Levitical cities given A. M. 2561. B. C. 1443. JOSHUA. Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, An. Exod. Isr. saying, The LORD commanded, 3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs. 4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon. and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities. 6 And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, C from each tribe. 7 h The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. 9 And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name, 1 10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. b Chap. xviii. 1.- Num. xxxv. 2.d Ver. 8, 19. See 5.Ver, 27, &c.- by history, that the cities of the Levites were almost entirely filled with Israelites of other tribes. For instance, Gibeah of Benjamin, which is here given to the Verse 3. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites] They cheerfully obeyed the Divine command, and cities for habitations were appointed to them out of the different tribes by lot, that it might as fully ap-Levites, ver. 17, was always peopled by the Benjamites, pear that God designed them their habitations, as he designed the others their inheritances. Verse 4. Out of the tribe of Judah—Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.] These tribes furnished more habitations to the Levites in proportion than any of the other tribes, because they possessed a more extensive inheritance; and Moses had commanded, Num, xxxv. 8, From them that have many, ye shall give many; and from them that have few, ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according to his inheritance. It is worthy of remark, that the principal part of this tribe, whose business was to minister at the sanctuary, which sanctuary was afterwards to be established in Jerusalem, had their appointment nearest to that city; so that they were always within reach of the sacred work which God had appointed them. Verse 5. And the rest of the children of Kohath] That is, the remaining part of that family that were not priests, for those who were priests had their lot in the preceding tribes. Those, therefore, of the family of Kohath, who were simply Levites, and not of the priests or Aaron's family, (see ver. 10,) had their habitations in Ephraim, Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh. as appears from the history of the Levite, whose wife was so horribly abused by them; Judg. xix. Saul and all his family dwelt in the same city; and David and his court spent the first years of his reign at Hebron, which was also a city of the Levites, ver. 10. It appears, therefore, that they had no other property in those cities than merely the right to certain houses, which they might sell, but always with the right of perpetual redemption, for they could finally alienate nothing; and if the possessor of such a house, having sold it, did not redeem it at the year of jubilee, it reverted to the Levites. And as to their lands for their cattle, which extended two thousand cubits without the city, these they were not permitted to sell they were considered as the Lord's property. See Lev xxv. 32-34, and the notes there. It is therefore very likely that, in the first instance, the Levites had simply the right to choose, in all the cities assigned them, the houses in which they were to dwell, and that those of the tribe to which the city belonged occupied all the other dwellings. There is also reason to believe that in process of time, when the families of the Levites increased, they had more dwellings assigned to them, which were probably built at the públic expense. We may also observe that the Levites were not abIt has been asked in what sense did the Levites solutely bound to live in these and no other cities: for possess those cities, seeing they had no inheritance? when the tabernacle was at Nob, priests and Levites To which it may be answered, that it is not likely the dwelt there, see 1 Sam. xxi. 1, &c.; and when the Levites had the exclusive property of the cities in worship of God was established at Jerusalem, multiwhich they dwelt, for it is evident that the other Is-tudes both of priests and Levites dwelt there, though raelites dwelt among them. We know, says Calmet, it was no Levitical city: as did the courses of priests Levitical cities given A. M. 2561. п CHAP. XXI. four cities. from each trioe. 11 And they gave them the Beth-horon with her suburbs; city of Arba the father of P Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it. An. Exod. Isr. A. M. 2561. B. C. 1443. An. Exod. Isr. 48. Anno ante 23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbe- . Olymp. 667. thon with her suburbs, 24 Aijalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; four cities. 25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; two cities. 26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath 14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Esh- that remained. temoa with her suburbs, I 27 h. And unto the children of Gershon, of 15 And Holon, with her suburbs, and the families of the Levites, out of the other Debir with her suburbs, е 18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities. 