The cities of refuge (vs. 1-9)--This was a pretty important part of the Israelites judicial system simply because tribal revenge (personal vengeance) was extremely common in the ancient world. Most people/tribes did not have sophisticated law systems, and usually reciprocity was the means of justice--if you killed somebody in my family, regardless of the cause, then somebody in my family killed one of yours in return. That usually ended it; there were no Hatfield-McCoy type feuds. To mitigate that kind of injustice, Jehovah provided for cities of refuge "that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood" (v. 3). Premeditated murder was dealt with capitally, of course, but this law relates to involuntary manslaughter. The "guilty" party fled to one of those cities and stood outside the gate, pleading his case to "the elders of that city" (v. 4). They were to take him in and protect, and "the avenger of blood"--the one seeking vengeance--could not touch him. The city of refuge didn't just accept the word of the killer; there was to be some sort of trial (v. 6), and if he was proven innocent, then he would stay in that city "until the death of the one who is high priest in those days" (v. 6; verse 9 mentions the same thought about a trial “before the congregation”). Then he could return to his own city and home.
There is some punishment involved here, even though the killing was not premeditated. The fact that the killer could lot live in his own home among his own people for a while was a form of retribution; human life was to be regarded as sacred and not to be taken lightly. So even involuntary manslaughter carried some penalty.
There were six cities appointed for refuge, located equally on both sides of the Jordan River, and they were spread pretty well throughout the land—west of the Jordan, there was a city in Naphtali (north), Ephraim (central), and Judah (south). On the eastern side of the Jordan, each of the three tribes, Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh contained a city of refuge (vs. 7-9). As far as I know, there is no historical evidence mentioning the use of the cities of refuge.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Joshua 18 and 19
Surveying the rest of the land (18:1-7)--These two chapters are fairly simple and discuss the division of the rest of the land, i.e., who got what. A map is essential if the reader is interested in following the borders. Again, I strongly suggest that every Bible student at least take a look at a map of Israel to see where the various tribes had their borders. Not all of them are terribly important, but it's still a good idea a have a general vision in mind. In the first seven verses of chapter 18, the children of Israel set up the tabernacle at Shiloh (v. 1). It will eventually be moved to Jerusalem. There were seven tribes who had not yet received their allotment (v. 2). Joshua chides them a bit (v. 3) for delaying in obtaining their parcel, so three men from each tribe are sent out to survey the rest of the country (v. 4). He mentions again in verse 7 that the Levites have no territory of their own.
The land surveyed (18:8-10)--The men sent did as charged, "and wrote the survey in a book in seven parts by cities" (v. 9). They brought the survey back to Joshua who cast lots to determine boundaries. We don't know exactly what the casting of lots consisted of, but it was an effective means for distributing the land.
Benjamin's territory (vs. 11-28)--Some of the tribes in subsequent Israeli history are more important than others. Judah and Ephraim will be the most important, and Benjamin probably ranks third. This tribe will stay with Judah when the kingdom is divided under Rehoboam, and there are other instances where Benjamin is involved in significant matters. It almost got obliterated because of an event that took place as described in the last few chapters of Judges. The territory of Benjamin and its cities are discussed in the remainder of chapter 18. It bordered on both Ephraim and Judah, and important cities such as Jericho and Gibeon were within its territory.
The rest of the land divided (19:1-48)--There is nothing more here than a listing of the land given to the remaining tribes, with one addition at the end of the chapter to be duly noted. Here's the lineup:
The territory of Simeon (vs. 1-9). It's important to note that Simeon's territory was entirely within the borders Judah, and apparently this tribe will be eventually be swallowed up by Judah.
The territory of Zebulon (vs. 10-16). There are no cities listed here that play any significant role in the subsequent history of Israel.
The territory of Issachar (vs. 17-23). Issachar’s territory “went to Jezreel” (v. 18) which is of some importance in later centuries.
The territory of Asher (vs. 24-31). Asher’s region “reached to Mount Carmel”—the location of Elijah’s battle with the 400 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), and apparently touched the powerful Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon (vs. 28-29).
The territory of Naphtali (vs. 32-39). It bordered Judah and the Jordan River.
The territory of Dan (vs. 40-48). Judges 18 tells us a little more about how Dan came about conquering the territory it eventually possessed.
It’s important to remember that very little of this land had been conquered and settled yet. Joshua gave the people a foothold in the land of Canaan, but the full conquest is far from complete.
The inheritance given to Joshua (vs. 49-51)—To reward him for his wonderful, dedicated service, the people gave Joshua a special plot of land. His home was in the “mountains of Ephraim” (v. 50). A lovely retirement home for a great man.
