Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 19:9
Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
9. of the children of Simeon ] In this “ Negeb ” or “ land of the south,” Simeon now took up his abode. Like Reuben on the east of Jordan, the tribe was destined to have little influence on the subsequent history, to be divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel (Gen 49:5-7). In the prophecy of Moses he is not even mentioned (Deuteronomy 33), nor are we told what part he took at the time of the division of the kingdom. “As time rolled on, the tribe gradually crossed the imperceptible boundary between civilisation and barbarism, between Palestine and the Desert, and, in ‘the days of Hezekiah’ (1Ch 4:28-43), they wandered forth to the east to seek pasture for their flocks, and ‘smote the tents’ of the pastoral tribes who had ‘dwelt there of old;’ and roved along across the ’Arabah till they arrived at the ‘Mount Seir’ the range of Petra and ‘smote the rest of the Amalekites, and dwelt there unto this day.’ ” Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 161. “It is startling to find that a tribe professing to be” of the “sons of Israel,” and holding no connection with the Arabs of the district, is still to be found in the country around Petra, literally fulfilling an ancient prediction: “They of the South (= the Negeb) shall possess the mount of Esau.” See Pusey’s Commentary on Oba 1:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon,…. Which is the reason why no description is given of the border of their inheritance, because that is before given in the account of the lot of Judah:
for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: they had more cities than they could fill with people, and more land than they could cultivate; they had an hundred fourteen cities with their villages:
therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them; the one being a small tribe, and the other large, and for the reasons given; [See comments on Jos 19:1].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
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.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
9. Too much for them This may mean that it was more than Judah could subdue and retain, or that it exceeded their necessities, or that it was too large relatively. It reflects great honour upon Judah that they should, without selfish remonstrances and murmurings, submit to this diminution of their lot. The national feeling must have been yet strong in this patriotic tribe, for States are always tenacious of their boundaries.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon, for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.’
Coming after verse 8 this is probably the writer’s explanation added to the official record. It confirms that because too much had been allocated to Judah, Simeon were allotted part of their portion. In view of the fact that all was given by lot under YHWH’s direction no one would later have dared suggest such an idea unless it had been so.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jos 19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
Ver. 9. Out of the portion. ] See Jos 19:1 .
Was too much for them.
Had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
too much: Exo 16:18, 2Co 8:14, 2Co 8:15
therefore: Jos 19:1
Reciprocal: 1Ch 4:28 – Beersheba Eze 48:7 – Judah
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah [was] the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too {b} much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
(b) But this large portion was given them by God’s providence to declare their increase in time to come.