Commentaria in Josue
Chapter 15
Josue divides Chanaan among the twelve tribes by lot. In this chapter, therefore, are first narrated the regions which fell by lot to the tribe of Juda. Then, verse 13, how Caleb obtained by arms Hebron and the neighbouring places. Third, verse 21, are enumerated the cities which in this lot fell to the tribe of Juda.
Moreover the lot of the tribe of Juda was greater than the lots of the other tribes, both because the tribe of Juda was greater and more numerous than all the rest, as is plain from Numbers 1, 2 and 3 and following; and because Caleb, outside the lot, in the tribe of Juda, by God’s command obtained the confines of Hebron.
1. Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this: From the border of Edom, the desert of Sin southward, and to the uttermost part of the south coast. 2. The beginning thereof was from the top of the most salt sea, and from the bay thereof that looketh to the south. 3. And it goeth out toward the ascent of the Scorpion, and passeth on to Sina: and ascendeth into Cadesbarne, and reacheth to Esron, going up to Addar, and compassing Carcaa. 4. And from thence passing along into Asemona, and reaching to the torrent of Egypt: and the borders thereof shall be the great sea. This shall be the limit of the south coast. 5. And on the east side the beginning shall be the most salt sea, even to the end of the Jordan: and the things that look to the north, from the bay of the sea to the same river of the Jordan. 6. And the border goeth up into Beth-hagla, and passeth from the north into Beth-araba: going up to the stone of Boen the son of Ruben, 7. and reaching as far as the borders of Debera from the valley of Achor, northward looking toward Galgal, which is over against the ascent of Adommim, on the south side of the torrent: and the border passeth the waters that are called the Fountain of the sun: and the goings out thereof shall be at the fountain of Rogel. 8. And it goeth up by the valley of the son of Ennom, on the side of the Jebusite to the south, the same is Jerusalem: and from thence it riseth up to the top of the mountain, which is over against Geennom to the west, in the end of the valley of Raphaim northward. 9. And it passeth from the top of the mountain as far as the fountain of the water of Nephtoa: and reacheth to the towns of mount Ephron: and it bendeth down to Baala, which is Cariathiarim, that is, the city of woods. 10. And it compasseth from Baala westward, unto mount Seir: and passeth by the side of mount Jarim to the north into Cheslon: and goeth down into Bethsames, and passeth into Thamna. 11. And it reacheth northward to a part of Accaron on the side: and bendeth to Sechrona, and passeth mount Baala: and cometh to Jebneel, and the limit thereof is the great sea westward. 12. These are the borders of the children of Juda round about by their kindreds. 13. But to Caleb the son of Jephone he gave a portion in the midst of the children of Juda, as the Lord had commanded him: Cariath-arbe, the father of Enac, which is Hebron. 14. And Caleb destroyed out of it the three sons of Enac, Sesai, and Ahiman, and Tholmai, of the race of Enac. 15. And going up from thence he came to the inhabitants of Dabir, which before was called Cariath-sepher, that is, the city of letters. 16. And Caleb said: He that shall smite Cariath-sepher, and take it, I will give him Axa my daughter to wife. 17. And Othoniel the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Axa his daughter to wife. 18. And as they went together, she was moved by her husband to ask a field of her father, and she sighed as she sat on her ass. And Caleb said to her: What aileth thee? 19. But she answered: Give me a blessing: thou hast given me a southern and dry land, give me also a watered one. And Caleb gave her the upper and the nether watery ground. 20. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Juda by their kindreds. 21. And the cities from the uttermost parts of the children of Juda by the borders of Edom to the south were Cabseel, and Eder, and Jagur, 22. and Cina, and Dimona and Adada, 23. and Cedes, and Asor, and Jethnam, 24. Ziph, and Telem, and Baloth, 25. Asor the new, and Carioth, Hesron, which is Asor, 26. Amam, Sama, and Molada, 27. and Asergadda, and Hassemon Eltholad, and Chesil, and Harma, 31. and Siceleg, and Medemena, and Sensenna, 32. Lebaoth, and Selim, and Aen, and Remmon: in all twenty-nine cities, and their villages. 33. In the plains: Estaol, and Sarea, and Asena, 34. and Zanoe, and Engannim, and Taphua, and Enaim, 35. and Jerimoth, and Adullam, Socho, and Azeca, 36. and Saraim, and Adithaim, and Gedera, and Gederothaim: fourteen cities, and their villages. 37. Sanan, and Hadassa, and Magdalgad, 38. Delean, and Masepha, and Jecthel, 39. Lachis, and Bascath, and Eglon, 40. Chebbon, and Leheman, and Cethlis, 41. and Gideroth, and Bethdagon, and Naama, and Maceda: sixteen cities, and their villages. 42. Labana, and Ether, and Asan, 43. Jephtha, and Esna, and Nesib, 44. and Ceila, and Achzib, and Maresa: nine cities, and their villages. 45. Accaron with its towns and villages. 46. From Accaron even to the sea: all places that lie toward Azotus and its villages. 47. Azotus with its towns and villages. Gaza with its towns and villages, as far as the torrent of Egypt, and the great sea is the limit thereof. 48. And in the mountain: Samir, and Jether, and Socoth, 49. and Danna, and Cariath-senna, which is Dabir, 50. Anab, and Istemo, and Anim, 51. Gosen, and Olon, and Gilo: eleven cities, and their villages. 52. Arab, and Ruma, and Esaan, 53. and Janum, and Beththaphua, and Apheca, 54. Athmatha, and Cariath-arbe, which is Hebron, and Sior: nine cities, and their villages. 55. Maon, and Carmel, and Ziph, and Jota, 56. Jezrael, and Jucadam, and Zanoe, 57. Accain, Gabaa, and Thamna: ten cities, and their villages. 58. Halhul, and Dessur, and Gedor, 59. Mareth, and Bethanoth, and Eltecon: six cities, and their villages. 60. Cariath-baal, which is Cariathiarim, the city of woods, and Arebba: two cities, and their villages. 61. In the wilderness, Betharaba, Meddin, and Sachacha, 62. and Nebsan, and the city of salt, and Engaddi: six cities, and their villages. 63. But the Jebusite, the inhabitant of Jerusalem, the children of Juda could not destroy: and the Jebusite hath dwelt with the children of Juda in Jerusalem until this present day.
1. NOW THE LOT OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDA BY THEIR KINDREDS (families) WAS THIS. You will ask what was the manner of these lots, and by what kind of casting of lots Chanaan was divided among the twelve tribes and their families? First, Arias Montanus thinks that this casting of lots was done by the Urim and Thummim, which were in the Rational of the high priest: for to the high priest clad in them and consulting God, he says, an image of that matter about which an answer was sought was presented by God to the mind and eyes, Exodus 28:30. But this was an oracle, not a lot; wherefore this division would have been made not by casting of lots, as Scripture says, but by prophecy and answer of God.