The Holy Bible

Part 13 out of 74



12:1. These are the kings, whom the children of Israel slew and
possessed their land beyond the Jordan towards the rising of the sun,
from the torrent Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the east country that
looketh towards the wilderness.

12:2. Sehon king of the Amorrhites, who dwelt in Hesebon, and had
dominion from Aroer, which is seated upon the bank of the torrent
Arnon, and of the middle part in the valley, and of half Galaad, as far
as the torrent Jaboc, which is the border of the children of Ammon.

12:3. And from the wilderness, to the sea of Ceneroth towards the east,
and to the sea of the wilderness, which is the most salt sea, on the
east side by the way that leadeth to Bethsimoth: and on the south side
that lieth under Asedoth, Phasga.

12:4. The border of Og the king of Basan, of the remnant of the
Raphaims who dwelt in Astaroth, and in Edrai, and had dominion in mount
Hermon, and in Salecha, and in all Basan, unto the borders

12:5. Of Gessuri and Machati, and of half Galaad: the borders of Sehon
the king of Hesebon.

12:6. Moses the servant of the Lord, and the children of Israel slew
them, and Moses delivered their land in possession to the Rubenites,
and Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasses.

12:7. These are the kings of the land, whom Josue and the children of
Israel slew beyond the Jordan on the west side from Baalgad in the
field of Libanus, unto the mount, part of which goeth up into Seir: and
Josue delivered it in possession to the tribes of Israel, to every one
their divisions,

12:8. As well in the mountains as in the plains and the champaign
countries. In Asedoth, and in the wilderness, and in the south was the
Hethite and the Amorrhite, the Chanaanite and the Pherezite, the Hevite
and the Jebusite.

12:9. The king of Jericho one: the king of Hai, which is on the side of
Bethel, one:

12:10. The king of Jerusalem one, the king of Hebron one,

12:11. The king of Jerimoth one, thee king of Lachis one,

12:12. The king of Eglon one, the king of Gazer one,

12:13. The king of Dabir one, the king of Gader one,

12:14. The king of Herma one, the king of Hered one,

12:15. The king of Lebna one, the king of Odullam one,

12:16. The king of Maceda one, the king of Bethel one,

12:17. The king of Taphua one, the king of Opher one,

12:18. The king of Aphec one, the king of Saron one,

12:19. The king of Madon one, the king of Asor one,

12:20. The king of Semeron one, the king of Achsaph one,

12:21. The king of Thenac one, the king of Mageddo one,

12:22. Thee king of Cades one, the king of Jachanan of Carmel one,

12:23. The king of Dor, and of the province of Dor one, the king of the
nations of Galgal one,

12:24. The king of Thersa one: all the kings thirty and one.



Josue Chapter 13


God commandeth Josue to divide the land: the possessions of Ruben, Gad,
and half the tribe of Manasses, beyond the Jordan.

13:1. Josue was old, and far advanced in years, and the Lord said to
him: Thou art grown old, and advanced in age, and there is a very large
country left, which is not yet divided by lot:

Josue was old, and far advanced in years. . .He was then about one
hundred and one years old.--And there is a very large country left,
which is not yet divided by lot. . .Not yet possessed by the children of
Israel.

13:2. To wit, all Galilee, Philistia, and all Gessuri.

13:3. From the troubled river, that watereth Egypt, unto the border of
Accaron northward: the land of Chanaan, which is divided among the
lords of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Azotians, the Ascalonites,
the Gethites, and the Accronites.

13:4. And on the south side are the Hevites, all the land of Chanaan,
and Maara of the Sidonians as far as Apheca, and the borders of the
Amorrhite,

13:5. And his confines. The country also of Libanus towards the east
from Baalgad under mount Hermon to the entering into Emath.

13:6. Of all that dwell in the mountains from Libanus, to the waters of
Maserephoth, and all the Sidonians. I am he that will cut them off from
before the face of the children of Israel. So let their land come in as
a part of the inheritance of Israel, as I have commanded thee.

13:7. And now divide the land in possession to the nine tribes, and to
the half tribe of Manasses,

13:8. With whom Ruben and Gad have possessed the land, which Moses the
servant of the Lord delivered to them beyond the river Jordan, on the
east side.

With whom. . .That is, with the other half of that same tribe.

13:9. From Aroer, which is upon the bank of the torrent Arnon, and in
the midst of the valley and all the plains of Medaba, as far as Dibon:

13:10. And all the cities of Sehon, king of the Amorrhites, who reigned
in Hesebon, unto the borders of the children of Ammon.

13:11. And Galaad, and the borders of Gessuri and Machati, and all
mount Hermon, and all Basan as far as Salecha,

13:12. All the kingdom of Og in Basan, who reigned in Astaroth and
Edrai, he was of the remains of the Raphaims: and Moses overthrew and
destroyed them.

13:13. And the children of Israel would not destroy Gessuri and Machati
and they have dwelt in the midst of Israel, until this present day.

13:14. But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: but the
sacrifices and victims of thee Lord God of Israel, are his inheritance,
as he spoke to him.

13:15. And Moses gave a possession to the children of Ruben according
to their kindreds.

13:16. And their border was from Aroer, which is on the bank of the
torrent Arnon, and in the midst of the valley of the same torrent: all
the plain, that leadeth to Medaba,

13:17. And Hesebon, and all their villages, which are in the plains.
Dibon also, and Bamothbaal, and the town of Baalmaon,

13:18. And Jassa, and Cidimoth, and Mephaath,

13:19. And Cariathaim, and Sabama, and Sarathasar in the mountain of
the valley.

13:20. Bethphogor and Asedoth, Phasga and Bethiesimoth,

13:21. And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdoms of Sehon
king of the Amorrhites, that reigned in Hesebon, whom Moses slew with
the princes of Madian: Hevi, and Recem, and Sur and Hur, and Rebe,
dukes of Sehon inhabitants of the land.

The princes of Madian. . .It appears from hence that these were subjects
of king Sehon: they are said to have been slain with him, that is,
about the same time, but not in the same battle.

13:22. Balaam also the son of Beor the soothsayer, the children of
Israel slew with the sword among the rest that were slain.

13:23. And the river Jordan was the border of the children of Ruben.
This is the possession of the Rubenites, by their kindreds, of cities
and villages.

13:24. And Moses gave to the tribe of Gad and to his children by their
kindreds a possession, of which this is the division.

13:25. The border of Jaser, and all the cities of Galaad, and half the
land of the children of Ammon: as far as Aroer which is over against
Rabba:

13:26. And from Hesebon unto Ramoth, Masphe and Betonim: and from
Manaim unto the borders of Dabir.

13:27. And in the valley Betharan and Bethnemra, and Socoth, and Saphon
the other part of the kingdom of Sehon king of Hesebon: the limit of
this also is the Jordan, as far as the uttermost part of the sea of
Cenereth beyond the Jordan on the east side,

13:28. This is the possession of the children of Gad by their families,
their cities, and villages.

13:29. He gave also to the half tribe of Manasses and his children
possession according to their kindreds,

13:30. The beginning whereof is this: from Manaim all Basan, and all
the kingdoms of Og king of Basan, and all the villages of Jair, which
are in Basan, threescore towns.

13:31. And half Galaad, and Astaroth, and Edrai, cities of the kingdom
of Og in Basan: to the children of Machir, the son of Manasses, to one
half of the children of Machir according to their kindreds.

13:32. This possession Moses divided in the plains of Moab, beyond the
Jordan, over against Jericho on the east side,

13:33. But to the tribe of Levi he gave no possession: because the Lord
the God of Israel himself is their possession, as he spoke to them.



Josue Chapter 14


Caleb's petition; Hebron is given to him and to his seed.

14:1. This is what the children of Israel possessed in the land of
Chanaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Josue the son of Nun, and the
princes of the families by the tribes of Israel gave to them.

14:2. Dividing all by lot, as the Lord had commanded the hand of Moses,
to the nine tribes, and the half tribe.

14:3. For to two tribes and a half Moses had given possession beyond
the Jordan: besides the Levites, who received no land among their
brethren:

14:4. But in their place succeeded the children of Joseph divided into
two tribes, of Manasses and Ephraim: neither did the Levites receive
other portion of land, but cities to dwell in, and their suburbs to
feed their beasts and flocks.

Hebron belonged, etc. . .All the country thereabouts, depending on
Hebron, was given to Caleb; but the city itself with the suburbs, was
one of those that were given to the priests to dwell in.

14:5. As the Lord had commanded Moses so did the children of Israel,
and they divided the land.

14:6. Then the children of Juda came to Josue in Galgal, and Caleb the
son of Jephone the Cenezite spoke to him: Thou knowest what the Lord
spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Cadesbarne.