The land surveyed (18:8-10)--The men sent did as charged, "and wrote the survey in a book in seven parts by cities" (v. 9). They brought the survey back to Joshua who cast lots to determine boundaries. We don't know exactly what the casting of lots consisted of, but it was an effective means for distributing the land.
Benjamin's territory (vs. 11-28)--Some of the tribes in subsequent Israeli history are more important than others. Judah and Ephraim will be the most important, and Benjamin probably ranks third. This tribe will stay with Judah when the kingdom is divided under Rehoboam, and there are other instances where Benjamin is involved in significant matters. It almost got obliterated because of an event that took place as described in the last few chapters of Judges. The territory of Benjamin and its cities are discussed in the remainder of chapter 18. It bordered on both Ephraim and Judah, and important cities such as Jericho and Gibeon were within its territory.
The rest of the land divided (19:1-48)--There is nothing more here than a listing of the land given to the remaining tribes, with one addition at the end of the chapter to be duly noted. Here's the lineup:
The territory of Simeon (vs. 1-9). It's important to note that Simeon's territory was entirely within the borders Judah, and apparently this tribe will be eventually be swallowed up by Judah.
The territory of Zebulon (vs. 10-16). There are no cities listed here that play any significant role in the subsequent history of Israel.
The territory of Issachar (vs. 17-23). Issachar’s territory “went to Jezreel” (v. 18) which is of some importance in later centuries.
The territory of Asher (vs. 24-31). Asher’s region “reached to Mount Carmel”—the location of Elijah’s battle with the 400 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), and apparently touched the powerful Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon (vs. 28-29).
The territory of Naphtali (vs. 32-39). It bordered Judah and the Jordan River.
The territory of Dan (vs. 40-48). Judges 18 tells us a little more about how Dan came about conquering the territory it eventually possessed.
It’s important to remember that very little of this land had been conquered and settled yet. Joshua gave the people a foothold in the land of Canaan, but the full conquest is far from complete.
The inheritance given to Joshua (vs. 49-51)—To reward him for his wonderful, dedicated service, the people gave Joshua a special plot of land. His home was in the “mountains of Ephraim” (v. 50). A lovely retirement home for a great man.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Joshua 17
Manasseh's western territory (vs. 1-18)--As we have already noted several times, the tribe of Manasseh received a portion of their land on the eastern side of the Jordan. Now their western allotment is detailed. The "Machir" of verse one was surely dead by now, or he would have been over 200 years old. So no doubt his descendants are meant. Gilead and Bashan were mainly the territories occupied by Manasseh on the east of the Jordan River.
The story of Zelophedad's daughters is here recounted again. In Numbers 27, we learned that a man named Zelophedad had only daughters, no sons. They come to Moses requesting land of their own, lest they be left destitute. Moses took the matter before Jehovah who sided with Zelophedad's five daughters and announced that if a man died without having any sons, then the inheritance was to pass to his daughters. If he had no daughters, either, then his brother received his land. If no brothers, then to his uncles (Numbers 27:1-9). However, the daughters of Zelophedad were required to marry within their tribe or they would lose their inheritance (Numbers 36:3). Their circumstance is mentioned here again in Joshua 17:3-6).
Verses 7-11 delineate the land given to Manasseh west of the Jordan. It was a large piece of geography in the center of Palestine. Verse 11 indicates that Manasseh even received some cities within the territory of the tribes of Asher and Issachar (north of Manasseh). En-dor is famous; it is the location where Saul went to consult the witch (I Sam. 28:7). Verse 12 indicates that the warriors of Mannaseh apparently wearied of trying to drive the inhabitants of certain cities out of their region, so they put them to tribute instead. This indicates a lack of faith in God, and perseverance. We must not give up hope and trust in Him.
The "children of Joseph"--both Ephraim and Manasseh (v. 17) want more land (v. 14), "since we are a great people." Joshua tells them to go conquer more land in the mountain region (v. 15). But even that wasn't good enough for them so Joshua indicates they "shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours" (vs. 17-18). This seems to be a conversation Joshua had with the two tribes before the land was divided up. Because Manasseh and Ephraim together outnumbered the rest of the tribes, they thought they should have more land, and Joshua agreed. But Ephraim and Manasseh were to "drive out the Canaanites" (v. 18), something, as we saw, they did not do.
