성경 주석서

Now these [are] the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east [and] west; a [portion for] Dan.

Now these are the name, of the tribes. — Who are in this chapter assigned their several seats, and the land divided among them; but this division is much different from that of old, which was a plain prediction of a perfect and total abrogation of the Mosaic polity and Levitical worship, together with a new state of the Church of God after the coming of Jesus Christ.

To the coast of the way of Hethlon. — Ezekiel 47:15-17 . Judea was not, say geographers, over two hundred miles long, and fifty miles broad; but R. Kimchi here noteth, that the Talmudists affirm that the possession of Israel shall extend unto the utmost coasts of the earth, id quod ex spiritu dictum existima, Oecolamp. This was well and truly spoken, though they understood not what they spake, as dreaming only of an earthly kingdom. But as elsewhere, so here, the land of Canaan is put for the whole world, Psalms 89:11-12 whereof all true believers are heirs, together with faithful Abraham, Romans 4:11 whether they be Jews or Gentiles. Christ’s kingdom runs to the end of the earth. Psalms 2:8 ; Psalms 72:8

A Portion for Dan. — This tribe, which was, for their shameful revolt from the true religion, Judges 18:30 cut out of the roll, as it were, 1 Chronicles 7:1 ; 1 Chronicles 7:13-14 ; 1 Chronicles 7:20 ; 1 Chronicles 7:30 Revelation 7:5-8 is here reckoned first of those who had partem et sortem, part and lot among God’s people. So true is that of our Saviour, "Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." Matthew 19:30 ; Matthew 20:16 "Judge not therefore according to the appearance," … Repent, and God will re-accept. The fable of Antichrist to come of this tribe is long since exploded.

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And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Asher.

From the east side to the west. — The longitude is described, not the latitude. For why? Christ’s kingdom is limitless, and his dominion without dimension.

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And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Naphtali.

A portion for Naphtali. — There are many portions of inheritance in Christ’s kingdom; there are also in heaven many mansions, John 14:2 all which shall be divided among the elect.

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And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Manasseh.

A portion for Manasseh. — Which they do not, of their own accord, and as they see good, seize upon, but take their share set them out of the divine sentence.

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And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Ephraim.

A portion for Ephraim. — An equal portion with his elder brother Manasseh. In Christ’s kingdom all is of grace, nothing of merit.

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And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Reuben.

And by the border of Ephraim. — There is a continuity and conjunction of all the portions, to set forth the communion that is between the saints; a sweet mercy, a heaven beforehand.

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And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Judah.

A portion for Judah. — Who is set next to the sanctified oblation of the Lord, wherein were the portions of the priests, Levites, city, and prince. He must be a "Jew inwardly," a confessor and witness of the truth, who shall have part and portion in the privileges of God’s people.

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And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand [reeds in] breadth, and [in] length as one of the [other] parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.

Shall be the offering. — Whereof see Ezekiel 45:1-7 .

Of five and twenty thousand reeds. — Which being exactly cast up, saith one, come to forty-five miles, and therefore cannot be meant of any city to be built by the Jews again after their return from Babylon, but must be understood as the Church under the gospel.

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