THE BOOKE OF IOSHVA.



Introductory matter



THE ARGVMENT.

In this booke the holy Ghost setteth most liuely before our eyes the accomplishment of Gods promise, who as hee promised by the mouth of Moses that a Prophet should bee raised vp vnto the people like vnto him, whome hee willeth to obey, Deut.18.15: so hee sheweth himselfe here true in his promise, as at all other times, and after the death of Moses his faithfull seruant, hee raised vp Ioshua to bee ruler and gouenour ouer his people, that neither they should be discouraged for lacke of a captaine, nor haue occasion to distrust Gods promises hereafter. And because that Ioshua might bee confirmed in his vocation, and the people also might haue none occasion to grudge, as though hee were not approoued of God: hee is adorned with most excellent giftes and graces of God, both to gouerne the people with counsell, and to defende them with strength, that he lacked nothing which either belonged to a valiant captaine or a faithfull minister. So hee ouercommeth all difficulties and bringeth them into the land of Canaan: the which according to Gods ordinance hee deuideth among the people and appoynteth their borders: hee establisheth lawes and ordinances, & putteth them in remembrance of Gods manifolde benefites, assuring them of his grace and fauour, if they obey God, and contrariwise of his plagues and vengeance, if they disobey him. This history doeth represent Iesus Christ the true Ioshua, who leadeth vs into eternall felicitie, which is signified vnto vs by this land of Canaan. From the beginning of the Genesis to the ende of this booke are conteined 2576. yeeres. For from Adam vnto the flood are 1656. from the flood vnto the departure of Abraham out of Caldea, 423. and from thence to the death of Ioseph 290. So that the Genesis conteineth 2369. Exodus 140. the other three bookes of Moses 40. Ioshua 27. So the whole maketh 2576. yeeres.




[Page 79]

[Ioshua commanded to inuade the land.]





CHAP. I.


2 The Lord incourageth Ioshua to inuade the lande. 4 The borders and limits of the land of the Israelites. 5 The Lord promiseth to assist Ioshua, if he obey his worde. 11 Ioshua commandeth the people to prepare them selues to passe ouer Iorden, 12 and exhorteth the Reubenites to execute their charge.

1 Nowe after the [Note: [a] The beginning of this booke dependeth on the last Chapter of Deut. which was written by Ioshua as a preparation to his historie. ] death of Moses the seruant of the Lorde, the Lord spake vnto Ioshua the sonne of Nun, Moses minister, saying,

2 Moses my seruant is dead: nowe therefore arise, go ouer this Iorden, thou, and all this people, vnto the lande which I giue them, that is, to ye children of Israel.

3 [Note: Chap.14.9. ] Euery place that the sole of your foote shall treade vpon, haue I giuen you, as I said vnto Moses.

4 [Note: Deut.11.24. ] From the [Note: [b] Of Zin, called Kadesh and Paran. ] wildernesse and this Lebanon euen vnto the great riuer, the riuer [Note: Or, Euphrates. ] Perath: all the land of the [Note: [c] Meaning, the whole lande of Canaan. ] Hittites, euen vnto the great [Note: [d] Called, Mediterraneum. ] Sea towarde the going downe of the sunne, shalbe your coast.

5 There shall not a man be able to withstande thee all the dayes of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: [Note: Hebr.13.5. ] I will not leaue thee, nor forsake thee.

6 [Note: Deut.31.23. ] Be strong and of a good courage: for vnto this people shalt thou deuide the lande for an inheritance, which I sware vnto their fathers to giue them.

7 Onely be thou strong, and [Note: Or, growe stronger and stronger. ] of a most valiant courage, that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all the Lawe which Moses my seruant hath commanded thee: [Note: Deut.5.32. and 28.14. ] thou shalt not turne away from it to the right hande, nor to the left, that thou mayest [Note: [e] He sheweth wherein consisteth true prosperitie, euen to obey the word of God. ] prosper whithersoeuer thou goest.

8 Let not this booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth, but meditate therin day & [Note: [f] Shewing that it was not possible to gouerne well without continuall studie of Gods word. ] night, that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all that is written therein: for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou [Note: Or, gouerne wisely. ] haue good successe.

9 Haue not I commanded thee, saying, Be strong and of a good courage, feare not, nor be discouraged? for I the Lord thy God will be with thee, whithersoeuer thou goest.

10 ¶ Then Ioshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11 Passe through the hoste, and commande the people, saying, Prepare you vitailes: for [Note: [g] Meaning from the day that this was proclaimed, Chap.3.2. ] after three dayes ye shall passe ouer this Iorden, to goe in to possesse the lande, which the Lord your God giueth you to possesse it.

12 ¶ And vnto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to halfe the tribe of Manasseh spake Ioshua, saying,

13 [Note: Nomb.32.20. ] Remember the worde, which Moses the seruant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath giuen you rest, and hath giuen you this [Note: [h] Which belonged to Sihon the King of the Amorites, and Og King of Bashan. ] land.

14 ¶ Your wiues, your children, and your cattell shall remaine in the land which Moses gaue you [Note: Or, beyond Iorden to Iericho. ] on this side Iorden: but ye shall goe ouer before your brethren armed, all that be men of warre, and shall helpe them,

15 Vntill the Lord haue giuen your brethren rest, as well as to you, and vntill they also shall possesse the land, which the Lorde your God giueth them: then shall ye returne vnto the lande

[Rahab receiueth the spies.]



of your possession and shall possesse it, which land Moses the Lordes seruant [Note: [i] By your request, but yet by Gods secret appointment, Deut.33.21. ] gaue you on this side Iorden toward the sunne rising.

16 Then they answered Ioshua, saying, Al that thou hast commaunded vs, we will doe, and whithersoeuer thou sendest vs, we will goe.

17 As we obeyed Moses in all things, [Note: [k] They doe not onely promise to obey him so long as God is with him: but to helpe to punish all that rebel against him. ] so will we obey thee: onely the Lorde thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

18 Whosoeuer shall rebell against thy commaundement, and will not obey thy wordes in all that thou commaundest him, let him bee put to death: onely be strong and of good courage.


CHAP. II.


1 Ioshua sendeth men to spie Iericho, whome Rahab hideth. 11 She confesseth the God of Israel. 12 She requireth a signe for her deliuerance. 21 The spies returne to Ioshua with comfortable tidings.

1 Then Ioshua the sonne of Nun sent out of [Note: [a] Which place was in the plaine of Moab neere vnto Iorden. ] Shittim two men to spie secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and also Iericho: and they went, and [Note: Hebr.11.31. iames 2.25. ] came into an [Note: Or, tauerners house, or hostesse. ] harlots house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

2 Then report was made to the King of Iericho, saying, Beholde, there came men hither to night, of the children of Israel, to spie out the countrey.

3 And the King of Iericho sent vnto Rahab, saying, [Note: [b] Though the wicked see the hand of God vpon them, yet they repent not, but seeke how they may by their power and pollicie resist his working. ] Bring foorth the men that are come to thee, and which are entred into thine house: for they be come to search out all the land.

4 (But ye woman had taken the two men, and hid them) Therefore saide she thus, There came men vnto me, but I wist not whence they were.

5 And when they shut the gate in the darke, the men went out, whither the men went I wote not: followe ye after them quickly, for ye shall ouertake them.

