The kings of the north are overthrown: the whole country is taken.
Iabin a more principal king somoneth other kinges to ioyne with him against Israel. 6. Iosue animated with Gods promise of victorie, 7. ouerthroweth them al. 16. Subdueth their countries 12. killeth also manie of the giantes stocke.
1And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:Le quali cose avendo udito Jabin re di Asor, mandò ambasciatori a Jobab re di Madon, e al re di Semeron, e al re di Achsaph:VVHICH thinges when Iabin the king of Asor had heard, he sent to Iobab the king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:Quæ cum audisset Jabin rex Asor, misit ad Jobab regem Madon, et ad regem Semeron, atque ad regem Achsaph: 2And to the kings of the north, that dwelt in the mountains and in the plains over against the south side of Ceneroth, and in the levels and the countries of Dor by the sea side:E anche a' re di tramontana, che abitavano su' monti, e nel piano verso il lato meridionale di Ceneroth, e a quelli delle campagne, e delle regioni di Dor presso al mare:to the kinges also of the North, that dwelt in the mountaines and in the plaine against the south side of Ceneroth, in the champaine also and countries of Dor by the sea side:ad reges quoque aquilonis, qui habitabant in montanis et in planitie contra meridiem Ceneroth, in campestribus quoque et in regionibus Dor juxta mare: 3To the Chanaanites also on the east and on the west, and the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Jebusite in the mountains: to the Hevite also who dwelt at the foot of Hermon in the land of Maspha.E a' Chananei di oriente, e di occidente, e agli Amorrhei, e agli Hethei, e a' Ferezei e alli Jebusei delle montagne; e parimente agli Hevei abitanti alle falde dell'Hermon nella terra di Maspha.the Chananeite also on the East and West, and the Amorrheite and Hetheite and Pherezeite & Iebuseite in the mountaines: the Heueite also which dwelt at the foote of Hermon in the Land of Maspha.Chananæum quoque ab oriente et occidente, et Amorrhæum atque Hethæum ac Pherezæum et Jebusæum in montanis: Hevæum quoque qui habitabat ad radices Hermon in terra Maspha. 4And they all came out with their troops, a people exceeding numerous as the sand that is on the sea shore, their horses also and chariots a very great multitude,E si mossero tutti colle loro schiere in numero grande oltre modo, come l'arena che è sul lido del mare: i cavalli ancora, e i cocchi erano in moltitudine immensa:And they issued forth al with their troupes, a people exceeding manie as the sand, that is in the shore of the sea, their horses also and chariottes of passing great multitude.Egressique sunt omnes cum turmis suis, populus multus nimis sicut arena quæ est in littore maris, equi quoque et currus immensæ multitudinis. 5And all these kings assembled together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.E si raunarono tutti insieme questi re alle acque di Merom per combattere con Israele.And al these kinges assembled together in one at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.Conveneruntque omnes reges isti in unum ad aquas Merom, ut pugnarent contra Israël.
6And the Lord said to Josue: Fear them not: for to morrow at this same hour I will deliver all these to be slain in the sight of Israel: thou shalt hamstring their horses, and thou shalt burn their chariots with fire.E il Signore disse a Giosuè: Non li temere: imperocché domane in questa stessa ora io darò tutti costoro ad essere trafitti sugli occhi d'Israele: tu taglierai i garetti a' loro cavalli e darai alle fiamme i loro cocchi.And our Lord said to Iosue: Feare them not: for to morrow this selfe same houre wil I deliuer al these to be wounded in the sight of Israel: their horses thou shalt hoghsinew, and their chariottes thou shalt burne with fire.Dixitque Dominus ad Josue: Ne timeas eos: cras enim hac eadem hora ego tradam omnes istos vulnerandos in conspectu Israël: equos eorum subnervabis, et currus igne combures. 7And Josue came, and all the army with him, against them to the waters of Merom on a sudden, and fell upon them.E Giosuè con tutto l'esercito andò subitamente contro di essi alle acque di Merom, e gli assalirono:And Iosue came, and al the hoste with him against them to the Waters of Merom sodenly, and ranne in vpon them,Venitque Josue, et omnis exercitus cum eo, adversus illos ad aquas Merom subito, et irruerunt super eos, 8And the Lord delivered them into the hands of Israel. And they defeated them, and chased them as far as the great Sidon and the waters of Maserophot, and the field of Masphe, which is on the east thereof. He slew them all, so as to leave no remains of them:E il Signore gli abbandonò nelle mani d'Israele; e furono sconfitti, e inseguiti fino a Sidone la grande, e fino alle acque di Maserephoth, e al campo di Masphe che è verso oriente. In tal guisa gli sconfisse, che non lasciò anima viva:and our Lord deliuered them into the handes of Israel. Who stroke them, and pursewed them as farre as great Sidon, and the Waters of Maserephoth, and the field of Masphe, which is on the East side therof. Therfore he stroke al, so that he le•t no reliques of them:tradiditque illos Dominus in manus Israël. Qui percusserunt eos, et persecuti sunt usque ad Sidonem magnam, et aquas Maserephoth, campumque Masphe, qui est ad orientalem illius partem. Ita percussit omnes, ut nullas dimitteret ex eis reliquias: 9And he did as the Lord had commanded him, he hamstringed their horses and burned their chariots.E fece come gli aveva ordinato il Signore: tagliò i garetti a' loro cavalli, e diede i cocchi alle fiamme.and he did as our Lord had commanded him, their horses he hoghsinewed, and their chariottes he burnt.fecitque sicut præceperat ei Dominus: equos eorum subnervavit, currusque combussit igni.
