Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. V.

AND it came to pass when all the kings of the Amorite a 1.1 which were on the side of Jordan westward b 1.2, and all the kings of the Canaanite c 1.3, which were by the Sea d 1.4, * 1.5 heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan e 1.6 from before the children of Israel, until we were pas∣sed over, that their heart melted f 1.7, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the chil∣dren of Israel.

2 At that time g 1.8 the Lord said unto Joshua, Make h 1.9 thee * 1.10 sharp knives † i 1.11, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time k 1.12.* 1.13

3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and cir∣cumcised l 1.14 the children of Israel m 1.15 at the * 1.16 hill of the foreskins.

4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise all the people that came out of Egypt m 1.17, that were males, even all the men of war died in the wilder∣ness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

5 Now all the people that came out, were cir∣cumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they n 1.18 had not circumcised.

6 For the Children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people o 1.19 that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD, unto whom the LORD sware * 1.20 that he would not shew them p 1.21 the land which the LORD sware unto their fathers, that he would give us a land that floweth with milk and honey.

7 And their children whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised q 1.22, for they were uncircumcised: because they had not circumcised them by the way.

8 And it came to pass * 1.23 when they had done cir∣cumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they * 1.24 were whole r. * 1.25

9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt s 1.26 from off you: wherefore the name of the place is called * 1.27 Gilgal, unto this day.

10 And the children of Israel incamped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover t 1.28 on the * 1.29 fourteenth day of the month at even, in the plains of Jericho.

11 And they did eat of the old corn u 1.30 of the land, on the morrow after the Passover x 1.31, unlea∣vened cakes, and parched corn y 1.32, in the self-same day z 1.33.

12 And the * 1.34 Manna ceased a 1.35 on the morrow after they had •…•…aten of the old corn of the land, b 1.36 neither had the children of Israel Manna any more, but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

13 And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho c 1.37, that he lift up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there stood * 1.38 a man d 1.39 over against him with his sword drawn e 1.40 in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our Adversaries?

14 And he said, Nay f 1.41, but as † Captain of the* 1.42 host of the LORD g 1.43 am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his ser∣vant h 1.44?

15 And the Captain of the LORDs host said un∣to Joshua, * 1.45 Loose thy shoe from off thy foot i 1.46, for the place whereon thou standest is holy k 1.47: and Joshua did so.

Notes

• a 1.1

  These and the Canaanites are mentioned for all the rest, as being the chief of them for number, and power, and courage.
• b 1.2

  This is added to distinguish them from the other Amorites, Eastward from Iordan, whom Moses had subdued.
• c 1.3

  So the proper place of this Nation was on both sides of Iordan.
• d 1.4

  The mid-land Sea, all along the Coast of it, which was the chief seat of that people, though divers Colonies of them were come into, and settled in other pla∣ces.
• * 1.5

  Num. 13. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Exod. 1•…•…▪ •…•…
• e 1.6

  Which was their Bulwark on the East side, where the Israelites were; for it is very probable they had taken away all Bridges near those parts; and the Israelites having been so long in that Neighbouring Countrey, and yet not ma∣king any attempt upon them, they were grown secure; es∣pecially now, when Iordan swell'd beyond its ordinary bounds; and therefore they did not endeavour to hinder their passage.
• f 1.7

  They lost all their courage, and durst at∣tempt nothing upon the Israelites; not without Gods special Providence, that the Israelites might quietly participate of the two great Sacraments of their Church, Circumcision and the Passover, and thereby be prepared for their high and hard work, and for the possession of the Holy and Promised Land, which would have been Defiled by an Uncircumcised People.
• g 1.8

  As soon as ever they were come to Gilgal, which was on the tenth day; and so this might be executed the next, or the eleventh day, and that in the morning: on the thirteenth day they were sore of their wounds, and on the fourteenth day they recovered, and at the Even of that day kept the Passover.
• h 1.9

  Or, prepare, or make ready, as this word is some∣times used. As it was not necessary for those who had such Knives already to make others for that use; so it is not pro∣bable that such were commanded to do so, but only to make them sharp and fit for that work.
• * 1.10

  Exod. 4. •…•…
• i 1.11

  Called in Hebrew, Knives of Flints, not as if they were all necessarily to be made of Flints, but because such were commonly used, especially in those parts where there was but little Iron; and because such Knives were oft used in this work, as the Iewish Do∣ctors note, and in such like works, as Heathen writers relate. Thus we call that an Ink-horn, which is made of Silver, be∣cause those Utensils are commonly made of Horn.
• k 1.12