6 (But she had brought them vp to the [Note: [c] Meaning, vpon the house: for them their houses were flat aboue, so that they might doe their businesse thereupon. ] roofe of the house, and hidde them with the stalkes of flaxe, which she had spread abroad vpo the roofe)

7 And certaine men pursued after them, the way to Iorden, vnto the foordes, and as soone as they which pursued after them, were gone out, they shut the gate.

8 ¶ And before they were a sleepe, she came vp vnto them vpon the roofe,

9 And saide vnto the men, I knowe that the Lord hath giuen you the land, and that the [Note: [d] For so God promised, Deut.28.7. chap.5.1. ] feare of you is fallen vpon vs, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

10 For we haue heard, howe the Lord [Note: Exod.14.21,23. ] dried vp the water of the redde Sea [Note: Chap.4.23. ] before you, when you came out of Egypt, and what you did vnto the two Kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Iorden, vnto [Note: Nomb.21.24. ] Sihon and to Og, whom ye vtterly destroyed:

11 And when wee heard it, our heartes [Note: Or, melted. ] did faint, and there remained no more [Note: Or, spirit. ] courage in any because of you: for [Note: [e] Herein appeareth the great mercie of God, that in this common destruction he would drawe a most miserable sinner to repent and confesse his Name. ] the Lord your God, he is the God in heauen aboue, and in earth beneath.

12 Now therefore, I pray you, sweare vnto me by the Lord; that as I haue shewed you mercie, ye will also shewe mercie vnto my fathers house, and giue me a true token,

13 And that yee will saue aliue my father and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they haue: and that yee will deliuer our [Note: Or, liues. ] soules from death.

14 And the men answered her, [Note: [f] We warrant you on paine of our liues. ] Our life for [Page]

[A signe giuen to Rahab.]



you to die, if ye vtter not this our businesse: and when the Lorde hath giuen vs the lande, we will deale mercifully and truely with thee.

15 Then she let them downe by a corde thorowe the windowe: for her house was vpon the towne wall, and she dwelt vpon the wall.

16 And she said vnto them, Goe you into the [Note: [g] Which was neere vnto the citie. ] mountaine, least the pursuers meete with you, and hide your selues there three dayes, vntill the pursuers be returned: then afterwarde may yee goe your way.

17 And the men said vnto her, [Note: [h] We shalbe discharged of our othe, if thou doest perfourme this condition that followeth: for so shalt thou and thine be deliuered. ] We will be blamelesse of this thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.

18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this cord of red threde in the window, whereby thou lettest vs downe, and thou shalt bring thy father and thy mother, and thy brethren, & all thy fathers houshold home to thee.

19 And whosoeuer then doeth goe out at the doores of thine house into the streete, [Note: [i] He shalbe giltie of his owne death. ] his blood shalbe vpon his head, and we will be giltlesse: but whosoeuer shall be with thee in the house, his blood shalbe on our head, if any hande touch him:

20 And if thou vtter this our [Note: [k] So that others should thinke to escape by the same meanes. ] matter, we will be quite of thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.

21 And she answered, According vnto your wordes, so be it: then she sent them away, & they departed, & she bound the [Note: Or, skarlet coloured. ] red cord in ye window.

22 ¶ And they departed, and came into the mountaine, and there abode three dayes, vntil the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but founde them not.

23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountaine, and passed [Note: [l] To wit, the riuer Iorden. ] ouer, and came to Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and tolde him all things that came vnto them.

24 Also they saide vnto Ioshua, Surely the Lorde hath deliuered into our handes all the lande: for euen all the inhabitants of the countrey faint because of vs.


CHAP. III.


3 Ioshua commandeth them to depart when the Arke remoueth. 7 The Lord promiseth to exalt Ioshua before the people. 6 Ioshuas exhortation to the people. 16 The waters part asunder whiles the people passe.

1 Then Ioshua rose very earely, and they remoued from Shittim, and came to [Note: [a] Which according to the Ebrewes was in March, and about 40. dayes after Moses death. ] Iorden, he, and all the children of Israel, and lodged there, before they went ouer.

2 And after [Note: [b] Which time was giuen for to prepare them vitailes, Chap. 1.11. ] three dayes the officers went throughout the hoste,

3 And commanded the people, saying, When ye see the Arke of the couenat of the Lord your God, and the Priestes of the Leuites bearing it, ye shall depart from your place, and goe after it.

4 Yet there shalbe a space betweene you and it, about [Note: Or, a myle. ] two thousande cubites by measure: ye shall not come neere vnto it, that ye may knowe the way, by the which ye shall goe: for ye haue not gone this way in times past.

5 (Nowe Ioshua had saide vnto the people, [Note: Leuit.20.7. nomb.11.18. chap.7.13. 1.sam.16.5. ] Sanctifie your selues: for to morowe the Lord will doe wonders among you)

6 Also Ioshua spake vnto the Priestes, saying, Take vp the Arke of the couenant, and goe ouer before the people: so they tooke vp the

[Iorden is drie.]



Arke of the couenant, & went before the people.

7 ¶ Then the Lorde saide vnto Ioshua, This day will I begin to magnifie thee in the sight of all Israel, which shall knowe, that [Note: Chap.1.5. ] as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee.

8 Thou shalt therefore command the Priests that beare the Arke of the Couenant, saying, When ye are come to the brinke of the waters of Iorden, ye shall stande still [Note: [c] Euen in the chanell, where the streame had runne as verse 17. ] in Iorden.

9 ¶ Then Ioshua said vnto the children of Israel, Come hither, and heare the wordes of the Lord your God.

10 And Ioshua said, [Note: [d] By this miracle in deuiding the water. ] Hereby ye shall know that the liuing God is among you, and that he will certainely cast out before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hiuites, & the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Iebusites.

11 Beholde, the Arke of the couenant of the Lorde of all the worlde passeth before you into Iorden.

12 Nowe therefore take from among you [Note: [e] Which should set vp twelue stones in remembrance of the benefite. ] twelue men out of the tribes of Israel, out of euery tribe a man.

13 And assoone as the soles of the feete of the Priestes (that beare the Arke of the Lorde God the Lorde of all the worlde) shall stay in the waters of Iorden, the waters of Iorden shall be cut off: for the waters that come from aboue, [Note: Psalm.114.3. ] shall stande still vpon an heape.

14 ¶ Then when the people were departed from their tentes to goe ouer Iorden, the Priestes bearing the [Note: Actes.7.45. ] Arke of the Couenant, went before people.

15 And as they that bare the Arke came vnto Iorden, and the feete of the Priestes that bare the Arke were dipped in the brinke of the water, ( [Note: Ecclus.24.30. 1.chron.12.15. ] for Iorden vseth to fill all his [Note: [f] Because the riuer was accustomed at this time to be full, the miracle is so much the greater. ] bankes all the time of haruest)

16 Then the waters that came downe from aboue, stayed and rose vpon an heape and departed farre from the citie of Adam, that was beside Zaretan: but the waters that came downe towarde the Sea of the wildernes, euen the salt Sea, failed, and were cut off: so the people went right ouer against Iericho.

17 But the Priestes that bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lorde, stoode drie within Iorden [Note: [g] Either tarying till the people were past, or, as some reade, sure, as though they had bene vpon the drie lande. ] readie prepared, and all the Israelites went ouer dry, vntill all the people were gone cleane ouer through Iorden.


CHAP. IIII.


2 God commanded Ioshua to set vp twelue stones in Iorden. 18 The waters returne to their old course. 20 Other twelue stones are set vp in Gilgal. 21 This miracle must be declared to the posteritie.

