Commentary on the Book of Joshua John Calvin
COMMENTARY ON JOSHUA
16. And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs;
16. Et Ain et suburbana ejus, et Jutta et suburbana ejus: et Bethsemes et suburbana ejus: urbes novem de duabus tribubus istis. nine cities out of those two tribes.
17. And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
17. De tribu vero Benjamin, Gibeon et suburbana ejus, et Geba et suburbana ejus.
18. Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
18. Anathoth et suburbana ejus, Almon et suburbana ejus: urbes quatuor.
19. All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
19. Omnes urbes filiorum Aaron sacerdotum, tredecim urbes et suburbana earum.
1. Then came near the heads, etc Here we have at a later period a narrative of what ought to have preceded. For no cities of refuge were appointed before they had been assigned to the Levites. To this may be added what was formerly said, that Joshua and Eleazar had made an end of dividing the land. Now, the land was not truly divided till the habitation of the Levites was fixed. We must understand, therefore, that when the lot was cast in the name of the ten tribes, a reservation was made of cities in the land of Canaan for the habitation of the Levites. Beyond the Jordan their portion had already been assigned to them. But as the Levites come forward and request a ratification of the divine grant, it is probable that they were neglected till they pleaded their own cause. For so it is apt to happen, every one being so attentive in looking after his own affairs that even brethren are forgotten. It was certainly disgraceful to the people that they required to be pulled by the ear, and put in mind of what the Lord had clearly ordered respecting the Levites. But had they not demanded a domicile for themselves, there was a risk of their being left to lie in the open air; although, at the same time, we are permitted to infer that the people erred more from carelessness and forgetfulness than from any intention to deceive, as they make no delay as soon as they are admonished; nay, they are praised for their obedience in that they did what was just and right according to the word of the Lord.
4. And the lot came out for the families, etc Here is first described the number of cities of which we shall have to speak by and bye. Secondly, it