John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. All the inhabitants of the hill country , etc.] Not in Judea, but in and about Lebanon, as follows: from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim ; of which (see Joshua 11:8); [and] all the Sidonians ; the inhabitants of the ancient city of Sidon, and the villages and lands belonging to it: these remained unconquered, and never were possessed by the Israelites: them will I drive out from before the children of Israel : which, though it may have a special respect unto the Sidonians, with whom the clause is closely connected, yet may include all the above lands unconquered, out of which, as well as Sidon, the Lord promises to drive the inhabitants, to make way for the children of Israel; that is, on condition of their obedience, for it appears that not only the Sidonians, but many others, even the chief, and most of those mentioned, were never possessed by them: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance ; that is, the whole land, as Abarbinel rightly remarks, both what was subdued and what was not; that was the business, and all the business, Joshua had now to do; he was not to be employed in making any further conquests, but leave them to others, and apply himself to the division of the land, by lot, to the tribes that as yet had no portion assigned them: as I have commanded thee ; now, at this time.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - At this chapter begins the account of the dividing of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel by lot; a narrative showing the performance of the promise made to the fathers, that this land shoul be given to the seed of Jacob. We are not to pass over these chapter of hard names as useless. Where God has a mouth to speak, and a hand to write, we should find an ear to hear, and an eye to read; and may God give us a heart to profit! Joshua is supposed to have been about on hundred years old at this time. It is good for those who are old an stricken in years to be put in remembrance of their being so. God considers the frame of his people, and would not have them burdene with work above their strength. And all people, especially old people should set to do that quickly which must be done before they die, les death prevent them, Ec 9:10. God promise that he would make the Israelites masters of all the countries yet unsubdued, through Joshu was old, and not able to do it; old, and not likely to live to see it done. Whatever becomes of us, and however we may be laid aside a despised, broken vessels, God will do his own work in his own time. We must work out our salvation, then God will work in us, and work with us; we must resist our spiritual enemies, then God will tread the under our feet; we must go forth to our Christian work and warfare then God will go forth before us.
Original Hebrew כל3605 ישׁבי3427 ההר2022 מן4480 הלבנון3844 עד5704 משׂרפת מים4956 כל3605 צידנים6722 אנכי595 אורישׁם3423 מפני6440 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 רק7535 הפלה5307 לישׂראל3478 בנחלה5159 כאשׁר834 צויתיך׃6680
