Gen 30:11, 46:16, Num 32, Deu 33:20-21, Jos 13:8, Judg 10-11 | TSK | STEP

Jer 38:23; Mt 18:7; Ro 14:15,20,21; 1Co 8:11,12 This proposal was very equitable, and it was honestly made and faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the Ammonites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the women and children to keep the defenced cities, when placed in them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind. In the last census (ch. 26), the tribe of Reuben consisted of 43,730 men; the tribe of Gad 40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh 52,700; the half of which is 26,350; which together amount to 110,580. Now from Jos 4:13, we learn, that of these tribes only 40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist their brethren: consequently 70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children, and the flocks: which was amply sufficient for this purpose.

34:22; Ge 33:17

29-32; De 3:18-20; Jos 4:12,13

Jos 22:4,5

we will.

Ge 13:10-12; 14:12; 2Ki 10:32,33; 15:29; 1Ch 5:25,26; Pr 20:21

because.

33; Jos 12:1-6; 13:8

on this side.

32; 34:15; Jos 1:14,15

De 3:18-20; Jos 1:13-15; 4:12,13; 22:2-4

land.

De 3:20; Jos 10:30,42; 11:23; 18:1; Ps 44:1-4; 78:55

ye shall.

Jos 22:4,9

be guiltless.

Jos 2:19; 2Sa 3:28

this land.

De 3:12-18; Jos 1:15; 13:8,29-32; 22:9

if ye will.

Le 26:14-46; De 28:15-68

be sure your sin.If the persons concerned prevaricated, and so imposed on men, or if they afterwards refused to fulfil their engagement, God would most certainly detect and expose their wickedness, and inflict condign punishment upon them. Of all the ways, says Dr. South, to be taken for the prevention of that great plague of mankind, Sin, there is none so rational and efficacious as to confute and baffle those motives by which men are induced to embrace it; and among all such motives, the heart of man seems to be chiefly overpowered and prevailed upon by two, viz. secrecy in committing sin, and impunity with respect to its consequences. Accordingly, Moses, in this chapter, having to deal with a company of men suspected of a base and fraudulent design, though couched under a very fair pretence, as most such designs are, endeavours to quash it in its very conception, by secretly applying himself to encounter those secret motives and arguments, which he knew were the most likely to encourage them in it. And this he does very briefly, but effectually, by assuring them, that how covertly and artificially soever they might carry on their dark project, yet their sin would infallibly find them out. Though the subject and occasion of these words are indeed particular, yet the design of them is manifestly of an universal import, as reaching the case of all transgressors, in their first entrance on any sinful act or course.

Ge 4:7; 44:16; Ps 90:8; 139:11; 140:11; Pr 13:21; Isa 3:11

Isa 59:1,2,12; Ro 2:9; 1Co 4:5

16,34-42

Jos 1:13,14

thy servants.

Jos 4:12

armed.

17; 2Co 10:4,5; Eph 6:10-18; 2Ti 4:7,8

as my lord.

11:28; 12:11; 36:2

Jos 1:13

20-23

Jos 22:19

Moses.

1; De 3:12-17; 29:8; Jos 12:6; 13:8-14; 22:4

half the.

34:14; 1Ch 5:18; 12:31; 26:32

the kingdom.

21:23-35; De 2:30-33; 3:1-8; Ps 135:10,11; 136:18-21

Dibon.Eusebius says that Dibon was a large town, near the river Arnon. Burckhardt says, that when he was about an hour's distance north of the Modjeb or Arnon, he was shown to the N. E. the ruins of Diban, the ancient Dibon, situated in the low ground of the Koura, or plains of Moab.

3; 21:20; 33:45,46

Aroer.Aroer was situated, according to Eusebius, on a mountain on the north bank of the river Arnon. This is confirmed by Burckhardt, who says it is called Araayr, and is seated on the edge of the precipice, at the foot of which the river flows.

De 2:36; Isa 17:2

Jaazer.

