles) east of Bethel.
“Chephar-ammoni, and Ophni, and Geba.” Chephar-ammoni means ‘the village of the Ammonite’. Its site is unknown. Ophni is also unknown. Geba (meaning ‘a hill’) was eleven kilometres (seven miles) north of Jerusalem and five kilometres (three miles) from Gibeah (see Jos 18:28; Jdg 19:12) from which it is to be distinguished, and is the modern town of Jeba. It was assigned to the Levites and it was on the descent from here that Jonathan and his armourbearer made themselves known to the Philistines during their daring attack (1Sa 14:5). It was seen as the northernmost point of Josiah’s kingdom (2Ki 23:8). ‘’Twelve cities with their villages.’ Forming the eastern region of Benjamin.
Jos 18:25-28 a
‘Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah, and Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah, and Zelah, Eleph and the Jebusite (the same is Jerusalem), Gibeath, Kiriath. Fourteen cities with their villages.’
These were the cities of the western region of Benjamin. Gibeon is the city from where the Gibeonites came to deceive Israel, along with its companion cities, also mentioned here, Beeroth and Chephirah (Jos 9:17). It was a fairly important ‘city’ over a small confederation of smaller ‘cities’ (it was ‘as one of the royal cities’ – Jos 10:2 and see Jos 9:17) inhabited by the Hivites/Horites (Jos 18:7 – compare Gen 26:2 with Gen 26:20) and ruled over by a council of elders (Jos 18:11). It was what we now know as El-Jib, nine kilometres (five to six miles) north of Jerusalem. The handles of storage jars were found at the site, stamped with a royal seal or inscribed with the owners’ names and the name Gibeon. In the time of David the Tabernacle was set up there (1Ch 16:39; 1Ch 21:29 see also 1Ki 3:4-5)
The site has not yet revealed traces of a late bronze age settlement but burials at the time do indicate that it was then occupied. Thus it was probably not then a large city or with good defensive capability. It was described as ‘greater than Ai’ (Jos 10:2), but Ai were ‘but few’.
Ramah is probably er-Ram, eight kilometres (five miles) north of Jerusalem at a height of about 700 metres (2,300 feet). It was a resting place on the way north (Jdg 19:13). From Ramah Samuel would judge Israel (1Sa 7:17). Part of it was pulled down by Asa in order to use the materials to fortify Geba and Mizpah (1Ki 15:17; 1Ki 15:21-22), and it was where Nebuzaradan later gathered the exiles after the fall of Jerusalem, releasing Jeremiah (Jer 40:1). It featured in the messages of the prophets (Isa 10:29; Jer 31:15; Hos 5:8).
Beeroth, one of the Gibeonite confederacy, means ‘wells’. This may be el-Bireh where there are several wells and ruins. It is eight kilometres (five miles) north east of Gibeon.
Mizpeh was in the neighbourhood of Gibeon and Ramah (1Ki 15:22). The word means ‘watchtower, place for watching’ and suggests that it was built on an elevated place. It was here that Israel gathered to revenge the rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine (Judges 20-21), and that Samuel gathered Israel for prayer after the Ark had been returned to Kiriath-jearim (1Sa 7:5-6). It was one of the three places visited regularly by Samuel as judge of Israel (1Sa 7:16). The site was probably Tell en-Nasbeh (note the similarity by assonance), an isolated hill about thirteen kilometres (eight miles) north of Jerusalem. An alternative would be Nebi Samwil, seven kilometres (four to five miles) north west of Jerusalem, 895 metres (2900 feet) above sea level and 150 metres (490 feet) above the surrounding country.
Chephirah was a Hivite fortress on a spur eight kilometres (five miles) west of Gibeon, now modern Khirbet Kefireh, dominating the Wadi Qatneh that leads down to Aijalon. Ezr 2:25; Neh 7:29 link it with Kiriath-jearim. Mozah, and Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah are unknown.