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs. 20 And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. 21 For they gave them & Shechem with her. suburbs in Mount. Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and 1 Chron vi. 55. Or, Kirjath-arba; Genesis xxiii. 2. P Chap. xv. 13, 14.- - Chap. xx. 7; Luke i. 39.14; 1 Chron. vi. 56.1 Chron. vi. 57, &c. xx. 7.—" Chap. xv. 42.- Chap. xv. 48.* 1 Chron. vi. 58, Hilen; chap. xv. 51. Chap. xiv. 30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, 31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities. Chap. xx. 7.* Chap. xx. 7. h Ver. 6; 1 Chron. vi. 71. Ver. 7; see. 1 Chrom. vi. 77. the time mentioned here certainly thirteen cities were too large a proportion for the priests, as they and their families amounted to a very small number; but this ample provision was made in reference to their great increase in after times, when they formed twenty-four courses, as in the days of David. Verse 22. Beth-horon] There were two cities of this name, the upper and the nether; but which is intended here, cannot be ascertained. Verse 24. Aijalon] See on chap. x. Verse 27. Golan in Bashan] On this and the other cities of refuge mentioned here, see the note on chap. Verse 19. Thirteen cities with their suburbs.] At xx. ver. 7. The exact fulfilment A. M. 2561. An. Exod. Isr. 48. Anno ante A. M. 2561. tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with, 41 All the cities of the Le- I. Olymp. 667. n urbs. 42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities. 43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. 44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their 39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with fathers and there stood not a man of all her suburbs; four cities in all.. their enemies before them; the LORD deli 40 So all the cities for the children of Me-vered all their enemies into their hand. rari by their families, which were remaining 45 There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass. of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities. מ. m Chap. xx. 8.- Chap. xx. 8. Numbers xxxv. 7. Gen. xiii. 15; xv. 18; xxvi. 3; xxviii. 4, 13. Verse 35. Dimnah with her suburbs, &c.] It is well. known to every Hebrew scholar that the two following verses are wholly omitted by the Masora; and are left out in some of the most correct and authentic Hebrew Bibles. Between critics there is no small controversy relative to the authenticity of these verses; and those who wish to see the arguments at large on both sides, must consult the Varia Lectiones of De Rossi on this place. Dr. Kennicott, who is a strenuous advocate for their authenticity, argues thus in their behalf: "Verses 41 and 42 of this chapter tell us that the Levitical cities were forty-eight, and that they had been all as such described; so that they must have been all specified in this chapter: whereas now in all the Hebrew copies printed in full obedience to the Masora, which excludes two verses containing four of these cities, the number amounts only to forty-four. Chap. xi. 23; xxii. 4. Deut. vii. 24. Chapter xxii. 14. Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities. See on this place my edition of the Hebrew Bible, where no less than one hundred and forty-nine copies are described, which happily preserve these verses, most clearly essential to the truth and consistency of this chapter. See also General Discourse, pp. 19, 26, 54.” Though this reasoning of Dr. Kennicott appears very conclusive, yet there are so many and important variations among the MSS. that retain, and those that reject these verses, as to render the question of their authenticity very difficult to be determined. To Dr. Kennicott's one hundred and forty-nine MSS. which have these two verses, may be added upwards of forty collated by De Rossi. Those who deny their authenticity say they have been inserted here from 1 Chron. vi, 78, 79, where they are found it is true, in general, but not exactly as they stand here, and in Dr. Kennicott's Hebrew Bible. Verse 36. Jahazah] See on chap. xiii. 18. "The cities are first mentioned, in the general, as being thirteen and tên, with thirteen and twelve, which are certainly forty-eight. And yet when they are particularly named, verses 13 to 19 give thirteen cities; Verse 41. Forty and eight cities] At the last cenverses 20 to 26 give ten cities; verses 27 to 33 give sus of the Hebrew people, related Num. xxvi., we find thirteen; verses 34 and 35 give four cities; and then from ver. 62 that the tribe of Levi amounted only to verses 35, 36, give four more, all which can make but 23,000; and it is supposed that forty-eight cities were forty-four. And what still increases the wonder is, too great a proportion for this tribe, the other tribes that ver. 40 infers from the verses immediately pre- having so very few. But, 1. All the cities of the ceding, that the cities allowed to the Merarites were other tribes are not enumerated. 2. They had the twelve, though they here make eight only, unless we ad- circumjacent country as well as the cities. 