2 And goeth out H3318 from Bethel H1008 to Luz, H3870 and passeth along H5674 unto the borders H1366 of Archi H757 to Ataroth, H5852
And the border H1366 went over H5674 from thence toward Luz, H3870 to the side H3802 of Luz, H3870 which is Bethel, H1008 southward; H5045 and the border H1366 descended H3381 to Atarothadar, H5853 near the hill H2022 that lieth on the south side H5045 of the nether H8481 Bethhoron. H1032
And he called H7121 the name H8034 of that place H4725 Bethel: H1008 but H199 the name H8034 of that city H5892 was called Luz H3870 at the first. H7223
And the house H1004 of Joseph, H3130 they also went up H5927 against Bethel: H1008 and the LORD H3068 was with them. And the house H1004 of Joseph H3130 sent to descry H8446 Bethel. H1008 (Now the name H8034 of the city H5892 before H6440 was Luz.) H3870 And the spies H8104 saw H7200 a man H376 come forth H3318 out of the city, H5892 and they said H559 unto him, Shew H7200 us, we pray thee, the entrance H3996 into the city, H5892 and we will shew H6213 thee mercy. H2617 And when he shewed H7200 them the entrance H3996 into the city, H5892 they smote H5221 the city H5892 with the edge H6310 of the sword; H2719 but they let go H7971 the man H376 and all his family. H4940 And the man H376 went H3212 into the land H776 of the Hittites, H2850 and built H1129 a city, H5892 and called H7121 the name H8034 thereof Luz: H3870 which is the name H8034 thereof unto this day. H3117
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Joshua 16
Commentary on Joshua 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Jos 16:1-4. The General Borders of the Sons of Joseph.
1. the lot of the children of Joseph fell—Hebrew, "went forth," referring either to the lot as drawn out of the urn, or to the tract of land thereby assigned. The first four verses describe the territory allotted to the family of Joseph in the rich domains of central Palestine. It was drawn in one lot, that the brethren might be contiguously situated; but it was afterwards divided. The southern boundary only is described here; that on the north being irregular and less defined (Jos 17:10, 11), is not mentioned.
water of Jericho—(2Ki 2:19), at the joint of its junction with the Jordan.
mount Beth-el—the ridge south of Beth-el. Having described the position of Joseph's family generally the historian proceeds to define the territory; first, that of Ephraim.
Jos 16:5-9. The Borders of the Inheritance of Ephraim.
5-9. the border of their inheritance … was Ataroth-addar—Ataroth-addar (now Atara), four miles south of Jetta [Robinson], is fixed on as a center, through which a line is drawn from Upper Beth-horon to Michmethah, showing the western limit of their actual possessions. The tract beyond that to the sea was still unconquered.
6, 7. Michmethah on the north side—The northern boundary is traced from this point eastward to the Jordan.
8. from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah—It is retraced from east to west, to describe the prospective and intended boundary, which was to reach to the sea. Kanah ("reedy") flows into the Mediterranean.
9. separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of Manasseh—(Jos 17:9), because it was found that the tract allotted to Ephraim was too small in proportion to its population and power.
10. they drave not out the Canaanites … but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute—This is the first mention of the fatal policy of the Israelites, in neglecting the divine command (De 20:16) to exterminate the idolaters.