PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (from "A Guide to Good Bible Reading")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 9:1-2
 ¹Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country and in the lowland and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, heard of it, ²that they gathered themselves together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel.

9:1 "Now it came about when all the kings" Verses 1 and 2 form a general introduction to this entire section of Joshua 9-12. The phrase "all the kings" seems to imply that the majority of the Canaanites were organized into city states, much like ancient Greece. However, the fact that Gibeon is identified with several other cities (cf. Jos. 9:17) implies that it was a confederation, not a single city state.

This united Canaanite army never came together to fight Israel.

▣ "beyond the Jordan" This phrase is used several times in the book of Joshua in two different senses: (1) sometimes it refers to the east bank of the Jordan (cf. Jos. 1:14; 2:10; 9:10; 14:3) and (2) sometimes it is used of the west bank (cf. Jos. 5:1; 9:1; 12:7; 22:7). It is possible that the seeming discrepancy is due to the author/editor/ compiler being with the group of Israelites who were on the plains of Moab but later moved into Canaan.

▣ "in the hill country" There seems to be three distinct geographical and topological sections of the Promised Land mentioned in verse 1: (1) the southern hill country (BDB 249); (2) the low, rolling hills which are often called the shephelah (BDB 1050); and (3) the coastal plains (BDB 342). Numbers 2 and 3 are often seen as one.

▣ "the Hittite" There are three groups of Hittites (BDB 366) mentioned in the Bible: (1) we find one group of them early in the book of Genesis, which seems to be in the area of Mesopotamia; (2) later on we find another group in the Promised Land; and (3) there was a large developed civilization of Hittites (Anatolia) in central Turkey. See SPECIAL TOPIC: PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE at Jos. 3:10.

▣ "Amorite" The term "Amorite" seems to have the implication of "highlander" (BDB 57). It is sometimes used as a collective term for all of the tribes of Canaan (cf. Gen. 15:16). See Special Topic at Jos. 3:10.

▣ "the Canaanite" The term seems to be used in the sense of "lowlander" (BDB 489). It is also used to denote the collective tribes of Canaan. The geographical name for the Promised Land was "Canaan," derived from this collective use. See Special Topic at Jos. 3:10.

▣ "Jebusite" Jebusites (BDB 101) are the ancient inhabitants of the city of Jebus which was called Salem in Gen. 14:8, and later, Jerusalem (cf. Jdgs. 19:10). Sometimes these native tribal listings of Canaan have one, three, seven, or ten groups. We see another list of these tribes in Jos. 3:10, but there the Girgashites are omitted. See Special Topic at Jos. 3:10.

9:2 "that they gathered themselves together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel"

There are two verbs in this phrase.

1. "gathered together," BDB 867, KB 1062, Hithpael imperfect, cf. Jdgs. 9:47; 1 Sam. 7:7; 8:4; 22:2

2. "to fight," BDB 535, KB 526, Niphal infinitive construct, cf. Deut. 20:4; 2 Kgs. 13:12; 14:15; 2 Chr. 11:1; 17:10; 27:5; Dan. 10:20; 11:11

Because these city states had heard what Joshua had done to the Amorite kings of the eastern side of Jordan they decided to attempt a coalition, at least in the south, to thwart Israel's invasion.

The phrase translated "with one accord" is literally, "with one mouth." Mouth (BDB 804) is used idiomatically in several ways:

1. "ask his mouth," meaning "to ask personally" (cf. Gen. 24:57)

2. "mouth of the sword," meaning "the cutting edge of a sword" (cf. Gen. 34:26)

3. "mouth to mouth," meaning "face to face" (cf. Num. 12:8; 2 Kgs. 10:21; 21:16; Jer. 32:4; 34:3)

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 9:3-15
 ³When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, ⁴they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, ⁵and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. ⁶They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us." ⁷The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you are living within our land; how then shall we make a covenant with you?" ⁸But they said to Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua said to them, "Who are you and where do you come from?" ⁹They said to him, "Your servants have come from a very far country because of the fame of the Lord your God; for we have heard the report of Him and all that He did in Egypt, ¹⁰and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan who was at Ashtaroth. ¹¹So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; now then, make a covenant with us.' ¹²This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions out of our houses on the day that we left to come to you; but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled. ¹³These wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and these our clothes and our sandals are worn out because of the very long journey." ¹⁴So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. ¹⁵Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

9:3 "when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai" Gibeon was a well fortified, raised site about six miles north of Jerusalem. We learn from verse 17 that it was apparently in a league of cities. It later became a Levitical city (cf. Jos. 21:17) and was located in the tribal allocation of Benjamin (cf. Jos. 18:25). It was very significant because it was on the major road between Joppa and the Mediterranean. It later became a temporary home for the Ark of the Covenant (cf. 1 Chr. 16:39).

9:4

NASB"they also acted craftily"
NKJV"they worked craftily"
NRSV"they on their part acted with cunning"
TEV"they decided to deceive him"
NJB"they had recourse to a ruse"

This adjective (BDB 115) is used in Jos. 9:4 and 5 four times. The verb (BDB 115) is used of the miraculous garments that did not wear out during the wilderness wandering period in Deut. 8:4; 29:5; Neh. 9:21.

NASB"and set out as envoys"
NKJV"and went and pretended to be ambassadors"
NRSV"they went and prepared provisions"
TEV"They went out and got some food"
NJB"They provided themselves with supplies"

The phrase "set out as envoys" appears only here in the OT (Masoretic Text). However, the Septuagint, the Peshitta, and the Vulgate (cf. REV, NJ, NAB, NRSV) have "they prepared provisions" (BDB 845, KB 1020, Hithpael perfect in Jos. 9:12). This translation variation may be due to similar Hebrew roots.

▣ "and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys" These sacks (BDB 974) were used to carry provisions. They were usually woven from animal hair.

The adjective "worn out" (BDB 115) is used three times.

1. sacks (BDB 974)

2. wineskins (BDB 609)

3. sandals (BDB 653)

▣ "wineskins worn-out and torn and mended" Wineskins were usually made from the skin of an animal, with the hair shaved off, turned inside out and the neck became the place from which the liquid was poured. We still say the "neck" of a bottle. When wineskins are new, they are relatively elastic and can accommodate the expansion of fermenting wine. When the skins are old, they cannot expand and they will break. These wineskins were made to look like they had been in use for a long time (possibly patched).

9:5 "worn-out and patched sandals on their feet" We learn from ancient literature and archaeology that sandals were made of leather and palm leaves, or papyrus reeds. "Patched" (BDB 378, KB 375, Pual participle) is found only here in the OT. Its verbal form meant "spotted" or "variegated."