1,3

Jazer

Beth-nimrah.Probably the same as Nimrim in Jer 48:34, and the Bethnabris mentioned by Eusebius, five miles north from Livias. Burckhardt says, that "in the valley of the Jordan, south of Abou Obeida, are the ruins of Nemrim, probably the Beth-nimrah of the Scriptures."

Nimrah. fenced cities.

Heshbon.

3; 21:27; Isa 15:4

Eleahleh.Elealeh is placed, by Eusebius, a mile from Heshbon. It is now called El Aal, "the high," and is situated on a hill.

Nebo.

Isa 46:1

Baal-meon.This town is placed, by Eusebius and Jerome, nine miles from Heshbon, at the foot of mount Abarim.

22:41

gave other names unto the cities. Heb. they called by namesthe names of the cities.

3; Ge 26:18; Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7; Ps 16:4; Isa 46:1

26:29; Ge 50:23; Jos 17:1

De 3:13-15; Jos 13:29-31; 17:1

Jair.

De 3:14; Jos 13:30; 1Ch 2:21-23

Havoth-jair.

Jud 10:4; 1Ki 4:13

Deuteronomy 33:20-21

Blessed.

Ge 9:26,27; Jos 13:8,10,24-28; 1Ch 4:10; 12:8,37,38; Ps 18:19,36

he dwelleth.

1Ch 5:18-21; 12:8-14

teareth.

Mic 5:8

the first part.

Nu 32:1-6,16,17-42

a portion.

Nu 32:33; Jos 1:14; 22:4

seated. Heb. cieled. he came.

Nu 32:16,21; Jos 4:12,13; Jud 5:2,11

Joshua 13:8

Moses gave.

4:12; 22:4; Nu 32:33-42; De 3:12-17

Judges 10

1 Tola judges Israel in Shamir.

3 Jair, whose thirty sons had thirty cities.

6 The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel.

10 In their misery God sends them to their false gods.

15 Upon their repentance he pities them.

A.M. 2772. B.C. 1232. An. Ex. Is. 259. arose.

2:16; 3:9

defend. or, deliver. Heb. save. Shamir.

Jos 15:48

A.M. 2795. B.C. 1209. An. Ex. Is. 282. a Gileadite.

Ge 31:48; Nu 32:29

rode.

5:10; 12:14

called.

Nu 32:41; De 3:14

Havoth-jair. or, the villages of Jair.

A.M. 2817. B.C. 1187. An. Ex. Is. 304. did evil.

4:1; 6:1; 13:1

A.M. 2799. B.C. 1205. An. Ex. Is. 286. Baalim.

2:11-14; 3:7; 2Ch 28:23; Ps 106:36

the gods of Zidon.

1Ki 11:5,7,33; 16:31; 2Ki 17:16,29-31; 23:13

the gods of the Philistines.

16:23; 1Sa 5:2; 2Ki 1:2,3; Jer 2:13; Eze 16:25,26

was hot.

2:14; De 29:20-28; 31:16-18; 32:16-22; Jos 23:15,16; Ps 74:1

Na 1:2,6

he sold.

4:2; 1Sa 12:9,10; Ps 44:12; Isa 50:1

that year.

5; Isa 30:13; 1Th 5:3

oppressed. Heb. crushed.

passed.

3:12,13; 6:3-5; 2Ch 14:9; 20:1,2

distressed.

De 28:65; 1Sa 28:15; 2Ch 15:5

cried.

3:9; 1Sa 12:10; Ps 106:43,44; 107:13,19,28

Did not I.

2:1-3

Egyptians.

Ex 14:30; 1Sa 12:8; Ne 9:9-11; Ps 78:51-53; 106:8-11; Heb 11:29

Amorites.

Nu 21:21-25,35; Ps 135:10,11

children.

3:11-15

Philistines.

3:31

Zidonians.

5:19-31

Amalekites.

6:3

the Maonites.The LXX. have "the Midianites," which Dr. Wall thinks the true reading. But the Maonites might be a tribe of Arabs, inhabitants of Maon. (Jos 15:55. 1Sa 23:24, 25; 25:2,) which assisted Moab.

