성경 주석서

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

Then Joshua called the Reubenites. — That he might disband and dismiss them, with due commendation and remuneration, as became a noble general.

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And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

Ye have kept all that Moses, … — Christ, the Captain of our salvation, shall in like sort set forth and celebrate the virtues and praise worthy practices of his servants and soldiers in that great Panegyris at the last day, saying, "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations: and I appoint unto you a kingdom." Luke 22:28-29

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Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Ye have not left your brethren these many days. — Seven years at least; some say more, even twice seven: which long absence from their own families, friends, and estates, left in a land so lately conquered, and that upon such a difficult and dangerous undertaking, was an undoubted evidence of their singular constancy and fidelity toward their brethren.

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But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

But take diligent heed to do the commandment. — He had commended them before for this, that they had "kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord their God," Joshua 22:3 but he would have them to "abound more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 1 John 5:13

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So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

So Joshua blessed them. — That is, He besought God to bless them, and so took a friendly farewell of them: they had both his benediction and his valediction at parting. Courtesy may very well stand with piety, so it be real and heart sprung.

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Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [possession] in Bashan: but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,

Then he blessed them. — See Joshua 22:6 .

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And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

Return with much riches. — War is generally hateful - the poets fain that Mars, of all their gods, was most hated by Jupiter - and hurtful to mankind: yet the Hollanders are said to grow rich by it. These in the text did so, for a reward of their good service. "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." Proverbs 22:4

Divide the spoil, … — Praecipit illis dilectionem proximi. Let those share with you, that, staying at home, tilled your grounds and safe-guarded your families. This was agreeable to a law made by Moses, Numbers 31:27 and revived by David. 1 Samuel 30:24-25

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And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which [is] in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

According to the word of the Lord, … — Numbers 32:20-22 God yielded to their desires, though inordinate: but then they were afterwards, as is well observed, the first that were carried captive out of their land. 1 Chronicles 5:25-26 Strong affections cause strong afflictions.

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