10And presently turning back he took Asor: and slew the king thereof with the sword. Now Asor of old was the head of all these kingdoms.E data subito volta indietro prese Asor, e uccise il suo re: imperocché anticamente Asor avea il principato sopra tutti que' regni.And returning immediatly he tooke Asor: and the king therof he stroke with the sword. For Asor in old time among al these kingdomes held the principalitie.Reversusque statim cepit Asor, et regem ejus percussit gladio. Asor enim antiquitus inter omnia regna hæc principatum tenebat. 11And he cut off all the souls that abode there: he left not in it any remains, but utterly destroyed all, and burned the city itself with fire.E uccise tutta la gente, che vi era dentro: non vi lasciò anima viva: ma devastò ogni cosa fino all'ultimo sterminio, e incendiò la stessa città.And he stroke al the soules, that abode there: he left not in it anie remaines, but to vtter destruction he wasted al thinges, and the citie it selfe he destroyed with fyre.Percussitque omnes animas quæ ibidem morabantur: non dimisit in ea ullas reliquias, sed usque ad internecionem universa vastavit, ipsamque urbem peremit incendio. 12And he took and put to the sword and destroyed all the cities round about, and their kings, as Moses the servant of God had commanded him.E prese tutte le vicine città, e i loro re, e gli uccise, e distrusse, come aveva ordinato a lui Mosè servo del Signore.And al the cities round about, their kinges also he tooke, stroke & destroyed, as Moyses the seruant of God had commanded him.Et omnes per circuitum civitates, regesque earum, cepit, percussit atque delevit, sicut præceperat ei Moyses famulus Domini. 13Except the cities that were on hills and high places, the rest Israel burned: only Asor that was very strong he consumed with fire.Eccettuate le città poste sulle colline, e in luoghi elevati, tutte le altre Israele le abbruciò. Sola Asor città fortissima fu incendiata.Except the cities, that were situated on hilles and higher ground, the rest Israel burnt: one onlie Asor verie wel fensed he consumed with fyre.Absque urbibus, quæ erant in collibus et in tumulis sitæ, ceteras succendit Israël: unam tantum Asor munitissimam flamma consumpsit. 14And the children of Israel divided among themselves all the spoil of these cities and the cattle, killing all the men.E tutta la preda di queste città, e i bestiami se gli spartirono tra di loro i figliuoli d'Israele, dopo averne uccisa la gente.And al the praye of these cities and the cattel the children of Israel diuided among them selues, al the men being slaine.Omnemque prædam istarum urbium ac jumenta diviserunt sibi filii Israël, cunctis hominibus interfectis.
15As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Josue, and he accomplished all: he left not one thing undone of all the commandments which the Lord had commanded Moses.Come il Signore aveva ordinato a Mosè suo servo, così Mosè ordinò a Giosuè, e questi eseguì il tutto: non trascurò nè pur un jota di tutti quanti gli ordini intimati dal Signore a Mosè.As our Lord had commanded Moyses his seruant, so did Moyses command Iosue, and he accomplished al thinges: he ommitted not of al the commandementes, not so much as one word, which our Lord had commanded Moyses.Sicut præceperat Dominus Moysi servo suo, ita præcepit Moyses Josue, et ille universa complevit: non præteriit de universis mandatis, nec unum quidem verbum quod jusserat Dominus Moysi. 16So Josue took all the country of the hills, and of the south, and the land of Gosen, and the plains and the west country, and the mountain of Israel, and the plains thereof:Giosuè adunque si fece padrone di tutto il paese della montagna e del mezzodì, e della terra di Gosen, e della pianura, e della parte occidentale, e del monte d'Israele, e delle sue pianure:Iosue therfore tooke al the hillie countrie, and south, and the land of Gosen, and plaine, and the West quarter, and the mountaine of Israel, and the champaine countrie therof:Cepit itaque Josue omnem terram montanam et meridianam, terramque Gosen, et planitiem, et occidentalem plagam, montemque Israël, et campestria ejus, 17And part of the mountain that goeth up to Seir as far as Baalgad, by the plain of Libanus under mount Hermon: all their kings he took, smote and slew.E della parte del monte che s'innalza verso Seir fino a Baalgad lungo la pianura del Libano sotto il monte Hermon. Prese tutti que' re, gli sconfisse, e gli uccise.and the part of the mountaine, that goeth vp to Seir as farre as Baalgad by the plaine of Libanus vnder mount Hermon: al their kinges he tooke, stroke, and slew.et partem montis, quæ ascendit Seir usque Baalgad, per planitiem Libani subter montem Hermon: omnes reges eorum cepit, percussit, et occidit. 18Josue made war a long time against these kings.Molto tempo durò la guerra che ebbe Giosuè con questi regi.A great time did Iosue fight against these kinges.Multo tempore pugnavit Josue contra reges istos. 19There was not a city that delivered itself to the children of Israel, except the Hevite, who dwelt in Gabaon: for he took all by fight.Non vi fu città che si arrendesse a' figliuoli d'Israele, eccettuati gli Hevei abitatori di Gabaon: tutte le preser per forza.There was not a citie that did deliuer it selfe to the children of Israel, except the Heueite, which dwelt in Gabaon: for he tooke al by fight.Non fuit civitas quæ se traderet filiis Israël, præter Hevæum, qui habitabat in Gabaon: omnes enim bellando cepit.