▣ "and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled" Literally the word "crumbled" (BDB 666, cf. NASB, NJB) means "dotted over" in Hebrew which implies mildew (cf. NKJV, NRSV, TEV). In the ancient world people baked bread every day and it was edible for several days.

9:6 "they went to Joshua. . .and said to him and to the men of Israel" It seems to be that in Jos. 9:6-8 and 15 we see the three main types of authority among the people of God: (1) the central God-called leader, Joshua (cf. Jos. 9:6,8,15); (2) the elders of Israel (cf. Jos. 9:15,21); and (3) the entire congregation (cf. Jos. 9:18,19). This same threefold type of polity structure can be seen in the New Testament: episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational (cf. Acts 15).

▣ "to the camp at Gilgal" This could refer to

1. the initial camp site between the Jordan and Jericho, 4:19-20; 5:9-10

2. a city farther north closer to Shechem, Deut. 11:30; 2 Kgs. 2:1

3. a city in the allotment of Judah, 15:7

The texts that are uncertain are 9:6; 10:7,9.

▣ "make a covenant with us" This verb (BDB 503, KB 500, Qal imperative, cf. v.11) literally meant "to cut off" or "cut down." Here it is used in the sense of "cut a covenant" (BDB 136), which originally involved a sacrifice (e.g., Gen. 15:10,17-18; Jer. 34:18). See Special Topic below.

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

9:7 "the Hivites" Hivites (BDB 295) seem to be identified with Horites (cf. Gen. 36:2,20-21 and the Septuagint). We are not sure of their exact relationship to the Hurrians, but it is obvious that they are a non-Semitic group living within the Promised Land. See Special Topic at Jos. 3:10.

▣ "how then shall we make a covenant with you" The reason for this question was the specific guidelines of Moses about not sparing the life of any of the peoples of the land (cf. Exod. 23:32; 34:12; Deut. 7:2).

9:9 The confession of the Gibeonite representatives (which reflected the discussions of all of the leadership) is similar to Rahab's confession (cf. Jos. 2:9-11). It involves

1. an affirmation of YHWH's greatness and power

2. knowledge of Israel's supernatural victories with YHWH's presence and help

3. an element of fear and self preservation

This is also true of Rahab and all conversions

NASB"the fame of the Lord your God"
NKJV, NRSV"the name of the Lord your God"
TEV"we have heard of the Lord your God"
NJB"the fame of Yahweh your God"

This term "fame" (BDB 1027, cf. Jos. 7:9) is literally "name" and is used in the sense of reputation (cf. Deut. 10:8; 1 Sam. 17:45; 2 Sam. 6:18; 2 Kgs. 2:24).

9:10 "Ashtaroth" This is a city in the eastern Jordan area which was in the tribal allotment of Manasseh. It was named after the female fertility goddess of the Canaanite pantheon called Ashterah or Astarte (BDB 800). It is interesting that in Jos. 9:9 and 10 these Canaanites mention nothing of the victories of Joshua at Jericho and Ai. If they had, Joshua would have known that they lived closer than they claimed. See Special Topic: Fertility Worship at Jdgs. 1:33.

9:11 The Gibeonite's representatives spin an elaborate lie (three Qal imperatives) about the instructions given them by their elders and people.

1. "take provisions," BDB 542, KB 534, cf. Jos. 9:12-13

2. "go to meet," BDB 229, KB 246 (plus Qal infinitive construct, BDB 55, KB 65)

3. "make a covenant," BDB 503, KB 500, cf. Jos. 9:6

9:14 "so the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask the counsel of the Lord" In the MT the phrase "of Israel" is missing. The implication is that we are not sure which men took these provisions. Some say it was the Gibeonites, who showed the Israelites their provisions to prove their point. Others say it was the men of Israel who took these provisions. Possibly, the reason that Israel took these provisions was (1) to eat the bread, which would have signified a covenant (e.g., Gen. 31:54) or (2) to sample them (NJB) to see if they were old. It is interesting that they based their decision on physical evidence without asking the Lord (usually by Urim and Thummim, cf. Num. 27:21; also note the verb is a technical term for counseling with YHWH, cf. Isa. 30:2; 65:).

9:15 "swore an oath to them" For the Israelites to swear an oath in YHWH's name, even if under false pretenses, was a binding obligation (cf. Jos. 9:19,20; Gen. 25:27-34; 27:30-40; Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21-23). Notice that Joshua's covenant had to be ratified by the leaders of the congregation.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 9:16-21
 ¹⁶ It came about at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land. ¹⁷Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. ¹⁸The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. ¹⁹But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. ²⁰This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be upon us for the oath which we swore to them." ^9:21 The leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

9:16 "at the end of three days" This does not necessarily involve three full days (cf. Jos. 9:17) because Gibeon was only about nineteen miles from where the Hebrews were camped.

9:17 This verse lists the names of the Gibeonite confederation.

9:18 "and the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders" The basic attitude of the people of God toward her leaders had not changed from the wilderness wandering period (BDB 534, KB 524, Niphal imperfect, cf. Exod. 15:24; 16:2; Num. 14:2; 16:11). Here, however, they are afraid of the consequences of breaking YHWH's covenant (cf. Jos. 9:24; Deuteronomy 7, 27-28).

9:19 "we cannot touch them" This is a Qal imperfect negative (BDB 407, KB 410) and a Qal infinitive construct (BDB 619, KB 668) used in a metaphorical sense for harm (cf. Gen. 26:11; 2 Sam. 14:10; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15).

9:20 "lest wrath come upon us for the oath which we swore to them" Oathtaking was a very serious matter to the Jews (cf. Lev. 27 and 2 Sam. 1:1-14 for a very specific reference to this account) because it involved a promise in YHWH's name (cf. Jos. 9:9).

▣ "let them live" This is repeated twice

1. in Jos. 9:20 the verb (BDB 310, KB 309) is a Hiphil infinitive absolute

2. in Jos. 9:21 it is a Qal imperative but in a jussive sense

9:21 They became servants (the phrase, "hewers of wood and drawers of water" can be metaphorical of menial service [i.e., Deut. 29:11] or literal because this is exactly the tasks the Gibeonites performed) of all the tribes and for the tabernacle (cf. Jos. 9:27).

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 9:22-27
 ²²Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, "Why have you deceived us, saying, 'We are very far from you,' when you are living within our land? ²³Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall never cease being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God." ²⁴So they answered Joshua and said, "Because it was certainly told your servants that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. ²⁵Now behold, we are in your hands; do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us." ²⁶Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. ²⁷But Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place which He would choose.

