Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 18:5
And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.
5. Judah shall abide ] The division, which had secured by lot their territory to the tribes of Judah and Joseph, was still to be respected.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. Judah shall abide – on the south, and the house of Joseph – on the north.] Joshua does not mean that the tribe of Judah occupied the south, and the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh the north of the promised land; this was not the fact: but being now at Shiloh, a considerable way in the territory of Ephraim, and not far from that of Judah, he speaks of them in relation to the place in which he then was. Calmet considers him as thus addressing the deputies: “Go and examine the whole of the country which remains yet to be possessed; do not take into consideration the tribe of Judah, which is on the south, nor the tribe of Ephraim, which is on the north of where we now are, but carefully divide the remaining land which is not occupied by these tribes into seven equal parts.” This makes a very good sense, and frees the place from embarrassment.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Seven parts; which were of equal extent or worth; for no tribe was so great but one of these parts in its full extent would abundantly suffice them; and there was no reason why the portions should be greater or less according as the tribes at present were more or fewer in number, because of the various changes which happened therein successively; it being usual for one tribe to be more numerous than another in one age, which was fewer in the next. And if the several tribes had increased more, and not diminished their numbers by their sins, they might have sent forth colonies, and taken any part of the land, even as far as Euphrates, all which the Lord of the whole earth had given them a right to, which when they pleased they might take possession of.
Shall abide in their coast on the south: they shall not be disturbed in their possession, but shall keep it, except some part of it shall be adjudged to another tribe.
On the north; in respect of Judah, not of the whole land; for divers other tribes were more northern than they.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they shall divide it into seven parts,…. According to the number of the seven tribes not yet settled; and this they were to describe and divide was all the land subdued, or not subdued, only the following excepted:
Judah shall abide in their coast on the south; on the south of the land of Canaan, where their lot fell, so that needed not to be measured and described; and this tribe was to retain what they were possessed of, unless it should appear they had too much, and others wanted, and they willing to part with some of it to their brethren, as they afterwards did to the tribes of Simeon and Dan:
and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coast on the north; on the north of the tribe of Judah; not of the land of Canaan, for some other tribes lay more northerly.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5-10) They shall divide it into seven parts.The several tribes were not permitted to choose their own portions. In Num. 26:54-55, we read: To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance. . . . notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot. These words imply that there must be unequal portions of territory for larger and smaller tribes, but that the particular position of each tribe must be settled by the lot, whereof the whole disposing is of the Lord. We are not told how this rule was carried out in the case of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh, who received their inheritance first. Possibly a sufficient extent of territory was surveyed at first to provide three large allotments. The three tribes might then cast lots, first between Judah and Joseph for the northern or southern portions, and then between Ephraim and Manasseh for the two sections of the northern territory. This would carry out the instructions of Numbers 26. But see above (Jos. 15:1).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Judah shall abide That is, shall maintain the same relative position, but not necessarily the same amount. See Jos 19:9, where Simeon’s portion is taken out of Judah’s, to produce equality.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 5. Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Josephon the north The meaning is, “The territory of the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh, which are now provided for, shall no more be meddled with; there is no need to measure it anew. If it be necessary to retrench it, or add any thing to it, there will always be time to do so afterwards, when a more exact plan shall be taken of all the rest.” Joshua speaks agreeably to the situation of Shiloh, the place where he then was; which stood a good way within the tribe of Ephraim, and pretty near to that of Judah; one lying on the north, the other on the south. See Calmet. We shall find in the sequel, that the tribe of Judah did in fact, and doubtless with common consent, give up a part of its territories to the tribes of Dan and Simeon, who found their station too scanty, ch. Jos 19:29; Jos 19:41.
REFLECTIONS.Though seven tribes were yet unsettled, there was such plenty from the spoil of the Canaanites, and they were so taken with the state of peace which they enjoyed after the toils of war, that they seem to have been not at all solicitous to proceed in the division of the land; in doing which they must not only be separated from each other, and many a comfortable connection be dissolved, but must renew their warfare, to rescue the cities in their several lots, which were in the hands of their enemies. Note; (1.) The sweets of worldly comforts and connections are very apt to draw off our minds from desire after our inheritance in heaven. (2.) The difficulties which appear in the way to heaven are often discouragements from labouring thither, though they are usually the mere creatures of our unbelief and sloth. Joshua, observing this, reproves their negligence. While they were trifling, the Canaanites might recover courage and strength, and they might have all their work to do over again. Note; To do things by halves, is always the way to have double trouble: once well done, is done for ever.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jos 18:5 And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.
Ver. 5. And they shall divide it. ] With all indifferency, and so prevent all suspicion of partiality in those that were afterward to divide it by lot. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Rom 12:17 “Give none offence.” 1Co 10:32
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
divide it. Tracing the boundaries by the ravines, it is said that there is some resemblance in outline to the tribal signs, as given in notes on Numbers 2.
coast = boundary; put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for territory. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Judah shall: Jos 15:1-12, Jos 19:1-9
the house: Jos 16:1 – Jos 17:18
Reciprocal: Gen 13:1 – the south 1Ki 11:28 – the house Pro 16:33 – General Jer 13:19 – cities Amo 5:6 – the house
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 18:5. Into seven parts Their business was to divide the country into seven portions of equal extent or worth, and leave God to appoint which portion should fall to each tribe; who could have no reason to complain when the division was made by themselves. Indeed, no tribe was so great but one of these parts in its full extent would abundantly suffice them; and there was no reason why the portions should be greater or less according as the tribes at present were more or fewer in number, because of the various changes which happened therein successively; it being usual for one tribe to be more numerous than another in one age, which was fewer in the next. And if the several tribes had increased more, and not diminished their numbers by their sins, they might have sent forth colonies and taken any part of the land, even as far as Euphrates, all which the Lord of the whole earth had given them a right to, and when they pleased they might take possession of it. Judah shall abide on the south They shall not be disturbed in their possession, but shall keep it, except some part of it shall be adjudged to another tribe. Joseph on the north In respect of Judah, not of the whole land; for divers other tribes were more northern than they.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18:5 And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall {d} abide in their coasts on the north.
(d) For these had their inheritance already appointed.