1 And when all the people were wholy gone [Note: Deut.27.2. ] ouer Iorden, (after the Lord had spoken vnto Ioshua, saying,

2 Take you twelue me out of the people, out of euery tribe a man,

3 And command you them, saying, Take you hence out of the middes of Iorden, out of the place where the Priestes stoode in a [Note: [a] As Chap.3.17. ] readinesse, twelue stones, which ye shall take away with you, and leaue them in the [Note: [b] Meaning, the place where they shoulde campe. ] lodging where you shall lodge this night)

4 Then Ioshua called the twelue men, whome he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of euery tribe a man,


[Page 80]

[The meaning of the twelue stones.]




5 And Ioshua said vnto them, Go ouer before the Arke of the Lorde your God, euen through the middes of Iorden, and take vp euery man of you a stone vpon his shoulder acccording vnto the nomber of the tribes of the children of Israel,

6 That this may bee a signe among you, that whe your [Note: [c] God commandeth, that not only we our selues profite by his wonderful works, but that our posteritie may knowe the cause thereof and glorifie his Name. ] children shal aske their fathers in time to come, saying, What meane you by these stones?

7 Then ye may answere them, That the waters of Iorden were cut off before the Arke of the couenant of the Lord: for when it passed through Iorden, the waters of Iorden were cut off: therefore these stones are a memoriall vnto the children of Israel for euer.

8 Then ye children of Israel did euen so as Ioshua had commanded, & tooke vp twelue stones out of the mids of Iorden as ye Lord had said vnto Ioshua, according to the nomber of the tribes of the children of Israel, & caried them away with them vnto the lodging, & layd them down there.

9 And Ioshua set vp [Note: [d] Besides the twelue stones which were caried by the tribes and set vp in Gilgal. ] twelue stones in the middes of Iorden, in the place where the feete of the Priests, which bare the Arke of the couenant stood, & there haue they cotinued vnto this day.

10 ¶ So the Priests, which bare ye Arke, stoode in the middes of Iorden, vntill euery thing was finished that ye Lorde had comanded Ioshua to say vnto the people, according to all yt Moses charged Ioshua: then the people hasted & went ouer.

11 When all the people were cleane passed ouer, the Arke of the Lord went ouer also, and the Priests [Note: [e] Meaning in the presence or sight of the people. ] before the people.

12 [Note: Nom.32.27,29. ] And the sonnes of Reuben, & the sonnes of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh went ouer before the children of Israel armed, as Moses had charged them.

13 Euen fourty thousand prepared for warre, went before the [Note: [f] That is, before the Arke. ] Lord vnto battel, into ye plaine of Iericho.

14 That day the Lord magnified Ioshua in the sight of all Israel, and they [Note: Or, reuerenced him. ] feared him, as they feared Moses all dayes of his life.

15 And the Lord spake vnto Ioshua, saying,

16 Commande the Priests that beare ye [Note: [g] Because the Ark testified Gods presence and the tables of the law conteined therein, signified Gods will toward his people. ] Arke of the testimonie, to come vp out of Iorden.

17 Ioshua therefore commanded the Priests, saying, Come ye vp out of Iorden.

18 And when the Priests that bare the Arke of the couenant of ye Lorde were come vp out of the middes of Iorden, and assoone as the soles of the Priests feete were set on the dry land, the waters of Iorde returned vnto their place, & flowed ouer all the bankes thereof, as they did before.

19 ¶ So the people came vp out of Iorden the tenth day of the [Note: [h] Called Abih or Nisan, conteining part of March and part of Aprill. ] first moneth, and pitched in Gilgal, in the Eastside of Iericho.

20 Also the twelue stones, which they tooke out of Iorden, did Ioshua pitch in Gilgal.

21 And he spake vnto ye childre of Israel, saying, When your children shall aske their fathers in time to come, & say, What meane these stones?

22 Then ye shall shew your children, and say, Israel came ouer this Iorden on dry land:

23 For the Lord your God dryed vp ye waters of Iorden before you, vntill ye were gone ouer, as the Lord your God did the red Sea, [Note: Exod.14.21, 22. ] which hee dryed vp before vs, till we were gone ouer,

24 That all the people of the [Note: [i] Gods benefites serue for a further condemnation to the wicked, and stirte vp his to reuerence him, and obey him. ] worlde may know that the hand of the Lorde is mightie, that ye might feare the Lord your God continually.

[Manna ceaseth.]





CHAP. V.


1 The Canaanites are afraid of the Israelites. 2 Circumcision is commanded the second time. 10 The Paßeouer is kept. 12 Manna ceaseth. 13 The Angel appeareth vnto Ioshua.

1 Nowe when all the Kings of the [Note: [a] The Amorites were on both sides Iorden, wherof two Kings were slaine already on the side toward Moab. ] Amorites, which were beyond Iorden Westward, and all the Kinges of the Canaanites which were by the Sea, heard that the Lord had dried vp the waters of Iorden before the children of Israel vntill they were gone ouer, their heart fainted: & there was no courage in them any more because of the children of Israel.

2 ¶ That same time the Lord said vnto Ioshua, [Note: Exod.4.25. ] Make thee sharpe kniues, [Note: [b] For now they had left it of, about 40. yeeres. ] and returne, and circumcise the sonnes of Israel the second time.

3 Then Ioshua made him sharpe kniues & circumcised the sonnes of Israel in [Note: [c] Gilgal was so called, because they were there circumcised. ] the hill of the foreskinnes.

4 And this is the cause why Ioshua circumcised all the people, euen the males that came out of Egypt, because all the men of warre were dead in the wildernesse by the way after they came out of Egypt.

5 For all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were borne in the wildernes by the way after they came out of Egypt, were [Note: [d] For they looked daily to remoue at ye Lords commandement: which thing they that were new circumcised, could not do without great danger. ] not circumcised.

6 For the children of Israel walked fourtie yeres in the wildernes, till all the people of the men of warre that came out of Egypt were consumed, because they obeyed not the voyce of the Lord: vnto whome the Lord sware, that he would not shewe them the lande, [Note: Nomb.14.23. ] which the Lorde had sworne vnto their fathers, that he would giue vs, euen a land that floweth with milke and hony.

7 So their sonnes whome he raysed vp in their steade, Ioshua circumcised: for they were vncircumcised, because they circumcised them not by the way.

8 And when they had made an ende of circumcising al the people, they abode in the places in the campe till they [Note: [e] For their fore was so grieuous that they were not able to remoue. ] were whole.

9 After, the Lord said vnto Ioshua, This day I haue taken away the [Note: [f] By bringing you into this promised land contrary to the wicked opinion of the Egyptians: or the foreskinne, whereby yon were like to the Egyptians. ] shame of Egypt from you: wherefore he called the name of that place Gilgal, vnto this day.

10 ¶ So the children of Israel abode in Gilgal, and kept ye feast of the Passeouer the fourteenth day of the moneth at euen in ye plaine of Iericho.

11 And they did eat of the corne of the land, on the morow after the Passeouer, vnleauened breade, and parched corne in the same day.

12 And the MAN ceased on the morowe after they had eaten of the corne of the land, neither had the children of Israel MAN any more, but did eate of the fruite of the land of Canaan that yeere.

13 ¶ And when Ioshua was by Iericho, he lift vp his eyes and looked: and behold, there stood a [Note: Exod.23.23. ] man against him, hauing a sword drawen in his hand: and Ioshua went vnto him, and said vnto him, Art thou on our side, or on our aduersaries?

