Post by alon on Apr 15, 2017 5:08:53 GMT -8
Joshua 13
Yehoshua 13:1 (OJB) Now Yehoshua was zaken, advanced in yamim; Hashem said unto him, Thou art old, advanced in yamim; HaAretz there remaineth yet harebbeh me’od to be possessed.
A remez interpretation of this verse could say “much of the land left to be possessed” is allegorically true of our study of scripture. There are parts of the Bible seldom read or studied. And like this insight, there are layers of truth in what we do read that we have not discovered. There are also people who have not heard of these things. So we should be in the Word and not be afraid to share it when the opportunity arises.
The p’shat of course is that Yehoshua was getting old, and there was much left to conquer. There will follow a description of these lands to the southeast and the north. But consider for a moment that Elohei Ha’Ivriyim, the Lord God of the Hebrews had sustained him, his health and his vigor through the years of captivity, the years wandering in the desert, and the long grueling campaign to take possession of the land. Had He wanted, that same G-d could have sustained both him and the Hebrew people for as long as it would take to completely take possession of everything within the prescribed boundaries.
Yehoshua 13:2 (OJB) This is HaAretz that yet remaineth; all the regions of the Pelishtim, and all Geshuri,
The P’lishtim controled the southwest coast, while the land east of Yam Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) was controled by the Geshuri. They would not be conquered until the time of the united monarchy:
Shmuel Bais 8:1-2 (OJB) And after this it came to pass that Dovid struck the Pelishtim, and subdued them; and Dovid took Meteg Ammah out of the yad (hand, control) of the Pelishtim. And he struck Moav, and measured them with a chevel (cord, rope), casting them down to the ground; even with two chavalim (ropes, cords) measured he to put to death, and with one full chevel (cord) to keep alive. And so Moav became to Dovid as avadim (servants), and brought minchah (gifts, tribute).
Note here that while Yehoshua was faithful to do all he was told by Moshe and that was revealed to him by G-d, Dovid failed to kill all the Moavim (Moabites).
Yehoshua 13:4-6 (OJB) From the south, all the Eretz HaKena’ani, and from Arah that belongs to the Tzidonim unto Aphek, to the region of HaEmori; And the area of the Byblos, and all the Levanon, toward the rising of the shemesh, from Baal-Gad under Mt Chermon unto Levo Chamat. All the inhabitants of the har from the Levanon unto Misrephot Mayim, and all the Tzidonim, them will I drive out from before the Bnei Yisroel; only divide thou it by lot unto Yisroel for a nachalah, as I have commanded thee.
These areas lay to the north and northeast. They were to be taken by Adon Kol HaAretz, the Lord Of All The Earth.
Yehoshua 13:7 (OJB) Now therefore divide HaAretz Hazot for a nachalah unto the nine Shevatim, and the half tribe of Menasheh,
The word “nachalah” is usually translated as ‘portion,’ and is common throughout the allotment chapters. It is a legal term which sets aside specific land grants as estates. The land is owned by YHVH Boreh, The Lord the Creator; but it is bestowed as an inheritance on the tribes of the Hebrews.
Yehoshua 13:8-10 (OJB) With whom the Reuveni and the Gadi have received their nachalah, which Moshe gave them, beyond Yarden eastward, even as Moshe Eved Hashem gave them; From Aroer, that is upon the rim of the Arnon Valley, and the town that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeva unto Divon; And all the towns of Sichon Melech HaEmori, which reigned in Cheshbon, unto the border of the Bnei Ammon;
Verses 8-33 give a general description of the Trans-Jordan. This land, still disputed today was rarely under control of Yisroel. It is however within the boundaries set by Elohim:
Devarim 3:12-18 (OJB) And ha’aretz hazot, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the Wadi Arnon, and half way up the hill country of Gil‘ad, and the towns thereof, gave I unto the Reuveni and Gadi. And the rest of Gil‘ad, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Menasheh; all the region of Argov, with all Bashan, which was called Eretz Refa’im. Yair ben Menasheh took all the region of Argov unto the border of Geshuri and Maachati, and called them after shmo (his own name), HaBashan Havot Yair, unto hayom hazeh. And I gave Gil‘ad unto Machir. And unto the Reuveni and unto the Gadi I gave from Gil`ad even unto the Wadi Arnon with the middle of the valley as the border even unto the Wadi Yabok, which is the border of the Bnei Amon; The Aravah also, and Yarden, and the coast thereof, from Kinneret even unto the yam of the Aravah, even the Dead Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah to the east. And I commanded you at that time, saying, Hashem Eloheichem hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the Bnei Yisroel, all bnei chayil (valiant men, men fit for military service).
