147
According to Josephus, it took seven months; according to the Rabbis, seven years. It need scarcely be
said, that both suppositions are equally void of foundation. Josephus also imagines, that there was only
one deputy from each tribe - or seven in all - to whom he adds three men expert in surveying (Ant. v. 1, 20,
21).
148
Considering that Joshua was himself a descendant of Joseph, his reply to the complaints of his tribe
showed the more clearly his uprightness and fitness for his calling.
149
Of the six cities of refuge three were west of the Jordan: Kadesh (Naphtali - north), Shechem (Ephraim -
center), and Hebron (Judah - south); three east of the Jordan: Bezer (Reuben - south), Ramoth (Gad - center),
and Golan (Manasseh - north). The number of cities assigned to the Levites (thirty-five) cannot be regarded
as too large. The second census gave the number of male Levites at 23,000. This, with a proportionate
number of females, has been calculated to give a population of about 1300 for each of the thirty-five towns.
Besides, it should be remembered, that the Levites were not the sole inhabitants of such towns. This should
also be taken into account in regard to the assignment of thirteen cities to the descendants of Aaron,
although their number has been computed at the time at two hundred families. Probably this is exaggerated,
even admitting that as Aaron's two sons had 24 descendants (1 Chronicles 24), the next generation might
have numbered 144 males, and the next again (at the time of Joshua) between 800 and 900 descendants. But,
irrespective of this, the law had to provide not for that period, but for all time to come.
150
From Joshua 22:9 we learn that they "departed out of Shiloh," hence after the land had been finally
apportioned among the tribes. Of course, this does not imply that the same warriors had continued all
through the wars without changing.
151
This we gather from 12:10: "And when they came to the circle (circuits) of Jordan, that is in the land of
Canaan" (in contrast to "the land of Gilead"), ver. 9. Again in ver. 11 "built an altar in face (or, in front) of the
land of Canaan (that is, at its extreme boundary, looking towards it), in the circuits of Jordan, by the side of
(or, 'over against') the children of Israel."
152
So literally, and not, as in Authorized Version (22:16): "What trespass is this that ye have committed?"
This sin is very significantly viewed here as an "unfaithfulness" towards the God of Israel.
153
So in Joshua 22:17. Such a judgment as the death of 24, 000 (Numbers 25:9) must have left many painful
gaps in Israel. But this was not the saddest consequence. For, evidently, the worship of Baal-Peor had
struck root among the people, even although for the present it was outwardly suppressed.
154
There is a fervency of utterance in their protestation, which appears even in the accumulation of the
names of God. The particle rendered "if" is here used as the formula for an oath.
155
So also the Book of Joshua is divided into two parts: t he first (ch. 1-12), descriptive of the conquest, the
second of the division of the land.
156
Joshua seems to have lived about fifteen years after the final division of the land.
157
This idea is suggested by Calvin.
158
The word used by the apostle (2 Peter 1:15) is "Exodus," the same as employed in the conversation on
the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:31), to which St. Peter in his epistle makes pointed reference (2 Peter
1:16-18).
159
All Israel were summoned through their elders, which is a genetic n ame including the three divisions:
"heads" of tribes, clans, and houses of fathers, "judges," and "officers."