9:22 "deceived" This verb's (BDB 941 II, KB 1239, Piel PERFECT) basic meaning is "to deal treacherously with deceit." It is used in

1. Gen. 29:25 - Laban and Jacob

2. Jos. 9:22 - Gibeonites and Joshua

3. 1 Sam. 28:12 - Saul and the witch of Endor

4. 2 Sam. 29:26 - Shimei and Mephibosheth

5. Prov. 26:19 - man and neighbor

9:23 "both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God" From the immediate context it is uncertain whether these people would be servants of the whole congregation (cf. Jos. 9:21), or simply of the sanctuary (cf. Jos. 9:23). It does become obvious that they will become the lowest servants of the community. Some have related this account to Noah's cursing of Canaan (cf. Gen. 9:25), but the Hivites have no relationship at all to Ham. It is also interesting that this same group may have become the "Nethinim" (Ezra 2:43; 7:7,24; 8:20); they have foreign names and are assigned the most menial tasks in the Temple. One way to try to minimize the influence of these Canaanites was to put them in the service of the tabernacle where they would be exposed to the worship of YHWH.

These tasks were usually assigned to women (e.g., 2 Sam. 3:29; Jer. 50:37), therefore, they may have functioned as a means of humiliation, as well as servitude (cf. Deut. 29:11).

9:24 "certainly told" This intensified form is a Hophal infinitive absolute and a Hophal perfect of "told" (BDB 616, KB 665).

9:24-25 Notice the repetition of the verb "do" or "make" (BDB 793, KB 889).

1. v. 24 - Qal imperfect

2. v. 25 - Qal infinitive construct

3. v. 25 - Qal imperative

4. v. 25 - Qal imperfect

Also note two Qal perfects in Jos. 10:1.

9:25 "good and right" These two nouns (BDB 373 II, and 449) are synonymous in this context. The Gibeonites are throwing themselves on

1. the covenant promises made in YHWH's name

2. Joshua's sense of appropriate mercy

9:27 "to this day" This is obviously a later addition by an editor or by the original author writing later than the events of the book (cf. Jos. 4:9; 5:9; 7:26; 8:29).

▣ "in the place which He would choose" This is a Deuteronomic phrase which refers to the place that God would designate for the location of His tabernacle and later the Temple (cf. Exod. 20:24; Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21,26; 14:23; 26:2). This later came to be Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:16,44,48; 11:13,32,36).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Locate these geographical sites on a map and note the direction of Joshua's campaign.

2. Why was a treaty, made with these Canaanites on false grounds, still honored by the Hebrew nation?

Copyright © 2012 Bible Lessons International

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (from "A Guide to Good Bible Reading")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 11:1-5
 ¹Then it came about, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon and to the king of Shimron and to the king of Achshaph, ²and to the kings who were of the north in the hill country, and in the Arabah—south of Chinneroth and in the lowland and on the heights of Dor on the west— ³to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. ⁴They came out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. ⁵So all of these kings having agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

11:1-15 This is the description of Joshua's northern campaign.

11:1 "Jabin" This name means "one who is intelligent" (BDB 108). It may have been the royal title of the kings of Hazor, because another king by the same name is in control of Hazor in Jdgs. 4:2 (like Abimelech of Palestine, Hadad of Syria).

▣ "Hazor" This was the largest walled city of Canaan. It covered over 200 acres. Apparently the Israelis did not occupy this site because in Judges 4 it is a powerful Canaanite stronghold again. See the good article in NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 696-698.

▣ "Achshaph" This term (BDB 38) means "a place of sorcery" (cf. Jos. 12:20). The verb root (BDB 506) means "to cut," possibly the cutting of herbs for spells or trances.

The exact location of Achshaph, and for that matter Shimron, are uncertain.

11:2 "Arabah" This refers to the Jordan Rift Valley from south of the Sea of Galilee (here called Chinneroth) through the Dead Sea and down to the Gulf of Aqabah (BDB 787 I). It is referred to in the Septuagint as "wasteland." See the good article in NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 406-408.

▣ "Chinneroth" This OT term could refer to (1) the Sea of Galilee, (2) the area around it, or (3) a city in that area (cf. Jos. 19:35). It is also spelled Chinnereth (cf. Deut. 3:17; Jos. 13:27; 19:35). The NT term Gennesaret (cf. Matt. 14:34; Mark 6:53; Luke 5:1) is taken from the Hebrew name. The name means "harp" (BDB 409), which refers to (1) the shape of the lake or (2) the presence of many shepherds who played the harp.

▣ "the lowlands" This term (BDB 1050) refers to the low, rolling hills (Shephelah) along the Palestinian coast. In this text it refers to the northern region of this topography (i.e., north of Mt. Carmel).

NASB"the heights of Dor"
NRSV"in Naphoth-dor"
TEV"the coast near Dor"
NJB"on the slopes of Dor"
JPSOA"in the district of Dor"

This refers to the coastal mountain ridge of which Mt. Carmel is the last rise before the Great or Upper Sea (Mediterranean). The MT has "Naphoth-dor" (construct of BDB 632 and 190). The first term is uncertain.

11:3 Several Canaanite tribes are listed.

1. Canaanite

2. Amorite

3. Hittite

4. Perizzite

5. Hivite

See SPECIAL TOPIC: PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE at Jos. 3:10.

▣ "Mizpeh" This place name means "watch tower" (BDB 859). This was a very common name and its location is uncertain, possibly related to Jos. 11:8.

11:4 "as the sand that is on the sea shore" This is a Semitic idiom for a large military force (cf. Jdgs. 7:12; 1 Sam. 13:5; 2 Sam. 17:11). It was used in Genesis (cf. Jos. 22:17; 32:12) to describe God's promises of many descendants to the Patriarchs.

▣ "with very many horses and chariots" This was the author's way of describing the superior military forces of Canaan's coastal region. See Special Topic below.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 11:6-9
 ⁶Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel; you shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire." ⁷So Joshua and all the people of war with him came upon them suddenly by the waters of Merom, and attacked them. ⁸The Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, so that they defeated them, and pursued them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim and the valley of Mizpeh to the east; and they struck them until no survivor was left to them. ⁹Joshua did to them as the Lord had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

11:6 Again YHWH (emphatic personal pronoun) encourages Joshua (cf. Jos. 1:5,9; 10:8) in the face of the overwhelming military superiority of the Canaanite chariot force. This is YHWH's battle and victory, not Israel's (cf. Jdgs. 7:2; 1 Sam. 17:45,47; 2 Chr. 32:8; Ps. 20:7; 33:16-17; 44:2-3,5-7; Zech. 4:6).

▣ "hamstring" This (BDB 785, KB 874, Piel imperfect, cf. Jos. 11:9; 2 Sam. 8:4; 1 Chr. 18:4) involved cutting the tendons of the back legs so that the horses could not pull chariots. Joshua was not to rely on their captured weaponry ("burn the chariots with fire," BDB 976, KB 1358, Qal imperfect, cf. Jos. 11:9), but on YHWH (cf. Jos. 11:8).

