A Comprehensive Commentary. The Book of Joshua

Transcription

1 A Comprehensive Commentary of The Book of Joshua together with references for further study from the General Conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the Encyclopedia of Mormonism and other doctrinal texts by General Authorities of the Church Written and compiled by Paul Nolan Hyde Parrish Press Orem, Utah

2 Copyright 2013; 2015 by Paul Nolan Hyde, Ph.D. All rights reserved. First Electronic Edition Copyright 2015 Parrish Press, Orem, Utah 1842 South 50 East Orem, Utah

3 Preface This project began as an attempt to provide my children and grandchildren something of their ancestor s love and understanding of the scriptures. I began producing volumes many years ago which I was pleased to call Paraphrastic studies. I wrote one of these studies for each of the four Gospels and the letters of Paul. Eventually, however, I began to sense that there was much that I knew about the New Testament that my translations could not communicate. I therefore thought to write a comprehensive commentary on the entire New Testament, beginning with Matthew and concluding with the book of Revelation. As I published each of the nine volumes, I included the paraphrastic studies, where I had them, in conjunction with the commentary for each book in the New Testament. I began this project in 2005 and completed the final volume in The whole effort was a delight to my soul. A year before I retired from the Church Educational System, in 2003, I thought to produce an 1830 formatting of the Book of Mormon using the present text of the 1981 edition. This was a relatively easy task, given the technology available to me. I distributed these to my colleagues at the Orem Institute of Religion, members of my family, and a few other interested parties for the cost of printing and binding them. Sometime in the early spring of 2007, I was impressed to begin a verse by verse commentary on the Book of Mormon, a task that I had not presumed to attempt, inasmuch as there are no translation difficulties that abound in the Old and New Testaments. Yet, there were instances of nineteenth-century word usage and syntactic issues that I thought a commentary might help to clarify. As I began, however, I discovered that there was much more that I could communicate to my children of my understanding of the ancient record of the Nephites, material that I had gleaned as I taught the scriptures during my thirty-five year career with CES. This labor eventually produced five volumes of moderate size. As I published each segment of the commentary, I enclosed the 1830 formatting of each book in the Book of Mormon that I had devise several years before. The last volume also appeared in late By the time that I was fully engaged with writing commentaries on both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, I had become infatuated with the idea that I might be able to expand the commentaries to include the other volumes of scripture as well. Thus, in the winter of 2010 I began writing commentaries on the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Once I finished with the Pearl of Great Price, I began to move ahead with the book of Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament. In the late fall of 2014 I finished the last of the commentaries on the Old Testament, for a total of thirty-three printed and bound volumes. With these volumes and the others produced over the past ten years, I have completed commentary on every verse of the Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My procedure for writing the Commentary was similar to that used in creating the original paraphrastic studies. The same reference texts were employed. For difficult words in Greek, Hebrew, 3

4 and English I resorted to the works of James Strong and other lexicographers for linguistic insight. I consider the contributions made by conservative Protestant scholarship (as recorded in the New International Version) and conservative Catholic scholarship (as related in the New Jerusalem Bible). I resorted to the considered thought of Adam Clarke, one of the most prominent and prolific commentators on the sacred manuscripts available at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and who, I believe, was a man of great faith. I consulted with the Joseph Smith Translation at appropriate times (including in another column an indication that a JST change had been made for any given verse), and frequently to the writings of the General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, as I contemplated the possible meanings of each word and phrase. From time to time I resorted to Smith s Bible Dictionary and Discovering the World of the Bible by LaMar Berrett for some of the more arcane information that I thought would illuminate the text. I have attempted to maintain a steady course throughout my commentaries, treating each verse as unique, and where appropriate, duplicate notes and the text rather than use cross-references within the volume. Some may find this a waste of paper and ink, but I frankly dislike having to rifle through pages or volumes trying to find the first instance of the note or commentary. The duplications are easily ignored; fumbling through pages cannot be. It is in the best interests of the reader, however, to contemplate the reasons why such duplications exist in the biblical text in the first place. They are purposeful and I have attempted to point out their purpose as I have progressed through each volume. My numbering system for the notes used in the body of the commentary was adapted from historical linguistic texts with which I am familiar and which I had found quite useful. The pattern used is chapter.verse.word; thus note would contain material referring to the fifth word in the book of Hosea 3:4, for example. I make no comprehensive promises regarding the preciseness of my word count in any particular verse, but it will be close enough to eliminate any distressing confusion. Inasmuch as I began this series with the Gospel of Matthew, there will be times when I will make reference to my own work in that first volume. Sometimes there will be no more than a reference, MT-C ; other times I may quote directly from the original text. In either case my sole motivation will be to facilitate the flow of ideas rather than to multiply words. There are enough words already. References to the Commentaries on other books of the New Testament are abbreviated as follows: Matthew MT-C Mark MK-C Luke LK-C John JN-C Acts AC-C Romans RM-C 1 Corinthians 1 CO-C 2 Corinthians 2 CO-C Galatians GA-C Ephesians EP-C Philippians PP-C Colossians CL-C 1 Thessalonians 1 TH-C 2 Thessalonians 2 TH-C 1 Timothy 1 TM-C 2 Timothy 2 TM-C Titus TT-C Philemon PL-C Hebrews HB-C 1 Peter 1 PE-C 2 Peter 2 PE-C 1 John 1 JN-C 2 John 2 JN-C 3 John 3 JN-C Revelation RV-C 4

