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(^150) From Joshua 22:9 we learn that they "departed out of Shiloh," hence after the land
had been finally apportioned among the tribes. Of course, this does not imply that the
same warriors had continued all through the wars without changing.
(^151) This we gather from 12:10: "And when they came to the circle (circuits) of Jordan,
that is in the land of Canaan" (in contrast to "the land of Gilead"), ver. 9. Again in ver.
11 "built an altar in face (or, in front) of the land of Canaan (that is, at its extreme
boundary, looking towards it), in the circuits of Jordan, by the side of (or, 'over against')
the children of Israel."
(^152) So literally, and not, as in Authorized Version (22:16): "What trespass is this that ye
have committed?" This sin is very significantly viewed here as an "unfaithfulness"
towards the God of Israel.
(^153) So in Joshua 22:17. Such a judgment as the death of 24, 000 (Numbers 25:9) must
have left many painful gaps in Israel. But this was not the saddest consequence. For,
evidently, the worship of Baal-Peor had struck root among the people, even although
for the present it was outwardly suppressed.
(^154) There is a fervency of utterance in their protestation, which appears even in the
accumulation of the names of God. The particle rendered "if" is here used as the
formula for an oath.
(^155) So also the Book of Joshua is divided into two parts: the first (ch. 1-12), descriptive
of the conquest, the second of the division of the land.
(^156) Joshua seems to have lived about fifteen years after the final division of the land.
(^157) This idea is suggested by Calvin.
(^158) The word used by the apostle (2 Peter 1:15) is "Exodus," the same as employed in
the conversation on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:31), to which St. Peter in his
epistle makes pointed reference (2 Peter 1:16-18).
(^159) All Israel were summoned through their elders, which is a genetic name including
the three divisions: "heads" of tribes, clans, and houses of fathers, "judges," and
"officers."
(^160) Literally "the possession of the sun" - properly Timnath serach, also called Timnath-
Cheres (Judges 2:9) by a transposition of letters, not uncommon in the Hebrew.
(^)