Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 13:15

And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben [inheritance] according to their families.

15 23. The Possession of the Tribe of Reuben

15. the tribe of the children of Reuben ] The historian now gives us, on the faith of the ancient registers, the several boundaries of the tribes east of the Jordan.

Reuben ] Reuben naturally comes first. His boundaries are more briefly given, Num 32:33-42.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Dividing the inheritance into as many parts as they had families; but this is only spoken of the greater families; for the lesser divisions or distributions to the several small families was done by inferior officers, according to the rules which Moses gave them.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben [inheritance] according to their families. According to the number of them, and sufficient for them.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Possessions of the Two Tribes and a Half. – Jos 13:15-23. The tribe of Reuben received its inheritance in the south-namely, the territory from Aror in the Arnon valley, and from Ar in that valley, onwards, and the plain (table-land) by Medeba (see Jos 13:9), with Heshbon the capital and her towns, i.e., the towns dependent upon it, in the plain. Heshbon, almost in the centre between the Arnon and the Jabbok, was situated upon the border of the inheritance of the Reubenites, and was ceded to the Gadites, who gave it up to the Levites (Jos 21:39; 1Ch 6:66: see at Num 32:37). Dibon, called Dibon of Gad in Num 33:45, because the Gadites had built, i.e., fortified it, was on the south of Heshbon, only an hour from Aror, on the Arnon (Jos 13:9). Bamoth-baal, also called Bamoth simply (Num 21:20; Isa 15:2), is to be sought for on the Jebel Attarus (see at Num 21:20). It was thence that Balaam saw the end of the Israelitish camp (Num 22:41). Bethbaal-meon, the present ruin of Myun, three-quarters of an hour S.E. of Heshbon (see at Num 32:38). Jahza, where Sihon was defeated, was to the east of Medeba, according to the Onom.; and Dibon was on the border of the desert (see at Num 21:23). Kedemoth, on the border of the desert, to the north-west of Kalaat Balua, is to be sought on the northern bank of the Balua, or upper Arnon (see at Num 21:13). Mephaath, where there was a garrison stationed (according to the Onom.) as a defence against the inhabitants of the desert, is to be sought for in the neighbourhood of Jahza, with which it is always associated (Jer 48:21). Kedemoth and Mephaath were given up to the Levites (Jos 21:37; 1Ch 6:64).

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

Reuben’s Lot, vs. 15-23

Reuben’s lot is the first to be described, possibly because he was the oldest son of Jacob. The word “coast” means about the same as “border” in modern English vernacular.

The chief cities in Reuben’s lot are named, some of them having been noted in earlier comments. Aroer was on the north bank of the Arnon. “In the midst of the river” refers to the city’s location, about midway in the valley from its source to its mouth.

The land took in the plain from Dibon to Medeba, including Heshbon and its dependent towns. The cities named in verse 17-19 were in the plain, while the others lay fartherto the north.

It was at Baal-peor that the “doctrine of Balaam” caused the Israelites to commit fornication with the Midianite prostitutes, causing the execution of many guilty persons. Five of the Midianite princes, whose people were then residing among the Amorites, were killed, along with Balaam the false prophet, in the ensuing war ( Nu chapter 25 and 31).

The western border of Reuben was the Jordan river.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

15. And Moses gave unto the tribe, etc What he seemed to have said with sufficient clearness he now follows more fully in detail, not only that the reading might incite the people to gratitude, seeing the divine goodness recorded in public documents, and, as it were, constantly before their eyes, but also that each might enjoy his inheritance without molestation and quarrel. For we know how ingenious human cupidity is in devising pretexts for litigation, so that no one can possess his right in safety unless a plain and perspicuous definition of his right make it impossible to call it in question. That country had been given without casting lots. It was therefore open to others to object that the just proportion had not been kept, and that the inequality behooved to be corrected. Therefore, that no unseasonable dispute might ever disturb the public peace, the boundaries are everywhere fixed by the authority of God, and disputes of every kind are removed by setting up landmarks. God does not by one single expression merely adjudge the whole kingdom of Sihon to the tribe of Reuben, but he traces their extreme limit from Aroer to the banks of the Arnon, and thus, making an entire circuit, contracts or widens their territory so as not to leave the possession of a single acre ambiguous. Moreover, how useful this exact delineation was may be learned from profane history, where we everywhere meet, not only with invidious but pernicious disputes among neighbors as to their boundaries.

