Joshua 13
[Joshua 13:1] NOW JOSHUA WAS OLD AND STRICKEN IN YEARS; AND THE LORD SAID
UNTO HIM, THOU ART OLD AND STRICKEN IN YEARS, AND THERE REMAINETH YET VERY
MUCH LAND TO BE POSSESSED.
[Joshua 13:2] THIS IS THE LAND THAT YET REMAINETH: ALL THE BORDERS OF THE
PHILISTINES, AND ALL GESHURI,
[Joshua 13:3] FROM SIHOR, WHICH IS BEFORE EGYPT, EVEN UNTO THE BORDERS OF
EKRON NORTHWARD, WHICH IS COUNTED TO THE CANAANITE: FIVE LORDS OF THE
PHILISTINES; THE GAZATHITES, AND THE ASHDOTHITES, THE ESHKALONITES, THE
GITTITES, AND THE EKRONITES; ALSO THE AVITES:
<<WHICH IS COUNTED TO THE CANAANITE: FIVE LORDS OF THE
PHILISTINES; THE GAZATHITES, AND THE ASHDOTHITES, THE ESHKALONITES, THE GITTITES,
AND THE EKRONITES; ALSO THE AVITES>>:
This is in accordance with the latest findings. The Philistines were basically of similar stock to the Canaanites
with a later overlying ruling element that was strongly influenced by early Greek culture.
[Joshua 13:4] FROM THE SOUTH, ALL THE LAND OF THE CANAANITES, AND MEARAH
THAT IS BESIDE THE SIDONIANS UNTO APHEK, TO THE BORDERS OF THE AMORITES:
<<SIDONIANS>>:
This is how the Phoenicians referred to themselves after the city of Sidon.
Later the city of Tyre came more important than Sidon but the citizens of
Tyre still considered themselves Sidonian.
[Joshua 13:5] AND THE LAND OF THE GIBLITES, AND ALL LEBANON, TOWARD THE
SUNRISING, FROM BAALGAD UNDER MOUNT HERMON UNTO THE ENTERING INTO HAMATH.
<<INTO HAMATH>>:
Hamath is often identified with a city by that name to the north of Syria
but actually in Biblical terms it referred more often to a geographical region.
All of Syria is part of the Promised Land and must be inherited by Israelites.
Each one of us must become more aware of his/her Hebrew inheritance,
Israelite destiny, and inborn duties. Assist Brit-Am to the best of your
ability.
[Joshua 13:6] ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY FROM LEBANON UNTO
MISREPHOTHMAIM, AND ALL THE SIDONIANS, THEM WILL I DRIVE OUT FROM BEFORE
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: ONLY DIVIDE THOU IT BY LOT UNTO THE ISRAELITES FOR
AN INHERITANCE, AS I HAVE COMMANDED THEE.
<<LEBANON>>:
Lebanon is part of the Promised Land. The Children of Israel are COMMANDED
to conquer and inherit this land. This commandment is still effective today.
[Joshua 13:7] NOW THEREFORE DIVIDE THIS LAND FOR AN INHERITANCE UNTO THE
NINE TRIBES, AND THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH,
<<HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH>>:
Manasseh was divided into two sections: one east of the Jordan and
one to the west. Both sections are usually treated individually and regarded
as effectively almost each as separate tribes in their own right. We
have found parallels tot his situation in the distribution of the descendants
of Manasseh as we briefly pointed out in our book, Joseph.
<<A Recurring Pattern of Settlement>>In Biblical times
the Tribe of Menasseh had been divided. Half was on the west side of the
jordan River and the other half on the eastern side. The Jordan River divided
the two halves. Later until they moved to America they were again divided
one half being in the British Isles and the other half over the wateron the
Continent. Those in Continental Europe (Germany, etc) largely evacuated the
area and moved to North America. The greatest proportion moved from Britain
to America. Many however still remained in Britain even though Britain is
dominated by Ephraim. The two halves were once again divided by an expanse
of water this time the division being the expanse between Britain and the
USA. The sub-group of Gilead had always been a leading element in Menasseh.