14 And he said, Nay, but as a captaine of the host of the Lorde am I nowe come: then Ioshua fel on his face to the earth, and [Note: [g] In that that Ioshua worshippeth him, he acknowledgeth him to be God: and in that that he calleth himselfe the Lordes captaine, he declareth himselfe to be Christ. ] did worship, & saide vnto him, What sayth my Lorde vnto his seruant?

15 And the captaine of ye Lords host said vnto Ioshua, [Note: Exod.3.5. ruth.4.7. actes.7.33. ] Loose thy shoe of thy foote: for ye place wheron thou standest, is holy: and Ioshua did so.
[Page]

[The siege of Iericho:]





CHAP. VI.


3 The Lorde instructeth Ioshua what he should doe as touching Iericho. 6 Ioshua commaundeth the priests and warriers what to doe. 20 The walles fall. 22 Rahab is saued. 24 All is burnt saue golde and metal. 26 The curse of him that buildeth the citie.

1 Now Iericho was [Note: [a] That none could go out. ] shut vp, and [Note: [b] That none could come in. ] closed, [Note: [c] For feare of the Israelites. ] because of the children of Israel: none might go out nor enter in.

2 And the Lorde saide vnto Ioshua, Behold, I haue giuen into thine hand Iericho and the King thereof, and the strong men of warre.

3 All ye therefore that be men of warre, shall compasse the citie, in going round about the citie [Note: [d] Euery day once. ] once: thus shall you doe sixe dayes:

4 And seuen Priests shall beare seuen trumpets of [Note: [e] That the conquest might not be assigned to mans power, but to the mercie of God, which with most weake things can ouercome that which seemeth most strong. ] rams hornes before the Arke: and the seuenth day ye shall compasse the citie seuen times, and the Priests shall blow with the trumpets.

5 And when they make a long blast with the rams horne, and ye heare the sound of the trumpet, al the people shal shoute with a great shoute: then shall the wall of the citie fall downe flat, and the people shall ascend vp, euery man streight before him.

6 ¶ Then, Ioshua the sonne of Nun called the Priests & said vnto them, Take vp the Arke of the couenant, and let seuen Priests beare seuen trumpets of rams hornes before the Arke of the Lord.

7 But he said vnto the people, [Note: [f] This is chiefly meant by the Reubenites, Gadites, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh. ] Goe and compasse the citie: and let him that is armed, go forth before the Arke of the Lord.

8 ¶ And when Ioshua had spoken vnto the people, the seuen Priestes bare the seuen trumpets of rams hornes, and went foorth before the Arke of the Lorde, and blew with the trumpets, & the Arke of the couenant of ye Lord followed them.

9 ¶ And the men of armes went before the Priestes, that blewe the trumpets: then the [Note: [g] Meaning the rereward, wherein was the standerd of the tribe of Dan, Nomb.10.25. ] gathering hoste came after the Arke, as they went and blewe the trumpets.

10 (Nowe Ioshua had commaunded the people, saying, Ye shall nor shout, neither make any noyse with your voyce, neither shall a worde proceede out of your mouth, vntill the day that I say vnto you, Shout, then shall ye shoute)

11 So the Arke of the Lorde compassed the citie, and went about it [Note: [h] For that day. ] once: then they returned into the hoaste, and lodged in the campe.

12 And Ioshua rose early in the morning, and the Priestes bare the Arke of the Lord:

13 Also seuen Priests bare seuen trumpets of rams hornes, and went before the Arke of the Lorde, and going blewe with the trumpets: and the men of armes went before them, but the [Note: [i] The tribe of Dan was so called, because it marched last, and gathered vp whatsoeuer was left of others. ] gathering hoste came after the Arke of the Lord, as they went and blewe the trumpets.

14 And the second day they compassed the citie once, and returned into the host: thus they did sixe dayes.

15 And when the seuenth day came, they rose early, euen with the dawning of the day, & compassed the citie after ye same maner [Note: [k] Besides euery day once for the space of six dayes. ] seuen times: only yt day they compassed the citie seuen times.

16 And when the Priests had blowen ye trumpets the seuenth time, Ioshua said vnto ye people, Shoute: for the Lord hath giuen you the citie.

17 And the citie shalbe [Note: [l] That is, appoynted wholy to be destroyed. ] an execrable thing, both it, and all that are therein, vnto the Lorde: onely Rahab the harlot shall liue, shee, and all that are with her in the house: for [Note: Chap.2.4. ] shee hid the

[The siege of Iericho: The destruction thereof. Achan.]



messengers that we sent.

18 Notwithstanding, be ye ware of the execrable thing, lest ye make your selues execrable, and in taking of the execrable thing, make also the hoste of Israel [Note: Leuit.27.21. nom.21.2. deut.13.15,17. ] execrable, and trouble it.

19 But all siluer, and gold, & vessels of brasse, and yron shalbe [Note: [m] And therefore cannot bee put to any priuate vse, but must be first molten and then serue for ye Tabernacle. ] consecrate vnto the Lord, and shall come into the Lordes treasury.

20 So the people shouted, whe they had blowen trumpets: for when the people had heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted with a great shoute: and the [Note: Heb.11.30. ] wall fel downe flat: so the people went vp into the citie, euery man streight before him: [Note: 2.Mac.12.15,16. ] and they tooke the citie.

21 And they vtterly destroyed all that was in the citie, both man and woman, yong, and olde, and oxe, and sheepe, and asse, with the edge of the sword.

22 But Ioshua had said vnto the two men that had spied out the countrey, Go into the harlots house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, [Note: Chap.2.14. hebr.11.31. ] as ye sware to her.

23 So the yong men that were spies, went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that shee had: also they brought out all her familie, and put them [Note: [n] For it was not lawful for strangers to dwel among the Israelites, till they were purged. ] without the host of Israel.

24 After they burnt the citie with fire, and all that was therein: onely the siluer and the gold, and the vessels of brasse and yron, they put vnto the treasure of the [Note: [o] Meaning, the Tabernacle. ] house of the Lorde.

25 So Ioshua saued Rahab the harlot, and her fathers houshold, and all that shee had; and shee [Note: [p] For she was married to Salmon prince of the tribe of Iudah, Mat.1.5. ] dwelt in Israel euen vnto this day, because shee had hid the messengers, which Ioshua sent to spie out Iericho.

26 ¶ And Ioshua sware at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before ye Lord, that riseth vp, and buildeth this citie Iericho: [Note: [q] He shal builde it to the destruction of al his stocke, which thing was fulfilled in Hiel of Beth-el, 1 King. 16.34. ] hee shall lay the foundation thereof in his eldest sonne, and in his yongest sonne shall hee set vp the gates of it.

27 So the Lord was with Ioshua, and he was famous through all the world.


CHAP. VII.


1 The Lorde is angry with Achan. 4 They of Ai put the Israelites to flight. 6 Ioshua prayeth to the Lord. 16 Ioshua inquireth out him that sinned, and stoneth him and all his.

1 Bvt the children of Israel committed a trespasse in the [Note: [a] In taking that which was commaunded to bee destroyed. ] excommunicate thing: for [Note: Chap.22.20. 1.chro.2.7. ] Achan the sonne of Carmi, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Zerah of the tribe of Iuda tooke of the excommunicate thing: wherfore the wrath of the Lorde was kindled against the children of Israel.