14:7. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me
from Cadesbarne, to view the land, and I brought him word again as to
me seemed true,

14:8. But my brethren, that had gone up with me, discouraged the heart
of the people: and I nevertheless followed the Lord my God.

14:9. And Moses swore in that day, saying: The land which thy foot hath
trodden upon shall be thy possession, and thy children for ever,
because thou hast followed the Lord my God.

14:10. The Lord therefore hath granted me life, as he promised until
this present day, It is forty and five years since the Lord spoke this
word to Moses, when Israel journeyed through the wilderness: this day I
am eighty-five years old,

14:11. As strong as I was at that time when I was sent to view the
land: the strength of that time continueth in me until this day, as
well to fight as to march.

14:12. Give me therefore this mountain, which the Lord promised, in thy
hearing also, wherein are the Enacims, and cities great and strong: if
so be the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to destroy them, as
he promised me.

14:13. And Josue blessed him, and gave him Hebron in possession.

14:14. And from that time Hebron belonged to Caleb the son of Jephone
the Cenezite, until this present day: because he followed the Lord the
God of Israel.

14:15. The name of Hebron before was called Cariath-Arbe: Adam the
greatest among the Enacims was laid there and the land rested from
wars.



Josue Chapter 15


The borders of the lot of Juda. Caleb's portion and conquest. The
cities of Juda.

15:1. Now the lot of the children of Juda by their kindreds was this:
From the frontier of Edom, to the desert of Sin southward, and to the
uttermost part of the south coast.

15:2. Its beginning was from the top of the most salt sea, and from the
bay thereof, that looketh to the south.

15:3. And it goeth out towards the ascent of the Scorpion, and passeth
on to Sina: and ascendeth into Cadesbarne, and reacheth into Esron,
going up to Addar, and compassing Carcaa.

15:4. And from thence passing along into Asemona, and reaching the
torrent of Egypt: and the bounds thereof shall be the great sea, this
shall be the limit of the south coast.

15:5. But on the east side the beginning shall be the most salt sea
even to the end of the Jordan: and towards the north from the bay of
the sea unto the same river Jordan.

15:6. And the border goeth up into Beth-Hagla, and passeth by the north
into Beth-Araba: going up to the stone of Boen the son of Ruben.

15:7. And reaching as far as the borders of Debara from the valley of
Achor, and so northward looking towards Galgal, which is opposite to
the ascent of Adommin, on the south side of the torrent, and the border
passeth the waters that are called the fountain of the sun: and the
goings out thereof shall be at the fountain Rogel.

15:8. And it goeth up by the valley of the son of Ennom on the side of
the Jebusite towards the south, the same is Jerusalem: and thence
ascending to the top of the mountain, which is over against Geennom to
the west in the end of the valley of Raphaim, northward.

15:9. And it passeth on from the top of the mountain to the fountain of
the water of Nephtoa: and reacheth to the towns of mount Ephron: and it
bendeth towards Baala, which is Cariathiarim, that is to say, the city
of the woods.

15:10. And it compasseth from Baala westward unto mount Seir: and
passeth by the side of mount Jarim to the north into Cheslon: and goeth
down into Bethsames, and passeth into Thamna.

15:11. And reacheth northward to a part of Accaron at the side: and
bendeth to Sechrona, and passeth mount Baala: and cometh into Jebneel,
and is bounded westward with the great sea.

15:12. These are the borders round about of the children of Juda in
their kindreds.

15:13. But to Caleb the son of Jephone he gave a portion in the midst
of the children of Juda, as the Lord had commanded him: Cariath-Arbe
the father of Enac, which is Hebron.

15:14. And Caleb destroyed out of it the three sons of Enac, Sesai and
Ahiman, and Tholmai of the race of Enac.

15:15. And going up from thence he came to the inhabitants of Dabir,
which before was called Cariath-Sepher, that is to say, the city of
letters.

15:16. And Caleb said: He that shall smite Cariath-Sepher, and take it,
I will give him Axa my daughter to wife.

15:17. And Othoniel the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb,
took it: and he gave him Axa his daughter to wife.

15:18. And as they were going together, she was moved by her husband to
ask a field of her father, and she sighed as she sat on her ass. And
Caleb said to her: What aileth thee?

15:19. But she answered: Give me a blessing: thou hast given me a
southern and dry land, give me also a land that Is watered. And Caleb
gave her the upper and the nether watery ground.

15:20. This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Juda by
their kindreds.

15:21. And the cities from the uttermost parts of the children of Juda
by the borders of Edom to the south, were Cabseel and Eder and Jagur,

15:22. And Cina and Dimona and Adada,

15:23. And Cades and Asor and Jethnam,

15:24. Ziph and Telem and Baloth,

15:25. New Asor and Carioth, Hesron, which is Asor.

15:26. Amam, Sama and Molada,

15:27. And Asergadda and Hassemon and Bethphelet,

15:28. And Hasersual and Bersabee and Baziothia,

15:29. And Baala and Jim and Esem,

15:30. And Eltholad and Cesil and Harma,

15:31. And Siceleg and Medemena and Sensenna,

15:32. Lebaoth and Selim and Aen and Remmon: all the cities
twenty-nine, and their villages.

15:33. But in the plains: Estaol and Sarea and Asena,

15:34. And Zanoe and Engannim and Taphua and Enaim,

15:35. And Jerimoth and Adullam, Socho and Azeca,

15:36. And Saraim and Adithaim and Gedera and Gederothaim: fourteen
cities, and their villages.

15:37. Sanan and Hadassa and Magdalgad,

15:38. Delean and Masepha and Jecthel,

15:39. Lachis and Bascath and Eglon,

15:40. Chebbon and Leheman and Cethlis,

15:41. And Gideroth and Bethdagon and Naama and Maceda: sixteen cities,
and their villages.

15:42. Labana and Ether and Asan,

15:43. Jephtha and Esna and Nesib,

15:44. And Ceila and Achzib and Maresa: nine cities, and their
villages.

15:45. Accaron with the towns and villages thereof.

15:46. From Accaron even to the sea: all places that lie towards Azotus
and the villages thereof.

15:47. Azotus with its towns and villages. Gaza with its towns and
villages, even to the torrent of Egypt, and the great sea that is the
border thereof.

15:48. And in the mountain Samir and Jether and Socoth,

15:49. And Danna and Cariath-senna, this is Dabir:

15:50. Anab and Istemo and Anim,

15:51. Gosen and Olon and Gilo: eleven cities and their villages.

15:52. Arab and Ruma and Esaan,

15:53. And Janum and Beththaphua and Apheca,

15:54. Athmatha and Cariath-Arbe, this is Hebron and Sior: nine cities
and their villages.

15:55. Maon and Carmel and Ziph and Jota,

15:56. Jezrael and Jucadam and Zanoe,

15:57. Accain, Gabaa and Thamna: ten cities and their villages.

15:58. Halhul, and Bessur, and Gedor,

15:59. Mareth, and Bethanoth, and Eltecon: six cities and their
villages.

15:60. Cariathbaal, the same is Cariathiarim the city of woods, and
Arebba: two cities and their villages.

15:61. In the desert Betharaba, Meddin and Sachacha,

15:62. And Nebsan, and the city of salt, and Engaddi: six cities and
their villages.

15:63. But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that
dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the children of Juda in
Jerusalem until this present day.



Josue Chapter 16


The lot of the sons of Joseph. The borders of the tribe of Ephraim.

16:1. And the lot of the sons of Joseph fell from the Jordan over
against Jericho and the waters thereof, on the east: the wilderness
which goeth up from Jericho to the mountain of Bethel:

16:2. And goeth out from Bethel to Luza: and passeth the border of
Archi, to Ataroth,

16:3. And goeth down westward, by the border of Jephleti, unto the
borders of Beth-horon the nether, and to Gazer: and the countries of it
are ended by the great sea:

16:4. And Manasses and Ephraim the children of Joseph possessed it.

16:5. And the border of the children of Ephraim was according to their
kindreds: and their possession towards the east was Ataroth-addar unto
Beth-horon the upper.

16:6. And the confines go out unto the sea: but Machmethath looketh to
the north, and it goeth round the borders eastward into Thanath-selo:
and passeth along on the east side to Janoe.

Looketh to the north, etc. . .The meaning is, that the border went
towards the north, by Machmethath; and then turned eastward to
Thanath-selo.

16:7. And it goeth down from Janoe into Ataroth and Naaratha: and it
cometh to Jericho, and goeth out to the Jordan.

