Josh. 18 The tabernacle is set up in Shiloh, Josh. 18:1. The remainder of the land described, and divided into seven parts, for the seven tribes which as yet had no inheritance, Josh. 18:2–9. Joshua casts the lot at Shiloh, Josh.

Set up the tabernacle of the congregation there, by God’s appointment, as is manifest from Deut. 12:5;c. Jer. 7:12. Hither it was removed from Gilgal, partly for the honour and conveniency of Joshua, that he being of the tribe of Ephraim, and seating himself there, might have the opportunity of…

This slackness is supposed to arise, partly, from their dissatisfaction in the portions already allotted, Judah’s being too large, as it appeared, and Joseph’s too narrow as they complained; partly, from an opinion of the impossibility of making any regular and equal distribution of the parts, till…

Three men; three, not one, for more exact observation both of the measure and quality of the several portions, and for greater assurance and evidence of their care and faithfulness in giving in their account.

Seven parts; which were of equal extent or worth; for no tribe was so great but one of these parts in its full extent would abundantly suffice them; and there was no reason why the portions should be greater or less according as the tribes at present were more or fewer in number, because of the…

i.e. Before the ark or tabernacle, that God may be witness, and judge, and author of the division, that each may be contented with his lot, and that your several possessions may be secured to you as things sacred, and not to be alienated.

The Levites have no part among you; therefore it shall be divided only into seven parts, as I have said.

By cities, or, according to the cities, to which the several parts or territories belonged.

Wherein we see the wisdom of Divine Providence, this being the only place in which that prophecy, Deut. 33:12, could have been accomplished.

A place distinct from, but near unto Beth-el, as may be gathered from Josh. 16:1.

Kirjath-jearim; the Israelites changed the name, to blot out the remembrance of Baal. Compare Josh. 15:9, Num. 32:38.

The south quarter; the same with the north quarter of Judah. See Josh. 15:5–6, Josh. 15:11.

To the end of the mountain, i.e. the place where the mountain ends, and the valley begins. Before the valley of the son of Hinnom, i.e. in the prospect of that valley; or, that reacheth to that valley on the south.

Geliloth, called also Gilgal, as appears from Josh. 15:7, Judg. 3:19; but differing from that Gilgal by Jordan.

Arabah, called Beth-arabah, Josh. 15:6.

At the north bay of the Salt Sea, where an arm of that sea runs into the land, which is opposed to the south bay that was in the south border of the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15:2.

Jericho; for though the city was destroyed, the territory remained, and some houses probably were built and inhabited there, though it was not made a city with walls and gates, which was the only thing forbidden, Josh. 6:26. Keziz, or, Emec-keziz, the proper name of a city or great town.

Zemaraim; which either gave name to, or took name from, that mountain, 2 Chron. 13:4.

Mizpeh, near Ramah, in the same mountain where Silo was. There were divers other cities of that name.

Which is Jerusalem: so it seems this city did properly and primarily belong to Benjamin, although the tribe of Judah had also an interest in it, either because some part of it was allotted to them, or because the Benjamites gave them a share in it, for the assistance which either they had received…