Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 19:49
When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:
49 51. The Inheritance Assigned to Joshua
49. When they had made an end ] After all the tribes had been provided for, a modest inheritance was assigned to their noble-hearted leader, who with unselfish generosity was contented with far less than many others would have claimed under similar circumstances.
among them ] The portion assigned was among the mountains of his native tribe of Ephraim.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
i.e. They are said to give it, because the whole land was given to Joshua, and Eleazar, and the princes, as joint trustees, acting in the name and for the good of the people; so that even Joshua could take nothing without their gift.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when they made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts,…. That is, Eleazar, Joshua, and the ten men appointed for this, purpose; when all the lots were drawn, and the several inheritances which came up to them were divided among the families of the respective tribes, this work being finished:
the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them; most interpreters observe the modesty of Joshua, that though the oldest and the greatest man in the nation, the chief governor, yet had his inheritance last of all; nor did he take any part to himself, it was given to him by the people, who had the whole land divided among them; in which he was a type of Christ; see 2Co 8:9 Php 2:6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Conclusion of the Distribution of the Land. – Jos 19:49, Jos 19:50. When the land was distributed among the tribes according to its territories, the Israelites gave Joshua an inheritance in the midst of them, according to the command of Jehovah, namely the town of Timnath-serah, upon the mountains of Ephraim, for which he asked, and which he finished building; and there he dwelt until the time of his death (Jos 24:30; Jdg 2:9). “According to the word of the Lord” (lit. “at the mouth of Jehovah”) does not refer to a divine oracle communicated through the high priest, but to a promise which Joshua had probably received from God at the same time as Caleb, viz., in Kadesh, but which, like the promise given to Caleb, is not mentioned in the Pentateuch (see at Jos 15:13; Jos 14:9). Timnath-serah, called Timnath-heres in Jdg 2:9, must not be confounded with Timnah in the tribe of Dan (Jos 19:43; Jos 15:10), as is the case in the Onom. It has been preserved in the present ruins and foundation walls of a place called Tibneh, which was once a large town, about seven hours to the north of Jerusalem, and two hours to the west of Jiljilia, standing upon two mountains, with many caverns that have been used as graves (see Eli Smith in Ritter, Erdk. xvi. pp. 562ff., and Rob. Bibl. Res. p. 141).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Inheritance of Joshua. | B. C. 1444. |
49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: 50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein. 51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
Before this account of the dividing of the land is solemnly closed up, in the last verse, which intimates that the thing was done to the satisfaction of all, here is an account of the particular inheritance assigned to Joshua. 1. He was last served, though the eldest and greatest man of all Israel, and who, having commanded in the conquest of Canaan, might have demanded the first settlement in it for himself and his family. But he would make it to appear that in all he did he sought the good of his country, and not any private interest of his own. He was content to be unfixed till he saw them all settled; and herein is a great example to all in public places to prefer the common welfare before their particular satisfaction. Let the public be first served. 2. He had his lot according to the word of the Lord. It is probable that, when God by Moses told Caleb what inheritance he should have (ch. xiv. 9), he gave the like promise to Joshua, which he had an eye to in making his election: this made his portion doubly pleasant, that he had it, not as the rest by common providence, but by special promise. 3. He chose it in Mount Ephraim, which belonged to his own tribe, with which he thereby put himself in common, when he might by prerogative have chosen his inheritance in some other tribe, as suppose that of Judah, and thereby have distinguished himself from them. Let no man’s preferment or honour make him ashamed of his family or country, or estrange him from it. The tabernacle was set up in the lot of Ephraim, and Joshua would forecast not to be far from that. 4. The children of Israel are said to give it to him (v. 49), which bespeaks his humility, that he would not take it to himself without the people’s consent and approbation, as if he would thereby own himself, though major singulis–greater than any one, yet minor universis–less than the whole assemblage, and would hold even the estate of his family, under God, by the grant of the people. 5. It was a city that must be built before it was fit to be dwelt in. While others dwelt in houses which they built not, Joshua must erect for himself (that he might be a pattern of industry and contentment with mean things) such buildings as he could hastily run up, without curiosity or magnificence. Our Lord Jesus thus came and dwelt among us, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for us, yet himself not having where to lay his head. Even Christ pleased not himself.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Allotment completed, vs. 49-51
When everyone else had received his inheritance it was time for Joshua to get the special consideration decreed for him by the Lord as one of the faithful spies, like Caleb.