2 And Ioshua sent men from Iericho to [Note: [b] This was a citie of the Amorites: for there was another so called among the Ammonites, Iere.49.3. The first Ai is called Arath, Is.10.28. ] Ai, which is beside Bethauen, on ye East side of Bethel, and spake vnto them, saying, Goe vp, & view the countrey. And ye men went vp, & viewed Ai,

3 And returned to Ioshua, and saide vnto him, Let not al the people go vp, but let as it were two or three thousand men go vp, and smite Ai, and make not al the people to labour thither, for they are fewe.

4 So there went vp thither of the people about three thousande men, and they fledde before the men of Ai.

5 And the [Note: [c] God would by this ouerthrow make them more earnest to search out and punish the sinne committed. ] men of Ai smote of them vpon a thirtie and sixe men: for they chased them from before the gate vnto Shebarim, and smote them in the going downe: wherfore the heartes of the people melted away like water.


[Page 81]

[Ioshua prayeth to the Lord.]




6 ¶ Then Ioshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth vpon his face before the Arke of the Lord, vntill the euentide, he, and the Elders of Israel, and put dust vpon their heads.

7 And Ioshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou brought this people ouer Iorden, to deliuer vs into the hande of the Amorites, and to destroye vs? would God we had bene content to dwell on the [Note: [d] This infirmitie of his faith sheweth how we are inclined of nature to distrust. ] other side Iorden.

8 Oh Lord, what shal I say, when Israel turne their backes before their enemies?

9 For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall heare of it, and shall compasse vs, and destroy our name out of the earth: and what wilt thou doe vnto thy mightie [Note: [e] When thine enemies shall blaspheme thee, and say, that thou wast not able to defend vs from them. ] Name?

10 ¶ And the Lord said vnto Ioshua, Get thee vp: wherefore lyest thou thus vpon thy face?

11 Israel hath sinned, and they haue transgressed my couenant, which I commanded them: for they haue euen taken of the excomunicate thing, and haue also stollen, and dissembled also, and haue put it euen with their owne stuffe.

12 Therefore ye children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies, but haue turned their backes before their enemies, because they be execrable: neither will I bee with you any more, except ye [Note: [f] Then, to suffer wickednesse vnpunished, is to refuse God willingly. ] destroy the excommunicate from among you.

13 Vp therefore, sanctifie the people, and say, Sanctifie your selues against to morowe: for thus saith the Lorde God of Israel, There is an execrable thing among you, O Israel, therefore ye cannot stand against your enemies, vntill ye haue put the [Note: [g] Meaning, the man that tooke of the thing forbidden. ] execrable thing from among you.

14 In the morning therefore ye shall come according to your tribes, and the tribe which the Lord taketh, shal come according to the families: and the familie which the Lorde shall take, shall come by the housholds: and the houshold which the Lord shall take, shall come man by man.

15 And he that is [Note: [h] That is, found guiltie, either by lottes, or by the iudgement of Vrim, Nom.27.21. ] taken with the excommunicate thing, shall be burnt with fire, hee, and all that he hath, because he hath transgressed the couenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.

16 ¶ So Ioshua rose vp earely in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes: and the tribe of Iudah was taken.

17 And he brought the families of Iudah, and tooke the familie of the Zarhites, and he brought the familie of the Zarhites, man by man, and Zabdi was taken.

18 And he brought his houshold, man by man, and Achan ye sonne of Carmi, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Zerah of the tribe of Iudah was take.

19 Then Ioshua said vnto Achan, My sonne, I beseech thee, giue glory to the Lord God of Israel, and [Note: [i] By declaring the trueth: for God is glorified when the trueth is confessed. ] make confession vnto him, and shewe me now what thou hast done: hide it not from me.

20 And Achan answered Ioshua, and saide, In deede, I haue sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus, and thus haue I done.

21 I sawe among the spoyle a goodly [Note: [k] Such a rich garment, as the states of Babylon did weare. ] Babylonish garment, and two hundreth shekels of siluer, and a wedge of golde of fiftie shekels weight, and I coueted them, and tooke them: and behold, they lye hid in the earth in the mids of my tent, and the siluer vnder it.

22 ¶ Then Ioshua sent messengers, which ran vnto the tent, and beholde, it was hid in his tent, and the siluer vnder it.

[Achan put to death.]




23 Therefore they tooke them out of the tent, and brought them vnto Ioshua, and vnto all the children of Israel, and layd them before the Lord.

24 Then Ioshua tooke Achan the [Note: Or, nephewe. ] sonne of Zerah, and the siluer, and the garment and the [Note: [l] Some reade, a plate: others, a rod, and some a tongue. ] wedge of golde and his [Note: [m] This iudgement only apperteineth to God, and to whom he will reueile it: to man he hath commanded not to punish the childe for the fathers faute, Deut. 24.16. ] sonnes, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheepe, and his tent, and all that hee had: and all Israel with him brought them vnto the valley of Achor.

25 And Ioshua said, [Note: [n] He declareth that this is Gods iudgemet, because he had offended, and caused others to be slaine. ] In as much as thou hast troubled vs, the Lorde shall trouble thee this day: and all Israel threwe stones at him, and burned them with fire, and stoned them with stones.

26 And they cast vpon him a great heape of stones vnto this day: and so the Lord turned from his fierce wrath: therefore hee called the name of that place, The valley of Achor, vnto this day.


CHAP. VIII.


3 The siege, 19 And winning of Ai. 29 The King thereof is hanged. 30 Ioshua setteth vp an altar. 32 Hee writeth the Lawe vpon stones, 35 And readeth it to all the people.

1 After, the Lord saide vnto Ioshua, [Note: Deut.1.21,29. and 7.18. ] Feare not, neither bee thou faint hearted: take all the men of warre with thee and arise, go vp to Ai: beholde, I haue giuen into thine hand the King of Ai, and his people, and his citie, and his land.

2 And thou shalt doe to Ai and to the King thereof, as thou didst vnto [Note: Chap.6.21. ] Iericho and to the King thereof: neuerthelesse the spoyle thereof and [Note: Deut.20.14. ] the cattell thereof shall ye take vnto you for a praye: thou shalt lye in wait against the citie on the [Note: [a] Meaning, on the Westside, as vers.9. ] backside thereof.

3 ¶ Then Ioshua arose, and all the men of warre to goe vp against Ai: and Ioshua chose out thirtie thousand strong men, and valiant, and sent them away by night.

4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, yee [Note: [b] God would not destroy Ai by miracle, as Iericho, to the intent that other natios might feare the power and policie of his people. ] shall lye in waite against the citie on the backeside of the citie: goe not very farre from the citie, but be ye all in a readinesse.

5 And I and all the people that are with me, will approche vnto the citie: and when they shall come out against vs, as they did at the first time, then will we flee before them.

6 For they wil come out after vs, till we haue brought them out of the citie: for they will say, They flee before vs as at the first time: so we will flee before them.

7 Then you shall rise vp from lying in waite and [Note: Or, driue out (the inhabitants) of the citie. ] destroy the citie: for the Lord your God wil deliuer it into your hand.

8 And when ye haue taken the citie, ye shall set it on fire: according to the commandement of the Lord shall ye do: behold, I haue charged you.

9 ¶ Ioshua then sent them foorth, and they went to lye in waite, and abode betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the Westside of Ai: but Ioshua lodged that night [Note: [c] With the rest of the armie. ] among the people.