We may add that the care which the Lord condescended to take in providing for his people, and in cherishing mutual peace among them, demonstrates his truly paternal love, since he omitted nothing that might conduce to their tranquillity. And, indeed, had not provision been thus early made, they might have been consumed by intestine quarrels. (136)

I again beg my readers to excuse me if I do not labor anxiously in describing the situation of towns, and am not even curious in regard to names. Nay, I will readily allow those names which it was thought proper to leave as proper nouns in Hebrew to be used appellatively, and so far altered as to give them a Latin form. (137)

It is worthy of notice, that when the land of the Midianites is referred to, the princes who ruled over it are called Satraps of Sihon, to let us know that they shared in the same overthrow, because they had involved themselves in an unjust war, and belonged to the government of Sihon, an avowed enemy. And to make it still more clear that they perished justly, it is told that among the slain was Balaam, by whose tongue they had attempted to wound the Israelites more grievously than by a thousand swords; (138) just as if it had been said that in that slaughter they found the hostile banner, by which they had declared themselves at open war with the Israelites. When it is said that the Jordan was a boundary, and a boundary, it will be proper, in order to prevent useless repetition, to interpret that Jordan was a boundary to them according to its limits. (139)

(136) French, “ Et de faict, s’il n’euste pourveu a cela de bonne heure, ils se fussent mangez et consumez les uns les autres en debatant entre eux;” “And in fact, had not this been provided for in good time, they would have eaten and consumed one another while debating among themselves.” — Ed.

(137) French, “ Qui plus est, je suis content qu’on traduise en d’autres langues certains noms, qu’il m’a semble bon de laisser ici en la langue Hebraique comme noms propres;” “Moreover, I am content that certain words which I have thought good to leave here in the Hebrew tongue as proper names be translated into other languages.” — Ed.

(138) The curious contradictions in the behavior of this remarkable man whose fate is here recorded, and analogous exemplification’s of them in ordinary life, are admirably delineated by Bishop Butler in a sermon on the subject. — Ed.

(139) Latin, “ Terminum illis fuisse Jordanem secundum suos fines.” French, “ Que le Jordain estoit leur borne selon ses limites;” “That the Jordan was their boundary according to its limits.” The repetition is omitted by the Septuagint. — Ed.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

The Territory of Reuben Jos. 13:15-23

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 Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baalmeon,
18 And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth-shahar in the mount of the valley,
20 And Beth-peor, and Ashdoth-pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth,
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.

8.

Where was the land of Reuben? Jos. 13:15-23

In general terms, the borders of the land of the tribe of Reuben may be described as follows: on the west, the Dead Sea and the Jordan River; on the south, the land of Moab; on the east, the land of Ammon; and on the north, the Wady Nusariyat. Sihon, king of the Amorites, had ruled this land; and it had been taken from him by the children of Israel in the campaign led by Moses (Num. 21:21-31).

9.

Who had ruled this land formerly? Jos. 13:21

Sihon, king of the Amorites, had ruled over this land before the children of Israel conquered it. The conquest was made under the leadership of Moses (Num. 21:24). His capital had been in Heshbon, the town which had originally belonged to the Moabites. Later it was made a Levitical city (Jos. 21:39). The present location is called Hesban and lies twenty miles east of the Jordan and stands some four thousand feet above the valley. An excellent spring is located at this point and thus it is an extremely pleasant location. Extensive ruins are still on the site. The king had several chiefs who assisted him in government, and Moses destroyed these along with their leader.

10.

Who was Balaam, the son of Beor? Jos. 13:22

Balaam was the soothsayer from the east who had been summoned by Balak, king of the Moabites (Num. 22:5). He had been warned of God to speak only those things which were revealed to him by God. His cupidity was so strong that he is described in the New Testament as the epitome of avarice (2Pe. 2:15-16; cf. Jud. 1:11). When God revealed only blessings for Israel through Balaam, Balaam stayed among the Moabites and was slain when Israel was purged of the foreign seducers who had come in among them (Num. 31:8).

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY DISTRIBUTED BY MOSES ON THE EAST OF JORDAN

(Jos. 13:15-33).

(15) Reuben.See also Num. 32:33-42 and Deu. 3:16, &c.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

REUBEN’S LOT, Jos 13:15-23.

[From this point on through chapter 19 follows a minute description of the territorial possessions assigned by Joshua to the tribes of Israel, and, while to a modern reader these chapters may appear as a dry and tiresome list of names, we should remember that they were as necessary and important as are the details of a modern deed of real estate to prevent future litigation. These lists of cities and borders were evidently compiled from the most ancient registers, and in all probability are substantially identical with those written by Joshua’s own hand, or under his supervision and direction. Their minuteness not only shows the care of the commissioners who determined them, but also the progress already made in the art of mensuration. See notes on Jos 18:4; Jos 18:9.