2Ch 26:6,7; Ps 106:42,43

2:12; De 32:15; 1Ch 28:9; Jer 2:13; Jon 2:8

De 32:26-28,37,38; 1Ki 18:27,28; 2Ki 3:13; Pr 1:25-27; Isa 10:3

Jer 2:28

We have sinned.

2Sa 12:13; 24:10; Job 33:27; Pr 28:13; 1Jo 1:8-10

do thou.

Jos 9:25; 1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 10:12; 15:26; Jon 2:4; 3:9

seemeth, etc. Heb. is good in thine eyes. deliver.

2Sa 24:14; Job 34:31,32

they put.

2Ch 7:14; 15:8; 33:15; Jer 18:7,8; Eze 18:30-32; Ho 14:1-3,8

strange gods. Heb. gods of strangers. his soul.

Ge 6:6; Ps 106:44,45; Isa 63:9; Jer 31:20; Ho 11:8; Lu 15:20; 19:41

Joh 11:34; Eph 4:32; Heb 3:10; 4:15

grieved. Heb. shortened.Not that there is any grief in God; he has infinite joy and happiness in himself, which cannot be broken in upon by either the sins or the miseries of his creatures. Not that there is any change in God; for he is of one mind, and who can turn him? But his goodness is his glory; by it he proclaims his name, and magnifies it; and as he is pleased to put himself into the relation of a father to his people, so he is pleased to represent his goodness to them by the compassion of a father to his children; for as he is the Father of lights, so is he the Father of mercies.

gathered together. Heb. cried together. Mizpeh.

11:11,29; Ge 31:49

What man.

1:1; 11:5-8; Isa 3:1-8; 34:12

he shall be.

11:11; 12:7; 1Sa 17:25

Judges 11

1 The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should be their head.

12 The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain.

29 Jephthah's vow.

32 His conquest of the Ammonites.

34 He performs his vow on his daughter.

Jephthah.

Heb 11:32

called Jephthae. a mighty.

6:12; 2Ki 5:1

an harlot. Heb. a woman, an harlot.Probably {zonah} should be rendered as in Jos 2:1, a hostess, or inn-keeper: so Targum of Jonathan, {wehoo bar ittetha pundekeetha,} "and he was the son of a woman, a tavern-keeper." She was very probably a Canaanite, as she is called, ver. 2, a strange woman, {ishah achereth,} "a woman of another race;" and on this account his brethren drove him from the family, as not having a full right to the inheritance.

thrust out.

Ge 12:10; De 23:2; Ga 4:30

a strange.

Pr 2:16; 5:3,20; 6:24-26

from his brethren. Heb. from the face of. Tob.Probably the same as Ish-Tob; and appears to have been a part of Syria, near Zobah, Rehob, and Maachah, east of Jordan, and in the most northern part of the portion of Manasseh. If so, it could not be far from Gilead, the country of Jephthah. This country is called Tobie or Tubin, 1 Mac 5:13; and the Jews who inhabited this district Tubieni, 2 Mac 12:17. 2 Sa 10:6.

vain men.

9:4; 1Sa 22:2; 27:2; 30:22-24; Job 30:1-10; Ac 17:5

A.M. 2817. B.C. 1187. An. Ex. Is. 304. in process of time.Heb. after days.

made war.

10:9,17,18

to fetch.

1Sa 10:27; 11:6,7,12; Ps 118:22,23; Ac 7:35-39; 1Co 1:27-29

Did not ye hate.

Ge 26:27; 37:27; 45:4,5; Pr 17:17; Isa 60:14; Ac 7:9-14; Re 3:9

the elders.

Ex 8:8,28; 9:28; 10:17; 1Ki 13:6; Lu 17:3,4

we turn.

10:18

If ye bring.

Nu 32:20-29

The Lord.

Ge 21:23; 31:50; 1Sa 12:5; Jer 29:23; 42:5; Ro 1:9; 2Co 11:31

be witness. be the hearer.

Ge 16:5; 31:53; De 1:16; 1Sa 24:12

if we do.