Zelah was the burial place of Saul and his family (2Sa 21:14), Eleph is unknown, Jebusi (the Jebusites) was probably a short form of ‘the city of the Jebusites’, compare ‘the shoulder of the Jebusites’ (Jos 18:16), and refers to Jerusalem. Gibeath is the town of Gibeah, Tell el-Ful, a bare, conical hill five kilometres (three miles) north of Jerusalem. This was where the great crime would be committed against the Levite’s concubine that almost resulted in the extermination of Benjamin (Judges 19). It was later the birthplace of Saul (1Sa 10:26) and served as his residence while he was king, containing a small fortress. Because it was away from running water it depended on preserving water in cisterns and at the time of Joshua only a small settlement was found there, developing in the iron age. An iron plough-tip was found from this latter period. Later occupation on the site was spasmodic.
Kiriath (‘city’) is probably Kiriath-jearim (‘city of forests’), a border city between Benjamin and Judah, partially claimed by each. It is possibly Kuriet el-‘Enab, fourteen kilometres west of Jerusalem in a once well wooded district on the Jaffa Road. ‘Fourteen cities with their villages.’ Making up the western region.
Jos 18:28 b
‘This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.’
This is the formula, (sometimes with as an addition ‘the (these) cities with their villages’), that finalises the inheritance of each of the eleven tribes apart from Levi.
Ver. 11. And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up, &c. By a very peculiar direction of Providence, the name of Benjamin, the only brother of Joseph, and, like him, descended from Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, was first drawn. Thus this tribe stood the first after those of the sons of Joseph, and by the side of them, to receive the country which God assigned to it, and which was afterwards divided in a more particular manner among the families of which it was composed.
And the coast of their lot came forth, &c. A fresh token of the direction of Providence. In the benedictions of Moses, Deu 33:12. Benjamin had been placed between Judah and Joseph; and the event now justifies that prediction.
The lot of Benjamin forms an interesting part in the portion of Israel. He was the beloved child of the Patriarch Jacob ‘ s old age: and the tenderness of his father ‘ s heart towards him we have largely recounted in the book of Gen 42:36-38 . It was certainly from the Lord’s special appointment that the border of Benjamin was placed so near to the border of Joseph; for the Reader will recollect, that Joseph and Benjamin were of the same mother, Rachel. Gen 35:24 .
Jos 18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
Ver. 11. Between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. ] This was as well as heart could wish; what could God do more for Jacob’s darling, and for the fulfilling of Moses’s prophecy? Deu 33:12 It is a great happiness doubtless to be well neighboured; and yet a greater to be near the place where God’s honour dwelleth. The league betwixt Judah and Benjamin lasted, as if they had been but one tribe, when the rest revolted with Jeroboam. The city of Jerusalem was divided betwixt them, though the greater part of it belonged to Benjamin, and when the Jebusites were to be thence expelled, both these tribes joined their forces together, Jdg 1:8 ; Jdg 1:21 as Judah and Simeon did in a like case. Jdg 1:3
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 18:11-20
11Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph. 12Their border on the north side was from the Jordan, then the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up through the hill country westward, and it ended at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13From there the border continued to Luz, to the side of Luz (that is, Bethel) southward; and the border went down to Ataroth-addar, near the hill which lies on the south of lower Beth-horon. 14The border extended from there and turned round on the west side southward, from the hill which lies before Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side. 15Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went westward and went to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah. 16The border went down to the edge of the hill which is in the valley of Ben-hinnom, which is in the valley of Rephaim northward; and it went down to the valley of Hinnom, to the slope of the Jebusite southward, and went down to En-rogel. 17It extended northward and went to En-shemesh and went to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, and it went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 18It continued to the side in front of the Arabah northward and went down to the Arabah. 19The border continued to the side of Beth-hoglah northward; and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the south border. 20Moreover, the Jordan was its border on the east side. This was the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin, according to their families and according to its borders all around.