20For it was the sentence of the Lord, that their hearts should be hardened, and they should fight against Israel, and fall, and should not deserve any clemency, and should be destroyed as the Lord had commanded Moses.Imperocché sentenza del Signore era stata che s'indurassero i cuori di coloro, e facesser guerra contro Israele, e andassero in rovina, e non meritassero alcuna pietà, e perissero, come aveva ordinato il Signore a Mosè.For it was the sentence of our Lord, that their hartes should be indurate, and they should fight against Israel, and fall, and should not deserue anie clemencie, and should perish, as our Lord had commanded Moyses.Domini enim sententia fuerat, ut indurarentur corda eorum, et pugnarent contra Israël, et caderent, et non mererentur ullam clementiam, ac perirent, sicut præceperat Dominus Moysi. 21At that time Josue came and cut off the Enacims from the mountains, from Hebron, and Dabir, and Anab, and from all the mountain of Juda and Israel, and destroyed their cities.In quel tempo Giosuè si mosse, e mise a fil di spada gli Enacimi delle montagne, e gli sterminò da Ebron, e da Dabir, e da Anab, e da tutta la montagna di Giuda, e d'Israele, e ruinò le loro città.At that time Iosue came, and slew the Enacimes of the mountaines, of Hebron, and Dabir, and Anab, and from al the mountaine of Iuda and Israel, and destroyed their cities.In illo tempore venit Josue, et interfecit Enacim de montanis, Hebron, et Dabir, et Anab, et de omni monte Juda et Israël, urbesque eorum delevit. 22He left not any of the stock of the Enacims, in the land of the children of Israel: except the cities of Gaza, and Geth, and Azotus, in which alone they were left.Non lasciò anima della stirpe degli Enacimi nella terra de' figliuoli d'Israele, eccettuate le città di Gaza, e di Geth, e di Azoto, nelle quali sole ve ne rimase.He leift not any of the stocke of Enacimes, in the Land of the children of Israel: sauing the cities of Gaza, and Geth, and Azotus, in the which onlie they were leift.Non reliquit ullum de stirpe Enacim, in terra filiorum Israël: absque civitatibus Gaza, et Geth, et Azoto, in quibus solis relicti sunt. 23So Josue took all the land, as the Lord spoke to Moses, and delivered it in possession to the children of Israel, according to their divisions and tribes. And the land rested from wars.Giosuè adunque s'impadronì di tutto quel paese, come il Signore avea detto a Mosè, e ne diede il possesso ai figliuoli d'Israele parte per parte, e tribù per tribù: e la terra ebbe riposo dalle guerre.Iosue therfore tooke al the Land, as our Lord spake to Moyses, and deliuered it in possession to the children of Israel, according to their partes and tribes and the Land rested from battels.Cepit ergo Josue omnem terram, sicut locutus est Dominus ad Moysen, et tradidit eam in possessionem filiis Israël secundum partes et tribus suas: quievitque terra a præliis.
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Haydock
Jabin, "the intelligent," was perhaps the common name of the kings of Asor, the most powerful city in the northern parts of the country, (ver. 10.; Calmet) not far from the Caesarea, (Menochius) which was built by Philip, where Lais stood before. (Haydock)
Calmet
Josue burnt Asor to the ground; but it was rebuilt by the Chanaanites, and a powerful king reigned here, and subjugated the Israelites, about 130 years after the death of Josue, Judges 4:1. (Calmet)
Haydock
Being the most interested in this warfare, Jabin assembled all the petty kings of the country as far as Dor, to resist the common enemy. (Haydock)
He was the generalissimo, (Grotius) and went to stop the progress of Josue, who had conquered the southern parts, and was making ready to march against the north.
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St. Jerome
Ceneroth, or having the lake Genesareth on the south. They city of Cineroth, or of Tiberias, was situated on the southern borders of the lake. (St. Jerome)
Side. Dor lay on the Mediterranean, the last of the cities of Phoenicia. All below was in a manner subdued. The Philistines did not enter into this league, nor were they invited, as they bore a certain antipathy to the people of Chanaan.
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Chanaanite. Some lived near the Jordan, others upon the Mediterranean.
Calmet
Maspha. Probably where Laban and Jacob had met, Genesis 31:48. Hermon lay to the east of Libanus. (Calmet)
Menochius
There was another Hermon near the torrent of Cisson. (Menochius)
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Calmet
Shore. The Scripture sometimes uses an hyperbole, as well as the other figures of speech. (St. Augustine, City of God 16:21.) Josephus says they had 300,000 foot, 10,000 horse, and 20,000 chariots. These were frequently armed with scythes. The ancient heroes often fought on chariots of a different kind. (Calmet)
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Merom, or the lake of Semechon, according to most interpreters; though it is more probable, that the confederates would advance to meet Josue near the lake of Cisson, to the important pass 12 miles north of Samaria, in the canton of Meron, or Merone, Judges 4:10., and 5:18. This place was famous for the victory of Barac, and for the defeat of king Josias.
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Challoner
Hamstring their horses, etc. God so ordained, that his people might not trust in chariots and horses, but in him. (Challoner)
He mentions the very time, when the victory will be obtained, to inspire the Israelites with greater confidence. Josue had proceeded from Galgal to Meron, about 90 miles; or if he had to go to the Semonite lake, 120 miles. Josephus says he had marched five days.