5 References to the Commentaries in the books of the Old Testament are as follows: Genesis GE-C Exodus EX-C Leviticus LV-C Numbers NM-C Deuteronomy DT-C Joshua JO-C Judges JD-C Ruth RU-C 1 Samuel 1 SM-C 2 Samuel 2 SM-C 1 Kings 1 KG-C 2 Kings 2 KG-C 1 Chronicles 1 CR-C 2 Chronicles 2 CR-C Ezra ER-C Nehemiah NE-C Esther ES-C Job JB-C Psalms PS-C Proverbs PV-C Ecclesiastes ES-C Song of Solomon SS-C Isaiah IS-C Jeremiah JR-C Lamentations LM-C Ezekiel EZ-C Daniel DA-C Hosiah HS-C Joel JL-C Amos AM-C Obadiah OB-C Jonah JH-C Micah MH-C Nahum NA-C Habakkuk HB-C Zephaniah ZP-C Haggai HG-C Zechariah ZE-C Malachi ML-C I have also made reference to the other standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. The references to the Book of Mormon are articulated in bold and italics lettering using the following abbreviations: 1 Nephi 1 NE-C 2 Nephi 2 NE-C Jacob JA-C Enos EN-C Jarom JM-C Omni OM-C Words of Mormon WM-C Mosiah MS-C Alma AL-C Helaman HE-C 3 Nephi 3 NE-C 4 Nephi 4 NE-C Mormon MM-C Ether ET-C Moroni MR-C The abbreviation TPW-C refers to the material found on the Title Page of the Book of Mormon and in the Testimonies of the Three and Eight Witnesses. The references to Sections that are in the Doctrine and Covenants are indicated as DC-C followed by the section number and verse (OD1-C and OD2-C are self-explanatory); The Pearl of Great Price references contained herein use the following abbreviations: MO-C, AB-C, SM-C, SH-C, and AF-C. In some cases I have taken on what some would consider controversial material. I make no apologies for so doing. I have found that my children are best served when an issue is approached head on, the differing points of view presented, and the rationale given as to why one school of thought ought to be preferred over another. Sometimes the decisions are logically founded; others the result of doctrinal points that are unique to theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In most cases I have not argued authorities, even though I could have inserted multiple references to the writings of scholars with whom I am familiar. I have chosen to have my sources on any particular issue to remain anonymous in the text of the commentary for several reasons. First and foremost, this work is my commentary, what I believe and hold to be true. In the end, that is what my children wish to know. Secondly, I did not wish to have my children accept or dismiss a particular view merely because of who had been the author of it. Many wonderful insights have been made by scholars both inside and outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wherein I have found one view to be preferable over another has not been a partisan matter, but rather a matter of the mind, heart, and spirit cooperating together in an attempt to understand what must be the truth. Thirdly, I have been quite clear who my authorities have been. It is my fondest 5

