Joshua 22

Joshua 22:1

Debir - The same mentioned above, ver.7. The name was Kirjath - sepher - This clause seems to be added to distinguish this from the other Debir subdued by Joshua, chap.10:38,39.

Joshua 22:2

To wife - Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God’s law; and if she were willing; for though parents had a great power over their children, they could not force them to marry any person against their own wills. He might otherwise be an unfit and unworthy person; but this was a divine impulse, that Othniel’s valour might be more manifest, and so the way prepared for his future government of the people, Judges 3:9.

Joshua 22:4

As she came - Or, as she went, namely, from her father’s house to her husband’s, as the manner was. She moved him - She persuaded her husband, either, That he would ask: or rather, That he would suffer her to ask, as she did. She lighted - That she might address herself to her father in an humble posture, and as a suppliant, which he understood by her gesture.

Joshua 22:5

A blessing - That is, a gift, as that word signifies, Genesis 33:11. A south land - That is, a dry land, much exposed to the south wind, which in those parts was very hot and drying, as coming from the deserts of Arabia. Springs of water - That is, a field, wherein are springs of water, which in that country were of great price; she begs a well moistened field, which also might give some relief to that which was dry and barren. Upper and nether springs - Or two fields, one above and the other below that south and dry ground which she complained of, that by this means it might be watered on both sides.

Joshua 22:18

Twenty nine - Here are thirty seven or thirty eight cities named before; how then are they only reckoned twenty nine? There were only twenty nine of them, which either, properly belonged to Judah; the rest fell to Simeon’s lot; or Were cities properly so called, that is, walled cities, or such as had villages under them, as it here follows; the rest being great, but unwalled towns, or such as had no villages under them.

Joshua 22:34

The mountains - That is, in the higher grounds called mountains or hills, in comparison of the sea - coast.