▣ Chariots were the ultimate military weapon of this period and area. Their origin and exact design are uncertain (Hyksos or Hittites). The different chariots could hold

1. the driver and a soldier

2. the driver and two soldiers

They were usually pulled by two horses. The term "iron" could refer to:

1. the sides being reinforced

2. the wheels, rims, or axles

They were effective only on relatively flat ground.

11:8 "as far as Great Sidon" This shows the ancientness of this account. Sidon was the contemporary capital of Phoenicia, but later it was Tyre.

NASB, NRSV"Misrephoth-maim"
NKJV"to the Brook Misrephoth"
TEV"Misrephoth Maim"
NJB"Misrephoth to the west"

The Jewish Publication Society of America's (JPSOA) translation supports the NJB's translation in a footnote. See note at Jos. 13:6.

11:9 Why did Israel destroy these captured weapons of war? Chariots were the ultimate military weapon of that day. The theories are: (1) they were to trust in YHWH, not weaponry or (2) the chariots were only usable on the coastal plains (or other flat areas). Number 1 fits the context of Joshua best.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 11:10-15
 ¹⁰Then Joshua turned back at that time, and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms. ¹¹They struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was no one left who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. ¹²Joshua captured all the cities of these kings, and all their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. ¹³However, Israel did not burn any cities that stood on their mounds, except Hazor alone, which Joshua burned. ¹⁴All the spoil of these cities and the cattle, the sons of Israel took as their plunder; but they struck every man with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them. They left no one who breathed. ¹⁵Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

11:11 Notice the intensity of the holy war judgment on Hazor:

1. "they struck every person," BDB 645, KB 697, Hiphil imperfect

2. "utterly destroying them," BDB 355, KB 353, Hiphil infinitive absolute

3. "there was no one left who breathed," BDB 451, KB 451 Niphal perfect

4. "he burned Hazor with fire," BDB 976, KB 1358, Qal perfect

See Deut. 20:16 and Exod. 23:23b.

11:12 "Moses the servant of the Lord" This honorific title for Moses is found often in Joshua (cf. Jos. 1:7,13,15; 8:31,33; 9:24; 11:12,15; 12:6; 13:8; 18:7; 22:2,4,5). Moses is first called by this title in Exod. 14:31 and Num. 12:7. It is reaffirmed in Deut. 34:5 just before his death, so too, Joshua received this title close to his death in Jos. 24:17 (also in Jdgs. 2:8).

Joshua, like Moses, represents YHWH before the people of Israel. They act on instructions from Him (cf. Jos. 11:20).

11:13-14 Some of the cities became property of the different Israeli tribes (Jos. 11:13), while the booty or spoils (Jos. 11:14) from those cities became the property of the Israeli soldiers involved in the battle. Verse 13 is an eyewitness, historical detail.

▣ mounds" This is the Hebrew term "tel" or ruin (BDB 1068). Each successive rebuilding used the same site; thus, a mound was formed or at least heightened.

11:15 This refers to the destruction of the Canaanite population and livestock which were under the herem (BDB 355, cf. Jos. 11:20). Notice the threefold use of "command" (BDB 845, KB 1010, Piel perfect) in Jos. 11:15. Joshua was under strict orders from YHWH through Moses (cf. Jos. 11:20).

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 11:16-20
 ¹⁶Thus Joshua took all that land: the hill country and all the Negev, all that land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah, the hill country of Israel and its lowland ¹⁷from Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir, even as far as Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them down and put them to death. ¹⁸Joshua waged war a long time with all these kings. ¹⁹There was not a city which made peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in battle. ²⁰For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, to meet Israel in battle in order that he might utterly destroy them, that they might receive no mercy, but that he might destroy them, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

11:16 This is a summary of the different topological divisions of Canaan from the south to the north. In reality all of chapter 12 is also a summary of Joshua's victories.

▣ "Negev" This is the dry semi-desert region in southern Canaan. It was uninhabited except for shepherds and flocks.

▣ "land of Goshen" This refers to an area in the hill country of Judah (cf. Jos. 10:41; 11:16; 15:51).

11:17 "Mount Halah" This (BDB 325) is a mountain or mountain range in the central Negev. It seems to be between the wilderness of Zin and Seir. It was part of the boundary between Judah's allotment and the nation of Edom (cf. Jos. 15:1).

▣ "Baal-gad" Baal was the male fertility god of Canaan. Every town had its own worship altar. Many of the towns of Canaan had the male god Ba'al or the female Asherah or Ashtarte in their names (cf. Jos. 12:4).

The term "gad" (BDB 151) apparently meant "good fortune" (cf. Gen. 30:11, BDB 151 II) and was used of a Canaanite deity (cf. Isa. 65:11).

11:18 This shows how the account given in the Bible is telescoped! Verse 17 reveals the northern limits of Joshua's conquest. More was given by YHWH, but not taken by Israel.

11:20 "for it was of the Lord to harden their hearts" This is a biblical metaphor of God's control over human events to accomplish His purpose. This has nothing to do with the issue of "free will." The thrust of this context is YHWH's control of history and events (particularly redemptive events, cf. Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28). This is similar to God's actions with Pharaoh (cf. Exod. 4:21; 7:3,13; 8:15,32; 9:12,34; 10:20,27; 14:4,17).

Verse 20 has a series of infinitive constructs showing YHWH's purposeful actions.

1. "to harden their hearts," BDB 304, KB 302, Piel infinitive construct

2. "to meet Israel in battle," BDB 896, KB 1131, Qal infinitive construct

3. "in order that he might utterly destroy them," BDB 355, KB 353, Hiphil infinitive construct (the pronoun could refer to YHWH or to Israel/Joshua, but because of the end of Jos. 11:20, probably Joshua)

4. "they might receive no mercy," BDB 224, KB 243, Qal infinitive construct

5. "that he might destroy them," BDB 1029, KB 1552, Hiphil infinitive construct

All of these are related to YHWH's prophecy to Abraham in Gen. 15:12-21.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 11:21-23
 ²¹Then Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab and from all the hill country of Judah and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. ²²There were no Anakim left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained. ²³So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.

11:21 "the Anakim" This was a very tall tribe which inhabited Hebron (Arba, cf. Jos. 15:13 or Kiriath-arba). There seem to be three names used in the OT to describe these very tall people: (1) Nephilim (BDB 658, cf. Gen. 6:4); (2) Rephaim (BDB 952, cf. Gen. 14:5; 15:20; Jos. 12:4; 13:12); and (3) Anakim (BDB 778, cf. Num. 13:22,28; Deut. 1:28; 9:2; Jdgs. 1:20). Anak means "long necked" (BDB 778).

