Ver. 1. Thou art old and stricken in years,] q.d., Thou hast not long to do; up therefore and be doing; work while it is yet day; the night of death cometh, when none can work. Divide what thou hast conquered, yea, that which is yet to be conquered, among the tribes; for all is theirs, unless they forget their charter. See the true Christian’s charter, which he cannot forfeit. (1 Corinthians 3:22,23)
Ver. 2. All the borders of the Philistines.] Anciently called Caphtorims. (Deuteronomy 2:23 Amos 9:7) Their country lay along the coast of the midland sea; whereby the Israelites were kept from much trading with other nations, that they might not learn their manners. Hence Judea is called an “isle,” though part of the continent. (Isaiah 20:6) Like Benjamin, who had his mess by himself.
Ver. 3. From Sihor.] Or Nile, which hath its name Sihor from blackness, and Nile from muddiness. So much of Egypt as this river watereth, is a black mould, so fruitful, as they do but throw in the seed, and have four rich harvests in less than four months, as travellers tell us. Also the Avites.] Who, belike, still held part of their old possession. (Deuteronomy 2:22,23)
Ver. 4. All the land of the Canaanites.] Who yet held out against the Israelites, but hindered them not from dividing the land. No more shall those remnants of corruption hinder the saints from possession of their mansions prepared for them by Christ. (John 14:2)
Ver. 5. And the land of the Giblites.] Called Gebal in Psalms 83:7 Eze 27:9. Enemies to the Church.
Ver. 6. Them will I drive out, &c.,] viz., If the Israelites rule with me and be faithful with my saints, as Hosea 11:12; else “they shall know my breach of promise,” as Numbers 14:34.
Ver. 7. Now therefore divide this land.] Even those parts thereof also that are yet unsubdued; for it is theirs, but so as they must win it before they wear it. Sic petitur caelum. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.
Ver. 8. Even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.] So do thou confirm it. Here then is no tautology, as at first it may seem to be.
Ver. 9. From Aroer, that is upon the bank.] Besides which, it may seem there was another Aroer, in the midst of the river, (Isaiah 17:2) as Venice in the midst of the sea, and taking for her motto, “ Media insuperabilis unda. ”
Ver. 10. And all the cities of Sihon.] See Joshua 12:2.
Ver. 11. And the border of the Geshurites.] Due to Israel, but yet detained from them. (Joshua 13:13)
Ver. 12. Which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei.] Which some take for two mansion houses of his, or royal palaces.
Ver. 13. Dwell among the Israelites.] Through their sloth and cowardliness, which is here taxed.
Ver. 14. Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance.] Because God was to be their portion: Θεος η προσοδος, as Lucian speaketh of his heathenish priests.
Ver. 15. According to their families,] i.e., Proportionably according to the number of their families.
Ver. 16. And the city that is in the midst.] See Joshua 13:9.
Ver. 17. Bamothbaal and Bethbaalmeon.] Places of much idolatry, that land desolating sin: such as are now Sichem and Loretto; where, whensoever the Ave Maria bell rings, which is at sunrising, noon, and sun setting, all men, in what place soever, house, field, street, or market, do presently kneel down and say an Ave Maria, &c.
Ver. 18. The cities and coasts of each tribe are thus particularly set down, to prevent discord and division, that mother of dissolution.
Ver. 21. Dukes of Sihon.] His vassals; and after his death they made themselves kings, but were shortly after slain by the sword of Israel. (Numbers 31:8)
Ver. 22. Balaam also the son of Beor.] The spellman of Satan: though by his words he might seem a friend to Israel, yet was he worthily cut off by them for his wicked counsel. So shall all such perish as “turn aside, like Balaam, unto their crooked ways: but peace shall be upon Israel.” (Psalms 125:5) See Jude 1:11.
Ver. 23. [See Trapp on “Jos 13:18”]
Ver. 24. [See Trapp on “Jos 13:18”]
Ver. 25. Half the land of the children of Ammon.] Which Sihon had taken from them. See Judges 11:15 Nu 21:6.
Ver. 26. Ramathmizpeth.] Called also Ramoth in Gilead. (Joshua 20:8)
Ver. 27. [See Trapp on “Jos 13:18”]
Ver. 28. [See Trapp on “Jos 13:18”]
Ver. 29. Unto the half tribe of Manasseh.] Who had formerly won it with their swords. (Numbers 32:39)
Ver. 30. See Numbers 32:41.
Ver. 31. Mackir the son of Manasseh.] Whose children had taken Gilead: and therefore had the like right to it as Jacob had to that portion of ground which he gave to their great-grandfather Joseph.
Ver. 32. In the plains of Moab.] But lately possessed by the Amorites, and won from them by Israel.
Ver. 33. The Lord…was their inheritance.] See Joshua 13:14.