Joshua 18

1 congregatique sunt omnes filii Israhel in Silo ibique fixerunt tabernaculum testimonii et fuit eis terra subiecta

2 remanserant autem filiorum Israhel septem tribus quae necdum acceperant possessiones suas

3 ad quos Iosue ait usquequo marcetis ignavia et non intratis ad possidendam terram quam Dominus Deus patrum vestrorum dedit vobis

4 eligite de singulis tribubus ternos viros ut mittam eos et pergant atque circumeant terram et describant eam iuxta numerum uniuscuiusque multitudinis referantque ad me quod descripserint

5 dividite vobis terram in septem partes Iudas sit in terminis suis ab australi plaga et domus Ioseph ab aquilone

6 mediam inter hos terram in septem partes describite et huc venietis ad me ut coram Domino Deo vestro mittam vobis hic sortem

7 quia non est inter vos pars Levitarum sed sacerdotium Domini est eorum hereditas Gad autem et Ruben et dimidia tribus Manasse iam acceperant possessiones suas trans Iordanem ad orientalem plagam quas dedit eis Moses famulus Domini

8 cumque surrexissent viri ut pergerent ad describendam terram praecepit eis Iosue dicens circuite terram et describite eam ac revertimini ad me ut hic coram Domino Deo in Silo mittam vobis sortem

9 itaque perrexerunt et lustrantes eam in septem partes diviserunt scribentes in volumine reversique sunt ad Iosue in castra Silo

10 qui misit sortes coram Domino in Silo divisitque terram filiis Israhel in septem partes

11 et ascendit sors prima filiorum Beniamin per familias suas ut possiderent terram inter filios Iuda et filios Ioseph

12 fuitque terminus eorum contra aquilonem ab Iordane pergens iuxta latus Hiericho septentrionalis plagae et inde contra occidentem ad montana conscendens et perveniens in solitudinem Bethaven

13 atque pertransiens iuxta Luzam ad meridiem ipsa est Bethel descenditque in Atharothaddar in montem qui est ad meridiem Bethoron inferioris

14 et inclinatur circumiens contra mare a meridie montis qui respicit Bethoron contra africum suntque exitus eius in Cariathbaal quae vocatur et Cariathiarim urbem filiorum Iuda haec est plaga contra mare et occidentem

15 a meridie autem ex parte Cariathiarim egreditur terminus contra mare et pervenit usque ad fontem aquarum Nepthoa

16 descenditque in partem montis qui respicit vallem filiorum Ennom et est contra septentrionalem plagam in extrema parte vallis Rafaim descenditque Gehennom id est vallis Ennom iuxta latus Iebusei ad austrum et pervenit ad fontem Rogel

17 transiens ad aquilonem et egrediens ad Aensemes id est fontem Solis

18 et pertransit usque ad tumulos qui sunt e regione ascensus Adommim descenditque ad Abenboen id est lapidem Boen filii Ruben et pertransit ex latere aquilonis ad campestria descenditque in planitiem

19 et praetergreditur contra aquilonem Bethagla suntque exitus eius contra linguam maris Salsissimi ab aquilone in fine Iordanis ad australem plagam

20 qui est terminus illius ab oriente haec est possessio filiorum Beniamin per terminos suos in circuitu et familias singulas

21 fueruntque civitates eius Hiericho et Bethagla et vallis Casis

22 Betharaba et Semaraim et Bethel

23 Avim et Affara et Ofra

24 villa Emona et Ofni et Gabee civitates duodecim et villae earum

25 Gabaon et Rama et Beroth

26 et Mesfe Cafera et Ammosa

27 et Recem Iarafel et Tharala

28 et Sela Eleph et Iebus quae est Hierusalem Gabaath et Cariath civitates quattuordecim et villae earum haec est possessio filiorum Beniamin iuxta familias suas

Joshua 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

The tabernacle set up at Shiloh. (1) The remainder of the land described and divided. (2-10) The boundaries of Benjamin. (11-28)

Verse 1 Shiloh was in the lot of Ephraim, the tribe to which Joshua belonged, and it was proper that the tabernacle should be near the residence of the chief governor. The name of this city is the same as that by which Jacob prophesied of the Messiah, Ge. 49:10 . It is supposed by some that the city was thus called, when it was chosen for the resting-place of the ark, which typified our great Peace-maker, and the way by him to a reconciled God.

Verses 2-10 After a year or more, Joshua blamed their slackness, and told them how to proceed. God, by his grace, has given us a title to a good land, the heavenly Canaan, but we are slack to take possession of it; we enter not into that rest, as we might by faith, and hope, and holy joy. How long shall it be thus with us? How long shall we thus stand in our own light, and forsake our own mercies for lying vanities? Joshua stirs the Israelites up to take possession of their lots. He is ready to do his part, if they will do theirs.

Verses 11-28 The boundaries of each portion were distinctly drawn, and the inheritance of each tribe settled. All contests and selfish claims were prevented by the wise appointment of God, who allotted the hill and the valley, the corn and pasture, the brooks and rivers, the towns and cities. Is the lot of any servant of Christ cast in affliction and sorrow? It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good. Are we in prosperity and peace? It is from above. Be humbled when you compare the gift with your own unworthiness. Forget not Him that gave the good, and always be ready to resign it at his command.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 18

This chapter informs us of the setting up of the tabernacle at Shiloh, Jos 18:1; of the notice Joshua took, that seven tribes had not received their inheritance, Jos 18:2; of the instructions he gave them to send three men out of each tribe, and describe the land not yet disposed of, and bring the account to him, which was accordingly done, Jos 18:3-9; and then he cast lots for them, and the first lot came up for Benjamin, Jos 18:10,11; the borders of whose lots are described, Jos 18:12-20; and the several cities in it enumerated, Jos 18:21-28.