6 desire that my children would become as familiar with their writings as I have. Were I to cite all of my sources with extensive quotes from each, there would be no need for them to open any of the books that I have come to love. That, in part, is why I included the third column containing crossreferences to the various doctrinal works in the Commentaries. Exceptions to this practice should be noted as being of extreme importance. In addition to the text of the Standard Works, together with my own commentary, I inserted a column of references for further study. The citations are taken from three major sources: the Conference Reports of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from April 1980 to November 2002 (abbreviated as CR followed by the year, month and page number); the Encyclopedia of Mormonism (four volumes, abbreviated EM followed by the volume and page number); and A Scripture Index (a compilation of scripture references cited in various texts published by General Authorities of the Church). For those not familiar with the abbreviations used in A Scripture Index. I include them below: TPJS Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith GD Gospel Doctrine MA Mediation and Atonement FWR Far West Record DHC History of the Church (7 vols.) TSWK Teaching of Spencer W. Kimball MF Miracle of Forgiveness FPM Faith Precedes the Miracle MD Mormon Doctrine PM Promised Messiah MM Mortal Messiah (4 vols.) MLM Millennial Messiah DNTC Doctrinal New Testament Commentary (3 vols.) JC Jesus the Christ AF Articles of Faith DS Doctrines of Salvation (3 vols.) AGQ Answers to Gospel Questions (5 vols.) As with each of the volumes previously published, I include two lists. The first, bound in front of the Commentary, is a listing of all of the words and phrases upon which I have made extensive remarks, a kind of sequential table of contents. I have also arranged this list alphabetically and have placed it at the end of the Commentary as a kind of index. A comprehensive alphabetical index for the entire volume appears as the last section of this book. Needless to say that all of the errors in the material submitted herein to the reader are the product of my own limitations as a scholar; all of the brilliance which may appear here is the product of minds and hearts filled with the fire of the Spirit of God, from whom all truth and beauty ultimately derive. A Note on the Electronic Edition Not only did my children and other family members receive bound copies of commentaries, but there were a number of friends and neighbors who had expressed an interest in them. There were requests from others who desired copies of what I had done, but I was not in a position to provide them with hard copies. Inasmuch as I had all of the volumes in computer files, I thought to compile each of the commentaries in some format that could be read on a smart device. I opted to use the Adobe Acrobat, turning all of the work into PDF files. I have used these on my tablet for many years and have found them useful and far easier to cart about with me. In the early spring of 2015, my neighbor David Dollahite arranged for a meeting with Jack Welch and Marny Parkin regarding the possibility of BYU providing a dedicated web site so that there would be greater public access to my 6

7 work. Thus began the present enterprise of editing and standardizing all that had done during the last ten years. My commentary on the Gospel of Mark is the second of these electronic volumes. Within a year or so I hope to have all of the books available in the same format. PNH Orem, Utah November

8 8 Sequence of Specifically Noted Words and Phrases in the Book of Joshua death Moses Joshua Nun Moses Jordan Israel Moses wilderness Lebanon Euphrates Hittites great sea Moses Moses Joshua officers Jordan Reubenites Gadites Manasseh Joshua Moses Moses Jordan Moses Jordan Joshua Moses Joshua Nun Shittim Jericho harlot s Rahab Jericho Israel Jericho Rahab wist wot flax Jordan Red sea Egypt Amorites Jordan Sihon Og Joshua Nun Joshua Joshua Shittim Jordan Israel officers ark priests Levites cubits Joshua Joshua priests Joshua Israel Moses priests ark Jordan Joshua Israel Joshua Canaanites Hittites Perizzites Girgashites Amorites Jebusites ark Jordan Israel priests ark Jordan Jordan priests ark ark Jordan priests harvest Adam Zaretan Jericho priests ark Jordan Israelites clean clean Jordan Joshua Jordan priests Joshua Israel Joshua ark Jordan Israel Jordan ark Israel Israel Joshua Jordan Joshua in Jordan priests ark this day priests ark Jordan Joshua Moses clean ark priests Reuben Gad Manasseh Israel Moses Jericho Joshua Israel Moses Joshua priests ark Jordan

9 Joshua priests Jordan priests ark Jordan Jordan first month Gilgal Jericho Jordan Joshua Gilgal Israel Israel Jordan Jordan Red sea Amorites Jordan Canaanites sea Israel we Joshua circumcise Israel Joshua circumcised Israel Joshua circumcise Egypt circumcised Egypt Israel Egypt floweth he Joshua circumcised they circumcising Joshua Egypt Gilgal Israel Gilgal passover month Jericho old corn passover unleavened cakes parched corn manna corn Israel Joshua Canaan Jericho Joshua Joshua shoe holy Jericho Israel Joshua Jericho compass priests ark horns compass horn Joshua Nun priests ark horns compass ark Joshua priests horns ark priests rereward ark Joshua ark compassed Joshua priests ark priests horns ark rereward compassed compassed priests Joshua Rahab harlot Israel priests Joshua harlot s Rahab Israel Joshua Rahab harlot Israel this day Jericho Joshua Jericho Joshua Israel Achan Carmi Zabdi Zerah Judah Joshua Jericho Ai Bethaven Bethel Joshua Ai Ai Ai Shebarim Joshua ark Israel Joshua Jordan Amorites Israel Canaanites Joshua Israel Israel Israel Israel Joshua Israel Judah Judah Zarhites Zabdi Achan Carmi Zabdi Zerah Judah Joshua Achan Israel Achan

