Commentary on the Book of Joshua John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
26. And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
26. Et Mispeh, et Chephirah, et Mosah,
27. And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
27. Et Recem, et Irpeel, et Tharalah,
28. And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
28. Et Sela, Eleph, et Jebusi (ipsa est Jerusalem,) Gibath, Cirjath: civitates quatuordecim, et villae earum. Ista est haereditas filiorum Benjamin per familias suas.
In the lot of Benjamin nothing occurs particularly deserving of notice, unless that a small tribe takes precedence of the others. I admit, indeed, that its limits were narrowed in proportion to the fewness of its numbers, because it obtained only twenty-six cities; but still an honor was bestowed upon it in the mere circumstance of its receiving its inheritance before more distinguished tribes. We may add, that in this way they were conjoined and made neighbors to the other 165 children of Joseph, with whom their relationship was more immediate. For they were placed in the middle between the children of Ephraim and Manasseh on the one side, and those of Judah on the other. They had also the distinguished honor of including Jerusalem in their inheritance, though they afterwards granted it by a kind of precarious tenure to the children of Judah for a royal residence. 166
It is strange, however, that having obtained such a quiet locality, they did not live on peaceful and friendly terms with their neighbors. But we possess the prophecy of Jacob, "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil." (Genesis 49:27)
Latin, "Reliquis filiis." French, "Des autres enfans;" "The other children," — an apparent oversight, as if Benjamin had been a son and not a brother of Joseph. — Ed.
Latin, "Postea filiis Juda quasi precario sedem regiam concederent." French, "Depuis ils la baillerent aux enfans de Juda comme par emprunt, pour en faire le siege royal;" "Afterwards they let it to the children of Judah as by loan, to make it the royal residence."
These words seem to imply that at some time or other a regular agreement to this effect had been made, but we nowhere find any mention of such an agreement. It would rather seem from Joshua 15:63, and Judges 1:8, 21, that the inhabitants of Judah possessed Jerusalem in consequence of their having wrested it from the Jebusites. — Ed.