10 And Ioshua rose vp early in the morning, and [Note: [d] That is, vewed or mustered them, and set them in aray. ] nombred the people: and he and the Elders of Israel went vp before the people against Ai.

11 Also all the men of warre that were with him went vp and drewe neere, and came against the citie, and pitched on the Northside of Ai: and there was a valley betweene them and Ai.

12 And hee tooke about fiue thousande men, [Note: [e] He sent these fewe, that the other which lay in ambush might not be discouered. ] and set them to lye in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the Westside of the citie.

13 And the people set all the hoste that was on the Northside against the citie, and the liers in [Page]

[Ai destroyed. The Lawe read.]



waite on the West, against the citie: and Ioshua went the same night into the [Note: [f] To the intent that they in the citie might the better discouer his armie. ] mids of the valley.

14 ¶ And when the King of Ai sawe it, then the men of the citie hasted and rose vp earely, and went out against Israel to battell, hee and all his people at the time appointed, before the plaine: for he knew not that any lay in waite against him on the backeside of the citie.

15 Then Ioshua and all Israel [Note: [g] As they which fainted to flee for feare. ] as beaten before them, fled by the way of the wildernes.

16 And all the people of the citie were called together, to pursue after them: and they pursued after Ioshua, & were drawen away out of the city,

17 So that there was not a man left in Ai, nor in Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the citie open, and pursued after Israel.

18 Then the Lord said vnto Ioshua, [Note: [h] Or, lift vp the banner, to signifie when they shall inuade the citie. ] Stretch out the speare that is in thine hande, towarde Ai: for I wil giue it into thine hand: and Ioshua stretched out the speare that hee had in his hand, toward the citie.

19 And they that lay in wait, arose quickly out of their place, and ranne as soone as he had stretched out his hand, and they entred into the citie, and tooke it, and hasted, and set the citie on fire.

20 And the men of Ai looked behinde them, and sawe it: for loe, the smoke of the citie ascended vp [Note: Or, towarde the heauen. ] to heauen, and they had no [Note: Or, place. ] power to flee this way or that way: for the people that fled to the wildernesse, turned backe vpon the pursuers.

21 When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in waite, had taken the citie, and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp, then they turned againe and slewe the men of Ai.

22 Also the [Note: [i] Which came out of the ambush. ] other issued out of the citie against them: so were they in the middes of Israel, these being on the one side, and the rest on the other side: and they slewe them, so that they let none of them [Note: Deuter.7.2. ] remaine nor escape.

23 And the King of Ai they tooke aliue, and brought him to Ioshua.

24 And when Israel had made an ende of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the fielde, that is, in the wildernesse, where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sworde, vntill they were consumed, all the Israelites returned vnto Ai, and [Note: [k] For the fire, which they had before set in the citie, was not to consume it, but to signifie vnto Ioshua that they were entred. ] smote it with the edge of the sworde.

25 And all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelue thousande, euen all the men of Ai.

26 For Ioshua drewe not his hande backe againe which he had stretched out with the speare, vntill hee had vtterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

27 [Note: Nomb.31.22,26. verse 2. ] Onely the cattell and the spoyle of this citie, Israel tooke for a praye vnto themselues, according vnto the worde of the Lorde, which hee commaunded Ioshua.

28 And Ioshua burnt Ai, and made it an heape for [Note: [l] That it coulde neuer be built againe. ] euer, and a wildernes vnto this day.

29 And the King of Ai hee hanged on a tree, vnto the euening. And as soone as the sunne was down, Ioshua commanded [Note: [m] According as it was commaunded, Deut.21.23. ] that they should take his carkeis downe from the tree, and cast it at the entring of ye gate of the city, & [Note: Chap.7.25,26. ] lay thereon a great heape of stones, that remaineth vnto this day.

30 ¶ Then Ioshua built an altar vnto the Lord God of Israel, in mount Ebal,

31 As Moses the seruant of the Lord had commaunded

[The Lawe read. The craft of the Gibeonites:]



the children of Israel, as it is written in the [Note: Exod.20.25. deut.27.5. ] booke of the Lawe of Moses, an altar of whole stone, ouer which no man had lift an yron: and they offered thereon burnt offrings vnto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings.

32 Also he wrote there vpon the stones, a [Note: [n] Meaning, the ten commandements, which are the summe of the whole Lawe. ] rehearsall of the Lawe of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.

33 And all Israel (and their Elders, and officers and their iudges stoode on this side of the Arke, and on that side, before the Priestes of the Leuites, which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lorde) as well the stranger, as he that is borne in the countrey: halfe of them were ouer against mount Gerizim, and halfe of them ouer against mount Ebal, [Note: Deuter.11.29. and 27.12,13. ] as Moses the seruant of the Lorde had commaunded before, that they should blesse the people of Israel.

34 Then afterwarde hee read all the wordes of the Lawe, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the booke of the Lawe.

35 There was not a worde of all that Moses had commaunded, which Ioshua read not before all the Congregation of Israel, [Note: Deut.31.12,13. ] as well before the women & the children, as [Note: [o] So neither yong nor olde, man nor woman were exempted from hearing the word of the Lord. ] the stranger that was conuersant among them.


CHAP. IX.


1 Diuers Kings assemble themselues against Ioshua. 3 The craft of the Gibeonites. 15 Ioshua maketh a league with them. 23 For their craft they are condemned to perpetuall slauerie.

1 And when all the Kings that [Note: [a] In respect of the plaine of Moab. ] were beyonde Iorden, in the mountaines and in the valleis, and by all the coastes of the [Note: [b] The maine sea called Mediterraneum. ] great Sea ouer against Lebanon (as the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites) heard thereof,

2 They gathered themselues together, to fight against Ioshua, & against Israel with one [Note: Ebr. one mouth. ] accord.

3 ¶ [Note: 2.Sam.21.1. ] But the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Ioshua had done vnto Iericho, and to Ai.

4 And therefore they wrought craftily: for they went, and fayned themselues ambassadours, and tooke olde sackes vpon their asses, and olde bottels for wine, both rent and [Note: [c] Because they were all worne. ] bound vp,

5 And olde shoes and clouted vpon their feete: also the raiment vpon them was old, and all their prouision of bread was dried, and mouled.

6 So they came vnto Ioshua into the hoste to Gilgal, and said vnto him, and vnto the men of Israel, Wee be come from a farre countrey: nowe therefore make a league with vs.

7 Then the men of Israel said vnto the [Note: [d] For the Gibeonites and the Hiuites were all one people. ] Hiuites, It may be that thou dwellest among vs, how then can I make a league with thee?

8 And they said vnto Ioshua, We are thy seruants. Then Ioshua saide vnto them, Who are ye? and whence come ye?

9 And they answered him, From a very farre countrey thy seruants are come for [Note: [e] Euen the idolaters for feare of death will pretend to honour the true God and receiue his religion. ] the Name of the Lorde thy God: for we haue heard his fame and all that he hath done in Egypt,

10 And all that he hath done to the two Kings of the Amorites that were beyonde Iorden, to Sihon King of Heshbon, & to Og King of Bashan, which were at Ashtaroth.

11 Wherefore our elders, and all the inhabitants of our countrey spake to vs, saying, Take vitailes [Note: Ebr. in your hand. ] with you for the iourney, and go to meete them, and say vnto them, Wee are your seruants: now therefore make ye a league with vs.