16:8. From Taphua it passeth on towards the sea into the valley of
reeds, and the goings out thereof are at the most salt sea. This is the
possession of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.

16:9. And there were cities with their villages separated for the
children of Ephraim in the midst of the possession of the children of
Manasses.

16:10. And the children of Ephraim slew not the Chanaanite, who dwelt
in Gazer: and the Chanaanite dwelt in the midst of Ephraim until this
day, paying tribute.



Josue Chapter 17


The lot of the half tribe of Manasses.

17:1. And this lot fell to the tribe of Manasses for he is the
firstborn of Joseph to Machir the firstborn of Manasses the father of
Galaad, who was a warlike man, and had for possession Galaad and Basan.

17:2. And to the rest of the children of Manasses according to their
families: to the children of Abiezer, and to the children of Helec, and
to the children of Esriel, and to the children of Sechem, and to the
children of Hepher, and to the children of Semida: these are the male
children of Manasses the son of Joseph, by their kindreds.

17:3. But Salphaad the son of Hepher the son of Galaad the son of
Machir the son of Manasses had no sons, but only daughters: whose names
are these, Maala and Noa and Hegla and Melcha and Thersa.

17:4. And they came in the presence of Eleazar the priest and of Josue
the son of Nun, and of the princes, saying: The Lord commanded by the
hand of Moses, that a possession should be given us in the midst of our
brethren. And he gave them according to the commandment of the Lord a
possession amongst the brethren of their father.

17:5. And there fell ten portions to Manasses, beside the land of
Galaad and Basan beyond the Jordan.

17:6. For the daughters of Manasses possessed inheritance in the midst
of his sons. And the land of Galaad fell to the lot of the rest of the
children of Manasses.

17:7. And the border of Manasses was from Aser, Machmethath which
looketh towards Sichem: and it goeth out on the right hand by the
inhabitants of the fountain of Taphua.

17:8. For the lot of Manasses took in the land of Taphua, which is on
the borders of Manasses, and belongs to the children of Ephraim.

17:9. And the border goeth down to the valley of the reeds, to the
south of the torrent of the cities of Ephraim, which are in the midst
of the cities of Manasses: the border of Manasses is on the north side
of the torrent, and the outgoings of it are at the sea:

17:10. So that the possession of Ephraim is on the south, and on the
north that of Manasses, and the sea is the border of both, and they are
joined together in the tribe of Aser on the north, and in the tribe of
Issachar on the east.

17:11. And the inheritance of Manasses in Issachar and in Aser, was
Bethsan and its villages, and Jeblaam with its villages, and the
inhabitants of Dor, with the towns thereof: the inhabitants also of
Endor with the villages thereof: and in like manner the inhabitants of
Thenac with the villages thereof: and the inhabitants of Mageddo with
their villages, and the third part of the city of Nopheth.

17:12. Neither could the children of Manasses overthrow these cities,
but the Chanaanite began to dwell in his land.

17:13. But after that the children of Israel were grown strong, they
subdued the Chanaanites, and made them their tributaries, and they did
not kill them.

17:14. And the children of Joseph spoke to Josue, and said: Why hast
thou given me but one lot and one portion to possess, whereas I am of
so great a multitude, and the Lord hath blessed me?

17:15. And Josue said to them: If thou be a great people, go up into
the woodland, and cut down room for thyself in the land of the
Pherezite and the Raphaims: because the possession of mount Ephraim is
too narrow for thee.

17:16. And the children of Joseph answered him: We cannot go up to the
mountains, for the Chanaanites that dwell in the low lands, wherein are
situate Bethsan with its towns, and Jezrael in the midst of the valley,
have chariots of iron.

17:17. And Josue said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasses:
Thou art a great people, and of great strength, thou shalt not have one
lot only:

17:18. But thou shalt pass to the mountain, and shalt cut down the
wood, and make thyself room to dwell in: and mayst proceed farther,
when thou hast destroyed the Chanaanites, who as thou sayest have iron
chariots, and are very strong.



Josue Chapter 18


Surveyors are sent to divide the rest of the land into seven tribes.
The lot of Benjamin.

18:1. And all the children of Israel assembled together in Silo, and
there they set up the tabernacle of the testimony, and the land was
subdued before them.

18:2. But there remained seven tribes of the children of Israel, which
as yet had not received their possessions.

18:3. And Josue said to them: How long are you indolent and slack, and
go not in to possess the land which the Lord the God of your fathers
hath given you?

18:4. Choose of every tribe three men, that I may send them, and they
may go and compass the land, and mark it out according to the number of
each multitude: and bring back to me what they have marked out.

18:5. Divide to yourselves the land into seven parts: let Juda be in
his bounds on the south side, and the house of Joseph on the north.

18:6. The land in the midst between these mark ye out into seven parts;
and you shall come hither to me, that I may cast lots for you before
the Lord your God.

The land in the midst between these mark ye out into seven
parts. . .That is to say, the rest of the land, which is not already
assigned to Juda or Joseph.

18:7. For the Levites have no part among you, but the priesthood of the
Lord is their inheritance. And Gad and Ruben, and the half tribe of
Manasses have already received their possessions beyond the Jordan
eastward: which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.

18:8. And when the men were risen up, to go to mark out the land, Josue
commanded them saying: Go round the land and mark it out, and return to
me: that I may cast lots for you before the Lord in Silo.

18:9. So they went and surveying it divided it into seven parts,
writing them down in a book. And they returned to Josue, to the camp in
Silo.

18:10. And he cast lots before the Lord in Silo, and divided the land
to the children of Israel into seven parts.

18:11. And first came up the lot of the children of Benjamin by their
families, to possess the land between the children of Juda, and the
children of Joseph.

18:12. And their border northward was from the Jordan: going along by
the side of Jericho on the north side, and thence going up westward to
the mountains, and reaching to the wilderness of Bethaven,

18:13. And passing along southward by Luza, the same is Bethel, and it
goeth down into Ataroth-addar to the mountain, that is on the south of
the nether Beth-horon.

18:14. And it bendeth thence going round towards the sea, south of the
mountain that looketh towards Beth-horon to the southwest: and the
outgoings thereof are into Cariathbaal, which is called also
Cariathiarim, a city of the children of Juda This is their coast
towards the sea, westward.

18:15. But on the south side the border goeth out from part of
Cariathiarim towards the sea, and cometh to the fountain of the waters
of Nephtoa.

18:16. And it goeth down to that part of the mountain that looketh on
the valley of the children of Ennom: and is over against the north
quarter in the furthermost part of the valley of Raphaim, and it goeth
down into Geennom (that is the valley of Ennom) by the side of the
Jebusite to the south: and cometh to the fountain of Rogel,

18:17. Passing thence to the north, and going out to Ensemes, that is
to say, the fountain of the sun:

18:18. And It passeth along to the hills that are over against the
ascent of Adommim: and it goeth down to Abenboen, that is, the stone of
Boen the son of Ruben: and it passeth on the north side to the
champaign countries; and goeth down Into the plain,

18:19. And it passeth by Bethhagla northward: and the outgoings thereof
are towards the north of the most salt sea at the south end of the
Jordan.

18:20. Which is the border of it on the east side. This is the
possession of the children of Benjamin by their borders round about,
and their families.

18:21. And their cities were, Jericho and Bethhagla and Vale-Casis,

18:22. Betharaba and Samaraim and Bethel,

18:23. And Avim and Aphara and Ophera,

18:24. The town Emona and Ophni and Gabee: twelve cities, and their
villages.

18:25. Gabam and Rama and Beroth,

18:26. And Mesphe, and Caphara, and Amosa,

18:27. And Recem, Jarephel, and Tharela,

18:28. And Sela, Eleph and Jebus, which is Jerusalem, Gabaath and
Cariath: fourteen cities, and their villages. This is the possession of
the children of Benjamin by their families.



Josue Chapter 19


The lots of the tribes of Simeon, Zabulon, Issachar, Aser, Nephtali and
Dan. A city is given to Josue.

19:1. And the second lot came forth for the children of Simeon by their
kindreds: and their inheritance was

19:2. In the midst of the possession of the children of Juda: Bersabee
and Sabee and Molada

19:3. And Hasersual, Bala and Asem,

19:4. And Eltholad, Bethul and Harma,

19:5. And Siceleg and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa,

19:6. And Bethlebaoth and Sarohen: thirteen cities, and their villages.

19:7. And Remmon and Athor and Asan: four cities, and their villages.

19:8. And all the villages round about these cities to Baalath Beer
Ramath to the south quarter. This is the inheritance of the children of
Simeon according to their kindreds,

19:9. In the possession and lot of the children of Juda: because it was
too great, and therefore the children of Simeon had their possession in
the midst of their inheritance.