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Thereof. Josue divided his forces, and sent some to pursue the fugitives to Sidon and Sarepta, and others he dispatched to the east side of the Jordan.
Pliny
Sihon was famous for its commerce, and for its glass works. (Pliny, [Natural History?] 5:19.)
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11:12
Calmet
Him. (Deuteronomy 7:22.) All the Chanaanites in arms, are ordered to be slain. (Calmet)
Menochius
Josue took the greatest part of the strong cities, and indeed all which he attacked. (Menochius)
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Fire. Several towns built on eminences, were reserved to keep the country in subjection. But it was thought proper to destroy Asor. Hebrew may be, "He burnt not the towns which remained standing, with their fortifications," etc., or such as had opened their gates to the Israelites. (Chaldean; Septuagint; etc.)
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Calmet
Spoil, excepting what was found on the idols, which was burnt, Deuteronomy 7:25. (Calmet)
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Haydock
Moses. It is not to be doubted but that the lawgiver would communicate many instructions, by word of mouth, to his successor. He would also tell him, in general, to observe whatever laws had been given to regulate the conduct of the leader, (Calmet) as they were given not only to Moses, but to all who should afterwards occupy his post. (Haydock)
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So. Here follows a recapitulation of the victories of Josue.
Haydock
Israel, or of Ephraim, which was the chief tribe of the kingdom of Israel: after the commencement of which, this seems to have been inserted; (Calmet) or having designated the southern parts by the name of Juda, (ver. 21,) the more northern countries are called the mountain of Israel, which refers particularly to Samaria, or Bethel, which might receive the appellation of Israel, among his descendants, from the vision of the ladder, with which that patriarch was favoured. (Haydock)
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Calmet
And part. Hebrew, "from Mount Halak, (Haydock; or the bald mountain, destitute of wood) going up to Seir, (which is very shady; that is, from the southern parts of Chanaan, by Seir) as far as Baalgad," on the east side of the Jordan, perhaps unto Coelosyria. (Calmet)
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Calmet
A long time. Seven years, as appears from Josue 14:10., (Challoner) where Caleb informs us that he was 85 years old. He was 40 when he went to explore the country, and 38 years were spent in the wilderness. God was pleased to allow the Chanaanites time to repent, and he would not render the country desolate all at once, lest wild beasts should overrun it, Exodus 23:19., and Wisdom 12:10. (Calmet)
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Challoner
Hardened. This hardening of their hearts, was their having no thought of yielding or submitting: which was a sentence or judgment of God upon them, in punishment of their enormous crimes. (Challoner)
Calmet
God might indeed by his all-powerful grace have changed their hearts, but their crimes caused him to withhold that grace; and thus they were suffered to shut their eyes to their true interest. (Calmet)
Worthington
They alone therefore were the cause of their own obduracy, which God only did not prevent, Exodus vii. (Worthington)
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Time. Among his other conquests, after the victory of Gabaon, Josue defeated the Enacim at Hebron, etc. Many of them fled into the country of the Philistines, and afterwards seized an opportunity of re-establishing themselves, so that Caleb had to drive them out afresh, Josue 15:14.
Cities, or inhabitants. We have seen that he did not demolish all the cities, which were built on a commanding situation, ver. 13.
Calmet
Enacim. Goliah is supposed to have been of this family, being six cubits and a span high, 1 Kings 17:4. (Calmet)
Bochart
The Phoenicians probably took their name from Enak, bene anak, "sons of Enak;" whence Phoenix might easily be formed. (Bochart)
Calmet
Carthage was founded by them, and styled Chadre-Anak, "the dwelling of Anak," (Plautus) as they chose to pass for descendants of that giant, though they were not in reality. Anak means "a chain;" and some have asserted that he wore one, as the kings of the Madianites did when they were vanquished by Gedeon, and the Torquati at Rome, as a mark of honour. But this is uncertain. (Calmet)
11:22
Gaza, the most southern city of the Philistines, was afterwards taken by the tribe of Juda, but lost again in a short time. It was particularly addicted to the worship of Jupiter, Marnas, or "the Lord."
Geth was probably taken by David, who found a refuge with its king, 1 Kings xxi. After the reign of Solomon, it returned to its former masters.
Calmet
Azotus, or as the Hebrew writes, Asdod, on the Mediterranean, was noted for the temple of Dagon, (1 Kings 5:1,) which Jonathas destroyed. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] 22:8.) (Calmet)
Worthington
Wars, of a general nature. The different tribes had only to take some cities, Josue 15:1. (Worthington)
11:6
Hamstring their horses, and burn their chariots with fire, etc.... God so ordained, that his people might not trust in chariots and horses, but in him.
11:18
A long time.... Seven years, as appears from chap. 14.10.
11:20
Hardened.... This hardening of their hearts, was their having no thought of yielding or submitting: which was a sentence or judgment of God upon them in punishment of their enormous crimes.
11:18
These warres cōtinued nere seuen yeares. as appeareth. chap. 14. v. 10.
11:20
For their enormious sinnes God left them in their owne reprobate sense, not imposing necessitie of sinning, but permitting them to indurate their owne hartes. See An not. Exod. 7.
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Hence forth they had not general warres but diuers tribes had particular. as appeareth. chap. 15. &c.
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St Jerome † AD 420 Against the Pelagians 1.28
xi. 19, 20 . The racial guilt of the Canaanites.
