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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 18:2-10

Here, I. Joshua reproves those tribes which were yet unsettled that they did not bestir themselves to gain a settlement in the land which God had given them. Seven tribes were yet unprovided for, though sure of an inheritance, yet uncertain where it should be, and it seems in no great care about it, Josh. 18:2. And with them Joshua reasons (Josh. 18:3): How long are you slack? 1. They were too well pleased with their present condition, liked well enough to live in a body together, the more the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:8

And the men arose, and went away ,.... The seven tribes took the advice of Joshua, chose three men out of each tribe, and presented them to him, who gave them their commission and instruction to go and describe the land of Canaan, not yet disposed of, and whether subdued, or not subdued; upon which they prepared for their journey, and took it, after he had given them the following charge: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land ; before they departed from him: saying,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:1-28

Progress in the great work. The tribes gathered together at Shiloh, set up the common tabernacle for worship, and then proceeded, at Joshua's instance, to complete the division of the land. Several detached considerations may be derived from this chapter. I. THE DUTY OF A PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF GOD . The duty of public worship has been universally recognised in all religions, and is founded in a natural tendency of mankind. Philosophical sects, in which religious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 18:8

Shiloh (see note on Joshua 18:1 and Joshua 24:1 ). The seat of the tabernacle became, for the present at least, the headquarters of the Israelites. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 18:1-28

The seven smaller tribes (18:1-19:51)Allotments were now finished for two and a half tribes on the east of Jordan (Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh) and two and a half tribes on the west (Judah, Ephraim and the other half of Manasseh). The next task was to settle the seven smaller tribes that remained. For this purpose the camp, including the tabernacle, was shifted from Gilgal to a more central location at Shiloh (18:1-2; cf. 5:10; 10:6,15,43; 14:6; 19:51; 22:9,12).Many of the people had by... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 18:8

"And the men arose, and went: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me; and I will cast lots for you here before Jehovah in Shiloh. And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven portions in a book; and they came to Joshua unto the camp at Shiloh. And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Jehovah: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 18:1-10

5. Survey of the remaining land 18:1-10After the process of assigning land to the three Cisjordanian tribes mentioned above (those on the western side of the Jordan River), Israel’s attention turned to relocating the tabernacle in a more central location (Joshua 18:1). God undoubtedly made the choice of Shiloh (lit. rest; cf. Deuteronomy 12:11). [Note: See Israel Finkelstein, "Shiloh Yields Some, But Not All, of Its Secrets," Biblical Archaeology Review 12:1 (January-February 1986):22-41.] The... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 18:1-28

The Second Allotment. Introduction. The Territory of Benjamin1-10. These vv supply an introduction to the second allotment in general, and agree with the passages which, in common with Judges 1, view the conquest as gradual and partial. The seven tribes still hang back through ’slackness’ (Joshua 18:3), while Judah and Joseph are already in possession.5. Judah shall abide, etc.] In the final allotment the S. border of Benjamin coincided with the N. border of Judah as far as Kirjath-jearim; the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 18:5-10

(5-10) They shall divide it into seven parts.—The several tribes were not permitted to choose their own portions. In Numbers 26:54-55, we read: “To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance. . . . notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot.” These words imply that there must be unequal portions of territory for larger and smaller tribes, but that the particular position of each tribe must be settled by the lot, whereof “the whole disposing... read more

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