10 Joshua Israel Babylonish shekels shekels Joshua Joshua Israel Joshua Israel Achan Zerah Achor Joshua Israel Achor this day Joshua Ai Ai Jericho Joshua Ai Joshua Bethel Ai people Joshua Israel people Ai people Ai Bethel Ai Joshua Ai Israel Joshua Israel Ai Joshua Ai Bethel Israel Joshua Ai Ai Joshua Israel Ai other Israel Ai Joshua Israel Ai Ai Joshua Ai Israel Joshua Joshua Ai this day Ai Joshua carcase Joshua altar Israel Ebal Moses Israel altar burnt offerings peace offerings Moses Israel Israel ark priests Levites stranger Gerizim Ebal Moses Moses Joshua Israel strangers Jordan great sea Lebanon Hittite Amorite Canaanite Perizzite Hivite Jebusite Joshua Israel Gibeon Joshua Jericho Ai Joshua Gilgal Israel Israel Hivites Joshua Egypt Amorites Jordan Sihon Heshbon Og Bashan Ashtaroth Joshua Israel Gibeon Chephirah Beeroth Kirjathjearim Israel Israel Joshua Joshua Moses Israel Joshua altar Adonizedek Jerusalem Joshua Ai Jericho Gibeon Israel Gibeon Ai Adonizedek Jerusalem Hoham Hebron Piram Jarmuth Japhia Lachish Debir Eglon up Gibeon Joshua Israel Amorites Jerusalem Hebron Jarmuth Lachish Eglon Gibeon Gibeon

11 Joshua Gilgal Amorites Joshua ascended Gilgal Joshua Joshua Gilgal Israel Gibeon Joshua Bethhoron Azekah Makkedah Israel Bethhoron Azekah Joshua Amorites Israel Gibeon Ajalon Jasher Israel Joshua Israel Gilgal kings Makkedah Joshua kings Makkedah Joshua Joshua Israel Joshua Makkedah Israel Joshua kings kings Jerusalem Hebron Jarmuth Lachish Eglon kings Joshua Israel Joshua Joshua Joshua this day Joshua Makkedah Jericho Joshua Makkedah Israel Libnah Israel Jericho Joshua Libnah Israel Lachish Lachish Israel Libnah Horam Gezer Lachish Joshua Lachish Joshua Eglon Israel Lachish Joshua Eglon Israel Hebron king Eglon Joshua Israel Debir Hebron Debir Libnah Joshua Israel Joshua Kadeshbarnea Gaza Goshen Gibeon Joshua Israel Joshua Israel Gilgal Jabin Hazor Jobab Madon Shimron Achshaph Chinneroth Dor Canaanite east Amorite Hittite Perizzite Jebusite Hivite Hermon Mizpeh Merom Israel Joshua Israel hough Joshua Merom Israel Zidon Misrephothamaim Mizpeh Joshua houghed Joshua Hazor Hazor Joshua Moses Israel Hazor Joshua Israel Moses Joshua Joshua Goshen Israel Halak Seir Baalgad Lebanon Hermon Joshua Israel Hivites Gibeon Israel Moses Joshua Anakims Hebron Debir Anab Judah Israel

12 Anakims Israel Gaza Gath Ashdod Joshua Moses Israel Israel Jordan Arnon Hermon Sihon Amorites Heshbon Aroer Arnon Gilead Jabbok Ammon Chinneroth salt sea Bethjeshimoth Ashdothpisgah Og Bashan Ashtaroth Edrei Hermon Salcah Bashan Geshurites Maachathites Gilead Sihon Heshbon Moses Israel Reubenites Gadites Manasseh Joshua Israel this side Jordan Baalgad Lebanon Halak Seir Hittites Amorites Canaanites Perizzites Hivites Jebusites Jericho Ai Bethel Jerusalem Hebron Jarmuth Lachish Eglon Gezer Debir Geder Hormah Arad Libnah Adullam Makkedah Bethel Tappuah Hepher Aphek Lasharon Madon Hazor Shimronmeron Achshaph Taanach Megiddo Kedesh Jokneam Carmel Dor Gilgal Tirzah Joshua Philistines Geshuri Sihor Egypt Ekron Canaanite Philistines Gazathites Ashdothites Eshkalonites Gittites Ekronites Avites Canaanites Mearah Sidonians Aphek Amorites Giblites Lebanon Baalgad Hermon Hamath Lebanon Misrephothamaim Sidonians Israel Manasseh Reubenites Gadites Moses Jordan Aroer Arnon Medeba Dibon Sihon Amorites Heshbon Ammon Gilead Geshurites Maachathites Hermon Bashan Salcah Og Bashan Ashtaroth Edrei Moses Israel Geshurites Maachathites this day Levi sacrifices Israel Moses Reuben coast Aroer Arnon Medeba Heshbon Dibon Bamothbaal Bethbaalmeon Jahazah Kedemoth Mephaath Kirjathaim Sibmah Zarethshahar Bethpeor Ashdothpisgah