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

15. Children of Reuben In Numbers 32 the children of Reuben and Gad are represented as petitioning Moses for an allotment on the east of Jordan, and they received their portion chiefly between the Arnon and the Jabbok. This district is now called the Belka, and Burckhardt describes the country and climate as exceedingly picturesque and delightful. “In the Belkan mountains we were refreshed by cool winds, and everywhere found a grateful shade of pine, oak, and wild pistachio trees, with a scenery more like that of Europe than any I had yet seen in Syria. The superiority of the pasturage of the Belka over that of all southern Syria is the cause of its possession being much contested. The Bedouins have this saying: ‘Thou canst not find a country like the Belka.’” Reuben and Gad had much cattle, and no wonder they desired a possession in these rich and delightful pasture hinds.

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

The Portion of Reuben ( Jos 13:15-23 ).

Jos 13:15

‘ And Moses gave to the tribe of Reuben according to their families.’

The division of the land took account of the sizes of the tribes (Num 26:53-54). Note how the ‘numbers’ are expressed as ‘according to their families’. Thus ‘families’ is basically a number word in these contexts. The word for ‘tribe’ also signifies a staff or rod of authority, also used for chastisement. It is used especially in formal lists and descriptions where authority over, and responsibility for chastisement of, the people is in mind. In a sense the tribe was the rod, to direct and to punish.

Between Jos 13:14-15 LXX adds ‘This is the division which Moses divided to the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab beyond Jordan over against Jericho.’ This was clearly an insertion in order to explain ‘Moses gave’. It is stressed that the original division in the land Beyond Jordan Eastward was arranged by Moses.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

The Territory of the two and one Half Tribes

v. 15. And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families, Numbers 32.

v. 16. And their coast, their boundary, was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, Ar in the valley of the Arnon, and all the plain by Medeba, east of the Dead Sea;

v. 17. Heshbon, the former capital of Sihon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, about four miles north of Arnon, and Bamothbaal, Num 24:20, and Bethbaalmeon, a short distance southeast of Heshbon, Num 32:38,

v. 18. and Jahaza, where Sihon was defeated, almost at the eastern edge of the plateau, and Kedemoth, later a city of the Levites, 1Ch 6:79, and Mephaath, another Levite city,

v. 19. and Kirjathaim, where Chedorlaomer defeated the Enim, Gen 14:5, and Sibmah, a suburb of Heshbon, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley, nearer to the Dead Sea than Heshbon,

v. 20. and Bethpeor, opposite Jericho, on the slopes of Mount Peor, and Ashdothpisgah, on the northeastern shore of the Dead Sea, and Bethjeshimoth, near the mouth of the Jordan,

v. 21. and all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom, of Sihon, king of the Amorites, so far as it was contained in this plateau, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Num 21:24, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, vassals or tributaries, dwelling in the country, Num 31:8.

v. 22. Balaam, also, the son of Beor, the soothsayer, the diviner by the casting of lots, a name which brands him a false prophet, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them, Num 22:5; Num 31:8.

v. 23. And the border, the boundary, of the children of Reuben was Jordan and the border thereof, to the territory of the Jordan in the west, for its main part was east of the Dead Sea. T his was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof, the latter being open towns, without walls or fortifications.

v. 24. And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad, according to their families.

v. 25. And their coast, their boundary, as it included their territory, was Jazer, a city taken from the Amorites, Num 21:32, and all the cities of Gilead, that is, its southern part, below the Jabbok, the part of Ammonitis between the Arnon and the Jabbok, which the Amorites under Sihon had taken from the Ammonites (both the Aroer and the Rabbah here mentioned are not to be confounded with those of Moabitis);

v. 26. and from Heshbon, which was practically on the northern boundary of Reuben, unto Ramathmizpeh, that is, Ramoth in Gilead, and Betonim, these being the most important cities in the north; and from Mahanaim, Gen 32:2, a Levite city north of Jabbok, unto the border of Debir, or Lidhbir, probably on the heights which border the Jordan;

v. 27. and in the valley, Betharam, later Libias, Num 32:36, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, where Jacob lived for some time. Gen 33:17, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon, king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, the river valley proper, even unto the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth, the southern end of the Sea of Galilee, on the other side Jordan eastward. While the Jabbok was, generally speaking, the northern boundary of the territory of Gad, the latter extended northward at least to include the plateau of Mahanaim and the Jordan valley to the Sea of Galileo.

v. 28. This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.

