|
Introduction
This Book is called JOSUE, because it contains the history of what passed under him, and according to the common opinion was written by him. The Greeks call him Jesus: for Josue and Jesus in the Hebrew, are the same name, and have the same signification, viz., A SAVIOUR. And it was not without a mystery that he who was to bring the people into the land of promise should have his name changed from OSEE (for so he was called before, Num. 13.17,) to JOSUE or JESUS, to give us to understand, that Moses by his law could only bring the people within sight of the promised inheritance, but that our Saviour JESUS was to bring us into it.
Chapter 5
[2] The second time: Not that such as had been circumcised before were to be circumcised again; but that they were now to renew, and take up again the practice of circumcision; which had been omitted during their forty years' sojourning in the wilderness; by reason of their being always uncertain when they should be obliged to march.
[14] Prince of the host of the Lord: St. Michael, who is called prince of the people of Israel, Dan. 10. 21.
[15] Worshipping: Not with divine honour, but with a religious veneration of an inferior kind, suitable to the dignity of his person. Chapter 6
[26] Cursed: Jericho, in the mystical sense, signifies iniquity: the sounding of the trumpets by the priests, the preaching of the word of God; by which the walls of Jericho are thrown down, when sinners are converted; and a dreadful curse will light on them who build them up again.
Chapter 7 [24] His sons: Probably conscious to, or accomplices of, the crime of their father. [26] Achor: That is, trouble.
Chapter 8 [12] Five thousand: These were part of the thirty thousand mentioned above, ver. 3.
Chapter 10 [13] The book of the just: In Hebrew Jasher: an ancient book long since lost. [37] The king: Viz., the new king, who succeeded him that was slain, ver. 26.
Chapter 11 [6] Burn their chariots with fire: God so ordained, that his people might not trust in chariots and horses, but in him. [18] A long time: Seven years, as appears from chap. 14. 10.
Chapter 13 [1] Josue was old, and far advanced in years: He was then about one hundred and one years old.-- And there is a very large country left. [8] With whom: That is, with the other half of that same tribe. [21] The princes of Madian: It appears from hence that these were subjects of king Sehon: they are said to have been slain with him, that is, about the same time, but not in the same battle.
Chapter 14 [14] Hebron belonged: All the country thereabouts, depending on Hebron, was given to Caleb; but the city itself with the suburbs, was one of those that were given to the priests to dwell in.
Chapter 16 [6] Looketh to the north: The meaning is, that the border went towards the north, by Machmethath; and then turned eastward to Thanath-selo.
Chapter 18 [6] The land in the midst between these mark ye out into seven parts: That is to say, the rest of the land, which is not already assigned to Juda or Joseph.
Chapter 21 [36] Four cities: There are no more, though there be five names: for Misor is the same city as Bosor, which is to be observed in some other places, where the number of names exceeds the number of cities.
Chapter 24 [2] Of the river: The Euphrates. [19] You will not be able to serve the Lord: This was not said by way of discouraging them; but rather to make them more earnest and resolute, by setting before them the greatness of the undertaking, and the courage and constancy necessary to go through with it.
[27] It hath heard: This is a figure of speech, by which sensation is attributed to inanimate things; and they are called upon, as it were, to bear witness in favour of the great Creator, whom they on their part constantly obey.
[29] And after: If Josue wrote this book, as is commonly believed, these last verses were added by Samuel, or some other prophet. |