Part of Gilead (like Menasseh in general) had been east of the Jordan River
and part to the west. Until they moved from North Britain to America Gilead
too had been divided by an expanse of water. Part had been in the Borderlands
between North England and Scotland and part had been overthe water in Ulster
of Northern Ireland. We thus see a recurring pattern of settlement repeating
itself. >>
[Joshua 13:8] WITH WHOM THE REUBENITES AND THE GADITES HAVE RECEIVED THEIR
INHERITANCE, WHICH MOSES GAVE THEM, BEYOND JORDAN EASTWARD, EVEN AS MOSES
THE SERVANT OF THE LORD GAVE THEM;
[Joshua 13:9] FROM AROER, THAT IS UPON THE BANK OF THE RIVER ARNON, AND THE
CITY THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF THE RIVER, AND ALL THE PLAIN OF MEDEBA UNTO
DIBON;
[Joshua 13:10] AND ALL THE CITIES OF SIHON KING OF THE AMORITES, WHICH
REIGNED IN HESHBON, UNTO THE BORDER OF THE CHILDREN OF
AMMON;
[Joshua 13:11] AND GILEAD, AND THE BORDER OF THE GESHURITES AND
MAACHATHITES, AND ALL MOUNT HERMON, AND ALL BASHAN UNTO
SALCAH;
[Joshua 13:12] ALL THE KINGDOM OF OG IN BASHAN, WHICH REIGNED IN ASHTAROTH
AND IN EDREI, WHO REMAINED OF THE REMNANT OF THE GIANTS: FOR THESE DID
MOSES SMITE, AND CAST THEM OUT.
[Joshua 13:13] NEVERTHELESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL EXPELLED NOT THE
GESHURITES, NOR THE MAACHATHITES: BUT THE GESHURITES AND THE MAACHATHITES
DWELL AMONG THE ISRAELITES UNTIL THIS DAY.
The MAACHATHITES were apparently of Aramaean origin and dwelt amongst Manasseh. The Ancient Israelites intermixed with others and so have their descendants. Even though we realize that we each probably are of Hebrew descent we must recognize the possibility that other elements also may form part of our inherited constitution. Whatever we are we should accept it and endeavor to make the best of it. Every human attribute can be used for good or for bad and we should try for the good.
[Joshua 13:14] ONLY UNTO THE TRIBES OF LEVI HE GAVE NONE INHERITANCE; THE
SACRIFICES OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL MADE BY FIRE ARE THEIR INHERITANCE,
AS HE SAID UNTO THEM.
[Joshua 13:15] AND MOSES GAVE UNTO THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN
INHERITANCE ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES.
[Joshua 13:16] AND THEIR COAST WAS FROM AROER, THAT IS ON THE BANK OF THE
RIVER ARNON, AND THE CITY THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF THE RIVER, AND ALL THE PLAIN BY MEDEBA;
[Joshua 13:17] HESHBON, AND ALL HER CITIES THAT ARE IN THE PLAIN; DIBON,
AND BAMOTHBAAL, AND BETHBAALMEON,
[Joshua 13:18] AND JAHAZA, AND KEDEMOTH, AND MEPHAATH,
[Joshua 13:19] AND KIRJATHAIM, AND SIBMAH, AND ZARETHSHAHAR IN THE MOUNT OF THE VALLEY,
[Joshua 13:20] AND BETHPEOR, AND ASHDOTHPISGAH, AND BETHJESHIMOTH,
[Joshua 13:21] AND ALL THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE KINGDOM OF
SIHON KING OF THE AMORITES, WHICH REIGNED IN HESHBON, WHOM MOSES SMOTE WITH
THE PRINCES OF MIDIAN, EVI, AND REKEM, AND ZUR, AND HUR, AND REBA, WHICH
WERE DUKES OF SIHON, DWELLING IN THE COUNTRY.
[Joshua 13:22] BALAAM ALSO THE SON OF BEOR, THE SOOTHSAYER, DID THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SLAY WITH THE SWORD AMONG THEM THAT WERE SLAIN BY THEM.
Balaam had attempted to curse Israel and was our enemy. The enemies of the Israelites today should be treated in the same way. At the least they should not be shown favor and tolerated as often happens.
Regardless of the truth of Brit-Am, it must be admitted that in many ways peoples identified by Brit-Am as Israelite, especially in North America, often have more of a Hebrew outlook than any others. This in itself indicates something very strong.
[Joshua 13:23] AND THE BORDER OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN WAS JORDAN, AND THE
BORDER THEREOF. THIS WAS THE INHERITANCE OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN AFTER
THEIR FAMILIES, THE CITIES AND THE VILLAGES THEREOF.
[Joshua 13:24] AND MOSES GAVE INHERITANCE UNTO THE TRIBE OF GAD, EVEN UNTO
THE CHILDREN OF GAD ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES.
