Numbers 13:21
wilderness ... Zin <04057 06790> [from the wilderness of Zin.]
The wilderness of Zin, is different from that called Sin. (Ex 16:1.) The latter was near Egypt, but the former was near Kadesh Barnea, not far from the borders of Canaan. It seems to be the valley mentioned by Burckhardt; which, under the names of El Ghor and El Araba, form a continuation of the valley of the Jordan, extending from the Dead sea to the eastern branch of the Red sea. The whole plain presents to the view an appearance of shifting sands, whose surface is broken by innumerable undulations and low hills. A few talk, tamarisk, and rethem trees grow among the sand hills; but the depth of sand precludes all vegetation of herbage.
Rehob <07340> [Rehob.]
Rehob was a city, afterwards given to the tribe of Asher, situated near mount Lebanon, at the northern extremity of the Promised Land, on the road which leads to Hamath, and west of Laish or Dan: compare Jud 1:31; 18:28; Jos 19:28.
Hamath <02574> [Hamath.]
Joshua 13:5
Byblos <01382> [Giblites.]
Probably the inhabitants of the country, around Gebal, (Eze 27:9,) or Byblos, as the LXX. render, a city of Phoenicia, situated on the Mediterranean, between Sidon and Tripoli, on the north of the river Adonis. It is now called Gibyle, of Djebail, situated about a day's journey south of Tripoli. Its walls are about a mile in circumference, with square towers about every forty yards' distance. Anciently it must have been a place of no mean extent and of considerable beauty, from the ruins still visible.
Lebanon <03844> [Lebanon.]
Baal Gad <01171> [Baal-gad.]
Mount <02022> [under mount.]
<0935> [unto the.]
Joshua 13:1
Joshua <03091> [A.M. 2560. B.C. 1444. An. Ex. Is. 47. Joshua.]
conquered <03423> [to be possessed. Heb. to possess it.]
Joshua 8:1-3
afraid .... panic <03372 02865> [Fear not.]
Take .... army ...................... people <03947 05971> [take all.]
It would seem, from this verse, that all that were capable of bearing arms were to march out of the camp on this occasion: 30,000 formed an ambuscade in one place; and 5,000 were placed in another, who all gained their positions in the night. With the rest of the army, Joshua appeared the next morning before Ai, which the men of that city would naturally suppose was the whole of the Israelitish force and, consequently, be the more emboldened to come out and attack them. Some, however, think that 30,000 men were the whole that were employed on this occasion, 5,000 of whom were placed in ambush on the west of the city, between Bethel and Ai (ver. 12,) and, with the rest, Joshua appeared before the city in the morning. The king, seeing but about 25,000 coming against him, though he had but 12,000 persons in the whole city (ver. 25), determined to risk a battle, issued out, and was defeated by stratagem.
See I ... handing <07200 05414> [see, I have.]
Do ... Ai ....... did <05857 06213> [do to Ai.]
[See on ch.]
plunder <07998> [only the spoil.]
Set ... ambush <07760 0693> [lay thee.]
night <03915> [by night.]