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St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 A Treatise on Grace and Free Will 41
… Was it not of their own will that the enemies of the children of Israel fought against the people of God, as led by Joshua, the son of Nun? And yet the Scripture says, “It was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that they might be exterminated.”
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1. JABIN KING OF HAZOR. — Hazor was the metropolis of all Canaan, holding the principality among all its kingdoms: it fell to the tribe of Naphtali: it is distant from Caesarea Philippi six miles, from the Mediterranean Sea nine. Thus from Josephus and others Adrichomius. Thus Masius.
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4. A PEOPLE EXCEEDING NUMEROUS, LIKE THE SAND WHICH IS ON THE SHORE OF THE SEA, — that is, a great and innumerable multitude of men. For it is a hyperbole customary in Scripture, pertaining to amplify the victory, and at the same time to commend the fertility of the promised land (inasmuch as it was able to sustain so great a multitude). Josephus, book V of the Antiquities, chapter ii, asserts that there were three hundred thousand foot soldiers, ten thousand horsemen, and two thousand chariots.
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6. TO BE WOUNDED. — Others translate it, to be slain: both meanings are signified by the Hebrew חללים chalalim, and both were done here; for God had commanded all the Canaanites to be slain. THOU SHALT HAMSTRING THEIR HORSES, — that is, thou shalt cut the sinews or fetlocks or legs of the horses, so that they may be rendered useless, lest thou afterwards use them in war and place thy confidence in them, neglecting me. For this reason the abundance of horses was disapproved and forbidden to the Hebrews by God, Deuteronomy xvii, 16; Psalm cxlvii, 10; Psalm xx, 8. See the remarks on Exodus xiii, 13. For the same reason he also commanded the chariots to be burned: but he permitted the Hebrews to enjoy the rest of the spoil of camels, asses, oxen, sheep, etc. Thus Abulensis, Masius, Arias, Vatablus. See the remarks on Exodus xiii, 13. Tropologically Origen: When fighting against the demon, he says, it is necessary that we wrest his weapons from him: we hamstring the horse, therefore, when we break down the lustful body by fasting: for the body is as it were a lustful horse, upon which the mind sits as a rider and presides, so that it may tame it, and govern and direct it with the whip of discipline as a charioteer.
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8. AS FAR AS GREAT SIDON, — not that there was another lesser Sidon, but because Sidon, neighboring Tyre, had the epithet great. For Sidon was celebrated by all for the industry of its craftsmen, the abundance of its ships and sailors, and especially for the convenience of its harbor. It was said to be named Sidon from Sidon the son of Canaan, its founder, as Josephus wishes, book I of the Antiquities, chapter vi, and St. Jerome in Questions on Genesis; or, as Justin, book XVIII of the History, Strabo, book XII, and others, from the abundance of fish. For the Phoenicians call fish said (which in Hebrew means to hunt); whence even today Sidon is commonly called by the Turks and Syrians Soid, or Saida. Now this city is in Phoenicia, and therefore seems once to have been the metropolis of Phoenicia. Whence in Isaiah xxiii, 12, Tyre, that city renowned for merchandise, riches and strength, is called the daughter of Sidon. It is situated on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea beneath the Antilibanus. AND THE WATERS OF MISREPHOTH. — And משרפות misrephoth of waters, that is, and the furnaces of waters, as Masius translates it; or, as others, burnings or fires of waters; the Zurich Bible, heatings of waters: by which Vatablus and R. David understand hot waters, such as those at Aachen for baths. Others understand salt pans, namely that there the water drawn from the sea by channels, burned up by the rays of the sun, and as it were scorched into salt, was hardened. Thus the Chaldean, Lyra, R. Solomon, Adrichomius and others. Thirdly, Masius understands glass furnaces: for sand burned up by the force of fire and melted, from which glass is made, is here called water: for every liquid is sometimes called water.
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10. FOR HAZOR OF OLD HELD THE PRINCIPALITY AMONG ALL THESE KINGDOMS. — From this it is clear that Hazor was the metropolis of Canaan, as I said in verse 1, and therefore Jabin king of Hazor not only had these kings and cities of Canaan that are named here as confederates, but also as subject to him as to a prince.
11:11
11. HE DID NOT LEAVE REMNANTS. — Nevertheless, some escaped by flight, either then or before, who shortly after the death of Joshua recovered their strength and restored their cities, and created new kings for themselves, who harassed and afflicted the Hebrews, is evident from Judges iv, 2, where after 130 years Jabin king of Hazor is said to have ruled over the Hebrews for twenty years. Whence it is probable that Jabin was a common name of the kings of Hazor, just as Pharaoh was a common name of the kings of Egypt, then Ptolemy, and Antiochus was the name of the kings of Syria. Thus Masius. A similar thing happened with the Midianites, who, though cut off by Moses, Num. xxxi, grew up again, and again made war on the Israelites. Whence they were overthrown by Gideon, Judges vi. So also the Hebronites, cut off by Joshua, again recovered their strength and the city of Hebron, and were conquered by Caleb, as is evident from verse 21, comparing with Judges i, 10. Furthermore, Procopius, lib. IV On the War of the Vandals, and from him Evagrius, lib. IV Hist. cap. xviii, assert that many of the Canaanites, seeing that they could not resist Joshua, fled from Canaan into Egypt, Libya and Africa, and built new cities there, and some also came into Germany and other provinces of Europe, as the Rabbis relate, and especially Aben Ezra, and from these Genebrardus in his Chronicle.