There is also a brief statement about the tribe of Levi who have no land inheritance. They are the priestly line and Ro’eh Yisro’el, the Shepherd Of Israel is their portion.
Yehoshua 13:11-13 (OJB) And Gil‘ad, and the territory of the Geshuri and Maachati, and all Mt Chermon, and all Bashan as far as Salkhah; All the Mamlechut Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtarot and in Edre’i, who remained of the remnant of Repha’im; for these did Moshe conquer, and dispossessed them. Nevertheless the Bnei Yisroel dispossessed not the Geshuri, nor the Maachati; but the Geshuri and the Maachati dwell among Yisroel until this day
When we fail to complete G-d’s plan, we miss the blessings and often reap consequences.
Yehoshua 13:14 (OJB) Only unto the shevet HaLevi he gave no nachalah; the sacrifices made by eish of Hashem Elohei Yisroel are their nachalah, as He said unto them.
One of the statements that the tribe of Levi will not be apportioned land. They will be sustained by the fire offerings brought by the people. It’s interesting that the word “eish,” or ‘fire’ is spelled 'aleph sheen.' Pictorialy this is transliterated “the strong devourer.” Interesting those who have no portion aside from Boreh Yisroel, the Creator Of Israel are said to be “mighty" or "strong.” However the first place here is the tribe of Reuvin; Ya’akov’s firstborn:
Yehoshua 13:15 (OJB) And Moshe gave unto the tribe of the Bnei Reuven according to their mishpekhot;
This follows precedent set in
:
Bereshis 46:8-9 (OJB) And these are the shemot Bnei Yisroel, which came to Mitzrayim: Ya’akov and his banim: Reuven, bechor Ya’akov; And the Bnei Reuven: Chanoch, and Phallu, and Chetzron, and Carmi.
Shemot 1:1-2 (OJB) Now these are the Shemot Bnei Yisroel, which came into Mitzrayim; every ish and his bais came with Ya’akov: Reuven, Simeon, Levi, and Yehudah,
Yehoshua 13:22 (OJB) Also Balaam ben Beor, the kosem (soothsayer, practicer of divination), did the Bnei Yisroel put to death with the cherev among them that were slain by them.
Probably the same Balaam in Bamidbar (Numbers) 22 who tried to curse the Israelites for money, but ended up blessing them instead.
Yehoshua 13:23 (OJB) And the boundary of the Bnei Reuven was the Yarden, and the bank thereof. This was the nachalat Bnei Reuven after their mishpekhot, the towns and villages thereof.
The “towns and villages” are walled cities and their satellite settlements.
I have left out much of the listings of land allotments. I know it can be a little grueling reading the OJB; and lists tend to put me to sleep. But if you have trouble with the OJB you can always follow along in your Bible; or go to:
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=num+22&version=OJB
You can pick from a long list of translations and find one to your liking.
Dan C
Resources: I used the Orthodox Jewish Bible for text because most of the Hebrew is names, which I would like to be more familiar with. My primary resource for commentary is the JPS TNK. W Wiersby, FB Meyer, MF Unger, Dr. FT Seekins also contributed some to the commentary, while my father, Rav S and others contributed to my thinking. And I pray Elohim contribute to my insights and overall organization.