13 Bethjeshimoth Sihon Amorites Heshbon Moses Midian Evi Rekem Zur Hur Reba Balaam Beor Israel Reuben Jordan Moses Gad coast Jazer Gilead Ammon Aroer Rabbah Heshbon Ramathmizpeh Betonim Mahanaim Debir Betharam Bethnimrah Succoth Zaphon Sihon Heshbon Jordan Chinnereth Gad Moses Manasseh coast Mahanaim Bashan Og Jair Gilead Ashtaroth Edrei Og Bashan Machir Manasseh Moses Moab Jordan Jericho Levi Moses Israel Israel Canaan Eleazar priest Joshua Nun lot Moses Moses Jordan Levites Joseph Manasseh Ephraim Levites Moses Israel Judah Joshua Gilgal Caleb Jephunneh Moses Kadeshbarnea I Moses Kadeshbarnea Moses Moses Israel I Moses Anakims Joshua Caleb Jephunneh Hebron Hebron Caleb Jephunneh Israel Hebron Kirjatharba Arba Anakims Judah Edom Zin coast salt sea Maalehacrabbim Zin Kadeshbarnea Hezron Adar compass Karkaa Azmon river of Egypt coast sea salt sea Jordan Bethhogla Betharabah Bohan Reuben Debir Achor Gilgal Adummim river Enshemesh Enrogel Hinnom Jebusite Jerusalem mountain Nephtoah Ephron Baalah Kirjathjearim Baalah Seir Jearim Chesalon Bethshemesh Timnah Ekron Shicron Baalah Jabneel sea great sea coast coast Caleb Jephunneh Judah Joshua Arba Anak Hebron Caleb Anak Sheshai

14 Ahiman Talmai Debir Kirjathsepher Caleb Kirjathsepher Achsah Othniel Kenaz Caleb Achsah Caleb nether Judah coast Edom Kabzeel Eder Jagur Kinah Dimonah Adadah Kadesh Hazor Ithnan Ziph Telem Bealoth Hazor Hadattah Kerioth Hezron Hazor Amam Shema Moladah Hazargaddah Heshmon Bethpalet Hazarshual Beersheba Bizjothjah Baalah Iim Azem Eltolad Chesil Hormah Ziklag Madmannah Sansannah Lebaoth Shilhim Ain Rimmon twenty and nine valley Eshtaol Zoreah Ashnah Zanoah Engannim Tappuah Enam Jarmuth Adullam Socoh Azekah Sharaim Adithaim Gederah Gederothaim fourteen cities Zenan Hadashah Migdalgad Dilean Mizpeh Joktheel Lachish Bozkath Eglon Cabbon Lahmam Kithlish Gederoth Bethdagon Naamah Makkedah Libnah Ether Ashan Jiphtah Ashnah Nezib Keilah Achzib Mareshah Ekron Ekron sea Ashdod Ashdod Gaza river of Egypt Shamir Jattir Socoh Dannah Kirjathsannah Debir Anab Eshtemoh Anim Goshen Holon Giloh Arab Dumah Eshean Janum Bethtappuah Aphekah Humtah Kirjatharba Hebron Maon Carmel Ziph Juttah Jezreel Jokdeam Zanoah Cain Gibeah Timnah Halhul Bethzur Gedor Maarath Bethanoth Eltekon Kirjathbaal Kirjathjearim Rabbah Betharabah Middin Secacah Nibshan city of Salt Engedi Jebusites Jerusalem Judah this day Joseph Jordan Jericho Bethel Bethel Luz Archi Ataroth coast Japhleti

15 Bethhoron nether Gezer sea Joseph Manasseh Ephraim Ephraim Atarothaddar Bethhoron upper sea Michmethah Taanathshiloh Janohah Janohah Ataroth Naarath Jericho Jordan Tappuah Kanah sea Ephraim Ephraim Manasseh Canaanites Gezer Ephraimites this day Manasseh Joseph Machir Gilead Gilead Bashan Manasseh Abiezer Helek Asriel Shechem Hepher Shemida Joseph Zelophehad Hepher Gilead Machir Manasseh Mahlah Noah Hoglah Milcah Tirzah Eleazar priest Joshua Nun Moses Manasseh Gilead Bashan Jordan Manasseh Gilead coast Manasseh Asher Michmethah Shechem Entappuah Manasseh Tappuah Ephraim coast Kanah Ephraim Manasseh sea Ephraim s Manasseh s sea they Asher Issachar Manasseh Issachar Asher Bethshean Ibleam Dor Endor Taanach Megiddo Manasseh Canaanites Israel Canaanites Joseph Joshua Joshua Perizzites Ephraim Joseph Canaanites Bethshean Jezreel Joshua Joseph Ephraim Manasseh Canaanites Israel Shiloh tabernacle Israel Joshua Israel Judah coast Joseph cast lots Levites Gad Reuben Manasseh Jordan Moses Joshua cast lots Shiloh Joshua Shiloh Joshua cast lots Shiloh Israel Benjamin coast Judah Joseph Jordan Jericho Bethaven Luz Bethel Atarothadar nether Bethhoron sea Bethhoron Kirjathbaal Kirjathjearim Judah Kirjathjearim Nephtoah Hinnom Himmon Jebusi Enrogel Enshemesh Geliloth Adummim Bohan Reuben