  He cal∣leth this a second Circumcision, not as if these same persons had been Circumcised once before, either by Ioshua, or by any other, for the contrary is affirmed below, v. 7. but with respect unto the body of the People, whereof one part had been Circumcised before, and the other at this time, which is called a second time, in relation to some former time wherein they were Circumcised, either, 1. in Egypt, when many of the people, who possibly for fear or favour of the Egyptians, had neglected this Duty, were by the com∣mand of Moses (who had been awakened by the remem∣brance of his own neglect and danger thereupon), Circum∣cised; which during the Ten Plagues, and the grievous con∣fusion and consternation of the Egyptians, they might easily find opportunity to do. Or 2. at Sinai, when they received the Pass-over, Numb. 9. 5. which no uncircumcised person might do, Exod. 12. 48. and therefore it may not seem improbable, that all the Children born in that first year after their coming out of Egypt, and all they who peradventure might come out of Egypt in their uncircumcision, were now Circumcised. Obj. 1. All that came out of Egypt were Circumcised, v. 5. Ans. 1. This may be true, but he doth not say when and where they were Circumcised; nor doth he deny that this was done to some of them, either in time of the Plagues in Egypt, or at Sinai. 2. All is very oft used of the greatest part, as is confessed. Obj. 2. All the people that were born in the Wilderness were not Circumcised, v. 5. Ans. 1. Under∣stand this also of the greatest part. 2. This is limited to them that were born by the way, as it is said there, and em∣phatically repeated, v. 7. i. e. in their Journeys and Travellings; which insinuates the reason why they were not Circumcised, because they were always uncertain of their stay in any place; and were constantly to be in readiness for a remo∣val when God took up the Cloud: But this reason ceased at Sinai, where they knew they were to abide for a considerable time; and seeing they took that opportunity for the celebra∣tion of the Pass-over, it is likely they would improve it al∣so to the Circumcision of their Children or others, which they ought to prize highly, and to embrace all occasions offe∣red for it; which though the people might, it is not likely that Moses would neglect. Obj. 3. They are said to have re∣mained uncircumcised Forty whole Years in the Wilderness, v. 6. Ans. i. e. for almost 40 years; as the same Phrase is used, Numb. 14. 33, 34. and 32. 13. when there was above one year of that number past and gone. Or 3. in Abraham, and so the sense may be, The first Circumcision conferred up∣on Abraham, and continued in his Posterity, hath been for many years neglected or omitted; and so that great and solemn pledg of my Covenant with you, is in a manner whol∣ly lo•…•…t, and therefore it is but fit and necessary to have this long interrupted practice of Circumcision revived, and to have Abrahams Posterity circumcised a second time for the renew∣ing of the Covenant between them and me again.
• * 1.13

  ‡ Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of flints.
• l 1.14

  i. e. He caused this to be done; and, because it was to be done speedily, the Passover approaching, it was necessary to use many hands in it, either Priests and Levites, or other Circumcised persons, who, at least in those circumstances, were permitted to do it.
• m 1.15

  i. e. Such of them as were un∣circumcised. And, though it be not mentioned, it is more than probable that the Israelites beyond Iordan were Circum∣cised at the same time.
• * 1.16

  Or, Gibeah •…•…aaraloth.
• m 1.17

  This is to be restrained to such as were then above 20 years old, and such as were guilty of that rebellion, Numb. 14. as it is expressed below, v. 6.
• n 1.18

  Either their Parents, or the Rulers of Israel, whose omission hereof was not through neglect; for then God, who had ordered the neglecter of Circumcision to be cut off, Gen. 17. 14. would not have left so gross a fault unpunish∣ed: but by Divine Permission and Indulgence; partly because they were now in a Journey, in which case the Passover also might be neglected, Numb. 9. 10, 13. and in that Journey the Passover was but once observed; and partly, because there was not so great a necessity of this note of Circumcision to di∣stinguish them from other Nations, whilest they dwelt alone and unmixed in the Wilderness, as there was afterwards.
• o 1.19

  The Hebrew word commonly signifies the Gentiles; so he calls them, to note that they were unworthy of the name and priviledges of Israelites.
• * 1.20

  Numb. 14. 23.
• p 1.21

  i. e. Not give them so much as a fight of it, which he granted to Moses, much less the possession and enjoyment of it. Or shewing is put for giving, as it is Psal. 4. 6. and 60. 3. Eccles. 2. 24.
• q 1.22

  Which God would have now done, 1. as a Testimony of Gods reconciliation to the people, of which circumcision was a sign, and that God would not further impute their Pa∣rents Rebellions to them. 2. Because the great impediment of Circumcision was now removed, to wit, their continued Travels, and frequent and uncertain removal. 3. To prepare them for the approaching Passover. 4. To distinguish them from the Canaanites, into whose land they were now come. 5. To ratify the Covenant between God and them, whereof Circumcision was a Sign and Seal, to assure them that God would now make good his Covenant, in giving them this Land; and to oblige them to perform all the Duties and Services to which that Covenant bound them, of which Cir∣cumcision was the beginning and foundation, all which they were expresly enjoined to do, as soon as ever they came in∣to Canaan, Exod. 12. 25. Levit. 23. 10. Numb. 15. 2.
• * 1.23