11:13
13. EXCEPT THE CITIES WHICH WERE SITUATED ON HILLS AND ON MOUNDS, ISRAEL BURNED THE REST. — In Hebrew, only the cities which were on their mounds, he did not burn. Whence our Interpreter rightly infers, and asserts that the other cities, which were not on hills, were burned by Joshua. Cities are said to be situated on mounds which are in a more elevated place, or on hills, and therefore fortified by the nature of the location. Whence Theodoret, the Chaldean and Vatablus translate, strong cities; Masius, fortified with ramparts. The sense is, as if to say, Joshua burned the unfortified cities, because he feared that those, upon his departure, would again be occupied by the Canaanite enemies, since he himself had fewer soldiers than to be able to strengthen all the cities he captured with a strong garrison: but the cities fortified on hills he did not burn, as those which he could easily hold and protect with a small garrison, except however the city of Hazor, which was the head and metropolis of the others; this indeed he burned: because if it had remained intact, it would have been a continual cause of war, with the Canaanites perpetually intent and watchful to return to this royal city and to reclaim it for themselves. Thus Abulensis.
11:16
AND MOUNT ISRAEL. — You will ask, what is this mountain? Masius and Arias think that the mountain here refers to the mountainous places around Samaria. For the mountain of Samaria was called the mountain of Israel, after the ten tribes, making a schism from Judah and King Rehoboam, appropriated the name of Israel to themselves, and made Samaria the capital of their kingdom, and created for themselves King Jeroboam. From this Masius infers that this book was not written by Joshua, but long after him from Diaries left by Joshua. Others understand by the mountain of Israel Mount Zion, on which the temple was built, so that it on account of the temple is called by antonomasia the mountain of Israel. Others understand Mount Bethel, where Jacob, who by another name is called Israel, saw a ladder extending from earth to heaven, and God leaning upon the ladder, and from him received the promise that Canaan would be possessed by his descendants, Genesis xxviii, 12. Others with Cajetan and Salianus understand Mount Gerizim, or a similar one near Shechem, situated in the field which Jacob had bought there, Genesis xxxiii, 19.
11:17
17. AND THE PART OF THE MOUNTAIN WHICH ASCENDS TO SEIR, — that is, into Idumea. Our Interpreter translates correctly, if in the Hebrew you change the modern points substituted by the Rabbis, and in place of החלק read הוחלק, that is, this part. Aquila also, the Chaldean and Vatablus translate the mountain of division, that is, divided and dividing, because it divides and distinguishes Canaan from Idumea. The more recent scholars with Symmachus and Masius translate smooth, that is, polished, smooth, that is, bare and empty of trees. The Septuagint retained the Hebrew name as if it were a proper noun.
11:18
18. JOSHUA FOUGHT A LONG TIME AGAINST THESE KINGS. — Josephus, lib. V Antiq. cap. ii, asserts that Joshua subdued Canaan in five years. It is more true that he did this in seven years, at least begun. For this is expressly handed down by the Hebrew Chronologists in the Seder Olam, and by Theodoret, Abulensis, Masius, Serarius, Torniellus and others, and this is sufficiently gathered from the years of Caleb, cap. xiv, 7, as I shall show there.
11:19
19. THERE WAS NO CITY THAT WOULD SURRENDER. — Correct with the Romans, that would surrender. For in Hebrew it is, that would make peace, or offer, or accept what was offered. For the Rabbis relate, whom Masius follows, that Joshua offered peace to each city of Canaan, but all refused peace, because they were unwilling to undergo the condition of peace, namely subjection and servitude to the Hebrews. Others, however, deny that Joshua offered them peace, because God wished all to be killed. For the passage in Deuteronomy xx, 40, where it is commanded that peace be offered to hostile cities, is ambiguous and doubtful, whether it pertains only to foreigners, or also to the Canaanites.
11:20
20. FOR THE SENTENCE OF THE LORD WAS THAT THEIR HEARTS SHOULD BE HARDENED. — In Hebrew, it was from the Lord that they hardened their heart. Thus Masius. The Canaanites themselves therefore hardened themselves so that they would not make peace with the Hebrews, not, as Calvin says here, that God himself, who had ordered that mercy be denied to the Canaanites, drove them into blind fury so as to leave no room for mercy. Yet this was done by the sentence and judgment of the Lord, on account of their wicked crimes; done, I say, not actively and impulsively, but permissively and objectively: that very providence, which the most holy majesty of God has concerning sins: which, what and how great it is, I have explained in Exodus vii, 3. From this it is drawn that if the Canaanites had sought peace from Joshua and the Hebrews, and repenting had wished to pass over with the Hebrews into the chaste worship of the one true God, God would have revoked His decree concerning their being killed, or rather would have declared it not to comprehend repentant Canaanites, but only the unrepentant and those hardened in their impiety. Thus Abulensis, Masius and others.