16 Arabah Bethhoglah salt sea Jordan coast Jordan Benjamin coasts Benjamin Jericho Bethhoglah Keziz Betharabah Zemaraim Bethel Avim Parah Ophrah Chepharhaammonai Ophni Gaba Gibeon Ramah Beeroth Mizpeh Chephirah Mozah Rekem Irpeel Taralah Zelah Eleph Jebusi Jerusalem Gibeath Kirjath Benjamin Simeon Judah Beersheba or Sheba Moladah Hazarshual Balah Azem Eltolad Bethul Hormah Ziklag Bethmarcaboth Hazarsusah Bethlebaoth Sharuhen thirteen Ain Remmon Ether Ashan Baalathbeer Ramath Simeon Judah Simeon Zebulun Sarid sea Maralah Dabbasheth river Jokneam Sarid Chislothtabor Daberath Japhia Gittahhepher Ittahkazin Remmonmethoar Neah Hannathon Jiphthahel Kattath Nahallal Shimron Idalah Bethlehem twelve Zebulun Issachar Jezreel Chesulloth Shunem Hapharaim Shion Anaharath Rabbith Kishion Abez Remeth Engannim Enhaddah Bethpazzez coast Tabor Shahazimah Bethshemesh Jordan Issachar Asher Helkath Hali Beten Achshaph Alammelech Amad Misheal Carmel Shihorlibnath Bethdagon Zebulun Jiphthahel Bethemek Neiel Cabul Hebron Rehob Hammon Kanah Zidon coast Ramah Tyre Hosah sea Achzib Ummah Aphek Rehob twenty and two Asher Naphtali coast Heleph Allon Zaanannim Adami Nekeb Jabneel Lakum Jordan coast Aznothtabor Hukkok Zebulun Asher Judah Jordan Ziddim Zer Hammath Rakkath Chinnereth Adamah Ramah Hazor

17 Kedesh Edrei Enhazor Iron Migdalel Horem Bethanath Bethshemesh nineteen Naphtali Dan coast Zorah Eshtaol Irshemesh Shaalabbin Ajalon Elon Thimnathah Ekron Eltekeh Gibbathon Baalath Jehud Beneberak Gathrimmon Mejarkon Rakkon Japho coast Leshem Dan Dan coasts Israel Joshua Nun Timnathserah Ephraim Eleazar priest Joshua Nun Israel Shiloh door tabernacle Joshua Israel Moses Kedesh Galilee Naphtali Shechem Ephraim Kirjatharba Hebron Judah Jordan Jericho Bezer Reuben Ramoth Gilead Gad Golan Bashan Manasseh Israel stranger Levites Eleazar priest Joshua Nun Israel Shiloh Canaan Moses Israel Levites Kohathites Aaron priest Levites Judah Simeon Benjamin thirteen Kohath Ephraim Dan Manasseh ten Gershon Issachar Asher Naphtali Manasseh Bashan thirteen Merari Reuben Gad Zebulun twelve Israel Levites Moses Judah Simeon Aaron Kohathites Levi Arba Anak Hebron Judah city Caleb Jephunneh Aaron priest Hebron Libnah Jattir Eshtemoa Holon Debir Ain Juttah Bethshemesh Benjamin Gibeon Geba Anathoth Almon Aaron priests Kohath Levites Ephraim Shechem Ephraim Gezer Kibzaim Bethhoron Dan Eltekeh Gibbathon Aijalon Gathrimmon Manasseh Tanach Gathrimmon Kohath Gershon Levites Manasseh Golan Bashan Beeshterah Issachar Kishon Dabareh

18 Jarmuth Engannim Asher Mishal Abdon Helkath Rehob Naphtali Kedesh Galilee Hammothdor Kartan Gershonites Merari Levites Zebulun Jokneam Kartah Dimnah Nahalal Reuben Bezer Jahazah Kedemoth Mephaath Gad Ramoth Gilead Mahanaim Heshbon Jazer Merari Levites Levites Israel Israel Israel Joshua Reubenites Gadites Manasseh Moses Moses Jordan Moses cleave Joshua Manasseh Moses Bashan Joshua Jordan Reuben Gad Manasseh Israel Shiloh Canaan Gilead Moses Jordan Canaan Reuben Gad Manasseh Israel Reuben Gad Manasseh Canaan Jordan passage Israel Shiloh Israel Reuben Gad Manasseh Gilead Phinehas Eleazar priest Israel Reuben Gad Manasseh Gilead Israel Peor Israel tabernacle Achan son Zerah Israel Reuben Gad Manasseh Israel Israel burnt offering meat offering peace offerings Israel burnt offering burnt offerings sacrifices peace offerings burnt offerings sacrifices burnt offerings meat offerings sacrifices altar tabernacle Phinehas priest Israel Reuben Gad Manasseh Phinehas Eleazar priest Reuben Gad Manasseh Israel Phinehas Eleazar priest Reuben Gad Gilead Canaan Israel Israel Reuben Gad Reuben Gad Ed long time Israel Joshua Joshua Israel Jordan great sea Moses cleave cleave Joshua Israel Shechem Joshua Israel flood Terah Abraham Nachor I Abraham flood Canaan