The story of Zelophedad's daughters is here recounted again. In Numbers 27, we learned that a man named Zelophedad had only daughters, no sons. They come to Moses requesting land of their own, lest they be left destitute. Moses took the matter before Jehovah who sided with Zelophedad's five daughters and announced that if a man died without having any sons, then the inheritance was to pass to his daughters. If he had no daughters, either, then his brother received his land. If no brothers, then to his uncles (Numbers 27:1-9). However, the daughters of Zelophedad were required to marry within their tribe or they would lose their inheritance (Numbers 36:3). Their circumstance is mentioned here again in Joshua 17:3-6).
Verses 7-11 delineate the land given to Manasseh west of the Jordan. It was a large piece of geography in the center of Palestine. Verse 11 indicates that Manasseh even received some cities within the territory of the tribes of Asher and Issachar (north of Manasseh). En-dor is famous; it is the location where Saul went to consult the witch (I Sam. 28:7). Verse 12 indicates that the warriors of Mannaseh apparently wearied of trying to drive the inhabitants of certain cities out of their region, so they put them to tribute instead. This indicates a lack of faith in God, and perseverance. We must not give up hope and trust in Him.
The "children of Joseph"--both Ephraim and Manasseh (v. 17) want more land (v. 14), "since we are a great people." Joshua tells them to go conquer more land in the mountain region (v. 15). But even that wasn't good enough for them so Joshua indicates they "shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours" (vs. 17-18). This seems to be a conversation Joshua had with the two tribes before the land was divided up. Because Manasseh and Ephraim together outnumbered the rest of the tribes, they thought they should have more land, and Joshua agreed. But Ephraim and Manasseh were to "drive out the Canaanites" (v. 18), something, as we saw, they did not do.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Joshua 16
The lot of the "children of Joseph" (vs. 1-10)--Joseph, of course, had two children, Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh was the oldest, but Ephraim's descendants became the most significant in Israel's history. After the kingdom was divided in the days of Rehoboam (Solomon's son), the northern kingdom of Israel is often referred to as "Ephraim" because of the dominance of that tribe in the affairs of that people. As we have seen, half the tribe of Manasseh asked for, and received, an inheritance east of the Jordan River. The rest of the tribe receives its land here, and the borders are described.
The two lots had a common boundary. The entire territory of the two tribes is described in verses 1-5. It was rather extensive, dominating the central part of the country. Manasseh's border took up most of the Jordan River, although, interestingly, it had no common boundary with its brethren east of the Jordan. West Manasseh then stretched all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Samaria, the eventual capital city of the northern kingdom, Israel, will be located within Manasseh's territory. Ephraim's territory, described in verses 6-10, was roughly 55 miles wide by 30 miles broad, and stretched from the Jordan to the sea. The tribe's territory was judiciously located in very fertile land and on the north-south trade route. This richness partly explains its leadership in the northern kingdom. The last verse of the chapter indicates a disobedient spirit already manifesting itself among this tribe. God had told the Israelites to utterly destroy or drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, but the Ephraimites did not do that. Rather they made slaves of many of the peoples they conquered, and this will eventually become a reason for their downfall (Hosea 7:8).
The two lots had a common boundary. The entire territory of the two tribes is described in verses 1-5. It was rather extensive, dominating the central part of the country. Manasseh's border took up most of the Jordan River, although, interestingly, it had no common boundary with its brethren east of the Jordan. West Manasseh then stretched all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Samaria, the eventual capital city of the northern kingdom, Israel, will be located within Manasseh's territory. Ephraim's territory, described in verses 6-10, was roughly 55 miles wide by 30 miles broad, and stretched from the Jordan to the sea. The tribe's territory was judiciously located in very fertile land and on the north-south trade route. This richness partly explains its leadership in the northern kingdom. The last verse of the chapter indicates a disobedient spirit already manifesting itself among this tribe. God had told the Israelites to utterly destroy or drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, but the Ephraimites did not do that. Rather they made slaves of many of the peoples they conquered, and this will eventually become a reason for their downfall (Hosea 7:8).
Monday, July 26, 2010
Joshua 15
The land given to Judah (vs. 1-12)--This chapter deals entirely with the territory of Judah, which will become exceedingly important as the centuries go by. Again, I would encourage the reader to get a good Bible map and look at it; it's almost essential, in understanding the subsequent history of the Israelites, to have at least some idea where the various tribes settled. Judah's southern border was the southern extremity of Israel (v. 1). It bordered on Edom and the Wilderness of Zin (v. 1). It began at the southern tip of the Salt (Dead) Sea (v. 2), and westward went all the way to the "Brook of Egypt" (v. 4). This is not the Nile, but a nameless little stream east of that river that apparently was the dividing line between Egypt and Canaan. The eastern border of Judah ran up the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan River, and then the boundary extended all the way westward to the Great (Mediterranean Sea). The rest of the place names don't mean a lot to us and would require a rather detailed map to identify. But still, the basic boundary of Judah can be established from the text.