Goliath and his brothers were probably related (cf. Jos. 11:22).

11:23 "So Joshua took the whole land" The book of Judges seems to tell a different story. There were two parts to an effective conquest of Canaan.

1. Joshua defeated the main military forces of the Canaanites and captured or destroyed the major walled cities.

2. Each individual tribe had to possess its allotted land by faith.

The later problems developed because (1) Israel did not kill all of the Canaanites and they reasserted themselves and recaptured some of their old fortresses or (2) the individual tribes never fully finished the task of conquest. There are hints of this failure in Joshua 13 and Judges 1.

▣ "the land had rest from war" This verb (BDB 1052, KB 1641, Qal perfect) describes the results of Joshua's conquest here and in Jos. 14:15. It also describes the temporary peace brought by the different judges (cf. Jdgs. 3:11,30; 5:31; 8:28). It is not used in Deuteronomy. YHWH desired His covenant people (after the conquest and occupation of Canaan) to be in a restful, happy, fulfilled, covenant state of obedience and abundant peace (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28; 1 Chr. 22:9-10; Isa. 32:17).

11:23 The tribes were initially about the same size. Notice the warriors (aged 20-50) from each tribe (the term "1,000" could mean military unit; see Special Topic at Jos. 3:17) listed in Numbers 1.

1. Reuben - 46,500, Jos. 11:21

2. Simeon - 59,300, Jos. 11:23

3. Gad - 45,650, Jos. 11:25

4. Judah - 74,600, Jos. 11:27

5. Issachar - 54,400, Jos. 11:29

6. Zebulun - 57,400, Jos. 11:31

7. Ephraim - 40,500, Jos. 11:33

8. Manasseh - 32,200, Jos. 11:35

9. Benjamin - 35,400, Jos. 11:37

10. Dan - 62,700, Jos. 11:39

The divisions of the land (amount given) do not reflect these numbers. Judah and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) are given the largest allotments. Apparently by Joshua's time these numbers had changed or this is another rationale to the allotment procedures.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. List the topological divisions of the Promised Land.

2. Why did the Israelis destroy the Canaanite weaponry (i.e., chariots)?

3. Why was Hazor so important?

4. Explain verse 20 as it relates to human responsibility.

5. Who are the Anakim?

Copyright © 2012 Bible Lessons International

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (from "A Guide to Good Bible Reading")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

I. BACKGROUND STUDY

A. This begins the second half of the book of Joshua. Chapters 1-12 are basically the conquest of the Promised Land and chapters 13-19 are the division of Canaan among the tribes of Israel.

B. The best way to study this section is to have a map close at hand. Archaeology is somewhat uncertain as to the exact locations of many of the cities and other sites mentioned in the Bible. The exact boundaries are uncertain, but the general area is relatively accurate.

C. In this type of passage books on geography become extremely significant.

1. Wycliffe Historical Geography of the Bible Lands by Vos, published by Moody Press

2. Biblical Backgrounds by Callaway, published by Broadman Press

D. The meanings of the Semitic names mentioned in these chapters are only possibilities. The exact etymology is often uncertain.

E. The type of geographical boundaries (i.e., natural land features and cities) has also been found in contemporary literature (i.e., Hittite and Ugarit), which helps confirm the historicity of Joshua.

Shisbah of Egypt invaded Palestine about 925 b.c. and lists his victories in a campaign list found at Karnack, but the names do not coincide with Joshua's list. Shisbah's list has many Hebrew family names, which implies that the list of Joshua (in the Negev) is older (see The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 246).

F. In chapter 13

1. Verses 2-3 refer to the unconquered area in the south.

2. Verses 4-6 refer to the unconquered area in the north.

3. Verses 8-14 refer to the unconquered area in the trans-Jordan area (eastern bank).

G. Chart of the tribes of Israel/Jacob

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 13:1-7
 ¹Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed. ²This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all those of the Geshurites; ³from the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines: the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; and the Avvite ⁴to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite; ⁵and the land of the Gebalite, and all of Lebanon, toward the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. ⁶All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians, I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you. ⁷Now therefore, apportion this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh."

13:1 "Now Joshua was old and advanced in years" We learn from 14:10 that Caleb was eighty-five years of age. We assume that Joshua was about the same age.

▣ "and very much of the land remains to be possessed" It seems from the first twelve chapters of Joshua that he had completely defeated the Canaanites but because of (1) 11:18; (2) this verse; (3) the historical summary in Judges 1; and (4) archaeological evidence, it seems obvious that Joshua only broke the back of the main resistence of the Canaanite forces (i.e., the strong walled cities), but left it up to the individual tribes to fully possess (cf. Exod. 23:28-30) their own land allotments. Many of them never fully did this, as is obvious from Jos. 13:2ff.

13:2 "all the regions of the Philistines" The term "regions" (BDB 165) originally may have referred to a circle (or heap) of stones (e.g., 7:26; 8:29; Gen. 31:46), but it became a way of referring to a region (cf. Jos. 18:17). The same root forms the name Gilgal (cf. Jos. 4:19).

The Philistines were apparently Greeks from the Aegean Islands. They were the only group of people in this part of the world who were uncircumcized. They were apparently a mercenary force who tried to attack Egypt in the twelfth century b.c. but were defeated. They then settled on the southern coast of Palestine. They had five major cities which are delineated in Jos. 13:3: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gad, and Ekron. They were a major military problem throughout the period of the judges and even throughout the reign of Saul and David. The name "Palestine" comes from the word "Philistine."

▣ "the Geshurites" The Geshurites are mentioned in Jos. 12:5 but this is a different group with the same name. This same group appears in Jos. 13:11,13, but it is also related to the one mentioned in Jos. 12:5. We learn from 1 Sam. 27:8 that Geshur is a tribe somewhere between Arabia and Philistia.

13:3 "the Shihor" This is from a root which means "to be black" (BDB 1009). This term is used of the Nile River in Isa. 23:3, but here it seems to refer to the border of the Promised Land. Most commentators say that this refers to a wadi called the River of Egypt. It is known today as the wadi El Arish. It is to the south of the city of Gaza.

▣ "Gazite" This means "strong" (BDB 738).

▣ "Ashdodite" This means "stronghold" (BDB 78).

▣ "Ashkelonite" This seems to come from an Assyrian root which means "migration," but there is a possibility that it comes from the Hebrew root for "weight" from which we get the word "shekel" (BDB 80).

▣ "Gittite" This means "winepress" and is very similar to the New Testament term "Gethsemane," which means "olive press." The KJV translates this location as "Gath" (BDB 388) and this may be accurate.

▣ "Avvite" This is a relatively unknown group which seems to be located in the area of Gaza (BDB 732, cf. Deut. 2:23). Some commentators believe they were the original inhabitants of this entire southern coastal area until the invasion of the Philistines.