19 Isaac I Isaac Jacob Esau Seir Egypt I Moses Aaron Egypt I Egypt sea Red sea he Egyptians sea I long season I Amorites Jordan Balak Zippor Moab Israel Balaam Beor I Balaam Jordan Jericho Amorites Perizzites Canaanites Hittites Girgashites Hivites Jebusites I I Amorites I flood Egypt flood Amorites Egypt Amorites Joshua Joshua Joshua Israel Joshua Joshua statute Shechem Joshua book sanctuary Joshua Joshua Joshua Nun Timnathserah Ephraim Gaash Israel Joshua Joseph Israel Egypt Shechem Jacob Hamor Shechem Eleazar Aaron hill Phinehas Ephraim

20 A Commentary on the Scriptures by Paul Nolan Hyde, Ph.D. The Book of Joshua 0.0 The book of Joshua serves the Torah in much the same way that the book of Acts serves the Gospels. Both continue the history of the covenant people after the departure of their respective Lawgivers. We could spend a considerable amount of time and space discussing the evidence that the scholars have used to date and to assign authorship to this portion of the Bible. Suffice it to say, we can rest assured that the prophet/general certainly left a detailed account of his own ministry which forms the vast majority of the narrative. It is clear, however, that sometime before the reign of the kings of Israel, perhaps even before the time of king Saul, an editorial hand was actively involved in preparing the book as we have it now. Who this individual might have been we may only speculate. Some have suggested that the preparation of the text was made by Eleazar, the son of Aaron the first high priest. Others suggest that the work was brought about considerably later, perhaps the result of a school of theologians and scribes intent on unifying the whole of the Hebrew writings. While the text has certainly passed through a series of hands since its composition, yet the later emendations are hardly more than marginalia and ought not overly concern us in our attempt to understand the life of one of the greatest military minds to appear in the history of the House of Israel. Josh. DS EM2: A review of the commentaries on the life of Joshua reveals considerable divergence of opinion as to how his chronology ought to be integrated with the chronology of the history of the House of Israel as given in the five books of Moses. According to our established chronology, Joseph was born in the Adamic year 2216; his son Ephraim was born 32 years later in The exodus took place in the eightieth year of Moses life, which we have suggested took place in the Adamic year Thus, between the birth of Ephraim and the exodus are approximately 159 years into which must be fitted no less than the nine generations that appear to be articulated in 1 Chronicles 7: The problem is further complicated when we discover that many scholars declare that Joshua is most likely age 45 at the time of the exodus. If this is the case, he then was born about the Adamic year This then would allow only 113 years between the birth of Ephraim and the birth of Joshua and the impossible accommodation of the aforementioned nine generations. We have previously accepted the notion that there are only five generations between Levi and Eleazar, the high priest at the time of Moses death. It is hard to imagine that there were twice that number of generations between Ephraim and Joshua, although the account in 1 Chronicles 7 almost forces us to accept the fact. Clearly there is something amiss somewhere. What we can state with certainty is that Joshua was the son of Nun and that both pertained to the tribe of Ephraim. Traditional scholarship suggests that the lineage from Ephraim to Joshua proceeds as follows: Ephraim, Beriah, Rephah, Resheph, Telah, Tahan, Laadan, Ammihud, Elishama, Nun, and Joshua. Some of these may be brothers, however, rather than fathers and sons, as is most likely the case with Rephah and Resheph. 0.2 In his own words, Caleb testified that he was forty years old when he participated in the surveying of the land of promise. This was thirty-eight years before the children of Israel crossed over the river Jordan. The leader of the tribe of Judah was eighty-five years old when he asked Joshua if he and his 20