Ex 20:7; Zec 5:4; Mal 3:5

head.

uttered.

1Sa 23:9-12; 1Ki 3:7-9; 2Co 3:5; Jas 1:5,17

Jephthah uttered.That is, upon his elevation, he immediately retired to his devotion, and in prayer spread the whole matter before God, both his choice to the office, and his execution of the office, as one that had his eye ever toward the Lord, and would do nothing without him; that leaned not to his own understanding or courage, but depended on the Almighty God, and his favour. This is an ensample worthy of universal imitation; in All Our Ways, whether great or apparently subordinate, let us acknowledge God and seek his direction. So shall we make our way prosperous, and obtain that peace which passeth all understanding. Jephthah opened his campaign with prayer.

before.

10:17; 20:1; 1Sa 10:17; 11:15

Mizpeh.This Mizpeh was east of Jordan in the mountains of Gilead (Ge 31:49); and hence called Mizpeh of Gilead (ver. 29), to distinguish it from another place of the same name, west of Jordan, in the tribe of Judah.

Jos 15:38

sent messengers.In this Jephthah acted in accordance with the law of Moses; and hence the justice of his cause would appear more forcibly to the people.

Nu 20:14; 21:21; De 2:26; 20:10,11; Pr 25:8,9; Mt 18:15,16

What hast.

2Ki 14:8-12

Because Israel.

Nu 21:24-26; Pr 19:5,9

from Arnon.That is, all the land which had belonged to the Amorites and Moabites.

Jabbok.

Ge 32:22; De 2:37; 3:16

again unto.

Ps 120:7; Ro 12:18; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 3:11

Israel took.

Nu 21:13-15,27-30; De 2:9,19; 2Ch 20:10; Ac 24:12,13

But when.The whole of these messages shew, Jephthah had well studied the book of Moses. His arguments also are very clear and cogent, and his demands reasonable; for he only required that the Ammonites should cease to harass a people who had neither injured them, nor intended to do so.

walked.

Nu 14:25; De 1:40; Jos 5:6

came.

Ge 14:7; Nu 13:26; 20:1; De 1:46

sent messengers.

Nu 20:14-21; De 2:4-8,29

the king.

De 2:9

abode.

Nu 20:1,16

went.

Nu 20:22; 21:10-13; 33:37-44; De 2:1-8

compassed.

Nu 21:4-9

came by.

Nu 21:11

pitched.

Nu 21:13; 22:36

Nu 21:21-35; De 2:26-34; 3:1-17; Jos 13:8-12

Nu 21:23; De 2:32

Lord God.

Ne 9:22; Ps 135:10-12; 136:17-21

they smote.

Nu 21:24,25; De 2:33,34

so Israel.

Jos 13:15-32

And they.

De 2:36

from the wilderness.From Arabia Deserta on the east, to Jordan on the west. Jephthah shews that the Israelites did not take the land of the Moabites or Ammonites, but that of the Amorites, which they had conquered from Sihon their king; and although the Amorites had taken the lands in question from the Ammonites, yet the title by which Israel held them was good, because they took them, not from the Ammonites, but from the Amorites.

Wilt not thou possess.This is simply an {argumentum ad hominem;} in which Jephthah argues on this principles recognized by the king of Ammon. As if he had said, "You suppose that the land which you possess was given you by your god Chemosh; and therefore will not relinquish what you believe you hold by a divine right. Now we know that Jehovah, our God, has given us the land of the Israelites; and therefore we will not give it up."

Chemosh.

Nu 21:29; 1Ki 11:7; Jer 48:7,46

whomsoever.

De 9:4,5; 18:12; Jos 3:10; Ps 44:2; 78:55; Mic 4:5

Balak.

Nu 22:2-21; De 23:3,4; Jos 24:9,10; Mic 6:5

Heshbon.

Nu 21:25-30; De 2:24; 3:2,6; Jos 12:2,5; 13:10

Aroer.

De 2:36

three hundred.

3:11,30; 5:31; 8:28; 9:22; 10:2,3,8; Jos 11:18; 23:1

the Judge.

