63 As for the Jebusites H2983 the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem, H3389 the children H1121 of Judah H3063 could H3201 H3201 not drive them out: H3423 but the Jebusites H2983 dwell H3427 with the children H1121 of Judah H3063 at Jerusalem H3389 unto this day. H3117
And the king H4428 and his men H582 went H3212 to Jerusalem H3389 unto the Jebusites, H2983 the inhabitants H3427 of the land: H776 which spake H559 unto David, H1732 saying, H559 Except thou take away H5493 the blind H5787 and the lame, H6455 thou shalt not come in H935 hither: thinking, H559 David H1732 cannot come in H935 hither. Nevertheless David H1732 took H3920 the strong hold H4686 of Zion: H6726 the same is the city H5892 of David. H1732 And David H1732 said H559 on that day, H3117 Whosoever getteth up H5060 to the gutter, H6794 and smiteth H5221 the Jebusites, H2983 and the lame H6455 and the blind, H5787 that are hated H8130 of David's H1732 soul, H5315 he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, H559 The blind H5787 and the lame H6455 shall not come H935 into the house. H1004 So David H1732 dwelt H3427 in the fort, H4686 and called H7121 it the city H5892 of David. H1732 And David H1732 built H1129 round about H5439 from Millo H4407 and inward. H1004
And David H1732 and all Israel H3478 went H3212 to Jerusalem, H3389 which is Jebus; H2982 where the Jebusites H2983 were, the inhabitants H3427 of the land. H776 And the inhabitants H3427 of Jebus H2982 said H559 to David, H1732 Thou shalt not come H935 hither. Nevertheless David H1732 took H3920 the castle H4686 of Zion, H6726 which is the city H5892 of David. H1732 And David H1732 said, H559 Whosoever smiteth H5221 the Jebusites H2983 first H7223 shall be chief H7218 and captain. H8269 So Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 went H5927 first H7223 up, H5927 and was chief. H7218 And David H1732 dwelt H3427 in the castle; H4679 therefore they called H7121 it the city H5892 of David. H1732 And he built H1129 the city H5892 round about, H5439 even from Millo H4407 round about: H5439 and Joab H3097 repaired H2421 the rest H7605 of the city. H5892
For G1063 we know G1492 that G3754 the law G3551 is G2076 spiritual: G4152 but G1161 I G1473 am G1510 carnal, G4559 sold G4097 under G5259 sin. G266 For G1063 that which G3739 I do G2716 I allow G1097 not: G3756 for G1063 what G3739 I would, G2309 that G5124 do I G4238 not; G3756 but G235 what G3739 I hate, G3404 that G5124 do I. G4160 If G1487 then G1161 I do G4160 that G5124 which G3739 I would G2309 not, G3756 I consent G4852 unto the law G3551 that G3754 it is good. G2570 Now G3570 then G1161 it is no more G3765 I G1473 that do G2716 it, G846 but G235 sin G266 that dwelleth G3611 in G1722 me. G1698 For G1063 I know G1492 that G3754 in G1722 me G1698 (that is, G5123 in G1722 my G3450 flesh,) G4561 dwelleth G3611 no G3756 good thing: G18 for G1063 to will G2309 is present G3873 with me; G3427 but G1161 how to perform G2716 that which is good G2570 I find G2147 not. G3756 For G1063 G3739 the good G18 that I would G2309 I do G4160 not: G3756 but G235 the evil G2556 which G3739 I would G2309 not, G3756 that G5124 I do. G4238 Now G1161 if G1487 G3739 I do G4160 that G5124 I G1473 would G2309 not, G3756 it is no more G2089 G3765 I G1473 that do G2716 it, G846 but G235 sin G266 that dwelleth G3611 in G1722 me. G1698 I find G2147 then G686 a law, G3551 that, G3754 when I G1698 would G2309 do G4160 good, G2570 evil G2556 is present G3873 with me. G1698
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Joshua 15
Commentary on Joshua 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 15
Jos 15:1-12. Borders of the Lot of Judah.