[Page 82]

[Their perpetuall slauerie.]




12 This our [Note: [f] The wicked lacke no arte nor spare no lies to set forth their policie, when they will deceiue the seruants of God. ] bread we tooke it hote with vs for vittailes out of our houses, the day we departed to come vnto you: but nowe beholde, it is dried, and it is mouled.

13 Also these bottels of wine which we filled, were newe, and lo, they be rent, and these our garments and our shooes are olde, by reason of the exceeding great iourney.

14 ¶ And the [Note: [g] Some thinke that the Israelites ate of their vittailes, and so made a league with them. ] men accepted their tale concerning their vittailes, and counselled not with the mouth of the Lord.

15 So Ioshua made peace with them, & made a league with them, that he would suffer them to liue: also the Princes of the Congregation sware vnto them.

16 ¶ But at the end of three dayes, after they had made a league with them, they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

17 And the children of Israel tooke their [Note: [h] From Gilgal. ] iourney, and came vnto their cities the third day, and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth and Kiriath-iearim.

18 And the children of Israel slewe them not, because the Princes of the Congregation had sworne vnto them by the Lorde God of Israel: wherefore all the Congregation [Note: [i] Fearing least for their fault the plague of God should haue light vpon them all. ] murmured against the Princes.

19 Then all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: nowe therefore we may not touch them.

20 But this we wil doe to them, and let them liue, least the wrath be vpon vs because of the [Note: [k] This doeth not establish rash othes, but sheweth Gods mercie toward his, which would not punish them for this fault. ] othe which we sware vnto them.

21 And the Princes sayd vnto them againe, Let them liue, but they shall hewe wood, and drawe water vnto all the Congregation, as the Princes appoint them.

22 Ioshua then called them, and talked with them, and sayd, Wherefore haue ye beguiled vs, saying, We are very farre from you, when ye dwel among vs?

23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for [Note: [l] For the vses of the Tabernacle, and of the temple when it shalbe built. ] the house of my God.

24 And they answered Ioshua, and sayd, Because it was tolde thy seruants, that the Lord thy God had [Note: Deut.7.1. ] commanded his seruant Moses to giue you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight, therefore we were exceeding sore afraid for our liues at the presence of you, and haue done this thing:

25 And beholde nowe, we are in thine hand: doe as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to doe vnto vs.

26 Euen so did he vnto them, and deliuered them out of the [Note: [m] Who were minded to put them to death for feare of Gods wrath. ] hand of the children of Israel, that they slewe them not.

27 And Ioshua appointed them that same day to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the Congregation, and for the [Note: [n] That is, for the sacrifices of the Temple, as verse 23. ] altar of the Lord vnto this day, in the place which he should chuse.


CHAP. X.


1 Fiue Kings make warre against Gibeon whome Ioshua discomsiteth. 11 The Lorde rained haile stones and slewe many. 12 The Sunne standeth at Ioshuas prayer. 26 The fiue Kings are hanged. 29 Many mo cities and Kings are destroyed.

[Fiue Kings besiege Gibeon.]




1 Now when Adoni-zedek King of Ierusalem had heard how Ioshua had taken Ai and had destroyed it, ( [Note: Chap.6.15,21. ] for as he had done to Iericho and to the King thereof, so he had done to [Note: Chap.83,28,29. ] Ai and to the King thereof) and howe the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them,

2 Then they feared exceedingly: for Gibeon was a great citie, as one of the royall cities: for it was greater then Ai, and all the men thereof were mightie.

3 Wherefore [Note: [a] That is, Lord of iustice: so tyrants take to them selues glorious names, when in deede they be very enemies against God & all iustice. ] Adoni-zedek King of Ierusalem sent vnto Hoham King of Hebron, and vnto Piram King of Iarmuth, and vnto Iapia King of Lachish, & vnto Debir King of Eglon, saying,

4 Come vp vnto me, and helpe me, that we may smite Gibeon: for they haue made peace with Ioshua and with the children of Israel.

5 Therefore the fiue Kings of the Amorites, the King of Ierusalem, the King of Hebron, the King of Iarmuth, the King of Lachish, and the King of Eglon gathered themselues together, and went vp, they with all their hostes, and besieged Gibeon, and made [Note: [b] So enuious the wicked are, when any depart from their band. ] warre against it.

6 And the men of Gibeon sent vnto Ioshua, euen to the hoste to Gilgal, saying, Withdrawe not thine hand from thy seruants: come vp to vs quickly, and saue vs, & helpe vs: for all the Kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountaines, are gathered together against vs.

7 So Ioshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of warre with him, and all the men of might.

8 ¶ And the Lord sayd vnto Ioshua, [Note: [c] Least Ioshua should haue thought that God had sent this great power against him for his vnlawfull league with the Gibeonites, the Lorde here strengtheneth him. ] Feare them not: for I haue giuen them into thine hand: none of them shall stand against thee.

9 Ioshua therefore came vnto them suddenly: for he went vp from Gilgal all the night.

10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth vp to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah and to Makkedah.

11 And as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going downe to Beth-horon, the Lord cast downe great stones from heauen vpon them, vntill Azekah, and they dyed: they were more that dyed with the [Note: [d] So we see that all things serue to execute Gods vengeance against the wicked. ] hailestones, then they whom the children of Israel slewe with the sword.

12 ¶ Then spake Ioshua to the Lord, in the day when the Lord gaue the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he sayd in the sight of Israel, [Note: Isa.28.21. ecclus.46.4,5. ] Sunne, stay thou in Gibeon, and thou moone, in the valley of Aialon.

13 And the Sunne abode, & the moone stood still, vntill the people auenged themselues vpon their enemies: (Is not this written in the booke of [Note: [e] Some reade, in the booke of the righteous, meaning Moses, the Chalde text readeth in the booke of the Law: but it is like that it was a booke thus named which is now lost. ] Iasher?) so the Sunne abode in the middes of the heauen, and hasted not to goe downe for a whole day.

14 And there was no day like that before it, nor after it, that the Lord heard the voyce of a man: for the Lord [Note: [f] By taking away the enemies hearts, and destroying them with hailestones. ] fought for Israel.

15 ¶ After, Ioshua returned, and all Israel with him vnto the campe to Gilgal:

16 But the fiue Kings fled and were hid in a caue at Makkedah.

17 And it was tolde Ioshua, saying, The fiue Kings are found hid in a caue at Makkedah.

18 Then Ioshua said, Roule great stones vpon [Page]

[Fiue Kings hanged.]



the mouth of the caue, and set men by it for to keepe them.

19 But stand ye not still: followe after your enemies, and [Note: Ebr. cut off all their traine or taile. ] smite all the hindmost, suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lorde your God hath giuen them into your hand.

20 And when Ioshua and the children of Israel had made an ende of slaying them with an exceeding great slaughter till they were consumed, and the rest that remained of them were entred into walled cities,

21 Then all the people returned to the campe, to Ioshua at Makkedah in [Note: [g] Or, in safetie, so that none gaue them as much as an euill worde. ] peace: no man mooued his tongue against the children of Israel.

22 After, Ioshua sayd, Open the mouth of the caue, and bring out these fiue Kings vnto me forth of the caue.

23 And they did so, & brought out those fiue Kings vnto him forth of the caue, euen the King of Ierusalem, the King of Hebron, ye King of Iarmuth, the King of Lachish, and the King of Eglon.