Ge 18:25; 1Sa 2:10; Job 9:15; 23:7; Ps 7:11; 50:6; 75:7; 82:8

Ps 94:2; 98:9; Ec 11:9; 12:14; Joh 5:22,23; Ro 14:10-12; 2Co 5:10

2Ti 4:8; Heb 12:23

be judge.

Ge 16:5; 31:53; 1Sa 24:12,15; Ps 7:8,9; 2Co 11:11

2Ki 14:11; Pr 16:18

the spirit.

3:10; 6:34; 13:25; Nu 11:25; 1Sa 10:10; 16:13-15; 1Ch 12:18

Jephthah."Jephthah seems to have been judge only of north-east Israel."

over Mizpeh.

10:17

Ge 28:20; Nu 30:2-16; 1Sa 1:11; Ec 5:1,2,4,5

whatsoever, etc. Heb. that which cometh forth, which shallcome forth. shall surely.

Le 27:2,3,28,29; 1Sa 1:11,28; 2:18; 14:24,44; Ps 66:13,14

and I will. or, or I will, etc.{Wehäâleetheehoo ôlah,} rather, as Dr. Randolph and others contend, "and I will offer Him (or to Him, i.e., Jehovah) a burnt offering;" for {hoo} may with much more propriety be referred to the person to whom the sacrifice was to be made, than to the thing to be sacrificed. Unless understood in this way, or as the marginal reading, it must have been the vow of a heathen or a madman. If a dog, or other uncleaned animal had met him, he could not have made it a burnt offering; or if his neighbour's wife, sons, etc., his vow gave him no right over them.

Le 27:11,12; De 23:18; Ps 66:13; Isa 66:3

the Lord.

1:4; 2:18; 3:10

Aroer.

De 2:36

Minnith.Situated, according to Eusebius, four miles from Heshbon, towards Philadelphia or Rabbath.

Eze 27:17

the plain. or, Abel.

Mizpeh.

11; 10:17

his daughter.

5:1-31; Ex 15:20; 1Sa 18:6,7; Ps 68:25; 148:11,12; 150:4

Jer 31:4,13

beside her. or, he had not of his own either son ordaughter. Heb. of himself. neither.

Zec 12:10; Lu 7:12; 8:42; 9:38

rent his clothes.

Ge 37:29,30,34,35; 42:36-38; 2Sa 13:30,31; 18:33; Job 1:20

have opened.

Le 27:28,29; Nu 30:2-5; Ps 15:4; Ec 5:2-6

I cannot.

21:1-7; 1Sa 14:44,45; Mt 14:7-9; Ac 23:14

forasmuch.

16:28-30; 2Sa 18:19,31; 19:30; Ac 20:24; 21:13; Ro 16:4; Php 2:30

go up and down. Heb. go and go down. bewail.

1Sa 1:6; Lu 1:25

did with.That Jephthah did not sacrifice his daughter, but consecrated her to the service of God in the tabernacle, in a state of celibacy, will we imagine be evident from the following consideration:--1. Human sacrifices were ever an abomination to Jehovah, of which Jephthah could not be ignorant; and consequently he would neither have made such a vow, nor carried it into execution. 2. We are expressly told (ver. 29) that Jephthah was under the influence of the Spirit of God, which would effectually prevent him from embruing his hands in the blood of his own child. 3. He had it in his power to redeem his daughter, (Le 27:4;) and surely his only child must have been of more value than thirty shekles. 4. Besides, who was to perform the horrid rite? Not Jephthah himself, who was no priest, and in whom it would have been most unnatural and inhuman; and the priests would certainly have dissuaded him from it. 5. The sacred historian informs us, that she bewailed her virginity, that she knew no man, and that the Israelitish women went yearly to comfort or lament with her.

31; Le 27:28,29; De 12:31; Isa 66:3

to his vow.

1Sa 1:11,22,24,28; 2:18

custom. or, ordinance.

yearly. Heb. from year to year. lament. or, to talk with.

5:11

four days.

1Ki 9:25