19:10. And the third lot fell to the children of Zabulon by their
kindreds: and the border of their possession was unto Sarid.

19:11. And It went up from the sea and from Merala, and came to
Debbaseth: as far as the torrent, which is over against Jeconam.

19:12. And it returneth from Sarid eastward to the borders of
Ceseleththabor: and it goeth out to Dabereth and ascendeth towards
Japhie.

19:13. And it passeth along from thence to the east side of Gethhepher
and Thacasin: and goeth out to Remmon, Amthar and Noa.

19:14. And it turneth about to the north of Hanathon: and the outgoings
thereof are the valley of Jephtahel,

19:15. And Cateth and Naalol and Semeron and Jedala and Bethlehem:
twelve cities and their villages.

19:16. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Zabulon
by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

19:17. The fourth lot came out to Issachar by their kindreds.

19:18. And his inheritance was Jezrael and Casaloth and Sunem,

19:19. And Hapharaim and Seon and Anaharath,

19:20. And Rabboth and Cesion, Abes,

19:21. And Rameth and Engannim and Enhadda and Bethpheses.

19:22. And the border thereof cometh to Thabor and Sehesima and
Bethsames: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the Jordan: sixteen
cities, and their villages.

19:23. This is the possession of the sons of Issachar by their
kindreds, the cities and their villages.

19:24. And the fifth lot fell to the tribe of the children of Aser by
their kindreds:

19:25. And their border was Halcath and Chali and Beten and Axaph,

19:26. And Elmelech and Amaad and Messal: and it reacheth to Carmel by
the sea and Sihor and Labanath,

19:27. And it returneth towards the east to Bethdagon: and passeth
along to Zabulon and to the valley of Jephthael towards the north to
Bethemec and Nehiel. And it goeth out to the left side of Cabul,

19:28. And to Abaran and Rohob and Hamon and Cana, as far as the great
Sidon.

19:29. And it returneth to Horma to the strong city of Tyre, and to
Hosa: and the outgoings thereof shall be at the sea from the portion of
Achziba:

19:30. And Amma and Aphec and Rohob: twenty-two cities, and their
villages.

19:31. This is the possession of the children of Aser by their
kindreds, and the cities and their villages.

19:32. The sixth lot came out to the sons of Nephtali by their
families:

19:33. And the border began from Heleph and Elon to Saananim, and
Adami, which is Neceb, and Jebnael even to Lecum:

19:34. And the border returneth westward to Azanotthabor, and goeth out
from thence to Hucuca, and passeth along to Zabulon southward, and to
Aser westward, and to Juda upon the Jordan towards the rising of the
sun.

19:35. And the strong cities are Assedim, Ser, and Emath, and Reccath
and Cenereth,

19:36. And Edema and Arama, Asor,

19:37. And Cedes and Edri, Enhasor,

19:38. And Jeron and Magdalel, Horem, and Bethanath and Bethsames:
nineteen cities, and their villages.

19:39. This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Nephtali
by their kindreds, the cities and their villages.

19:40. The seventh lot came out to the tribe of the children of Dan by
their families

19:41. And the border of their possession was Saraa and Esthaol, and
Hirsemes, that is, the city of the sun,

19:42. Selebin and Aialon and Jethela,

19:43. Elon and Themna and Acron,

19:44. Elthece, Gebbethon and Balaath,

19:45. And Juda and Bane and Barach and Gethremmon:

19:46. And Mejarcon and Arecon, with the border that looketh towards
Joppe,

19:47. And is terminated there. And the children of Dan went up and
fought against Lesem, and took it: and they put it to the sword, and
possessed it, and dwelt in it, calling the name of it Lesem Dan, by the
name of Dan their father.

19:48. This is the possession of the tribe of the sons of Dan, by their
kindreds, the cities and their villages.

19:49. And when he had made an end of dividing the land by lot to each
one by their tribes, the children of Israel gave a possession to Josue
the son of Nun in the midst of them,

19:50. According to the commandment of the Lord, the city which he
asked for, Thamnath Saraa, in mount Ephraim: and he built up the city,
and dwelt in it.

19:51. These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest, and Josue
the son of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of the tribes of
the children of Israel, distributed by lot in Silo, before the Lord at
the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and they divided the land.



Josue Chapter 20


The cities of refuge are appointed for casual manslaughter.

20:1. And the Lord spoke to Josue, saying: Speak to children of Israel
and say to them:

20:2. Appoint cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of
Moses:

20:3. That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them, and
may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood.

20:4. And when he shall flee to one of these cities: he shall stand
before the gate of the city, and shall speak to the ancients of that
city, such things as prove him innocent: and so shall they receive him,
and give him a place to dwell in.

20:5. And when the avenger of blood shall pursue him, they shall not
deliver him into his hands, because he slew his neighbour unawares, and
is not proved to have been his enemy two or three days before,

20:6. And he shall dwell in that city, till he stand before judgment to
give an account of his fact, and till the death of the high priest, who
shall be at that time: then shall the manslayer return, and go into his
own city and house from whence he fled.

20:7. And they appointed Cedes in Galilee of mount Nephtali, and Sichem
in mount Ephraim, and Cariath-Arbe, the same is Hebron in the mountain
of Juda.

20:8. And beyond the Jordan to the east of Jericho, they appointed
Bosor, which is upon the plain of the wilderness of the tribe of Ruben,
and Ramoth in Galaad of the tribe of Gad, and Gaulon in Basan of the
tribe of Manasses.

20:9. These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel, and
for the strangers, that dwelt among them, that whosoever had killed a
person unawares might flee to them, and not die by the hand of the
kinsman, coveting to revenge the blood that was shed, until he should
stand before the people to lay open his cause.



Josue Chapter 21


Cities with their suburbs are assigned for the priests and Levites.

21:1. Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the
priest, and to Josue the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds
of all the tribes of the children of Israel

21:2. And they spoke to them in Silo in the land of Chanaan, and said:
The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, that cities should be given us
to dwell in, and their suburbs to feed our cattle.

21:3. And the children of Israel gave out of their possessions
according to the commandment of the Lord, cities and their suburbs.

21:4. And the lot came out for the family of Caath of the children of
Aaron the priest out of the tribes of Juda, and of Simeon, and of
Benjamin, thirteen cities.

21:5. And to the rest of the children of Caath, that is, to thee
Levites, who remained, out of the tribes of Ephraim, and of Dan, and
the half tribe of Manasses, ten cities.

21:6. And the lot came out to children of Gerson, that they should take
of the tribes of Issachar and of Aser and of Nephtali, and of the half
tribe of Manasses in Basan, thirteen cities.

21:7. And to the sons of Merari by their kindreds, of the tribes of
Ruben and of Gad and of Zabulon, twelve cities.

21:8. And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and
their suburbs, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, giving to
every one by lot.

21:9. Of the tribes of the children of Juda and of Simeon Josue gave
cities: whose names are these,

21:10. To the sons of Aaron, of the families of Caath of the race of
Levi (for the first lot came out for them)

21:11. The city of Arbe the father of Enac, which is called Hebron, in
the mountain of Juda, and the suburbs thereof round about.

21:12. But the fields and the villages thereof he had given to Caleb
the son of Jephone for his possession.

21:13. He gave therefore to the children of Aaron the priest, Hebron a
city of refuge, and the suburbs thereof, and Lebna with the suburbs
thereof,

21:14. And Jether and Estemo,

21:15. And Holon, and Dabir,

21:16. And Ain, and Jeta, and Bethsames, with their suburbs: nine
cities out of the two tribes, as hath been said.

21:17. And out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, Gabaon, and
Gabae,

21:18. And Anathoth and Almon, with, their suburbs: four cities.

21:19. All the cities together of the children of Aaron the priest,
were thirteen, with their suburbs,

21:20. And to the rest of the families of the children of Caath of the
race of Levi was given this possession.

21:21. Of the tribe of Ephraim, Sichem one of the cities of refuge,
with the suburbs thereof in mount Ephraim, and Gazer,

21:22. And Cibsaim, and Beth-horon, with their suburbs, four cities.

21:23. And of he tribe of Dan, Eltheco and Gabathon,

21:24. And Aialon and Gethremmon, with their suburbs, four cities.

21:25. And of the half tribe of Manasses, Thanac and Gethremmon, with
their suburbs, two cities.

21:26. All the cities were ten, with their suburbs, which were given to
the children of Caath, of the inferior degree.

21:27. To the children of Gerson also of the race of Levi out of the
half tribe of Manasses, Gaulon in Basan, one of the cities of refuge,
and Bosra, with their suburbs, two cities.