He was permitted to choose the place he wanted. He chose Tmnath-serah, in the mountains in the center of his own tribe of Ephraim. Joshua possessed it and re-built it. It is a few miles southwest of Shechem.
The completion of the inheritances and their assignment has now been effected. Verse 51 shows that the lots had been cast under the supervision of Eleazar, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes before the door of the tabernacle.
This latter also implies that it was accomplished under the supervision of the Lord. Thus the tribes who complained that their allotments were too small, or that they contained inhabitants whom they could not dislodge, amounted to an accusation against the Lord, implying that He had made a mistake in their allotment. So men are always prone to complain of what the Lord does, (Gal 6:7).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
49. When they had made an end of dividing, etc We have here, at length, an account of the gratitude of the people towards Joshua. For although the partition of the land of Canaan, among the posterity of Abraham, behooved to be equitable, yet Joshua, by his excellent virtues, deserved some honorary reward. Nor could any complain that a single individual was enriched at their expense. For, first, in the delay there was a striking proof of the moderation of this holy servant of God. He does not give any heed to his own interest till the commonweal has been secured. How seldom do we find any who, after they have given one or two specimens of valor, do not forthwith make haste to the prey? Not so Joshua, who thinks not of himself till the land has been divided. In the reward itself also the same temperance and frugality are conspicuous. The city he asks to be given to himself and his family was a mere heap of stones, either because it had been demolished and converted into a heap of ruins, or because no city had yet been built upon it.
It is conjectured with probability, that with the view of making the grant as little invidious as possible, the city he requested was of no great value. If any one thinks it strange that he did not give his labor gratuitously, let him reflect that Joshua liberally obeyed the divine call, and had no mercenary feelings in undergoing so many labors, dangers, and troubles; but having spontaneously performed his duty, he behooved not to repudiate a memorial of the favor of God, unless he wished by perverse contempt to suppress his glory. For the grant voted to him was nothing else than a simple testimonial of the divine power, which had been manifested through his hand. Truly no ambition can be detected here, inasmuch as he desires nothing for himself, and does not rashly act from a feeling of covetousness, but seeks in the popular consent a confirmation of the honor which God had already bestowed upon him. To have been silent in such a case, would have been more indicative of heartlessness than of modesty. The statement in the concluding verse of the chapter, that Joshua and Eleazar made an end of dividing the land, points to the perpetuity of the boundaries, which had been fixed, and warns the children of Israel against moving in any way to unsettle an inviolable decree.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
The Inheritance of Jos. 19:49-51
49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:
50 According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.
51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
19.
Where was Timnath-serah? Jos. 19:50
Timnath-serah was in the midst of the land assigned to the tribe of Ephraim. Captain Warren Conder said that there was no place in all Palestine so striking as that of Joshuas home, It was surrounded with deep valleys and rugged hills. Josephus, Jerome, and Eusebius all identify it with Thamma; and it is mentioned again in Jos. 24:30 as reference is made to Joshuas final resting place.
20.
Who made the assignments of the territories? Jos. 19:51
Joshua took the lead in assigning the inheritances for the various tribes; but Eleazar, son of Aaron, the priest, was also instrumental in performing this task. These men were ably assisted by all the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel. Every tribe was interested in it, and each tribe had one or more men who were officially part of the group making these assignments. The assignments were made in Shiloh at the door of the Tabernacle. This was an appropriate place, signifying that the hand of God was felt upon the work of these men.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(49, 50) When they had made an end . . . gave an inheritance to Joshua . . . according to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim (Kefr Hris, sheet 14).Historically and typically the fact is noticeable. (a) Historically. Joshua waited for his own inheritance until the last. He sought not his own interest, but that of the people. He asked no kingdom for himself or his family, only a city, which he built, and dwelt therein. (6) Typically. They gave him the city which he asked, according to the word of the Lord. What does this mean in the case of the true Joshua? Ask of me, and I shall give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. He must reign till God hath put all enemies under His feet. Then, and not till then, will He take His own personal inheritance, and be subject to Him that put all things under Him. Timnath-serah means an abundant portion, a portion of abundance. Though small, it was enough for Joshua. It will be enough for his Antitype, when He shall see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. It is afterwards called Timnath-heres, the portion of the Sun. His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
JOSHUA’S INHERITANCE, Jos 19:49-50.
An honourable distinction of Joshua from the whole people and from his tribe is made by conferring on him a separate portion, not by lot, but in accordance with his own choice. It was situated in the territory of Ephraim, the tribe to which he belonged.