  Heb. When all the people had made an end to be Cir∣cumcised.
• * 1.24

  Heb. lived.
• * 1.25

  q Free from that pain and sore which Circumcision caused, Gen. 34. 25. It was indeed an act of great Faith, to expose themselves to so much pain and danger too, in this place where they were hemmed in by Iordan and their Ene∣mies; but yet they had many considerations to support their Faith, and suppress their Fears; the fresh experience of Gods power and readiness to work Miracles for their preservation; the great consternation of all their Enemies, which they might observe and rationally presume; the considerable number of the people who were above 40 years old, and therefore cir∣cumcised before this time, their great General being one of this number; the time it would require for their Enemies to bring together a force sufficient to oppose them.
• s 1.26

  i. e. Uncircumcision, which was both in Truth, and in the opinion of the Iews, a matter of great reproach, Gen. 34. 14. 1 Sam. 14. 6. and 17. 26. And although this was a reproach common to most Nations of the World, yet it is particularly called the reproach of Egypt, either, 1. because the other neighbouring Nations, being the children of Abraham by the Concubines, are supposed to have been Circumcised, which the Egyptians at this time were not, as may be ga∣thered from Exod. 2. 6. where they knew the Child to be an Hebrew by this mark. Or 2. because they came out of Egypt, and were esteemed to be a sort of Egyptians, Numb. 22. 5. which they justly thought a great reproach; but by their Cir∣cumcision they were now distinguished from them, and ma∣nifested to be another kind of people. Or 3. Because ma∣ny of them lay under this reproach in Egypt, having wicked∣ly neglected this Duty there for worldly reasons; and others of them continued in the same shameful condition for many years in the Wilderness.
• * 1.27

  That is r•…•…l∣ling.
• t 1.28

  Which was their third Passover: the first was in Egypt, Exod. 12. the second at Mount Sinai, Numb. 9. the third here; for in their Wilderness-Travels, these and all other Sacrifices were neglected, Amos 5. 25.
• * 1.29

  Exod. 12. 6.
• u 1.30

  The Corn of the last year, which the Inhabitants of those parts had doubtless left in their Barns, being doubtless fled for fear of the Israelites into their strong Cities, or other remoter and safer parts.
• x 1.31

  i. e. On the sixteenth day; for the Passover was killed between the two Evenings of the fourteenth day, and was eaten in that evening or night, which, according to the Iewish computation, whereby they begin their days at the evening, was a part of the fifteenth day, all which was the feast of the Passover▪ and so the mor∣row of the sixteenth day, was the morrow after the Passover, when they were obliged to offer unto God the first sheaf, and then were allowed to eat of the rest.
• y 1.32

  Of that years Corn, which was most proper and customary▪for that use.
• z 1.33

  Having an eager desire to enjoy the Fruits of the Land.
• * 1.34

  Exod. 16. 35.
• a 1.35

  Which God now withheld, 1. To shew that Man∣na was not an ordinary production of Nature, as by the long and constant enjoyment of it, they might be prone to think; but an extraordinary and special gift of God to supply their necessity. 2. Because God would not be prodigal of his favours, nor expose them to contempt by giving them superstuously, or by working Miracles where ordinary means were sufficient.
• b 1.36

  i. e. On the seventeenth day.
• c 1.37

  Heb. In Iericho, i. e. in the Countrey or Territory ad∣joyning to Iericho; whither he went to view those parts, and discern the fittest places for his attempt upon Iericho, as Ge∣nerals usually do.
• * 1.38

  Exod. 23. 23. Zech. 1. 8.
• d 1.39

  One in the appearance of man.
• e 1.40

  In rea∣diness to fight, not, as Ioshua thought, against him, but for him and his people.
• f 1.41

  I am neither Israelite, nor Canaanite.
• * 1.42

  ‡ Or, Prince.
• g 1.43

  Either, 1. of all Creatures in Heaven and Earth, which are Gods Hosts. Or, 2. of the Angels, who are called the Host of Heaven, 1 King. 22. 19. 2 Chron. 18. 18. Luke 2. 13. Or, 3. of the Host or people of Israel, which are called the Lords Host, Exod. 12. 41. The sense is, I am the chief Captain of this people, and will conduct and assist thee and them in this great under∣taking. Now this person is none other than Michael the Prince, Dan. 10. 21. and 12. 1. not a created Angel, but the Son of God, who went along with the Israelites in this Ex∣pedition, 1 Cor. 10. 4. not surely as an underling, but as their Chief and Captain. And this appears, 1. by his acceptance of Adoration here, which a created Angel durst not admit of, Rev. 22. 8, 9. 2. Because the place was made holy by his presence, v. 15. which was Gods Prerogative, Exod. 3. 5. 3. Because he is called the Lord, Heb. Iehovah, Josh. 6. 2.
• h 1.44

  I acknowledg thee for my Lord and Captain, and therefore wait for thy Commands, which I am ready to obey.
• * 1.45

  Exod. 3. 5. Act. 7. 33.
• i 1.46

  In token of reverence and subjection: See on Exod. 3. 5.
• k 1.47

  Consecrated by my presence; which when it was withdrawn, it was no more holy than any other place, the reason of its holiness being removed.