21:28. And of the tribe of Issachar, Cesion, and Dabereth,

21:29. And Jaramoth, and Engannim, with their suburbs, four cities.

21:30. And of the tribe of Aser, Masal and Abdon,

21:31. And Helcath, and Rohob, with their suburbs, four cities.

21:32. Of the tribe also of Nephtali, Cedes in Galilee, one of the
cities of refuge: and Hammoth Dor, and Carthan, with their suburbs,
three cities.

21:33. All the cities of the families of Gerson, were thirteen, with
their suburbs.

21:34. And to the children of Merari, Levites of the inferior degree,
by their families were given of the tribe of Zabulon, Jecnam and
Cartha,

21:35. And Damna and Naalol, four cities with their suburbs.

21:36. Of the tribe of Ruben beyond the Jordan over against Jericho,
Bosor in the wilderness, one of the cities of refuge, Misor and Jaser
and Jethson and Mephaath, four cities with their suburbs.

Four cities. . .There are no more, though there be five names: for Misor
is the same city as Bosor, which is to be observed in some other
places, where the number of names exceeds the number of cities.

21:37. Of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Galaad, one of the cities of
refuge, and Manaim and Hesebon and Jaser, four cities with their
suburbs,

21:38. All the cities of the children of Merari by their families and
kindreds, were twelve.

21:39. So all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the
children of Israel were forty-eight,

21:40. With their suburbs, each distributed by the families.

21:41. And the Lord God gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn
to give to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it.

21:42. And he gave them peace from all nations round about: and none of
their enemies durst stand against them, but were brought under their
dominion.

21:43. Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto
them, was made void, but all came to pass.



Josue Chapter 22


The tribes of Ruben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasses return to
their possessions. They build an altar by the side of the Jordan, which
alarms the other tribes. An embassage is sent to them, to which they
give a satisfactory answer.

22:1. At the same time Josue called the Rubenites, and the Gadites, and
the half tribe of Manasses,

22:2. And said to them: You have done all that Moses the servant of the
Lord commanded you: you have also obeyed me in all things,

22:3. Neither have you left your brethren this long time, until this
present day, keeping the commandment of the Lord your God.

22:4. Therefore as the Lord your God hath given your brethren rest and
peace, as he promised: return, and go to your dwellings, and to the
land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you
beyond the Jordan:

22:5. Yet so that you observe attentively, and in work fulfil the
commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded
you: that you love the Lord your God, and walk in all his ways, and
keep all his commandments, and cleave to him, and serve him with all
your heart, and with all your soul.

22:6. And Josue blessed them, and sent them away, and they returned to
their dwellings.

22:7. Now to half the tribe of Manasses, Moses had given a possession
in Basan: and therefore to the half that remained, Josue gave a lot
among the rest of their brethren beyond the Jordan to the west. And
when he sent them away to their dwellings and had blessed them,

22:8. He said to them: With much substance and riches, you return to
your settlements, with silver and gold, brass and iron, and variety of
raiment: divide the prey of your enemies with your brethren.

22:9. So the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the half
tribe of Manasses returned, and parted from the children of Israel in
Silo, which is in Chanaan, to go into Galaad the land of their
possession, which they had obtained according to the commandment of the
Lord by the hand of Moses.

22:10. And when they were come to banks of the Jordan, in the land of
Chanaan, they built an altar immensely great near the Jordan.

22:11. And when the children of Israel had heard of it, and certain
messengers brought them an account that the children of Ruben, and of
Gad, and the half tribe of Manasses had built an altar in the land of
Chanaan, upon the banks of the Jordan, over against the children of
Israel:

22:12. They all assembled in Silo, to go up and fight against them.

22:13. And in the mean time they sent to them into the land of Galaad,
Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest,

22:14. And ten princes with him, one of every tribe.

22:15. Who came to the children of Ruben, and of Gad, and the half
tribe of Manasses, into the land of Galaad, and said to them:

22:16. Thus saith all the people of the Lord: What meaneth this
transgression? Why have you forsaken the Lord the God of Israel,
building a sacrilegious altar, and revolting from the worship of him?

22:17. Is it a small thing to you that you sinned with Beelphegor, and
the stain of that crime remaineth in us to this day? and many of the
people perished.

22:18. And you have forsaken the Lord to day, and to morrow his wrath
will rage against all Israel.

22:19. But if you think the land of your possession to be unclean, pass
over to the land wherein is the tabernacle of the Lord, and dwell among
us: only depart not from the Lord, and from our society, by building an
altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.

22:20. Did not Achan the son of Zare transgress the commandment of the
Lord, and his wrath lay upon all the people of Israel? And he was but
one man, and would to God he alone had perished in his wickedness.

22:21. And the children of Ruben, and of Gad, and of the half tribe of
Manasses answered the princes of the embassage of Israel:

22:22. The Lord the most mighty God, the Lord the most mighty God, he
knoweth, and Israel also shall understand: If with the design of
transgression we have set up this altar, let him not save us, but
punish us immediately:

22:23. And if we did it with that mind, that we might lay upon it
holocausts, and sacrifice, and victims of peace offerings, let him
require and judge:

22:24. And not rather with this thought and design, that we should say:
To morrow your children will say to our children: What have you to do
with the Lord the God of Israel?

22:25. The Lord hath put the river Jordan for a border between us and
you, O ye children of Ruben, and ye children of Gad: and therefore you
have no part in the Lord. And by this occasion your children shall turn
away our children from the fear of the Lord. We therefore thought it
best,

22:26. And said: Let us build us an altar, not for holocausts, nor to
offer victims,

22:27. But for a testimony between us and you, and our posterity and
yours, that we may serve the Lord, and that we may have a right to
offer both holocausts, and victims and sacrifices of peace offerings:
and that your children to morrow may not say to our children: You have
no part in the Lord.

22:28. And if they will say so, they shall answer them: Behold the
altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for holocausts, nor for
sacrifice, but for a testimony between us and you.

22:29. God keep us from any such wickedness that we should revolt from
the Lord, and leave off following his steps, by building an altar to
offer holocausts, and sacrifices, and victims, beside the altar of the
Lord our God, which is erected before his tabernacle.

22:30. And when Phinees the priest, and the princes of the embassage,
who were with him, had heard this, they were satisfied: and they
admitted most willingly the words of the children of Ruben, and Gad,
and of the half tribe of Manasses,

22:31. And Phinees the priest the son of Eleazar said to them: Now we
know that the Lord is with us, because you are not guilty of this
revolt, and you have delivered the children of Israel from the hand of
the Lord.

22:32. And he returned with the princes from the children of Ruben and
Gad, out of the land of Galaad, into the land of Chanaan, to the
children of Israel, and brought them word again.

22:33. And the saying pleased all that heard it. And the children of
Israel praised God, and they no longer said that they would go up
against them, and fight, and destroy the land of their possession.

22:34. And the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad called the
altar which they had built, Our testimony, that the Lord is God,



Josue Chapter 23


Josue being old admonisheth the people to keep God's commandments: and
to avoid marriages and all society with the Gentiles for fear of being
brought to idolatry.

23:1. And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given
peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Josue
being now old, and far advanced in years:

23:2. Josue called for all Israel, and for the elders, and for the
princes, and for the judges, and for the masters, and said to them: I
am old, and far advanced in years,

23:3. And you see all that the Lord your God hath done to all the
nations round about, how he himself hath fought for you:

23:4. And now since he hath divided to you by lot all the land, from
the east of the Jordan unto the great sea, ant many nations yet remain:

23:5. The Lord your God will destroy them, and take them away from
before your face, and you shall possess the land as he hath promised
you.

23:6. Only take courage, and be careful to observe all things that are
written in the book of the law of Moses: and turn not aside from them
neither to the right hand nor to the left:

23:7. Lest after that you are come in among the Gentiles, who will
remain among you, you should swear by the name of their gods, and serve
them, and adore them:

23:8. But cleave ye unto the Lord your God, as you have done until this
day.

23:9. And then the Lord God will take away before your eyes nations
that are great and very strong, and no man shall be able to resist you.

23:10. One of you shall chase a thousand men of the enemies: because
the Lord your God himself will fight for you, as he hath promised.

23:11. This only take care of with all diligence, that you love the
Lord your God.

23:12. But if you will embrace the errors of these nations that dwell
among you, and make marriages with them, and join friendships:

23:13. Know ye for a certainty that the Lord your God will not destroy
them before your face, but they shall be a pit and a snare in your way,
and a stumbling-block at your side, and stakes in your eyes, till he
take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he
hath given you.