13:4 "Mearah" This is a word which seems to come from the root for "cave" (BDB 792). It is located just to the north of the city of Sidon, which is in the land of the Phoenicians.

13:5 "and the land of the Gebalite" This is the city of Gebal, which later became Byblos, which later became famous for its writing materials (i.e., parchment, cf. 1 Kgs. 5:18; Ezek. 27:9). We get the English terms "book" and "bible" from this city.

▣ "Baal-gad" It is obvious from the listing of these towns that fertility worship was the main religion of the Canaanites. The term "Ba'al" is a Hebrew word which means "master," "owner," "lord," or "husband." The female goddess is called Ashtaroth (cf. Jos. 13:12). See note at Jos. 11:17. For an excellent discussion of the Canaanite religion, see Archaelogy and Religion of Israel by William F. Albright, published by Anchor Books.

NASB"as far as Lebo-hamath"
NRSV, JPSOA"to Lebo-hamath"
NKJV, RSV"to the entrance to Hamath"
TEV"to Hamath Pass"
NJB"to the Pass of Hamath"

This phrase is made up of the preposition (BDB 723), a Qal infinitive construct of BDB 97, KB 112, and a proper name (BDB 333, i.e., fortress"). Hamath was a kingdom (cf. 2 Sam. 8:9) and represented the northern limit of the Promised Land (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:65; 1 Chr. 8:4).

13:6 "as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians" This place name seems to refer to "burning water" or "hot springs" (BDB 977). From the same root come the angels called seraphim (i.e., "burning ones"). The fact that only Sidon is mentioned and not Tyre (cf. Jos. 19:29) points to the early date for this account (cf. R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 672).

▣ "I will drive them out before the sons of Israel" YHWH takes full responsibility for the conquest of Canaan (cf. Exod. 34:24; Lev. 20:24; Num. 32:21; 33:53; Deut. 1:39; 4:38; 5:31; 9:4,5,6; 11:23,31; 12:1; 15:4; 16:20; 18:12; Jos. 3:10; 13:6). The verb (BDB 439, KB 441, Hiphil imperfect) basically means "take possession of" or "dispossess."

13:6-7 There are two imperatives spoken by YHWH to Joshua.

1. "allot," Jos. 13:6, BDB 656, KB 709, Hiphil imperative (cf. Jos. 23:4)

2. "apportion," Jos. 13:7, BDB 323, KB 327, Piel imperative, cf. Jos. 14:5; 18:2,5,10; 19:51; Num. 26:53,55,56

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 13:8-14
 ⁸With the other half-tribe, the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the Lord gave to them; ⁹from 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 of Medeba, as far as Dibon; ¹⁰and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the sons of Ammon; ¹¹and Gilead, and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah; ¹²all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses struck them and dispossessed them. ¹³But the sons of Israel did not dispossess the Geshurites or the Maacathites; for Geshur and Maacath live among Israel until this day. ¹⁴Only to the tribe of Levi he did not give an inheritance; the offerings by fire to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as He spoke to him.

13:8 "with the other half-tribe" This refers to the tribe of Manasseh who inherited land in the eastern side of Jordan.

▣ "Reubenites" The word "Reuben" means "behold a son" (BDB 910). One can almost see the excitement when this firstborn son was presented to his father, Jacob, by Leah.

13:9 "Aroer" This is a city (BDB 792 I) very close to the southern border of Reuben, near to the Arnon River, which separated Moab from the Amorites.

13:12 "Og" The capture of this area is related to Num. 21:33-35.

▣ "Ashtaroth" This is the name of the female fertility goddess of the Canaanite pantheon (BDB 800 III). We are not exactly sure of the relationship between Ba'al and Ashtaroth because in Canaanite documents they are brother and sister, not lovers. See note at Jos. 9:10.

▣ "Rephaim" This word is used three different ways in the Bible: (1) it may refer to the dead (cf. Job 26:5); (2) it may refer to a tribal group; or (3) it may refer to the giants (cf. Jos. 14:12-15). The terms "Anakim" and "Rephaim" both seem to refer to the giants. See note at Jos. 11:21.

13:14 "only to the tribe of Levi he did not give an inheritance" The Levites were to receive their allotment from the altar by serving God (cf. Deut. 18). They take the place of the firstborn (cf. Exodus 13). The Levites did receive forty-eight cities spread throughout the Promised Land (eastern and western, cf. Joshua 20-21). They were also allowed a plot of farm land just outside the walls of these cities to grow food for their families.

▣ "the God of Israel" It is somewhat surprising that the etymology of the term "Israel" is uncertain. From Gen. 32:28 it seems to mean "may God preserve," but some see it as "right with God." As with many of these words, we simply do not know the exact etymology.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME)

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 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.

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

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; 1 Chr. 5:8; Jer. 48:23; Ezek. 25:9).

13:19

NASB, NRSV,
JPSOA"on the hill of the valley"
NKJV"on the mountain of the valley"
TEV"on the hill in the valley"
NJB"in the highlands of the Arabah"

This phrase is uncertain in Hebrew.

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

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

1. Dibon, 13:9

2. Beth-Jeshimoth, 12:3

3. Jahaz, 13:18

4. Kedemoth, 13:18

5. Mephaath, 13:18

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

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; 23:23; Deut. 18:10,14; Jos. 13:22; 1 Sam. 6:5; 15:23; 28:8; 2 Kgs. 17:17; Isa. 2:6; 3:2; 44:25; Jer. 14:14; 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 12:24; 13:6,7,9,23; 21:21,22,23,29; 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; 29:8; Ezek. 13:9; 22:28) can know and influence this future.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 13:24-28
 ²⁴Moses also gave an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the sons of Gad, according to their families. ²⁵Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the sons of Ammon, as far as Aroer which is before Rabbah; ²⁶and from Heshbon as far as Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim as far as the border of Debir; ²⁷and in the valley, Beth-haram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a border, as far as the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan to the east. ²⁸This is the inheritance of the sons of Gad according to their families, the cities and their villages.

13:24-28 This is the tribal allocation of Gad.

13:25 "as far as Aroer which is before Rabbah" There are two different towns by this name, "Aroer" (BDB 792 II).

A. Aroer

1. 13:25 and Jdgs. 11:33 (in allotment of Gad)

2. 13:16 (in allotment of Reuben)

B. Rabbah (BDB 913, "great" or "populous") is also two different towns.

1. Rabbah - Ammon, Deut. 3:11; 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:26-27; Amos 1:14 (capital of Ammon)

2. Rabbah - in Judah, Jos. 15:60

13:26

NASB"as far as the border of Debir"
NRSV"the territory of Debir"
TEV"to the border of Lodebar"
NJB"as far as the territory of Lo-Debar"

The revocalization of the MT (lodebar) in the dynamic equivalent translations (TEV, NJB) is an attempt to relate this text to the place in 2 Sam. 9:4,5; 17:27; Amos 6:13.

