Joshua 10:3-23
King .... Jerusalem ...... King ..... King ..... King ...... King <04428 03389> [king of Jerusalem.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
Hebron was situated on an eminence, 20 miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beersheba. It is now called El Khalil, "the well-beloved," the usual epithet which the Turks and Arabs apply to Abraham, whose sepulchral cave they still shew; over which St. Helena built a magnificent church. Its original site was on an eminence, at the southern foot of which the present village is pleasantly situated, on which are the remains of an ancient castle, its sole defence.
Lachish <03923> [Lachish.]
aid <05826> [and help.]
attack <05221> [we may.]
camp <04264> [to the camp.]
abandon <07503> [Slack.]
subjects <05650> [from thy.]
hill country <02022> [mountains.]
night <03915> [all night.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Gibeon <01391> [at Gibeon.]
Beth Horon <01032> [Beth-horon.]
Azekah <05825> [Azekah.]
Makkedah <04719> [Makkedah.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sun <08121> [Sun.]
Joshua doubtless acted, on this occasion, by an immediate impulse upon his mind from the Spirit of God. The terms here employed to record the miracle, agree with the accustomed manner in which the the motions of the earth and sun are described in our own day. The sun apparently moves, but really is stationary; while the diurnal movement of the earth on its axis is by us unnoticed, and would not have been known except by astronomical science. The sun appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Ajalon, and there they stayed in their course for "a whole day." Many vain enquiries have been made concerning the way in which this miracle was wrought, and many difficulties and objections have been urged against understanding it literally. But the fact is authenticated by the Divine testimony; and the manner in which it was accomplished lies entirely out of our province, because beyond our comprehension.
still <01826> [stand thou. Heb. be silent.]
Aijalon <0357> [Ajalon.]
[Aijalon.]
nation <01471> [until.]
Upright <03477> [Jasher. or, the upright.]
sun ............................. sun <08121> [So the sun.]
day <03117> [there was.]
Lord ....... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Lord ....... Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
hid <02244> [and hid.]
cave <04631> [in a cave.]
This information brought to Joshua, is an evidence that there were those of the country, who knew the holes and fastnesses of it, that were in his interests. And the care Joshua took to secure them there, as it is an instance of his policy and presence of mind, even in the heat of action; so, in the success of their project, it shews how they who think to hide themselves from God, not only deceive, but destroy themselves. Their refuge of lies will but bind them over to God's judgment.
delay Chase <05975 07291> [stay ye.]
catch <02179> [smite. Heb. cut off the tail.]
allow .... retreat ........... handing ... over <05414 0935> [suffer them.]
<03615> [had made.]
fortified cities <05892 04013> [fenced cities.]
camp <04264> [to the camp.]
threaten <02782> [none.]
[See on ver.]