1. This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah—In what manner the lot was drawn on this occasion the sacred historian does not say; but it is probable that the method adopted was similar to that described in Jos 18:10. Though the general survey of the country had not been completed, some rough draft or delineation of the first conquered part must have been made, and satisfactory evidence obtained that it was large enough to furnish three cantons, before all the tribes cast lots for them; and they fell to Judah, Ephraim, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The lot of Judah came first, in token of the pre-eminence of that tribe over all the others; and its destined superiority thus received the visible sanction of God. The territory, assigned to it as a possession, was large and extensive, being bounded on the south by the wilderness of Zin, and the southern extremity of the Salt Sea (Nu 34:3-5); on the east, by that sea, extending to the point where it receives the waters of the Jordan; on the north, by a line drawn nearly parallel to Jerusalem, across the country, from the northern extremity of the Salt Sea to the southern limits of the Philistine territory, and to the Mediterranean; and on the west this sea was its boundary, as far as Sihor (Wady El-Arish).
2. the bay—Hebrew, "tongue." It pushes its waters out in this form to a great distance [Robinson].
3. Maaleh-akrabbim—Hebrew, "the ascent of scorpions"; a pass in the "bald mountain" (see on Jos 11:17), probably much infested by these venomous reptiles.
5. the end—that is, the mouth of the Jordan.
6. Beth-hogla—now Ain Hajla, a fine spring of clear and sweet water, at the northern extremity of the Dead Sea, about two miles from the Jordan [Robinson].
Beth-arabah—"the house," or "place of solitude," in the desert of Judah (Jos 15:61).
stone of Bohan the son of Reuben—the sepulchral monument of a Reubenite leader, who had been distinguished for his bravery, and had fallen in the Canaanite war.
7. Achor—(see on Jos 7:26).
Adummim—a rising ground in the wilderness of Jericho, on the south of the little brook that flowed near Jericho (Jos 16:1).
En-shemesh—"the fountain of the sun"; "either the present well of the apostle, below Bethany, on the road to Jericho, or the fountain near to St. Saba" [Robinson].
En-rogel—"the fuller's fountain," on the southeast of Jerusalem, below the spot where the valleys of Jehoshaphat and Hinnom unite.
Jos 15:13-15. Caleb's Portion and Conquest.
13. unto Caleb he gave a part among the children of Judah—(See on Jos 14:6).
14. drove thence the three sons of Anak—rather three chiefs of the Anakim race. This exploit is recorded to the honor of Caleb, as the success of it was the reward of his trust in God.
15. Debir—"oracle." Its former name, Kirjath-sepher, signifies "city of the book," being probably a place where public registers were kept.
Jos 15:16-20. Othniel, for His Valor, Has Achsah to Wife.
16-20. He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher—This offer was made as an incentive to youthful bravery (see on 1Sa 17:25); and the prize was won by Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (Jud 1:13; 3:9). This was the occasion of drawing out the latent energies of him who was destined to be the first judge in Israel.
18, 19. as she came unto him—that is, when about to remove from her father's to her husband's house. She suddenly alighted from her travelling equipage—a mark of respect to her father, and a sign of making some request. She had urged Othniel to broach the matter, but he not wishing to do what appeared like evincing a grasping disposition, she resolved herself to speak out. Taking advantage of the parting scene when a parent's heart was likely to be tender, she begged (as her marriage portion consisted of a field which, having a southern exposure, was comparatively an arid and barren waste) he would add the adjoining one, which abounded in excellent springs. The request being reasonable, it was granted; and the story conveys this important lesson in religion, that if earthly parents are ready to bestow on their children that which is good, much more will our heavenly Father give every necessary blessing to them who ask Him.
Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah.
21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah—There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted—the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the desert (Jos 15:61, 62). One gets the best idea of the relative situation of these cities by looking at the map.