50. The word of the Lord, as uttered perhaps through the High Priest, or probably to Moses, but which was not recorded in the Mosaic books. The unrecorded promise to Caleb was a similar instance.
Timnath-serah That is, the portion that was over and above. [It is called Timnath-heres ( portion of the sun) in Jdg 2:9, because, as the Jews explain, he made the sun stand still. It was in Mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. See Jos 24:30. This spot is without much doubt at the modern Tibneh, some twelve miles northwest of Beth-el. Here Dr. Eli Smith discovered the ruins of a considerable town. On the south of the town is a hill (probably Gaash) in which are a number of sepulchers which in size and richness will bear comparison with the tombs of the kings at Jerusalem. Here, doubtless, the aged commander passed his last days, and here he died and was buried. Jos 24:29-30. “Jerome relates that Paula, when travelling in these parts, marvelled that the distributer of the possessions of the children of Israel should have chosen for himself a situation so rough and mountainous.” Kitto.
‘ So they made an end of distributing the land for inheritance by their borders, and the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them. According to the commandment of YHWH they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, and he built the city and dwelt in it.’
The land having been distributed by lot for the Israelite tribes to proceed with settling it, Joshua then received his own portion in Ephraim. ‘The commandment of YHWH’ may suggest that this too was by lot or by Urim and Thummim (but see Jos 14:6; Jos 14:9).
For Timnath-serah see also Jos 24:30, but Jdg 2:9 has Timnath-heres. It may be that the consonants were switched around in Joshua to avoid the reference to Heres (sun) because the writer did not want Joshua’s name connected with sun worship. It is possibly Khirbet Tibneh, twenty seven kilometres (seventeen miles) south west of Shechem, which lies on the south side of a deep ravine (see Jos 24:30). ‘Built the city’ probably means that he fortified it. No one was more aware than he of the difficulties that lay ahead.
The painstaking work of dividing up the land had now been accomplished, with the different tribes each allotted the portion which it was their responsibility to conquer, and settle, and from which they were to drive out the inhabitants. It was not a task that would be accomplished easily. The hill country had been made safe but the valleys and plains would take longer. They were infested with Canaanite cities, and the arrival of the Philistines in force would make it even more difficult. It would slowly proceed by taking and settling in weaker cities, settling in cleared forest land, and gradually expanding and taking advantage of every opportunity as it arose. But they were intended to ever keep before their eyes their responsibility to drive out the Canaanites, although it would not be accomplished all at once (Exo 23:28-30. See also Exo 33:2; Exo 33:5; Exo 34:11-13; Num 33:52-56). Joshua had done the work of ‘softening up’ but possession would take longer. They were no longer one great, victorious army, but a people seeking to permanently establish themselves in the land in smaller groups. Without that they could not possess the whole land. But what they had not to do was fraternise with the people of the land, for Canaanite society and religion was debased.
To begin with they went about the task faithfully (Jdg 2:6-7), but it would not be long before they began to compromise, neglect their unity in the covenant with YHWH, settle among the Canaanites, fraternise with them, and forget their main responsibility, the clearing from the land of those very Canaanites.
The Inheritance of Joshua
v. 49. When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, v. 50. according to the word of the Lord, v. 51. These are the inheritances which Eleazar, the priest, and Joshua, the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, Ver. 49. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua How admirable is Joshua’s moderation! every tribe had shared in the division; each had, as it were, its reward; and he alone seemed to be overlooked in the distribution of the conquered country: last of all, he receives a private settlement; not by lot, but from the tribes, as the gift of the people. Many things might be said upon this head, and many lessons of disinterestedness given to persons, who, elevated to the highest offices, are thereby become depositaries of the public good.
We cannot but admire the humbleness and modesty of this great man, who is not served until all are served. But Reader! do not forget, nor overlook, a greater than Joshua, who though he was Lord of all, yet condescended to be the servant of all. Am not I among you (said that dearest Jesus) as one that serveth? Yes! thou glorious, humble Saviour! Oh! for a mind to be in me as the mind of Christ Jesus! Luk 22:27 ; Phi 2:5 , etc.