Jos 18:11 Benjamin This means son of the right hand (BDB 122). This is the tribe (the smallest tribe) of the first king, Saul, and the Apostle Paul (cf. Rom 11:1; Php 3:5). Its land was between the powerful tribes of Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north.
Jos 18:12 Beth-aven This is a wordplay on a place name (house of wealth, BDB 20; house of sorrow, BDB 19; or house of iniquity, BDB 110), which came to be used of Bethel by Hosea (cf. Jos 4:15; Jos 5:8; Jos 10:5).
The place name occurs seven times in Joshua and refers to a place near the city of Bethel.
Jos 18:15
NASBthe border went westward and went to the fountain of
NKJVthe border extended on the west and went out to the spring
NRSVthe boundary goes from there to Ephron, to the springs of
TEVand went to the Springs of
NJBthe boundaries went to Gasin and came out near the spring of
This same boundary is described in Jos 15:9. The Hebrew text has and went westward (cf. JPSOA).
Jos 18:17 Geliloth The Semitic root gl (i.e., Gilgal or Galilee) seems to refer to a cultic or sacred site formed by a circle of stones or a circular pile of stones (cf. Gen 31:46; Jos 7:26; Jos 8:29; Jos 18:17; 2Sa 18:17). The VERB gll (BDB 165,166) means to roll (Jos 10:18).
This specific term (BDB 165), found only here in the OT, can mean
1. a region – Jos 13:2; Eze 47:8; Joe 3:4
2. a city – Jos 18:17; Jos 22:10-11
the stone of Bohan See note at Jos 15:6.
Jos 18:19 Beth-hoglah This city is first mentioned in Jos 15:6. The name means place of the partridge (BDB 111).
came forth. i.e. from the bag containing the Urim and Thummim, See note on Exo 28:30. Num 26:55.
between the children: Jos 15:1-8, Jos 16:1-10, Deu 10:1-22, Deu 13:12
Reciprocal: Lev 16:8 – cast lots Num 26:55 – by lot Num 33:54 – give the less inheritance Num 34:17 – are the names Deu 33:12 – The beloved Jos 18:20 – General Jos 19:10 – third Jdg 1:21 – General
Jos 18:11. The lot of Benjamin came up No doubt it was by peculiar direction of Providence that the children of Benjamin should have the first lot of these seven, next to the children of Joseph, they two being the only sons of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. For thus it happened that their coast, or the portion assigned them, lay between the children of Judah, who were on the south of them, and the children of Joseph, the Ephraimites in particular, who lay on the north of them; the only place in which the prophecy contained in Deu 33:12, could have been accomplished. And it is observable, that, in that blessing of Moses, Benjamin is placed between Judah and Joseph, Levi having no inheritance among them. But Providence placed Benjamin here, not only that he might be next to Joseph, his own and only brother, on the one hand; but that, being next to Judah on the other, this tribe might hereafter unite with Judah, in an adherence to the throne of David, and the temple of Jerusalem.
18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth {i} between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
(i) Their inheritance bordered on Judah and Joseph.
6. The inheritance of the remaining tribes 18:11-19:51
First the two and one-half tribes east of the Jordan received their land. Then Judah, the primary recipient of Jacob’s patriarchal blessing, and Joseph, the recipient of Jacob’s patriarchal birthright, received their allotments (chs. 15-17). Finally the remaining tribes received their inheritances in the land.
The inheritance of Benjamin 18:11-28
Benjamin shared its territorial boundaries (Jos 18:11-20) with Judah on the south and Ephraim on the north. On the east the Jordan River formed Benjamin’s border. On the west, about half way to the Mediterranean Sea, Israel’s leaders drew a border separating Benjamin from Dan.
The towns of Benjamin (Jos 18:21-28) fell into two groups. Twelve towns stood in the eastern part of the territory (Jos 18:21-24) and 14 in the western (Jos 18:25-28).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)