11:21
21. HE SLEW THE ANAKIM, — that is, the giant descendants of Enac the giant. It is asked, how Joshua destroyed the giants and their cities Hebron, Dabir and Anab, when after the death of Joshua Caleb and Othoniel did this, as is said in cap. xiv, 12, and Judg. cap. i, vers. 10, 11 and 12? Abulensis, Quaest. lxxxv, answers that this is an anticipation here, and those things are attributed here to Joshua which he himself began, but his successors completed. Masius answers better that both happened: for the giants were partly slain by Joshua, partly driven out from Hebron, Dabir and Anab, when he himself traversed those cities as victor; but those driven out and fugitives, namely those who escaped the hand of Joshua, fled and betook themselves to Gaza, Geth and Azotum, which were cities of the Philistines. Whence after the death of Joshua, having resumed their strength, they recovered the seats of their ancestors, namely Hebron, Dabir and Anab, and occupied them again until at length they were utterly destroyed by Caleb and Othoniel. The following verse insinuates this. Furthermore, Anakim in Hebrew is the same as those adorned with torques, adorned with a torque. Thus Manlius among the Romans was surnamed Torquatus, because he had taken a torque from a Gaul in battle. Moreover, golden torques were wont to be given to soldiers by Emperors for a deed bravely done: whence those adorned with torques were called, who were of two kinds, simple and double. Vegetius, lib. II: Torquati, he says, double-pay, torquati simple-pay were those to whom a solid golden torque was the reward of virtue: whoever had merited it, sometimes received two annona on account of praise, double-pay two, simple-pay one. Yet torquati today ought to be called knights, who are commonly called cochleati, whom our King has distinguished by his bearing and royal insignia, and who are said to bear the royal order. Thus Budaeus. Thus the Rabbis relate that these warlike giants filled and adorned their vast bodies with torques. For the Anakim were colossal giants and monsters of men.
11:23
23. JOSHUA THEREFORE TOOK ALL THE LAND — of Canaan. "All," that is, the greater part and as it were all; for he left a few untouched; or "all," namely which he attempted in war, which he wished to approach and conquer: for he approached none which he did not conquer, as God had promised him cap. i, vers. 3. Yet he did not approach certain cities in Canaan, and left them untouched just as Gaza, Geth, Azotum and the other cities of the Philistines, just as Tyre, Sidon and the other cities of Phoenicia, which nevertheless were contained within the bounds of the land promised by God to the Hebrews. Why he did this, I shall give the reasons in Judg. ii, 21. ACCORDING TO THEIR PARTS AND TRIBES. — And it signifies, that is, as if to say: According to parts, that is, according to tribes. In Hebrew, according to their divisions, to their tribes, that is, as the Hebrews were divided and distributed according to their tribes. AND THE LAND RESTED, — that is, the inhabitants of the land, either killed by Joshua or suppressed and subdued, moved no war against Israel. Thus Arias, Vatablus and others.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
11:1
1. Canaanite stronghold, which Joshua captured and burned (Josh. 11:1, 10, 13), called Aser in Tob. 1:2 (Greek text), assigned to the tribe of Naphtali (Josh. 19:36). Situated near Kedesh of Naphtali (1 Macc. 11:63, 67, 73), north of the lake …
Debbora (Heb. Dēbhōrāh «bee»; LXX Δεββόρζ; Vulg. Debora)
… comparison with the prose narrative of Judg. 4:1-24. The only discrepancy between the enemy commanders — Sisera in the canticle, Jabin king of Hazor in the prose — can be explained by the rebuilding of Hazor, already alluded to in the times of Joshua (cf. Josh. 11:1-13 with 19:36), as is evident later in the times of Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), of Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29), of Tobit (Tob. …
Jabin (Heb. Jābhīn "He considers")
… Jābhīn "He considers"). - King of Hazor (Ḥāṣōr), in the tribe of Naphtali, instigator and leader of the Canaanite federation of the north, defeated and killed by Joshua, who occupied the whole region as far as the slopes of Hermon and burned Hazor (Josh. 11:1-17).
… He took part in the northern confederation, under the auspices of Jabin, against Joshua, who defeated it (Josh. 11:1, 7 ff.).
11:2
… It designates (in opposition to the "mountain" har, the "low plain" šēfēlāh, the "south" nēgēbh: Josh. 11:16; 12:8) the depression (or stretches of it) extending from the south of the Hermon to the Elanitic Gulf (e.g.: Josh. 8:14; 11:2, 16; 12:1, 3, 8; 18:18) along the valley of the Jordan, the Dead Sea, and from there to the Red Sea. Precisely this last stretch (never mentioned in the Bible) is today called wādi el-'Arabah, …
Shephelah (Heb. Haš-Šephēlāh "Lowland")
… Haš-Šephēlāh "Lowland"). - Term (often translated by the Septuagint as ἡ πεδινὴ [τῆ] = Vulgate campestris [terra], or τὸ πεδίον = campus), which designates in the geography of Palestine (Deut. 1:7; Josh. 11:2; 1 Macc. 3:24) the zone of hills that extends from the south, Lachish and Eglon, as far as the plain of
It had various names: "sea of Chinnereth" (Num. 34:11; Deut. 3:17; Josh. 11:2), from the city now buried on Tell el-Orejmeh, 25 km. north of T.; pool of Genesareth (v.) or Genesar (1 Macc. 11:67; Lk. 5:1), probably from the village that grew up at the foot …
11:3
… (5:1) thus distinguishes them from the Canaanites "of the regions by the great sea" (cf. Deut. 1:44; Josh. 10:6; 11:3); hence the "mountain of the A." was the southern Palestinian massif (Deut. 1:7, 19, 20; cf. Num. 13:30). At Israel's entry, the Transjordanian kingdoms of Heshbon and Bashan are Amorite …
… the inhabitants of Palestine proper, that is, those dwelling in the mountain (Deut. 1, 7.19.20.44: people dwelling in the south of Palestine; Ios. 10, 5 ff.), while to the Canaanites are attributed the plain and the valley of the Jordan (Num. 13, 29; Ios. 11, 3). Not rarely the Bible calls the whole pre-Israelite population Amorites (cf. Gen. 15, 16; Ios. 24, 15.18; Iudc. 6, 10); but in later times the Amorites, either exterminated or assimilated …
… In the Bible the H. is designated as the north-eastern boundary of the Palestinian conquest under Moses and Joshua (Deut. 3, 8; Jos. 11, 3, 7; 12, 5; 13, 11; I Par. 5, 23). In Hebrew poetry the H. is associated with Thabor (Ps. 88, 13), with Sion (Ps. 132, 3), with Amana and Sanir (Cant. 4, 8).