23:14. Behold this day I am going into the way of all the earth, and
you shall know with all your mind that of all the words which the Lord
promised to perform for you, not one hath failed,

23:15. Therefore as he hath fulfilled in deed, what he promised, and
all things prosperous have come: so will he bring upon you all the
evils he hath threatened, till he take you away and destroy you from
off this excellent land, which he hath given you,

23:16. When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your
God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served strange gods,
and adored them: then shall the indignation of the Lord rise up quickly
and speedily against you, and you shall be taken away from this
excellent land, which he hath delivered to you.



Josue Chapter 24


Josue assembleth the people, and reneweth the covenant between them and
God. His death and burial.

24:1. And Josue gathered together all the tribes of Israel in Sichem,
and called for the ancients, and the princes and the judges, and the
masters: and they stood in the sight of the Lord:

24:2. And he spoke thus to the people: Thus saith the Lord the God of
Israel: Your fathers dwelt of old on the other side of the river, Thare
the father of Abraham, and Nachor: and they served strange gods.

Of the river. . .The Euphrates.

24:3. And I took your father Abraham from the borders of Mesopotamia:
and brought him into the land of Chanaan: and I multiplied his seed,

24:4. And gave him Isaac: and to him again I gave Jacob and Esau. And I
gave to Esau mount Seir for his possession: but Jacob and his children
went down into Egypt.

24:5. And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I struck Egypt with many signs
and wonders.

24:6. And I brought you and your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to
the sea: and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and
horsemen, as far as the Red Sea.

24:7. And the children of Israel cried to the Lord: and he put darkness
between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and
covered them. Your eyes saw all that I did in Egypt, and you dwelt in
the wilderness a long time.

24:8. And I brought you into the land of the Amorrhite, who dwelt
beyond the Jordan. And when they fought against you, I delivered them
into your hands, and you possessed their land, and slew them.

24:9. And Balac son of Sephor king of Moab arose and fought against
Israel. And he sent and called for Balaam son of Beor, to curse you:

24:10. And I would not hear him, but on the contrary I blessed you by
him, and I delivered you out of his hand.

24:11. And you passed over the Jordan, and you came to Jericho. And the
men of that city fought against you, the Amorrhite, and the Pherezite,
and the Chanaanite, and the Hethite, and the Gergesite, and the Hevite,
and the Jebusite: and I delivered them into your hands.

24:12. And I sent before you and I drove them out from their places,
the two kings of the Amorrhites, not with thy sword nor with thy bow,

24:13. And I gave you a land, in which you had not laboured, and cities
to dwell in which you built not, vineyards and oliveyards, which you
planted not.

24:14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him with a perfect and
most sincere heart: and put away the gods which your fathers served in
Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

24:15. But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your
choice: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather
serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or
the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and
my house we will serve thee Lord,

24:16. And the people answered, and said, God forbid we should leave
the Lord, and serve strange gods.

24:17. The Lord our God he brought us and our fathers out of the land
of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: and did very great signs in our
sight, and preserved us in all the way by which we journeyed, and among
all the people through whom we passed.

24:18. And he hath cast out all the nations, the Amorrhite the
inhabitant of the land into which we are come. Therefore we will serve
the Lord, for he is our God.

24:19. And Josue said to the people: You will not be able to serve the
Lord: for he is a holy God, and mighty and jealous, and will not
forgive your wickedness and sins.

You will not be able to serve the Lord, etc. . .This was not said by way
of discouraging them; but rather to make them more earnest and
resolute, by setting before them the greatness of the undertaking, and
the courage and constancy necessary to go through with it.

24:20. If you leave the Lord, and serve strange gods, he will turn, and
will afflict you, and will destroy you after all the good he hath done
you.

24:21. And the people said to Josue: No, it shall not be so as thou
sayest, but we will serve the Lord.

24:22. And Josue said to the people, You are witnesses, that you
yourselves have chosen you the Lord to serve him. And they answered: We
are witnesses.

24:23. Now therefore, said he, put away strange gods from among you,
and incline your hearts to the Lord the God of Israel.

24:24. And the people said to Josue: We will serve the Lord our God,
and we will be obedient to his commandments.

24:25. Josue therefore on that day made a covenant, and set before the
people commandments and judgments in Sichem.

24:26. And he wrote all these things in the volume of the law of the
Lord: and he took a great stone, and set it under the oak that was in
the sanctuary of the Lord.

24:27. And he said to all the people: Behold this stone shall be a
testimony unto you, that it hath heard all the words of the Lord, which
he hath spoken to you: lest perhaps hereafter you will deny it, and lie
to the Lord your God.

It hath heard. . .This is a figure of speech, by which sensation is
attributed to inanimate things; and they are called upon, as it were,
to bear witness in favour of the great Creator, whom they on their part
constantly obey.

24:28. And he sent the people away every one to their own possession,

24:29. And after these things Josue the son of Nun the servant of the
Lord died, being a hundred and ten years old:

And after, etc. . .If Josue wrote this book, as is commonly believed,
these last verses were added by Samuel, or some other prophet.

24:30. And they buried him in the border of his possession in
Thamnathsare, which is situate in mount Ephraim, on the north side of
mount Gaas.

24:31. And Israel served the Lord all the days of Josue, and of the
ancients that lived a long time after Josue, and that had known all the
works of the Lord which he had done in Israel.

24:32. And the bones of Joseph which the children of Israel had taken
out of Egypt, they buried in Sichem, in that part of the field which
Jacob had bought of the sons of Hemor the father of Sichem, for a
hundred young ewes, and it was in the possession of the sons of Joseph.

24:33. Eleazar also the son of Aaron died: and they buried him in
Gabaath that belongeth to Phinees his son, which was given him in mount
Ephraim.




THE BOOK OF JUDGES



This Book is called JUDGES, because it contains the history of what
passed under the government of the judges, who ruled Israel before they
had kings. The writer of it, according to the more general opinion, was
the prophet Samuel.



Judges Chapter 1


The expedition and victory of Juda against the Chanaanites: who are
tolerated in many places.

1:1. After the death of Josue, the children of Israel consulted the
Lord, saying: Who shall go up before us against the Chanaanite, and
shall be the leader of the war?

1:2. And the Lord said: Juda shall go up: behold I have delivered the
land into his hands.

1:3. And Juda said to Simeon, his brother: Come up with me into my lot,
and fight against the Chanaanite, that I also may go along with thee
into thy lot. And Simeon went with him.

1:4. And Juda went up, and the Lord delivered the Chanaanite, and the
Pherezite into their hands: and they slew of them in Bezec ten thousand
men.

1:5. And they found Adonibezec in Bezec, and fought against him, and
they defeated the Chanaanite, and the Pherezite.

1:6. And Adonibezec fled: and they pursued after him and took him, and
cut off his fingers and toes.

1:7. And Adonibezec said: Seventy kings, having their fingers and toes
cut off, gathered up the leavings of the meat under my table: as I have
done, so hath God requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and
he died there.

1:8. And the children of Juda besieging Jerusalem, took it, and put it
to the sword, and set the whole city on fire.

Jerusalem. . .This city was divided into two; one part was called Jebus,
the other Salem: the one was in the tribe of Juda, the other in the
tribe of Benjamin. After it was taken and burnt by the men of Juda, it
was quickly rebuilt again by the Jebusites, as we may gather from ver.
21; and continued in their possession till it was taken by king David.

1:9. And afterwards they went down and fought against the Chanaanite,
who dwelt in the mountains, and in the south, and in the plains.

1:10. And Juda going forward against the Chanaanite, that dwelt in
Hebron, (the name whereof was in former times Cariath-Arbe) slew Sesai,
and Ahiman, and Tholmai:

Hebron. . .This expedition against Hebron, etc. is the same as is
related, Jos. 15.24. It is here repeated, to give the reader at once a
short sketch of all the achievements of the tribe of Juda against the
Chanaanites.

1:11. And departing from thence, he went to the inhabitants of Dabir,
the ancient name of which was Cariath-Sepher, that is, the city of
letters.

The city of letters. . .Perhaps so called from some famous school, or
library, kept there.

1:12. And Caleb said: He that shall take Cariath-Sepher, and lay it
waste, to him will I give my daughter Axa to wife.

1:13. And Othoniel, the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb,
having taken it, he gave him Axa his daughter to wife.

1:14. And as she was going on her way, her husband admonished her to
ask a field of her father. And as she sighed sitting on her ass, Caleb
said to her: What aileth thee?

1:15. But she answered: Give me a blessing, for thou hast given me a
dry land: give me also a watery land So Caleb gave her the upper and
the nether watery ground.

1:16. And the children of the Cinite, the kinsman of Moses, went up
from the city of palms, with the children of Juda, into the wilderness
of his lot, which is at the south side of Arad, and they dwelt with
him.