21 people might be given the land of Hebron as their inheritance. Some scholars have therefore concluded that Joshua must have been about the same age, as much as forty-five years of age at the time of the exodus. The historical record explicitly states that Joshua was 110 years old at the time of his death. According to the writings of Flavius Josephus and others, Joshua led the children of Israel through the first twenty-five years of the conquest of the land of Canaan. Thus, he would have been about 85 years of age at the time the Israelites began their march toward the city of Jericho. He would have been about fortyseven at the time of the journey of the spies through Hebron and environs, and approximately 45 years of age at the time of the exodus. As counter evidence to this line of thinking is the passage in Exodus 33:11 where Joshua is declared to be one of Moses young men. Does forty-one constitute a young man in the culture of the time? The scholars suggest that his youth was predicated on his marital status, that Joshua at this time had not yet taken a wife. We are at a loss to be any more definitive and, therefore, our chronology suffers, as all other chronologies suffer, for a want of information. The following chart incorporates the extrapolated chronological data for Joshua in italics. Ad.Yr. M.Yr Event Scripture Moses born Caleb ordains Jethro (?) D&C 84: Levi dies Ex. 6: Joshua born (?) Moses flees Egypt (40) Acts 7: Jethro ordains Moses (60?) D&C 84: Amram dies Ex. 6: Moses receives his call (80) Acts 7: Joshua against Amalekites (46?) Ex. 17: Joshua departs with spies (47?) Num. 13: Miriam struck with leprosy Num.12: Miriam dies (95) Num. 20: Aaron dies (123) Num. 33: Moses Translated 2471 Joshua dies (110) Josh. 24:29 30 The abbreviations used above are similar to those employed in previous charts. The column labeled Ad.Yr. denotes the number of years since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The column labeled M.Yr suggests the age of Moses at the time of any given event. 0.3 Joshua s military prowess is generally foremost in the minds and hearts of those who contemplate his life s story. However, Joshua was first a student at the feet of the prophet of God. He was, no doubt, a bearer of the Melchizedek priesthood, a literal ecclesiastical Elder in the House of Israel. He accompanied the prophet on several occasions when Moses conversed with the Lord face to face. We do not have recorded any details regarding Joshua s own intimacy with the Lord God of Israel, but given the role Joshua enjoyed in his leadership of the children of Israel, we must assume that his performance as a prophet was no less than that of his predecessor. 0.4 Joshua s name appears in the text of the Old and New Testaments in several permutations: Hoshea, Oshea, Jehoshua, Jeshua, and Jesus. Some of the variations are attributed to subtle name changes; others are simply the effects that accompany translation through time and language. These have been pointed out in the past and will continue to be indicated in the future. 21

22 Chapter Surely the Lord God will do nothing save He reveals His secrets unto His servants the prophets death The complete historical record regarding the prophet Moses clearly indicates that he was translated into heaven without tasting death. For all intents and purposes, however, the children of Israel were no longer in physical contact with their Lawgiver Moses We have no idea how Amram and Jochebed referred to their son by name. This given by the princess, however, essentially is a reference to his deliverance from the Nile. In its elemental form, the name of the prophet means is born. The cognate in Hebrew means drew him out Joshua One of the greatest military commanders to ever have led the House of Israel. He was the son of Nun, pertaining to the tribe of Ephraim. The name is variously represented in translation, but it stems from the same roots as the Hellenized Jesus and means savior. Joshua served as one of the twelve spies who entered into the land of Canaan, and with Caleb of the tribe of Judah, testified that he believed that it was possible to defeat the inhabitants of the land notwithstanding the fact that they were giants. Joshua led the children of Israel across the river Jordan and under the inspiration of the Lord God orchestrated the conquest of a goodly portion of the promised land. He died at the age of 110 years Nun According to the first volume of the Chronicles, Nun pertained to the tribe of Ephraim (see 1 CH-C ). His genealogical line has been variously rendered in translation, the records not being as clear as might have been hoped. 1.2 Thirty-eight years before, the children of Israel had been commanded to enter into the land of Canaan by way of Hebron, but they refused to do so, frightened as they were by the report of ten of the spies sent by the Lord to survey the land of promise. The whole House of Israel over the age of twenty years, save for two men, were condemned to die in the wilderness for their faithless rebellion. Moses had led the people eventually to the east bank of the Jordan River where he addressed them preparatory to their entering into the lands of their inheritance Moses We have no idea how Amram and Jochebed referred to their son by name. This given by the princess, however, essentially is a reference to his deliverance from the Nile. In its elemental form, the name of the prophet means is born. The cognate in Hebrew means drew him out Jordan The river that runs north to south through the midst of the land of Canaan. Its terminus today is the Dead Sea. The valley of the river Jordan is several hundreds of feet below sea level Israel The name given to Jacob, the younger twin born to Isaac and Rebekah, and the brother of Esau. Much has been made of the naming of the younger brother, most of which has reflected poorly on Jacob. That Jacob would be the preferred son spiritually was clearly impressed upon the mind and heart of Rebekah and no doubt Isaac was familiar with the prophecy that had been given by the Lord to his wife. It would appear, however, that the naming of Jacob, which was no doubt done to help Esau realize that the spiritual blessings were not going to be bestowed upon him, was for the most part lost on him. The scholars of the world have pointed to Jacob s name as a term of deri- 1. Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses minister, saying, 2. Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 22