Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 19:50

According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, [even] Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

50. according to the word of the Lord ] We do not find any Divine injunction in the Pentateuch to the effect that Joshua was to receive a special portion in the Land of Canaan. But as Caleb had received a definite promise of the same kind, which is not to be found in its literal form in the Pentateuch, we may conclude that a like promise had been been made to Joshua.

even Timnath-serah ] In Jdg 2:9 the name of the city given to the Israelitish leader is altered to Timnath-heres = “ portion of the sun.” In the same place it is defined as having been situated “ in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.” The word Timnath, or Timnah, means “allotted portion,” and was given to several places. It is now generally identified with Tibnah, between Jifna and el-Mejdel, and was first discovered by Dr Eli Smith in 1843, where he found the ruins of a considerable town. Opposite the town was a much higher hill, in the north side of which were several excavated sepulchres. “Of all sites I have seen,” says Lieut. Conder, “none is so striking as that of Joshua’s home, surrounded as it is with deep valleys and wild rugged hills.” Paula is described by St Jerome as “satis mirata quod distributor possessionum sibi aspera et montana delegisset” (Epist. cviii., Epitaph. Paul).

and he built the city ] or perhaps rather, fortified it. The site may have been previously unoccupied, and named Timnath-serah = “ remaining portion ” by Joshua himself.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Nothing is said of any express command of God respecting the inheritance of Joshua. But as such special portion appears to have been promised to Caleb at the time when he and Joshua alone out of the twelve spies remained faithful Jos 14:6-9, it is probable that a like promise was made to Joshua. The name of the place is also written Timnath-heres Jdg 2:9, by a transposition of the letters. The rabbinical explanation that the name Timnath-heres (i. e. portion of the sun) was given because a representation of the sun was affixed to the tomb in memory of Joshuas command to the sun to stand still, appears to be an afterthought. The name Timnath-serah (portion that remains) was perhaps conferred on the spot in consequence of its being allotted to Joshua, the last allotment made in the whole distribution of his conquests. The site has been conjectured to be Tibneh, a village about five miles north-west of Lydda (or, by Conder, Kerr Hares, nine miles south of Nablous).

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 50. Timnath-serah] Called Timnath-heres in Jdg 2:9, where we find that the mountain on which it was built was called Gaash. It is generally allowed to have been a barren spot in a barren country.

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

According to the word of the Lord; as God promised or commanded; either, first, formerly, as may be gathered from Jos 16:6; where we read that the Lord said something unto Moses concerning me, Caleb, and thee, Joshua; though only what is said to Caleb be there expressed, the other not being to his purpose there; for Joshua having showed the same courage and faithfulness which Caleb did, did doubtless receive equal encouragement and comfort from God at that time. Or, secondly, now at this time by Eleazar.

Timnath-serah, called Timnath-heres, Jdg 2:9. He built, i.e. repaired and enlarged it, in which sense Nebuchadnezzar is said to have built Babylon, Dan 4:30.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

50. According to the word of theLord they gave him the city which he askedIt was most properthat the great leader should receive an inheritance suited to hisdignity, and as a reward for his public services. But the gift wasnot left to the spontaneous feelings of a grateful people. It wasconferred “according to the word of the Lord”probably anunrecorded promise, similar to what had been made to Caleb (Jos14:9).

Timnath-serahor Heres,on Mount Gaash (Jud 2:9). Joshuafounded it, and was afterwards buried there (Jos24:30).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

According to the word of the Lord,…. Or mouth of the Lord; either according to the oracle of Urim and Thummim, which Eleazar consulted on this occasion; or according to what the Lord had said to Moses, at the same time that Hebron was ordered to Caleb, Jos 14:6; and

they gave him the city which he asked, [even] Timnathserah in Mount Ephraim; he chose a place in his own tribe, for he was of the tribe of Ephraim; and it seems that what he chose was none of the best of places; for Paula, as Jerom i relates, when she travelled into those parts, wondered that the distributor of the possessions of the children of Israel should choose such a rough and mountainous place for himself; of its situation, see Jos 24:30;

and he built the city, and dwelt therein; he rebuilt it, and fitted it for his own habitation, and for those that belonged to him.

(Timnathserah means “an abundant portion” or “a place in the sun”. Joshua great reward was in seeing the promises of God fulfilled before his very eyes Jos 21:45 and the children of Israel serving the Lord’s during his lifetime Jos 24:31. Joshua may have received but a small inheritance in the promised land but this was just an earnest of his future glorious inheritance in eternity. The saints of God have the best portion saved for the last Joh 2:10 whereas the worldling has his best portion now; his worst is yet to come. Editor.)

i Epitaph. Paulae, fol. 59. L.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Ver. 50. According to the word of the Lord, they gave him the city which he asked The commands of God, upon this occasion, which probably were signified by the mouth of Eleazar, the high-priest, or at the time when provision was made for Caleb, ch. Jos 14:6 had authorised Joshua to choose whatever district should please him in the land of Canaan, to be possessed by him as his own property: this great general, however, postponed his claim till every one was settled; and then what is his choice? Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: too modest to think of appropriating to himself the best part of the country, he not only shuts himself up in his own tribe, but chooses precisely the roughest, most uncultivated, and, at first, most difficult spot thereabout. See ch. Jos 17:18. Timnath-serah seems to have been an old cattle or village, standing north of the mountain called Gaash, chap. Jos 24:30.

He built the city, and dwelt therein He fitted up the ruins, built a new city, and, as we may suppose, by cutting down the forests which covered the mountain every where about, made the place both strong, and respectable for its height; and by that means, in other respects, a very agreeable station, according to the taste of the ancients, who were fond of building upon high places. See Dionys. Halicarn. lib. i. c. 12. Here it was that Joshua settled with his family, concerning which we have no further information from the history: so true it is, that this great man neither thought of taking upon him the dignity of a sovereign, nor of aggrandizing his own house! The Scripture, as Pelican observes, says nothing of Joshua’s sons or daughters, because he considered all the Israelites as his children.

Note; Joshua’s dwelling-place was near the tabernacle: and in the choice of our dwelling, to be near a gospel-ministry should be the first recommendation.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Jos 19:50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, [even] Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.

Ver. 50. Even Timnathserah. ] Called also Timnathheres in Jdg 2:9 ; that is, the figure of the sun, because, belike, there the sun had been worshipped: another Heliopolis.

And he built the city. ] An old ruinous city, but by him repaired and beautified, that there he might spend and end his days.

“ Regum aequabat opes animis. ”

And well he might have engraven over his gates that distich of Ennius concerning Scipio –

“ Si fas (caedendo / cedendo) caelestia scandere cuiquam,

Mi soli caeli maxima porta pater.”

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