The Cinite. . .Jethro the father in law of Moses was called Cinoeus, or
the Cinite; and his children who came along with the children of Israel
settled themselves among them in the land of Chanaan, embracing their
worship and religion. From these the Rechabites sprung, of whom see
Jer. 35.--Ibid. The city of palms. . .Jericho, so called from the
abundance of palm trees.

1:17. And Juda went with Simeon, his brother, and they together
defeated the Chanaanites that dwelt in Sephaath, and slew them. And the
name of the city was called Horma, that is, Anathema.

1:18. And Juda took Gaza, with its confines, and Ascalon, and Accaron,
with their confines.

Gaza, etc. . .These were three of the principal cities of the
Philistines, famous both in sacred and profane history. They were taken
at this time by the Israelites: but as they took no care to put
garrisons in them, the Philistines soon recovered them.

1:19. And the Lord was with Juda, and he possessed the hill country:
but was not able to destroy the inhabitants of the valley, because they
had many chariots armed with scythes.

Was not able, etc. . .Through a cowardly fear of their chariots armed
with hooks and scythes, and for want of confidence in God.

1:20. And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had said, who destroyed
out of it the three sons of Enac.

1:21. But the sons of Benjamin did not destroy the Jebusites that
inhabited Jerusalem: and the Jebusite hath dwelt with the sons of
Benjamin in Jerusalem until this present day.

1:22. The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the Lord was
with them.

1:23. For when they were besieging the city, which before was called
Luza,

1:24. They saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him: Shew
us the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

1:25. And when he had shewed them, they smote the city with the edge of
the sword: but that man, and all his kindred, they let go:

1:26. Who being sent away, went into the land of Hetthim, and built
there a city, and called it Luza: which is so called until this day.

1:27. Manasses also did not destroy Bethsan, and Thanac, with their
villages; nor the inhabitants of Dor, and Jeblaam, and Mageddo, with
their villages. And the Chanaanite began to dwell with them.

1:28. But after Israel was grown strong, he made them tributaries, and
would not destroy them.

1:29. Ephraim also did not slay the Chanaanite that dwelt in Gazer, bnt
dwelt with him.

1:30. Zabulon destroyed not the inhabitants of Cetron, and Naalol: but
the Chanaanite dwelt among them, and became their tributary.

1:31. Aser also destroyed not the inhabitants of Accho, and of Sidon,
of Ahalab, and of Achazib, and of Helba, and of Aphec, and of Rohob:

1:32. And he dwelt in the midst of the Chanaanites, the inhabitants of
that land, and did not slay them.

1:33. Nephthali also destroyed not the inhabitants of Bethsames, and of
Bethanath: and he dwelt in the midst of the Chanaanites, the
inhabitants of the land, and the Bethsamites and Bethanites were
tributaries to him.

1:34. And the Amorrhite straitened the children of Dan in the mountain,
and gave them not a place to go down to the plain:

1:35. And he dwelt in the mountain Hares, that is, of potsherds, in
Aialon and Salebim. And the hand of the house of Joseph was heavy upon
him, and he became tributary to him.

He dwelt. . .That is, the Amorrhite.

1:36. And the border of the Amorrhite was from the ascent of the
scorpion, the rock, and the higher places.



Judges Chapter 2


An angel reproveth Israel. They weep for their sins. After the death of
Josue, they often fall, and repenting are delivered from their
afflictions, but still fall worse and worse.

2:1. And an angel of the Lord went up from Galgal to the place of
weepers, and said: I made you go out of Egypt, and have brought you
into the land for which I swore to your fathers: and I promised that I
would not make void my covenant with you for ever:

An angel. . .Taking the shape of a man.

2:2. On condition that you should not make a league with the
inhabitants of this land, but should throw down their altars: and you
would not hear my voice: why have you done this?

2:3. Wherefore I would not destroy them from before your face; that you
may have enemies, and their gods may be your ruin.

2:4. And when the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the
children of Israel: they lifted up their voice, and wept.

2:5. And the name of that place was called, The place of weepers, or of
tears: and there they offered sacrifices to the Lord.

2:6. And Josue sent away the people, and the children of Israel went
every one to his own possession to hold it:

And Josue, etc. . .This is here inserted out of Jos. 24, by way of
recapitulation of what had happened before, and by way of an
introduction to that which follows.

2:7. And they served the Lord all his days, and the days of the
ancients, that lived a long time after him, and who knew all the works
of the Lord, which he had done for Israel.

2:8. And Josue, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being a
hundred and ten years old;

2:9. And they buried him in the borders of his possession in
Thamnathsare, in Mount Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaas.

2:10. And all that generation was gathered to their fathers: and there
arose others that knew not the Lord and the works which he had done for
Israel.

2:11. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and
they served Baalim

2:12. And they left the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought
them out of the land of Egypt: and they followed strange gods, and the
gods of the people that dwelt round about them, and they adored them:
and they provoked the Lord to anger,

They followed strange gods. . .What is here said of the children of
Israel, as to their falling so often into idolatry, is to be understood
of a great part of them; but not so universally, as if the true worship
of God was ever quite abolished among them: for the succession of the
true church and religion was kept up all this time by the priests and
Levites, at least in the house of God in Silo.

2:13. Forsaking him, and serving Baal and Astaroth

2:14. And the Lord being angry against Israel, delivered them into the
hands of plunderers: who took them and sold them to their enemies, that
dwelt round about: neither could they stand against their enemies:

2:15. But whithersoever they meant to go, the hand of the Lord was upon
them, as he had said, and as he had sworn to them: and they were
greatly distressed.

2:16. And the Lord raised up judges, to deliver them from the hands of
those that oppressed them: but they would not hearken to them,

2:17. Committing fornication with strange gods, and adoring them. They
quickly forsook the way, in which their fathers had walked: and hearing
the commandments of the Lord, they did all things contrary.

2:18. And when the Lord raised them up judges, in their days, he was
moved to mercy, and heard the groanings of the afflicted, and delivered
them from the slaughter of the oppressors.

2:19. But after the judge was dead, they returned, and did much worse
things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving
them, and adoring them. They left not their own inventions, and the
stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.

2:20. And the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he
said: Behold this nation hath made void my covenant, which I had made
with their fathers, and hath despised to hearken to my voice:

2:21. I also will not destroy the nations which Josue left when he
died:

2:22. That through them I may try Israel, whether they will keep the
way of the Lord, and walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.

2:23. The Lord therefore left all these nations, and would not quickly
destroy them, neither did he deliver them into the hands of Josue.



Judges Chapter 3


The people falling into idolatry are oppressed by their enemies; but
repenting are delivered by Othoniel, Aod, and Samgar.

3:1. These are the nations which the Lord left, that by them he might
instruct Israel, and all that had not known the wars of the
Chanaanites:

3:2. That afterwards their children might learn to fight with their
enemies, and to be trained up to war:

3:3. The five princes of the Philistines, and all the Chanaanites, and
the Sidonians, and the Hevites that dwelt in Mount Libanus, from Mount
Baal Hermon to the entering into Emath.

3:4. And he left them, that he might try Israel by them, whether they
would hear the commandments of the Lord, which he had commanded their
fathers, by the hand of Moses, or not.

3:5. So the children of Israel dwelt in the midst of the Chanaanite,
and the Hethite, and the Amorrhite, and the Pherezite, and the Hevite,
and the Jebusite:

3:6. And they took their daughters to wives, and they gave their own
daughters to their sons, and they served their gods.

3:7. And they did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot their
God, and served Baalim and Astaroth.

3:8. And the Lord being angry with Israel, delivered them into the
hands of Chusan Rasathaim, king of Mesopotamia, and they served him
eight years.

Mesopotamia. . .In Hebrew Aramnaharim. Syria of the two rivers: so
called because it lies between the Euphrates and the Tigris. It is
absolutely called Syria, ver. 10.

3:9. And they cried to the Lord, who raised them up a saviour, and
delivered them; to wit, Othoniel, the son of Cenez, the younger brother
of Caleb:

3:10. And the spirit of the Lord was in him, and he judged Israel. And
he went out to fight, and the Lord delivered Chusan Rasathaim, king of
Syria, and he overthrew him:

3:11. And the land rested forty years, and Othoniel, the son of Cenez,
died.

3:12. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the
Lord: who strengthened against them Eglon, king of Moab: because they
did evil in his sight.

3:13. And he joined to him the children of Ammon, and Amalec: and he
went and overthrew Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

3:14. And the children of Israel served Eglon, king of Moab, eighteen
years.