… obtained a treaty of friendship with the Israelites, but, once the deceit was discovered, they were obliged to the humble services of woodcutters and water-carriers (Josh. 9, 7; 11, 19). Another important center was in the north at the foot of Mount Hermon (Josh. 11, 3; Judg. 3, 3), and they had villages of their own there until the time of David (2 Sam. 24, 7). With the other Canaanite peoples remaining in the land, they were compelled in the time …
Maspha (Heb. Mīspāh "Watchtower")
3. Place situated at the foot of Hermon (Josh. 11:3), also called land of M. (ibid. 11:8). The identification is uncertain; Metullah and Qal'at es-Subejbeh have been proposed.
Perizei (Heb. Pērizai; Septuagint ΦΕΡΕΙ͂ΑΊΟΙ)
… There they were defeated by Joshua (Josh. 11:3; 17:15) and, later, by the tribe of Judah (Judg. 1:4-5). Nevertheless, even in the time of Solomon the P. are spoken of as tributaries of the kingdom (1 Kings 9:20-21; 2 Chron. …
11:5
… By the waters of M. (= mē-Mērōm, Josh. 11:5, 7) Joshua defeated the enemy coalition of the kings of northern Canaan.
11:8
Maspha (Heb. Mīspāh "Watchtower")
3. Place situated at the foot of Hermon (Josh. 11:3), also called land of M. (ibid. 11:8). The identification is uncertain; Metullah and Qal'at es-Subejbeh have been proposed.
… remembered both as a city (Judg. 1:31; 18:28; Isa. 23:2; Ezek. 27:8) and as a territory that marked the northern frontier of Canaan (Gen. 10:19) and bordered on the tribes of Zebulun (ibid. 49:13) and of Asher (Josh. 19:28). It is called "great S." (ibid. 11:8; 19:28) with its suburbs and surroundings, as opposed to the original "small city," distinguished in the list of the cities conquered in Sennacherib's glorious campaign. …
11:16
… It designates (in opposition to the "mountain" har, the "low plain" šēfēlāh, the "south" nēgēbh: Josh. 11:16; 12:8) the depression (or stretches of it) extending from the south of the Hermon to the Elanitic Gulf (e.g.: Josh. 8:14; 11:2, 16; 12:1, 3, 8; 18:18) along the valley of the Jordan, …
11:17
Gad (Heb. Gad «Fortune», «Happiness»)
… Gad «Fortune», «Happiness»). - A pagan deity, of whom the Bible speaks only in Is. 65:11; nevertheless it appears as a component of certain theophoric names, such as Baalgad (Josh. 11:17; 12:7; 13:5) and Magdalgad (ibid. 15:37).
… invaded the center of the country, whence individual groups of Israelites began to spread south, reaching the southern line of Palestine, as far as Gaza, on the Mediterranean (Ios. 10, 41) and to the north, extending as far as Lebanon near Kadesh (Ios. 11, 17). The occupation took place probably in
11:19
… formed a confederation of 4 cities governed by elders, and by a stratagem obtained a treaty of friendship with the Israelites, but, once the deceit was discovered, they were obliged to the humble services of woodcutters and water-carriers (Josh. 9, 7; 11, 19). Another important center was in the north at the foot of Mount Hermon (Josh. 11, 3; Judg. 3, 3), and they had villages of their own there until the time of David (2 Sam. 24, 7). …
11:21
ENACIMS (Hebrew 'Anāqīm). - An indigenous Canaanite population, driven out of the country by Joshua (Josh. 11:21). The expulsion of the sons of Anak from Hebron, Dabir (Kiriath Sepher) and Anab was the work of Caleb, son of Jephunneh (Josh. 15:13 ff.). …
thereafter to Gaza, Gath, Ashdod (Josh. 11:21 f.). Perhaps Goliath
… Goljath). - Philistine hero, defeated and killed by David (1 Sam. 17). He was from Gath (v.), but the ending of his name would suggest that he was neither Canaanite nor Philistine by origin; he perhaps descended from the 'Anāqim, exterminated by Joshua (Josh. 11:21).
11:22
Geth (Hebrew Gath, Akkadian Gimtu, "Winepress")
GETH (Hebrew Gath, Akkadian Gimtu, "Winepress"). - A Canaanite city, mentioned in the letters of el-'Amārnah, capital of one of the five Philistine satrapies (Josh. 13:3). It had been the dwelling place of the Anakim and the Rephaim (v. GIANTS IN THE BIBLE): Josh. 11:22; 1 Sam. 17:4; 2 Sam. 21:19 ff.; 1 Chron. 20:6. It was punished for having kept the ark of Yahweh, which spread death there (1 Sam. 5:7-10; 6:17). David took refuge there twice …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.