[Joshua 13:25] AND THEIR COAST WAS JAZER, AND ALL THE CITIES OF GILEAD, AND
HALF THE LAND OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON, UNTO AROER THAT IS BEFORE RABBAH;
[Joshua 13:26] AND FROM HESHBON UNTO RAMATHMIZPEH, AND BETONIM; AND FROM
MAHANAIM UNTO THE BORDER OF DEBIR;
[Joshua 13:27] AND IN THE VALLEY, BETHARAM, AND BETHNIMRAH, AND SUCCOTH,
AND ZAPHON, THE REST OF THE KINGDOM OF SIHON KING OF HESHBON, JORDAN AND
HIS BORDER, EVEN UNTO THE EDGE OF THE SEA OF CHINNERETH ON THE OTHER SIDE JORDAN EASTWARD.
[Joshua 13:28] THIS IS THE INHERITANCE OF THE CHILDREN OF GAD AFTER THEIR
FAMILIES, THE CITIES, AND THEIR VILLAGES.
[Joshua 13:29] AND MOSES GAVE INHERITANCE UNTO THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH:
AND THIS WAS THE POSSESSION OF THE HALF TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF MANASSEH
BY THEIR FAMILIES.
[Joshua 13:30] AND THEIR COAST WAS FROM MAHANAIM, ALL BASHAN, ALL THE
KINGDOM OF OG KING OF BASHAN, AND ALL THE TOWNS OF JAIR, WHICH ARE IN
BASHAN, THREESCORE CITIES:
<<ALL THE TOWNS OF JAIR>>:
Jair is Yair. Yair is mentioned here and there in the Bible in different
contexts usually in association with the Townships of Yaireast of the Jordan.
Some of these descriptions about Yair appear to contradict each other.
There are different approaches to the subject of Yair. The opinion we are
inclined to adopt at present is that there were at least two famous leaders
NAMED Yair. Both of them founded or headed a group of settlements named Townships
of Yair: One group was a bit to the northeast of the Sea of Galilee and the
other group was much further to the north. The second hero named deliberately
modeled his actions after the first one. Yair in the Middle East was
also rendered Iar. This was also the name of an ancestral hero in Scotland
and Ireland as we have discussed elsewhere. The name Iar in Scotland later
became Ianwhich in turn became confused with the name John. Iar as a name
is also linked to Ingwhich was the name of an ancestral hero amongst the
Scandinavians and early Anglo-Saxons.
My name is also Yair. Bill Rasmussen of Minnesota wrote me a very flattering letter in connection with my name:
<<Shalom Yair: I was reading the Torah portion this week from Parasha
Mattot. In Bamidbar 32:40-41 it speaks of Yair, son of Manasseh. The
Stone Edition Chumash comments on verse 40 and says that Yair was from the
tribe of Judah and his grandmother was a daughter of Machir. Ramban and
Ibn Ezra comment and say that Yair was adopted as a member of the Macharite
family. He was able to receive heritage in the territory of Manasseh
because only the land of the Canaan was divided into exclusive tribal shares.
<<There are Rabbinic teachings that in the Acharit Yamim [the Last Days],
those with the same name as their namesake will either fulfill completely
the calling on the name, or will provide redemption for that name. In your
case, it is entirely plausible that you may be the specific and exact
person that will spiritually fulfill all that is promised and given to Yair
Ben Yehudah/Manasseh. The fact that you are from Yehudah, yet have a
strong connection with Manasseh tells me that you have been selected and
anointed for such a task. You have a very special ability to reach out to
people, to be diplomatic, and to bring unity between the various tribal
groups.
<<I thank G-d for your life and all the fantastic research and teachings
that you are doing to redeem and repatriate the tribes of Israel. May
HaShem lift up his countenance and smile upon you today. May you prosper
with the blessings of Deuteronomy 28. May the dew of heaven and the oil of
the earth always bless you and your dear ones. Shalom, Bill Rasmussen
[Joshua 13:31] AND HALF GILEAD, AND ASHTAROTH, AND EDREI, CITIES OF THE
KINGDOM OF OG IN BASHAN, WERE PERTAINING UNTO THE CHILDREN OF MACHIR THE
SON OF MANASSEH, EVEN TO THE ONE HALF OF THE CHILDREN OF MACHIR BY THEIR
FAMILIES.
[Joshua 13:32] THESE ARE THE COUNTRIES WHICH MOSES DID DISTRIBUTE FOR
INHERITANCE IN THE PLAINS OF MOAB, ON THE OTHER SIDE JORDAN, BY JERICHO,
EASTWARD.
[Joshua 13:33] BUT UNTO THE TRIBE OF LEVI MOSES GAVE NOT ANY INHERITANCE:
THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL WAS THEIR INHERITANCE, AS HE SAID UNTO THEM.
The Levites were teachers and public officials. They were
supposed to be dependent on the community and the community was obligated
to support them. On the one hand they were to perhaps be more honored than
the commoners but on the other hand their very dependency helped ensure some
degree of humility.
Not everyone has the same task in this life or the same entitlements.
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