3:15. And afterwards they cried to the Lord, who raised them up a
saviour, called Aod, the son of Cera, the son of Jemini, who used the
left hand as well as the right. And the children of Israel sent
presents to Eglon, king of Moab, by him.

3:16. And he made himself a two-edged sword, with a haft in the midst
of the length of the palm of the hand, and was girded therewith, under
his garment, on the right thigh.

3:17. And he presented the gifts to Eglon, king of Moab Now Eglon was
exceeding fat.

3:18. And when he had presented the gifts unto him he followed his
companions that came along with him.

3:19. Then returning from Galgal, where the idols were, he said to the
king: I have a secret message to thee, O king. And he commanded
silence: and all being gone out that were about him,

3:20. Aod went in to him: now he was sitting in a summer parlour alone,
and he said: I have a word from God to thee. And he forthwith rose up
from his throne.

A word from God, etc. . .What Aod, who was judge and chief magistrate of
Israel, did on this occasion, was by a special inspiration of God: but
such things are not to be imitated by private men.

3:21. And Aod put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his
right thigh, and thrust it into his belly,

3:22. With such force that the haft went in after the blade into the
wound, and was closed up with the abundance of fat. So that he did not
draw out the dagger, but left it in the body as he had struck it in:
and forthwith, by the secret parts of nature, the excrements of the
belly came out.

3:23. And Aod carefully shutting the doors of the parlour, and locking
them,

3:24. Went out by a postern door. And the king's servants going in, saw
the doors of the parlour shut, and they said: Perhaps he is easing
nature in his summer parlour.

3:25. And waiting a long time, till they were ashamed, and seeing that
no man opened the door, they took a key: and opening, they found their
lord lying dead on the ground.

3:26. But Aod, while they were in confusion, escaped, and passed by the
place of the idols from whence he had returned. And he came to Seirath:

3:27. And forthwith he sounded the trumpet in Mount Ephraim: and the
children of Israel went down with him, he himself going in the front.

3:28. And he said to them: Follow me: for the Lord hath delivered our
enemies, the Moabites, into our hands. And they went down after him,
and seized upon the fords of the Jordan, which are in the way to Moab:
and they suffered no man to pass over:

3:29. But they slew of the Moabites at that time, about ten thousand,
all strong and valiant men: none of them could escape.

3:30. And Moab was humbled that day under the hand of Israel: and the
land rested eighty years.

3:31. After him was Samgar, the son of Anath, who slew of the
Philistines six hundred men with a ploughshare: and he also defended
Israel.



Judges Chapter 4


Debbora and Barac deliver Israel from Jabin and Sisara, Jahal killeth
Sisara.

4:1. And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord
after the death of Aod:

4:2. And the Lord delivered them up into the hands of Jabin, king of
Chanaan, who reigned in Asor: and he had a general of his army named
Sisara, and he dwelt in Haroseth of the Gentiles.

4:3. And the children of Israel cried to the Lord: for he had nine
hundred chariots set with scythes and for twenty years had grievously
oppressed them.

4:4. And there was at that time Debbora, a prophetess, the wife of
Lapidoth, who judged the people.

4:5. And she sat under a palm tree, which was called by her name,
between Rama and Bethel, in Mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel
came up to her for all judgment.

4:6. And she sent and called Barac, the Son of Abinoem, out of Cedes,
in Nephthali: and she said to him: The Lord God of Israel hath
commanded thee: Go, and lead an army to Mount Thabor, and thou shalt
take with thee ten thousand fighting men of the children of Nephthali,
and of the children of Zabulon:

4:7. And I will bring unto thee in the place of the torrent Cison,
Sisara, the general of Jabin's army, and his chariots, and all his
multitude, and will deliver them into thy hand.

4:8. And Barac said to her: If thou wilt come with me, I will go: if
thou wilt not come with me, I will not go.

4:9. She said to him: I will go, indeed, with thee, but at this time
the victory shall not be attributed to thee, because Sisara shall be
delivered into the hand of a woman. Debbora therefore arose, and went
with Barac to Cedes.

4:10. And he called unto him Zabulon and Nephthali, and went up with
ten thousand fighting men, having Debbora in his company.

4:11. Now Haber, the Cinite, had some time before departed from the
rest of the Cinites, his brethren, the sons of Hobab, the kinsman of
Moses: and had pitched his tents unto the valley, which is called
Sennim, and was near Cedes.

4:12. And it was told Sisara, that Barac, the son of Abinoem, was gone
up to Mount Thabor:

4:13. And he gathered together his nine hundred chariots armed with
scythes, and all his army, from Haroseth of the Gentiles, to the
torrent Cison.

4:14. And Debbora said to Barac: Arise, for this is the day wherein the
Lord hath delivered Sisara into thy hands: behold, he is thy leader.
And Barac went down from Mount Thabor, and ten thousand fighting men
with him.

4:15. And the Lord struck a terror into Sisara, and all his chariots,
and all his multitude, with the edge of the sword, at the sight of
Barac; insomuch, that Sisara leaping down from off his chariot, fled
away on foot,

4:16. And Barac pursued after the fleeing chariots, and the army, unto
Haroseth of the Gentiles; and all the multitude of the enemies was
utterly destroyed.

4:17. But Sisara fleeing, came to the tent of Jahel, the wife of Haber,
the Cinite, for there was peace between Jabin, the king of Asor, and
the house of Haber, the Cinite.

4:18. And Jahel went forth to meet Sisara, and said to him: Come in to
me, my lord; come in, fear not. He went into her tent, and being
covered by her with a cloak,

4:19. Said to her: Give me, I beseech thee, a little water, for I am
very thirsty. She opened a bottle of milk, and gave him to drink, and
covered him.

4:20. And Sisara said to her: Stand before the door of the tent, and
when any shall come and inquire of thee, saying: Is there any man here?
thou shalt say: There is none.

4:21. So Jahel, Haber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and taking also
a hammer: and going in softly, and with silence, she put the nail upon
the temples of his head, and striking it with the hammer, drove it
through his brain fast into the ground: and so passing from deep sleep
to death, he fainted away and died.

4:22. And behold, Barac came pursuing after Sisara: and Jahel went out
to meet him, and said to him: Come, and I will shew thee the man whom
thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, he saw Sisara lying dead,
and the nail fastened in his temples.

4:23. So God that day humbled Jabin, the king of Chanaan, before the
children of Israel:

4:24. Who grew daily stronger, and with a mighty hand overpowered
Jabin, king of Chanaan, till they quite destroyed him.



Judges Chapter 5


The canticle of Debbora and Barac after their victory.

5:1. In that day Debbora and Barac, son of Abinoem, sung, and said:

5:2. O you of Israel, that have willingly offered your lives to danger,
bless the Lord.

5:3. Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes: It is I, it is I, that
will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel.

5:4. O Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, and passedst by the regions
of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens and clouds dropped water.

5:5. The mountains melted before the face of the Lord, and Sinai before
the face of the Lord the God of Israel.

5:6. In the days of Samgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jahel, the
paths rested: and they that went by them, walked through bye-ways.

The paths rested. . .The ways to the sanctuary of God were unfrequented:
and men walked in the by-ways of error and sin.

5:7. The valiant men ceased, and rested in Israel: until Debbora arose,
a mother arose in Israel.

5:8. The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overthrew the gates of the
enemies: a shield and spear was not seen among forty thousand of
Israel.

5:9. My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you, that of your own
good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord.

5:10. Speak, you that ride upon fair asses, and you that sit in
judgment, and walk in the way.

5:11. Where the chariots were dashed together, and the army of the
enemies was choked, there let the justices of the Lord be rehearsed,
and his clemency towards the brave men of Israel: then the people of
the Lord went down to the gates, and obtained the sovereignty.

5:12. Arise, arise, O Debbora, arise, arise, and utter a canticle.
Arise, Barac, and take hold of thy captives, O son of Abinoem.

5:13. The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among
the valiant ones.

5:14. Out of Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out
of Benjamin into thy people, O Amalec: Out of Machir there came down
princes, and out of Zabulon they that led the army to fight.

Out of Ephraim, etc. . .The enemies straggling in their flight were
destroyed, as they were running through the land of Ephraim, and of
Benjamin, which lies after, that is beyond Ephraim: and so on to the
very confines of Amalec. Or, it alludes to former victories of the
people of God, particularly that which was freshest in memory, when the
men of Ephraim and Benjamin, with Aod at their head, overthrew their
enemies the Moabites with the Amalecites their allies. See chap.
3.--Ibid. Machir. . .The tribe of Manasses, whose eldest son was Machir.

5:15. The captains of Issachar were with Debbora, and followed the


 


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