13:27 "the sea of Chinnereth" This body of water has several different names in the Bible: (1) the Sea of Genesseret; (2) the Sea of Tiberias; and (3) the Sea of Galilee.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 13:29-31
 ²⁹Moses also gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh; and it was for the half-tribe of the sons of Manasseh according to their families. ³⁰Their territory was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities; ³¹also half of Gilead, with Ashtaroth and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh, for half of the sons of Machir according to their families.

13:29-31 This is the allocation of part of the tribe of Manasseh, one of Joseph's two sons, who became a tribe within Israel along with his brother, Ephraim. Manasseh is the only tribe which inherited land on both sides of the Jordan River.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 13:32-33
 ³²These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east. ³³But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them.

13:32-33 This is a summary statement.

13:33 See Deuteronomy 18:1-5 and Joshua 20-21.

Copyright © 2012 Bible Lessons International

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (from "A Guide to Good Bible Reading")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

Several items in Joshua point toward a contemporary date (in the day that Joshua lived).

A. The ancient Canaanite names of cities are preserved.

1. Baalah (Kiriath-jearim) - 15:9

2. Kiriath-sannah (Debir) - 15:49

3. Kiriath-arba (Hebron) - 15:54

B. Canaanites were still in control of

1. Gezer - 16:10

2. Jebus - 18:28

C. Sidon, not Tyre, is listed as the main city of Phoenicia (cf. Jos. 13:4,6)

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:1-12
 ¹Now the lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families reached the border of Edom, southward to the wilderness of Zin at the extreme south. ²Their south border was from the lower end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that turns to the south. ³Then it proceeded southward to the ascent of Akrabbim and continued to Zin, then went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea and continued to Hezron, and went up to Addar and turned about to Karka. ⁴It continued to Azmon and proceeded to the brook of Egypt, and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your south border. ⁵The east border was the Salt Sea, as far as the mouth of the Jordan. And the border of the north side was from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. ⁶Then the border went up to Beth-hoglah, and continued on the north of Beth-arabah, and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. ⁷The border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and turned northward toward Gilgal which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south of the valley; and the border continued to the waters of En-shemesh and it ended at En-rogel. ⁸Then the border went up the valley of Ben-hinnom to the slope of the Jebusite on the south (that is, Jerusalem); and the border went up to the top of the mountain which is before the valley of Hinnom to the west, which is at the end of the valley of Rephaim toward the north. ⁹From the top of the mountain the border curved to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah and proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, then the border curved to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). ¹⁰The border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and continued to the slope of Mount Jearim on the north (that is, Chesalon), and went down to Beth-shemesh and continued through Timnah. ¹¹The border proceeded to the side of Ekron northward. Then the border curved to Shikkeron and continued to Mount Baalah and proceeded to Jabneel, and the border ended at the sea. ¹²The west border was at the Great Sea, even its coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.

15:1 "Now the lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families" The tribe of Simeon was incorporated very early into the tribe of Judah and lost all of its identity (cf. Jos. 19:1-9).

▣ "Edom" This refers to the nation east of the Jordan which came from the descendants of Esau. The basic meaning is "red" (BDB 10).

The term "south" (BDB 616) is Teman, which is the same term as the name of one of Edom's major cities.

▣ "Wilderness of Zin" This should not be confused with the Wilderness of Sin, which is located in the southern part of the Sinai peninsula. This wilderness is in the northern part of the Sinai peninsula in which Kadesh-barnea is located (cf. Num. 34:2-5).

15:3 "Akrabbim" This is the name for "scorpions" (BDB 785). The boundaries of the Promised Land are given in Numbers 34 (cf. Num. 34:4). This pass was part of the unconquered Amorite territory in Jdgs. 1:36.

15:4 "the brook of Egypt" The term "brook" (BDB 636) is "wadi," which denotes a river bed or channel which is dry part of the year.

Water (i.e., rivers, wadis, lakes, streams, oceans) were often used as boundaries. This one is the most southern boundary of the Promised Land and Egypt (here the southern boundary of Judah, cf. Num. 34:5).

Other natural barriers or topological distinctives, like valleys, mountain ranges, plains, were also used as boundary markers.

15:6 "the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben" We know nothing about this young man or why a memorial stone was raised for him. It is surely possible that this was a boundary marker and not a memorial (cf. Jos. 18:17).

15:7 "Gilgal" This does not refer to the first Israeli campsite (cf. Jos. 4:19). It is possible that it should be translated "Gelioth" (cf. Jos. 18:17), because this location is also related to En-shemesh.

▣ "En-shemesh and En-rogel" These were two springs (BDB 745) which seem to be located on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem.

15:8 "the valley of Ben-hinnom . . . the valley of Hinnom" This is the place where the fertility fire god, Molech, was worshiped. It was just outside the city of Jerusalem (Jebus, cf. Jos. 15:63) to the south. This is the place which later the Jews turned into a garbage dump and which Jesus used as His metaphor to describe Hell (Gehenna).

SPECIAL TOPIC: Where Are the Dead?

▣ "Rephaim" See notes at Jos. 11:21.

15:9 "Baalah" This seems to be the feminine form for the term baal, and it may mean "mistress." It was the older name of Kiriath-jearim.

15:10 "Mount Seir" This means "rough," "hairy," or "shaggy" (BDB 973). There are several different sites by this name. This does not refer to Mt. Seir in Edom, but a hill close to Jerusalem.

▣ "Beth-shemesh" This means "house of the sun" (BDB 112, cf. 1 Sam. 6:9,12,13,15,19,20; 1 Kgs. 4:9; 2 Kgs. 14:13). Many believe that this refers to sun worship. There are several cities by this name.

▣ "Timnah" This was a town which was later associated with the exploits of Samson.

15:11 "Ekron" This was one of the five main Philistine walled cities (cf. Jos. 15:45-47). Apparently Judah never fully captured it or any of the main cities on the plain where chariot forces were used. See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 568-569.

15:12 "the Great Sea" This refers to the Mediterranean Ocean.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:13-19
 ¹³ Now he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah, according to the command of the Lord to Joshua, namely, Kiriath-arba, Arba being the father of Anak (that is, Hebron). ¹⁴Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak. ¹⁵Then he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir; now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher. ¹⁶And Caleb said, "The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter as a wife." ¹⁷Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it; so he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife. ¹⁸It came about that when she came to him, she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she alighted from the donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?" ¹⁹Then she said, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

15:13-19 This describes the fall of Hebron to Caleb (cf. Jos. 11:21-22; 14:13-15; 15:13-19; Jdgs. 1:16-21).