Caleb's promise (vs. 13-19)--Caleb took possession the land Joshua gave to him (see Joshua 14). As he said he would attempt to do, he drove out some of the Anakim of that region (v. 14). He took some more land, then perhaps ran into a snag at a town called Kirjath Sepher. So in verse 16, he said, "He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife." Othniel, who was Caleb's nephew and destined to become the first of the judges, won the prize (v. 17). There was one more thing Achsah, Caleb's daughter, wanted: "Since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs" (v. 19). Her request was not unreasonable. It was a dry, arid land, unsuitable for agriculture without water. So it was natural that Othniel and Achsah would want some water on their land.
The cities of Judah (vs. 20-63)--The rest of the chapter is virtually nothing more than a listing of the cities Judah conquered. Verses 21-32 catalog the cities in the south; verses 33-47, those in the "lowlands" (this will include some major Philistine cities); verses 48-60 record the towns in the mountain country, and verses 61 and 62 a few in the wilderness. The chapter closes by noting that the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, could not be driven out. That will have to wait almost 400 years until David finally does it.
Caleb's promise (vs. 13-19)--Caleb took possession the land Joshua gave to him (see Joshua 14). As he said he would attempt to do, he drove out some of the Anakim of that region (v. 14). He took some more land, then perhaps ran into a snag at a town called Kirjath Sepher. So in verse 16, he said, "He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife." Othniel, who was Caleb's nephew and destined to become the first of the judges, won the prize (v. 17). There was one more thing Achsah, Caleb's daughter, wanted: "Since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs" (v. 19). Her request was not unreasonable. It was a dry, arid land, unsuitable for agriculture without water. So it was natural that Othniel and Achsah would want some water on their land.
The cities of Judah (vs. 20-63)--The rest of the chapter is virtually nothing more than a listing of the cities Judah conquered. Verses 21-32 catalog the cities in the south; verses 33-47, those in the "lowlands" (this will include some major Philistine cities); verses 48-60 record the towns in the mountain country, and verses 61 and 62 a few in the wilderness. The chapter closes by noting that the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, could not be driven out. That will have to wait almost 400 years until David finally does it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Joshua 14
Introduction to the division of the land (vs. 1-5)--The first verse "These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan..." actually introduces the next several chapters. For the most part, it will be a rather dry, but important, listing of the boundaries of the territory of each of the tribes. There's an occasional interlude in the listing, as in the rest of this chapter. The writer once again mentions that two-and-a-half tribes received their inheritance east of the Jordan, and the Levites received no land (except for 48 cities they were given, scattered in various locales around the land).
Caleb asks for the land promised to him (vs. 6-15)--Caleb was one of the two men (Joshua being the other) of the 12 spies who gave a positive report after Moses sent them in to reconnoiter the land (read the story in Numbers 13). It almost cost the two men their lives (Numbers 14:10). Because he had "wholly followed the Lord my God" (v. 8), Moses had promised Caleb a special inheritance once the land was occupied. In these verses, he comes to Joshua to request (demand?) that a certain parcel of land be given to him (v. 12). Joshua thus granted him Hebron, a major city, and the land around it (that's implied in the giving of Hebron) to Caleb.
There are a couple of interesting historical notes in this section. In verse 15, the writer tells us that "the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim)." Caleb informs us (v. 12) that some of the Anakim were still there, and that if "the Lord will be with me...I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said." The Anakim are an interesting people. They were the descendants of a man named Anak (Num. 13:33). They dwelt in the south of Palestine (hence, Hebron), but also, during the days of Abraham (some 500 years before), they lived south of that region in territories that eventually were known as Edom and Moab (the latter being east of the Jordan River). Some have suggested that they may have come from the same race as the Phoenicians and Egyptians, and they also have been identified with the Nephilim, "giants," of Genesis 6:4. This is purely speculation, however. This idea is derived from Numbers 13:33, which reads "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (this is the report given by the 10 unfaithful spies). More than likely, these 10 men were simply cowards, looking for an excuse not to attack. The Anakim almost surely weren't "giants," though they do appear to have been formidable and very warlike.
The other interesting point is that Caleb recounts a bit of his biography in verses 10 and 11. He was 40 years old when Moses sent him (and the other 11) into Canaan as spies, but as he was speaking to Joshua, he was 85. Well, since the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness, Caleb would have been 80 when they first entered the land. So we learn here that they had been at war for five years. They had conquered quite a bit of land, but not nearly all of it yet.