Yehoshua 13:1 (OJB) Now Yehoshua was zaken, advanced in yamim; Hashem said unto him, Thou art old, advanced in yamim; HaAretz there remaineth yet harebbeh me’od to be possessed.
A remez interpretation of this verse could say “much of the land left to be possessed” is allegorically true of our study of scripture. There are parts of the Bible seldom read or studied. And like this insight, there are layers of truth in what we do read that we have not discovered. There are also people who have not heard of these things. So we should be in the Word and not be afraid to share it when the opportunity arises.
The p’shat of course is that Yehoshua was getting old, and there was much left to conquer. There will follow a description of these lands to the southeast and the north. But consider for a moment that Elohei Ha’Ivriyim, the Lord God of the Hebrews had sustained him, his health and his vigor through the years of captivity, the years wandering in the desert, and the long grueling campaign to take possession of the land. Had He wanted, that same G-d could have sustained both him and the Hebrew people for as long as it would take to completely take possession of everything within the prescribed boundaries.
Yehoshua 13:2 (OJB) This is HaAretz that yet remaineth; all the regions of the Pelishtim, and all Geshuri,
The P’lishtim controled the southwest coast, while the land east of Yam Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) was controled by the Geshuri. They would not be conquered until the time of the united monarchy:
Shmuel Bais 8:1-2 (OJB) And after this it came to pass that Dovid struck the Pelishtim, and subdued them; and Dovid took Meteg Ammah out of the yad (hand, control) of the Pelishtim. And he struck Moav, and measured them with a chevel (cord, rope), casting them down to the ground; even with two chavalim (ropes, cords) measured he to put to death, and with one full chevel (cord) to keep alive. And so Moav became to Dovid as avadim (servants), and brought minchah (gifts, tribute).
Note here that while Yehoshua was faithful to do all he was told by Moshe and that was revealed to him by G-d, Dovid failed to kill all the Moavim (Moabites).
Yehoshua 13:4-6 (OJB) From the south, all the Eretz HaKena’ani, and from Arah that belongs to the Tzidonim unto Aphek, to the region of HaEmori; And the area of the Byblos, and all the Levanon, toward the rising of the shemesh, from Baal-Gad under Mt Chermon unto Levo Chamat. All the inhabitants of the har from the Levanon unto Misrephot Mayim, and all the Tzidonim, them will I drive out from before the Bnei Yisroel; only divide thou it by lot unto Yisroel for a nachalah, as I have commanded thee.
These areas lay to the north and northeast. They were to be taken by Adon Kol HaAretz, the Lord Of All The Earth.
Yehoshua 13:7 (OJB) Now therefore divide HaAretz Hazot for a nachalah unto the nine Shevatim, and the half tribe of Menasheh,
The word “nachalah” is usually translated as ‘portion,’ and is common throughout the allotment chapters. It is a legal term which sets aside specific land grants as estates. The land is owned by YHVH Boreh, The Lord the Creator; but it is bestowed as an inheritance on the tribes of the Hebrews.
Yehoshua 13:8-10 (OJB) With whom the Reuveni and the Gadi have received their nachalah, which Moshe gave them, beyond Yarden eastward, even as Moshe Eved Hashem gave them; From Aroer, that is upon the rim of the Arnon Valley, and the town that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeva unto Divon; And all the towns of Sichon Melech HaEmori, which reigned in Cheshbon, unto the border of the Bnei Ammon;
Verses 8-33 give a general description of the Trans-Jordan. This land, still disputed today was rarely under control of Yisroel. It is however within the boundaries set by Elohim:
Devarim 3:12-18 (OJB) And ha’aretz hazot, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the Wadi Arnon, and half way up the hill country of Gil‘ad, and the towns thereof, gave I unto the Reuveni and Gadi. And the rest of Gil‘ad, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Menasheh; all the region of Argov, with all Bashan, which was called Eretz Refa’im. Yair ben Menasheh took all the region of Argov unto the border of Geshuri and Maachati, and called them after shmo (his own name), HaBashan Havot Yair, unto hayom hazeh. And I gave Gil‘ad unto Machir. And unto the Reuveni and unto the Gadi I gave from Gil`ad even unto the Wadi Arnon with the middle of the valley as the border even unto the Wadi Yabok, which is the border of the Bnei Amon; The Aravah also, and Yarden, and the coast thereof, from Kinneret even unto the yam of the Aravah, even the Dead Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah to the east. And I commanded you at that time, saying, Hashem Eloheichem hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the Bnei Yisroel, all bnei chayil (valiant men, men fit for military service).