3. The mit the four other cities expressed in those two verses, Levites had no other cities than those enumerated. which have been rejected by that blind guide the Ma- 4. They had no country annexed to their cities, the sora. In defiance of this authority these two verses, 2,000 cubits for their cattle, &c., excepted. 5. Cities thus absolutely necessary, were inserted in the most in those ancient times were very small, as most vilearly editions of the Hebrew text, and are found in lages went under this appellation. 6. The Levites Walton's Polyglot, as well as in our English Bible. had now the appointment that was suited to their But they have scarce ever been as yet printed com- consequent increase. The other tribes might enlarge pletely, thus: And out of the tribe of Reuben, a CITY their borders and make conquests, but this was not OF REFUGE FOR THE SLAYER, Bezer, IN THE WILDER-suitable to the mere servants of God; besides, had NESS, with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs, they made conquests, they would have become pro prietors of the conquered land; and God determined that they should have no inheritance in Israel, HE himself being their portion Verse 43. And the Lord gave-all the land which he sware] All was now divided by lot unto them, and their enemies were so completely. discomfited that there was not a single army of the Canaanites remaining to make head against them; and those which were left in the land served under tribute, and the tribute that they paid was the amplest proof of their complete subjugation. Add to this, they had as much of the land in actual possession as they could occupy; and, as they increased, God enabled them to drive out the rest of the ancient inhabitants; but in consequence of the infidelity of the Israelites, God permitted their enemies often to straiten them, and sometimes to prevail against them. It should also be remembered, that God never promised to give them the land, or to maintain them in it, but on condition of obedience; and so punctually did he fulfil this intention, that there is not a single instance on record in which they were dismissed with commendations. either straitened or subjugated, while obedient and faithful to their God. The cavil is as foolish as it is unprincipled which states, "The Israelites never did possess the whole of the land which was promised to them, and therefore that promise could not come by Divine revelation." With as much reason might it be urged that Great Britain has not subdued the French West India Islands and Batavia, (Feb. 1812,) because the ancient inhabitants still remain in them; but is not their serving under tribute an absolute proof that they are conquered, and under the British dominion? So was the whole land of Canaan conquered, and its inhabitants subdued, though the whole of the ground was not occupied by the Israelites till the days of David and Solomon. the most correct and literal sense it might be said, There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass. Nor shall one word of his ever fail to any of his followers while the sun and moon endure. In CHAPTER XXII. Joshua assembles, commends, blesses, and then dismisses the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 1-8. They return and build an altar by the side of Jordan, 9, 10. The rest of the Israelites hearing of this, and suspecting that they had built the altar for idolatrous purposes, or to make a schism in the national worship, prepare to go to war with them, 11, 12; but first send a deputation to know the truth, 13, 14. They arrive and expostulate with their brethren, 15–20. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, make a noble defence, and show that their altar was built as à monument only to prevent idolatry, 21-29. The deputation are satisfied, and return to the ten tribes and make their report, 30-32. The people rejoice and praise God, 33; and the Reubenites and Gadites call the altar they had raised Ed, that it might be considered a witness between them and their brethren on the other side Jordan, 34. A. An. Exod. Isr. 48. Anno, ante с A. M. 2561. 48. Anno ante 1. Olymp. 667. 4. M. 256. THEN Joshua called the Reu- 4 And now the LORD your God -benites, and the Gadites, hath given rest unto your bre- An. Exod. Isr. aid the half tribe of Manasseh,thren, as he promised them.: 1. Olymp. 667. 2 And said unto them, Ye have therefore now return ye, and kept a all that Moses the servant of the LORD get you unto your tents, and unto the land commanded you, and have obeyed my voice of your possession, which Moses the servant in all that I commanded you: of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. 5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged yon, to love the Num. xxxii. 33; Deut. xxix. 8; chapter xiii. 8.—d Deut. vi. 6, 17; xi. 22 e Deut. x. 12. 3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. a Numbers xxxii. 20; Deuteronomy iii. 18.- Chapter i. 16, 17. b NOTES ON CHAP. XXII. Verse 1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, &c.] We have already seen that 40,000 men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their stipulation with Moses. The war being now concluded, Joshua assembles these warriors, and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having first given them the most pious and suitable advices. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families; and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp at Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had during that time ever-revisited their own home, which they might have done any time in the year, the harvest excepted, as at all other times that river was easily fordable. Verse 5. But take diligent heed, &c.] Let us examine the force of this excellent advice; they must ever consider that their prosperity and continued possession of the land depended on their fidelity and obedience to God; to this they must take diligent heed. Do the commandment] They must pay the strictest régard to every moral precept. The Israelites hear of the altar built A. M. 2561. B. C. 1443. 48. Anno ante I. Olymp. 667. A. M. 2561. An. Exod. Isr 48. Anno ante LORD your God, and to walk in of Canaan, to go unto the An. Exod. Isr. all his ways, and to keep his all f 6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went unto their tents. 7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashans: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them; 8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very I. Olymp. 667. 10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to. 11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. 12 And when the children of Israel heard much raiment: divide the spoil of your ene-of it, the whole congregation of the children 1 mies with your brethren." of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them. 9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land Gen. xlvii. 7; Exod. xxxix. 43; chap. xiv. 13; 2 Sam. vi. 18; Luke xxiv. 50.- - Chap. xvii. 5. - Num. xxxi. 27; 1 Lam. And the law] They must observe all the rites and ceremonies of their holy religion. Love the Lord your God] Without an affectionate filial attachment to their Maker, duty would be irksome, grievous, and impossible. Walk in all his ways] They must not only believe and love, but obey walk not in your own ways, but walk in those which God has pointed out. Keep his commandments] They must love him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbour as themselves. Cleave unto him] They must be cemented to him in a union that should never be dissolved. Serve him] They must consider him as their Master, having an absolute right to appoint them when, where, how, and in what measure they should do his work. With all your heart]. Having all their affections and passions sanctified and united to him. And with all your soul.] Giving up their whole life to him, and employing their understanding, judgment, and will, in the contemplation and adoration of his perfections; that their love and obedience might increase in proportion to the cultivation and improvement of their understanding. Verse 7. Then he blessed them] Spoke respectfully of their fidelity and exertions, wished them every spiritual and temporal good, prayed to God to protect and save them, and probably gave some gifts to those leaders among them that had most distinguished themselves in this seven years' war. In all the above senses the word bless is frequently taken in Scripture. Verse 8. Return with much riches] It appears they had their full proportion of the spoils that were 13 And the children of Israel m sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into xxx. 14. Num. xxxii. 1, 26, 29.- Deut. xiii: 12, &c.; Judg. xx. 12. Judg. xx. 1.- m Deut. xiii. 14; Judg. xx. 12. taken from the Canaanites, and that these spoils consisted in cattle. silver, gold, brass, iron, and raiment. Divide the spoil—with your brethren.] It was right that those who stayed at home to defend the families of those who had been in the wars, and to cultivate the ground, should have a proper proportion of the spoils taken from the enemy; for had they not acted as they did, the others could not have safely left their families. Verse 10. The borders of Jordan, that are in-Canaan] This verse can never mean that they built the altar on the west side of Jordan, for this was not in their territories; nor could it be a place for the purpose of public worship to their own people, if built on the opposite side of Jordan; besides, the next verse says it was built over against the land of Canaan. It appears that when they came to the river they formed the purpose of building the altar; and when they had crossed it they executed their purpose. A great altar to see to. A vast mass of earth, stones, &c., elevated to a great height, to serve as a memorial of the transactions that had already taken place. Probably it was intended also to serve as a kind of watchtower, being of a stupendous height, altare infinitæ magnitudinis, an altar of an immense size, as the Vulgate terms it. Verse 12. To go up to war against them.] Supposing that they had built this altar in opposition to that which Moses, by the command of God, had erected and were consequently become rebels against God and the Israelitish constitution, and should be treated as such. Their great concern for the glory of God led them to take this step, which at first view might |