Caleb asks for the land promised to him (vs. 6-15)--Caleb was one of the two men (Joshua being the other) of the 12 spies who gave a positive report after Moses sent them in to reconnoiter the land (read the story in Numbers 13). It almost cost the two men their lives (Numbers 14:10). Because he had "wholly followed the Lord my God" (v. 8), Moses had promised Caleb a special inheritance once the land was occupied. In these verses, he comes to Joshua to request (demand?) that a certain parcel of land be given to him (v. 12). Joshua thus granted him Hebron, a major city, and the land around it (that's implied in the giving of Hebron) to Caleb.
There are a couple of interesting historical notes in this section. In verse 15, the writer tells us that "the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim)." Caleb informs us (v. 12) that some of the Anakim were still there, and that if "the Lord will be with me...I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said." The Anakim are an interesting people. They were the descendants of a man named Anak (Num. 13:33). They dwelt in the south of Palestine (hence, Hebron), but also, during the days of Abraham (some 500 years before), they lived south of that region in territories that eventually were known as Edom and Moab (the latter being east of the Jordan River). Some have suggested that they may have come from the same race as the Phoenicians and Egyptians, and they also have been identified with the Nephilim, "giants," of Genesis 6:4. This is purely speculation, however. This idea is derived from Numbers 13:33, which reads "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (this is the report given by the 10 unfaithful spies). More than likely, these 10 men were simply cowards, looking for an excuse not to attack. The Anakim almost surely weren't "giants," though they do appear to have been formidable and very warlike.
The other interesting point is that Caleb recounts a bit of his biography in verses 10 and 11. He was 40 years old when Moses sent him (and the other 11) into Canaan as spies, but as he was speaking to Joshua, he was 85. Well, since the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness, Caleb would have been 80 when they first entered the land. So we learn here that they had been at war for five years. They had conquered quite a bit of land, but not nearly all of it yet.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Joshua 13
The land left to be conquered (vs. 1-7)--The Lord had told Israel in Deuteronomy 7:22, "And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you." And so by the time of Joshua's death, there remained quite a bit of territory to be subjugated and occupied. That land is defined in the first seven verses of Joshua 13. Yet, since the Lord did intend to "drive out them from before the children of Israel" (v. 6), He commanded Joshua to go ahead and "divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance" (v. 6). So each tribe would know the extension of their territory and then move in and conquer it. But the Lord would be with them, if they remained faithful to Him. Which they did not.
The land given to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (vs. 8-14)--It has already been noted several times through the course of the first few books of the Bible that these three tribes received their land on the eastern side of the Jordan. Just for the record's sake, their land is once again noted in this section. Verse 14 mentions that the tribe of Levi would get no land inheritance, because "the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them." Levi had the greatest privilege of all--to officiate at the worship of the Lord. Jehovah wanted them to concentrate on that, and not be distracted by any kind of agrarian or commercial pursuits.
The territory of Reuben (vs. 15-23)--The previous section was general; now the writer gets specific and explains exactly the boundaries of Reuben's territory. There were many cities and kingdoms that fell into the Reubenites hands. Some of them are listed here. It would be a good idea for the reader to look at a map just to get a general idea of where the various land allotments lay.
Gad's allotment (vs. 24-28)--Now the land given to the tribe of Gad is noted.
The territory of half the tribe of Manasseh (vs. 29-33)--And the chapter ends by describing the territory given to half the tribe of Manasseh. The other half of the tribe would receive its territory west of the Jordan River, of course. Verse 33 concludes the chapter by basically repeating verse 14 about the Levites.
The land given to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (vs. 8-14)--It has already been noted several times through the course of the first few books of the Bible that these three tribes received their land on the eastern side of the Jordan. Just for the record's sake, their land is once again noted in this section. Verse 14 mentions that the tribe of Levi would get no land inheritance, because "the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them." Levi had the greatest privilege of all--to officiate at the worship of the Lord. Jehovah wanted them to concentrate on that, and not be distracted by any kind of agrarian or commercial pursuits.
The territory of Reuben (vs. 15-23)--The previous section was general; now the writer gets specific and explains exactly the boundaries of Reuben's territory. There were many cities and kingdoms that fell into the Reubenites hands. Some of them are listed here. It would be a good idea for the reader to look at a map just to get a general idea of where the various land allotments lay.
Gad's allotment (vs. 24-28)--Now the land given to the tribe of Gad is noted.
The territory of half the tribe of Manasseh (vs. 29-33)--And the chapter ends by describing the territory given to half the tribe of Manasseh. The other half of the tribe would receive its territory west of the Jordan River, of course. Verse 33 concludes the chapter by basically repeating verse 14 about the Levites.
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