15:14 "Anak" See notes at Jos. 11:21.

15:15 "Kiriath-sepher" This meant "city of scribes" (BDB 900, cf. Jdgs. 1:11,12). Apparently it was the location of a school which trained scribes in writing and recording within the Canaanite culture.

15:17 "Othniel" He was Caleb's younger brother. He later became a judge (cf. Jdgs. 1:13; 3:9).

▣ "son of Kenza" (cf. Jos. 14:6,14).

15:18

NASB, NJB"so she alighted from the donkey"
NKJV, NRSV,
REV"so she dismounted from her donkey"
TEV"she got down from her donkey"
NJB"as she sat on the ass, she broke wind"

The verb's (BDB 856, KB 1038, cf. Jdgs. 1:14) meaning is disputed. In Jdgs. 4:21 it is used of Jael driving the tent peg through Sisera's head into the ground.

Whatever it meant, it was an idiom for getting someone's attention (i.e., a noise, a gesture). The KB 1038 has "clap one's hands."

15:19 This verse describes the bridal gift of Caleb to his daughter (Achsah) and brother (Othniel). Notice the number of times the verb "give" (BDB 678, KB 733) is used.

1. Qal imperative

2. Qal perfect

3 Qal perfect

4. Qal imperfect

▣ The Negev (i.e., "south country," BDB 616) is very dry. The daughter knew what she was doing! This account is retold at the beginning of Judges (cf. Jos. 1:11-15).

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:21-32
 ²¹Now the cities at the extremity of the tribe of the sons of Judah toward the border of Edom in the south were Kabzeel and Eder and Jagur,
 ²²and Kinah and Dimonah and Adadah,
 ²³and Kedesh and Hazor and Ithnan,
 ²⁴Ziph and Telem and Bealoth,
 ²⁵and Hazor-hadattah and Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),
 ²⁶Amam and Shema and Moladah,
 ²⁷and Hazar-gaddah and Heshmon and Beth-pelet,
 ²⁸and Hazar-shual and Beersheba and Biziothiah,
 ²⁹Baalah and Iim and Ezem,
 ³⁰and Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah,
 ³¹and Ziklag and Madmannah and Sansannah,
 ³²and Lebaoth and Shilhim and Ain and Rimmon; in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.

15:21-32 This names the cities located in the far south (Negev).

15:25 "Kerioth-hezron" This village is often associated with Judas Iscariot ("man of Kerioth"), but this is only one of several other possible meanings of "Iscariot."

Although NASB and RSV (NRSV) translate this as the name of one village, the MT has an accent mark between them, which denotes two cities. This would have reflected the tradition received by the Masoretic scholars.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:33-36
 ³³In the lowland: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah,
 ³⁴and Zanoah and En-gannim, Tappuah and Enam,
 ³⁵Jarmuth and Adullam, Socoh and Azekah,
 ³⁶and Shaaraim and Adithaim and Gederah and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages.

15:33-47 This names the cities located in the lowlands. Verses 33-36 were in the northeastern coastal plain, 37-41 in the middle, 42-44 in the southern, and 45-47 in the Philistine coastal area. This section may have a separate source because its form is different from the rest of the lists of cities. These lists seem to reflect a government registry.

15:34 "Tappuah" This term means "apple tree" (BDB 656, cf. Jos. 12:17; 16:8; 17:8).

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:37-41
 ³⁷Zenan and Hadashah and Migdal-gad,
 ³⁸and Dilean and Mizpeh and Joktheel,
 ³⁹Lachish and Bozkath and Eglon,
 ⁴⁰and Cabbon and Lahmas and Chitlish,
 ⁴¹and Gederoth, Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:42-44
 ⁴²Libnah and Ether and Ashan,
 ⁴³and Iphtah and Ashnah and Nezib,
 ⁴⁴and Keilah and Achzib and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:45-46
 ⁴⁵Ekron, with its towns and its villages;
 ⁴⁶from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:47
 ⁴⁷Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; as far as the brook of Egypt and the Great Sea, even its coastline.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:48-51
 ⁴⁸ In the hill country: Shamir and Jattir and Socoh, ⁵⁰and Anab and Eshtemoh and Anim,
 ⁵¹and Goshen and Holon and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.

15:48-60 This names the cities located in the hill country.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:52-54
 ⁵²Arab and Dumah and Eshan,
 ⁵³and Janum and Beth-tappuah and Aphekah,
 ⁵⁴and Humtah and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:55-57
 ⁵⁵Maon, Carmel and Ziph and Juttah,
 ⁵⁶and Jezreel and Jokdeam and Zanoah,
 ⁵⁷Kain, Gibeah and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.

15:56 "Jezreel" This place name means "God sows" (BDB 283). It is used of two villages.

1. tribal allocation of Judah, Jos. 15:56

2. tribal allocation of Issachar, Jos. 19:18

15:57 "Gibeah" There seem to be several cities by this name ("hill," BDB 149 II).

1. in the tribal allocation of Judah in the hill country, Jos. 15:57

2. in the tribal allocation of Benjamin, Jos. 18:28

3. in the tribal allocation of Ephraim, where Eleazar (Aaron's son) was buried on a hill, Jos. 24:33

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:58-59
 ⁵⁸Halhul, Beth-zur and Gedor,
 ⁵⁹and Maarath and Beth-anoth and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.

15:59 The Septuagint has an additional list of eleven cities not found in the MT. It is uncertain whether this reflects a manuscript error in the MT or extraneous material added by the translators of the LXX.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:60
 ⁶⁰Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:61-62
 ⁶¹In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah,
 ⁶²and Nibshan and the City of Salt and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

15:61-62 This names the cities located in the wilderness.

NASB (UPDATED TEXT): JOSHUA 15:63
 ⁶³ Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day.

15:63 "the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out" The Jebusites (BDB 101) seem to have held on to the fortress of the city of Jebus (cf. Jdgs. 1:8) until the time of David. The verbal (BDB 439, KB 441) is a Hiphil infinitive construct, cf. Jdgs. 1:21,29,30,31,32,33.

▣ "until this day" This use of the phrase shows that the scribe lived and wrote before David's day. Because Moses grew up and was trained in Egypt, which explains why Jewish scribes felt free to upgrade the literary works of Israel. From archaeology it is obvious that Mesopotamian scribes never changed their national texts whereas Egyptian scribes felt free to upgrade their national/religious texts. See notes at Jos. 7:26.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why is the division of the land so important to the Jewish people?

2. Did the Israelites fully occupy their tribal allocations?

3. Who are the Nephilim and Anakim?

4. What was the lot and how did it work?

5. Describe the Canaanite fertility religion.

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