v. 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.

v. 30. And their coast was from Mahanaim, from the boundaries of this city, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair which are in Bashan, threescore cities, Num 32:41;

v. 31. and half Gilead, the northern half, 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.

v. 32. These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the Plains of Moab, while the children of Israel were encamped there, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.

v. 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, Num 18:20; Deu 10:9. Note: The end of Balaam is an example of warning. Like him all those who come to the knowledge of the truth, but reject it, preferring the froth of this world to the substance of eternity, will be subject to a severe condemnation.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

No doubt the Holy Ghost, in being so particular in the enumeration of places and their boundaries, had some gracious design in view. And, Reader, you and I may learn this from it, that we never can be too minute and particular, in eyeing every token of our God’s love; for every one brings with it a special sweetness, and affords an inexpressible relish to the soul, when we receive it and use it as his own. When I can say, this my God, my Jesus gave me: Oh! how sweet the gift, when more sweet is the giver! See Paul’s joy upon this view of things: Gal 2:20 .

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

Jos 13:15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben [inheritance] according to their families.

Ver. 15. According to their families, ] i.e., Proportionably according to the number of their families.

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

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 13:15-23

15So Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families. 16Their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, with the city which is in the middle of the valley and all the plain by Medeba; 17Heshbon, and all its cities which are on the plain: Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon, 18 and Jahaz and Kedemoth and Mephaath, 19and Kiriathaim and Sibmah and Zereth-shahar on the hill of the valley, 20and Beth-peor and the slopes of Pisgah and Beth-jeshimoth, 21even all the cities of the plain and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses struck with the chiefs of Midian, Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land. 22The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword among the rest of their slain. 23The border of the sons of Reuben was the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the sons of Reuben according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Jos 13:15-23 This is the tribal allocation of Reuben. It is best seen by looking at a map which delineates the tribal allocations.

Jos 13:17 Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon There was a Ba’al for every town. These two towns were named for the high places of baal (BDB 119 and 127, cf. Num 22:41) and the houses of baal (BDB 111, cf. Num 32:38; 1Ch 5:8; Jer 48:23; Eze 25:9).

Jos 13:19

NASB, NRSV,

JPSOAon the hill of the valley

NKJVon the mountain of the valley

TEVon the hill in the valley

NJBin the highlands of the Arabah

This phrase is uncertain in Hebrew.

Jos 13:20 the slopes of Pisgah In Deu 34:1 this is another reference to Mt. Nebo.

Jos 13:21 even all the cities of the plain The cities included

1. Dibon, Jos 13:9

2. Beth-Jeshimoth, Jos 12:3

3. Jahaz, Jos 13:18

4. Kedemoth, Jos 13:18

5. Mephaath, Jos 13:18

The ones in Jos 13:18 are mentioned again at Jos 21:26-27.

Jos 13:22 Balaam the son of Beor The account of this prophet who caused Israel real problems is found in Numbers 22-25.

diviner This PARTICIPLE (BDB 890, KB 1116, Qal PARTICIPLE) means trying to know and control the future. Several different methods were used

1. casting lots

2. consulting idols

3. examining sheep livers

4. necromancy

5. cloud reading

6. flight and perching of birds

Some typical texts are Num 22:7; Num 23:23; Deu 18:10; Deu 18:14; Jos 13:22; 1Sa 6:5; 1Sa 15:23; 1Sa 28:8; 2Ki 17:17; Isa 2:6; Isa 3:2; Isa 44:25; Jer 14:14; Jer 27:9; Jer 29:8; Eze 12:24; Eze 13:6-7; Eze 13:9; Eze 13:23; Eze 21:21-23; Eze 21:29; Eze 22:28.

It is based on the pagan world-view that there is information about the future hidden in natural events and that gifted humans (i.e., false prophets, e.g., Jer 27:9; Jer 29:8; Eze 13:9; Eze 22:28) can know and influence this future.

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

Reciprocal: Exo 6:14 – these be Jos 22:4 – get Jdg 11:20 – General 1Ch 5:8 – Aroer Eze 48:6 – Reuben

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jos 13:15. Moses gave, &c. Having informed us in general what Moses gave to the two tribes and a half, the sacred historian proceeds to set down in particular what share each of them had in this country. According to their families Dividing the inheritance into as many parts as they had families. But this is only spoken of the greater families; for the lesser distributions to the several small families were made by inferior officers, according to the rules which Moses had given them.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Reuben’s portion was the southern part of this area. Balaam (Jos 13:22) had lost his life during Israel’s battle with the Midianites (Num 31:8).

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