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“… the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them.” Jos 19:49
Joshua had rights of his own, and could have claimed such rights; but beyond rights which a man may claim are still more precious rights which are accorded to him by the conscience and generosity of the community. This is the very law of divine providence. The fact that we are born into the world is a fact which brings with it certain natural rights, in the absence of which we should hardly be men at all. But this is not the limit of the divine bounty. Beyond all that is merely legal and necessary there is a region of grace, of large and happy dowry, showing not only the bare justice, but the sweet mercy of the rule under which we live. In a social sense it is true that we might get more if we claimed less. Joshua lived a noble life amongst his people, and carried out his function of leadership with obvious justice and disinterestedness, and it is beautiful to observe how the people seem to have recognised this by their willing concession to him of an inheritance by their coasts. This should be true in all family life. Obedience is due to parents by an unwritten law, as well as by formal decree; but beyond obedience there lies the whole region of voluntary testimony and service. Blessed is he who gives his parent an inheritance in that wide region! The same thing should be true in commercial relations: there should be something more than a bond: where the bond is carried out loyally on both sides Duty will gracefully take upon itself any crown which Gratitude may be disposed to place upon its head. This should be also true ecclesiastically: men who have laboured in season and out of season for the good of others ought not to be forgotten in the time of audit and general winding up of life and service, but should have accorded to them all possible honour in view of a life unstained by sin, and crowded with acts of beneficence and sacrifice. The charm of some possessions lies in the spirit which dictated their ownership. It is a poor thing to have only those possessions which are bought and sold, and on which merely commercial lines are inscribed; such things, of course, every man must have; but the things which are written all over with love and thankfulness are infinitely more precious, and in an obvious sense are even more enduring. No man begrudged Joshua his city in mount Ephraim: every one felt that the city was due to the brave captain and obedient saint. It is well when our honours are doubled by the recognition of their desert by those who know us best. The Well-done of the Master constitutes the best part of heaven. To go into heaven even as a mere act of justice is to deprive the holy city of its most fascinating charm. It is because the city is given with the Well-done of its King that residence in it becomes the final and eternal joy of the soul.
Jos 19:49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:
Ver. 49. When they had made an end of dividing. ] Joshua was content to be last served, who had best deserved: such was his humility and modesty.
The children of Israel gave.
Among them. NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 19:49-50
49 When they finished apportioning the land for inheritance by its borders, the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the son of Nun. 50In accordance with the command of the LORD they gave him the city for which he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. So he built the city and settled in it.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 19:51
51These are the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel distributed by lot in Shiloh before the LORD at the doorway of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.
Jos 19:51 the tent of meeting The tent of meeting is the same as the tabernacle. It is described in Exodus 25-40. Its procedures are given in Leviticus. The Shekinah cloud of glory, which led the Israelites during the exodus and wilderness wandering period, disappeared as soon as Israel crossed Jordan. YHWH’s presence was now enshrined at the tabernacle. It was first set up at Gilgal (Jos 4:10), then moved to Shiloh (Jos 18:1; Jos 19:51; 1Sa 2:22). Later the tabernacle, without the ark (Jdg 20:18; Jdg 20:27), was at Gibeon (cf. 1Ch 16:39-40; 2Ch 1:3-6).
Dividing the Remaining Territory
Jos 18:1-10; Jos 19:49-51
The Tabernacle had remained in Gilgal. It must now be removed to Shiloh, a site selected by God himself, Deu 12:11; Psa 78:60. Shiloh means rest, and it commemorated the ending of the war. The honor of having Gods dwelling-place within its border was probably given to Ephraim as the tribe to which Joshua belonged.
As an inducement to occupy the land, this further commission was sent forth. How many of us are equally slack to appropriate the blessings stored up in the Savior! Well is it that God, through the ages, has sent pioneers to tell us what we are missing and to stimulate our zeal.
The veteran leader had earned a good reward. His portion was called the portion of the sun, probably because of its aspect. Let us live and walk in the light.
gave: Eze 45:7, Eze 45:8
Jos 19:49. When they had made an end of dividing the land That is, after every tribe had had their respective portion assigned to them. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua We cannot but admire the wonderful modesty of this great man, who received his portion last of all, and then, not by lot, but by their gift, who were already possessed of the whole land.
The inheritance of Joshua 19:49-50
Like Caleb, Joshua received a city, Timnath-serah (called Timnath-heres in Jdg 2:9), within his tribal allotment of Ephraim, for being faithful to God.
"Caleb and Joshua were the two faithful spies who believed God was able to give Israel the land (Num 14:6-9; Num 14:30). The receiving of their inheritances frames the story of the dividing of the land among the nine and a half tribes, with Caleb’s at the beginning [Jos 14:6-15] and Joshua’s at the end. Caleb and Joshua are living examples of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promises made more than forty years earlier." [Note: Madvig, p. 324.]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)