Genesis 28:18-19
Early <07925> [rose up.]
took <03947> [and took.]
The practice of setting up stones as a memorial by travellers still exists in Persia, and other parts of the East.
placed ...... set <07760> [set it.]
poured <03332> [poured.]
called ........ name <08034> [the name.]
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el. i.e., the house of God.]
Genesis 31:45-52
relatives <0251> [brethren.]
Gather <03950> [Gather.]
pile ....... pile <01530> [an heap.]
The word {gal,} rendered "heap," properly signifies a round heap or circle; probably like the Druidical remains in this country, which have been traced in India, Persia, Western Asia, Greece, and Northern Europe. These usually consist of irregular circles of large stones, with a principal one in the midst; the former probably being used for seats, and the latter for an altar; corresponding to the stone set up as a pillar by Jacob, and the heap of stones collected by his brethren. They appear to have been used, as Gilgal undoubtedly was, (Jos 4:5; Jud 2:1; 3:19; ch. 20. 1 Sa 7:16; 10:8, 17; 11:15; 13:7; 15:33. 2 Sa 19:15, 40. 2 Ki 2:1.) as temples, and as places for holding councils, and assembling the people. For a satisfactory elucidation of this subject, consult the Fragments to Calmet, Nos. 156, 735, 736.
Jegar Sahadutha <03026> [Jegar-sahadutha. i.e., the heap of witness. Chald. Galeed. i.e., the heap of witness. Heb.]
pile <01530> [This heap.]
Galeed <01567> [Galeed. or, Gilead.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpah. i.e., a beacon, or watch-tower.]
[Mizpeh.]
mistreat <06031> [afflict.]
God <0430> [God.]
set <03384> [I have cast.]
For {yarithi,} "I have set up," we may read yaritha, "Thou hast set up," with one Heb. and one Sam. MS: see ver. 45.
Genesis 35:14
Joshua 4:9
set up twelve <06965 08147> [set up twelve.]
day <03117> [and they are there.]
These words might be written by Joshua at the close of his life, or perhaps be added by some later prophet. It seems from this verse, that there were two sorts of stones erected as a memorial of this great event: twelve at Gilgal (ver. 20,) and twelve in the bed of the Jordan; which last might have been placed on a base of strong stone work, so high as always to be visible, and serve to mark the very spot where the priests stood with the ark. Drs. Kennicott and Shuckford, however, would read here with the Syriac, {mittoch,} "from the midst," instead of {bethoch,} "in the midst;" and render, "And Joshua took up the twelve stones (taken) from the midst of Jordan," etc. But this reading is unsupported by any MS. yet collated; and it appears wholly unnecessary.
Joshua 4:20-24
Israelites .... children <01121> [When your.]
someday <04279> [in time to come. Heb. to-morrow.]
Lord ....................... Lord <03068> [as the Lord.]
The parents must take that occasion to tell their children of the drying up of the Red Sea forty years before: "As the Lord your God did to the Red Sea." It greatly magnifies later mercies to compare them with those before enjoyed; for, by making the comparison, it appears that God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Later blessings should also bring to remembrance former mercies, and revive thankfulness for them.
dried ....................... dried <03001> [which he dried.]
nations <05971> [all the people.]
power <02389> [that it is.]
obey <03372> [ye might.]
<03117> [for ever. Heb. all days.]
Joshua 24:26-27
Joshua <03091> [Joshua.]
took <03947> [took.]
set <06965> [set it.]
oak <0427> [under.]
A curious coincidence of circumstances is related by Livy, the Roman historian: he writes that "when three ambassadors were sent from Rome to complain of the perfidious conduct of the ’qui, the General informed them, that they might deliver their message to an oak which shaded his tent." On this one of the ambassadors turning away, said, "This venerable oak, and all the gods, shall know that you have violated the peace; they shall now hear our complaints; and may they also soon be witnesses, when we revenge with our arms the violation of divine and human rights." It is worthy of remark that Joshua merely set up a pillar under an oak,--the one, perhaps, to protect the other; while the General directed the ambassadors to address the oak, perhaps with an idolatrous feeling that they were addressing one of the gods, who would aid his cause; while the Roman ambassadors caught the feeling, and really invoked the aid of the oak and the gods.
heard <08085> [it hath.]
deny <03584> [deny.]