There is also a brief statement about the tribe of Levi who have no land inheritance. They are the priestly line and Ro’eh Yisro’el, the Shepherd Of Israel is their portion.
Yehoshua 13:11-13 (OJB) And Gil‘ad, and the territory of the Geshuri and Maachati, and all Mt Chermon, and all Bashan as far as Salkhah; All the Mamlechut Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtarot and in Edre’i, who remained of the remnant of Repha’im; for these did Moshe conquer, and dispossessed them. Nevertheless the Bnei Yisroel dispossessed not the Geshuri, nor the Maachati; but the Geshuri and the Maachati dwell among Yisroel until this day
When we fail to complete G-d’s plan, we miss the blessings and often reap consequences.
Yehoshua 13:14 (OJB) Only unto the shevet HaLevi he gave no nachalah; the sacrifices made by eish of Hashem Elohei Yisroel are their nachalah, as He said unto them.
One of the statements that the tribe of Levi will not be apportioned land. They will be sustained by the fire offerings brought by the people. It’s interesting that the word “eish,” or ‘fire’ is spelled 'aleph sheen.' Pictorialy this is transliterated “the strong devourer.” Interesting those who have no portion aside from Boreh Yisroel, the Creator Of Israel are said to be “mighty" or "strong.” However the first place here is the tribe of Reuvin; Ya’akov’s firstborn:
Yehoshua 13:15 (OJB) And Moshe gave unto the tribe of the Bnei Reuven according to their mishpekhot;
This follows precedent set in
:Bereshis 46:8-9 (OJB) And these are the shemot Bnei Yisroel, which came to Mitzrayim: Ya’akov and his banim: Reuven, bechor Ya’akov; And the Bnei Reuven: Chanoch, and Phallu, and Chetzron, and Carmi.
Shemot 1:1-2 (OJB) Now these are the Shemot Bnei Yisroel, which came into Mitzrayim; every ish and his bais came with Ya’akov: Reuven, Simeon, Levi, and Yehudah,
Yehoshua 13:22 (OJB) Also Balaam ben Beor, the kosem (soothsayer, practicer of divination), did the Bnei Yisroel put to death with the cherev among them that were slain by them.
Probably the same Balaam in Bamidbar (Numbers) 22 who tried to curse the Israelites for money, but ended up blessing them instead.
Yehoshua 13:23 (OJB) And the boundary of the Bnei Reuven was the Yarden, and the bank thereof. This was the nachalat Bnei Reuven after their mishpekhot, the towns and villages thereof.
The “towns and villages” are walled cities and their satellite settlements.
I have left out much of the listings of land allotments. I know it can be a little grueling reading the OJB; and lists tend to put me to sleep. But if you have trouble with the OJB you can always follow along in your Bible; or go to:
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=num+22&version=OJB
You can pick from a long list of translations and find one to your liking.
Dan C
Resources: I used the Orthodox Jewish Bible for text because most of the Hebrew is names, which I would like to be more familiar with. My primary resource for commentary is the JPS TNK. W Wiersby, FB Meyer, MF Unger, Dr. FT Seekins also contributed some to the commentary, while my father, Rav S and others contributed to my thinking. And I pray Elohim contribute to my insights and overall organization.