24 And when they had brought out those Kings vnto Ioshua, Ioshua called for all the men of Israel, and sayd vnto the chiefe of the men of warre, which went with him, Come neere, set your feete vpon the [Note: [h] Signifying what should become of the rest of Gods enemies, seeing that kings themselues were not spared. ] necks of these Kings: and they came neere and set their feete vpon their necks.

25 And Ioshua sayd vnto them, Feare not, nor be faint hearted, but be strong and of a good courage: for thus will the Lord doe to all your enemies, against whome ye fight.

26 So then Ioshua smote them, and slewe them, and hanged them on fiue trees, and they hanged still vpon the trees vntill the euening.

27 And at the going downe of the sunne, Ioshua gaue commaundement, that they should take [Note: Deut.21.23. chap.8.29. ] them downe off the trees, and cast them into the caue (wherein they had bene hid) and they layde great stones vpon the caues mouth, which remaine vntill this day.

28 ¶ And that same day Ioshua tooke [Note: Ioshua taketh Makkedah. ] Makkedah & smote it with the edge of the sword, and the King thereof destroyed he with them, and [Note: Or, euery person. ] all the soules that were therein, he let none remaine: for hee did to the King of Makkedah [Note: Chap.6.21. ] as he had done vnto the King of Iericho.

29 Then Ioshua went from Makkedah, and all Israel with him vnto Libnah, and fought against Libnah.

30 And the Lorde gaue [Note: Libnah is taken. ] it also and the King thereof into the hand of Israel: and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the [Note: Or, persons. ] soules that were therein: he let none remaine in it: for he did vnto the King thereof, as he had done vnto the King of Iericho.

31 ¶ And Ioshua departed from Libnah, and all Israel with him vnto Lachish, and besieged it, and assaulted it.

32 And the Lord gaue [Note: Lachish is taken. ] Lachish into the hand of Israel, which tooke it the second day, & smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the soules that were therein, according to all as he had done to Libnah.

33 ¶ Then Horam King of [Note: The King of Gezer is slaine. ] Gezer came vp to helpe Lachish: but Ioshua smote him and his people, vntill none of his remained.

34 ¶ And from Lachish Ioshua departed vnto [Note: Eglon is taken. ] Eglon, and all Israel with him, & they besieged it, and assaulted it,

35 And they tooke it the same day, & smote

[Cities and countreys taken by Ioshua.]



it with the edge of the sword, and all the soules that were therein he vtterly destroyed the same day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

36 Then Ioshua went vp from Eglon, and all Israel with him vnto Hebron, and they fought against it.

37 And when they had taken [Note: Hebron is taken. ] it, they smote it with the edge of the sword, & the King thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the soules that were therein: he left none remaining, according to all as he had done to Eglon: for he destroyed it vtterly, and all the soules that were therein.

38 ¶ So Ioshua returned, and all Israel with him to Debir, and fought against it.

39 And when he had taken [Note: Debit is taken. ] it, and the King thereof, and all the citie thereof, they smote them with the edge of the sword, and vtterly destroyed all the soules that were therein, he let none remaine: as he did to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the King thereof, as he had also done to Libnah, and to the King thereof.

40 ¶ So Ioshua smote all the hill countreys, & the South countreys, and the valleys, & the [Note: [i] Some reade, Ashedoth, which signifieth the descents of the hilles. ] hill sides, and all their Kings, and let none remaine, but vtterly destroyed euery soule, as the Lorde God of Israel had commanded.

41 And Ioshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea euen vnto Azzah, and all the countrey of Goshen, euen vnto Gibeon.

42 And all these Kings, and their land did Ioshua take at [Note: [k] In one battel. ] one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.

43 Afterward, Ioshua and all Israel with him returned vnto the campe in [Note: [l] Where the Arke was, there to giue thankes for their victories. ] Gilgal.


CHAP. XI.


2 Diuers Kings and cities, and countreys ouercome by Ioshua. 15 Ioshua did all that Moses had commanded him. 20 God hardeneth the enemies hearts that they might be destroyed.

1 And whe Iabin King of Hazor had heard this, then he [Note: [a] The more that Gods power appeareth, the more the wicked rage against it. ] sent to Iobab King of Madon, & to the king of Shimron, & to the king of Achshaph,

2 And vnto the Kings that were by ye North in the mountaines and plaines toward the Southside of [Note: [b] Which the Euangelists call the lake of Gennezereth, or Tiberias. ] Cinneroth, and in the valleys, and in the borders of Dor Westward,

3 And vnto the Canaanites, both by East, and by West, and vnto the Amorites, and Hittites, and Perizzites, and Iebusites in the mountaines, and vnto the Hiuites vnder [Note: [c] Which was mount Sihon, as Deut.4.48. ] Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

4 And they came out & all their hostes with them, many people as the sande that is on the sea shore for multitude, with horses and charets exceeding many.

5 So all these Kings met together, and came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, for to fight against Israel.

6 ¶ Then the Lord sayd vnto Ioshua, Be not afrayd for them: for to morowe about this time will I deliuer them all slaine before Israel: thou shalt [Note: [d] That neither they should serue to the vse of war, nor the Israelites should put their trust in them. ] hough their horses, and burne their charets with fire.

7 Then came Ioshua and al the men of warre with him against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and fell vpon them.

8 And the Lord gaue them into the hand of Israel: and they smote them, & chased them vnto great Zidon, & vnto [Note: [e] Which signifieth, hot waters, or, according to some, brine pits. ] Misrephothmaim, and vnto the valley of Mizpeh Eastward, and smote them vntill they had none remaining of them.


[Page 83]

[Cities, Countries, and Kings conquered by Ioshua.]




9 And Ioshua did vnto them as the Lorde bade him: he houghed their horses, & burnt their charets with fire.

10 ¶ At that time also Ioshua turned backe, and tooke Hazor, & smote the King thereof with the sword: for Hazor before time was the head of all those kingdomes.

11 Moreouer, they smote all the [Note: [f] Both men women and children. ] persons that were therein with the edge of the sworde, vtterly destroying all, leauing none aliue, and hee burnt Hazor with fire.

12 So all ye cities of those Kings, & all the kings of them did Ioshua take, & smote them with the edge of the sword, and vtterly destroyed them, [Note: Nom. 33.52. deut. 7.2. ] as Moses the seruant of the Lord had commaunded.

13 But Israel burnt none of the cities that stoode still in their [Note: [g] Which were strong by situation and not hurt by warre. ] strength, saue Hazor onely, that Ioshua burnt.

14 And all the spoyle of these cities and the cattel the children of Israel tooke for their praye, but they smote euery [Note: [h] All mankinde. ] man with the edge of the sword vntill they had destroyed them, not leauing one aliue.

15 ¶ As the Lorde [Note: Exod.34.11. ] had commaunded Moses his seruant, so did Moses [Note: Deut.7.2. ] commande Ioshua, and so did Ioshua: he left nothing vndone of all that the Lord had commaunded Moses.

16 So Ioshua tooke all this land of the mountaines, and all the South, and all the lande of Goshen, and the lowe countrey, and the plaine, and the [Note: [i] That is, Samaria. ] mountaine of Israel, and the lowe countrey of the same,

17 From the mount [Note: [k] So called, because it was bare and without trees. ] Halak, that goeth vp to Seir, euen vnto [Note: Or, the valley of Gad. ] Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon, vnder mount Hermon: and all their Kings he tooke, and smote them, and slewe them.

18 Ioshua made warre long time with all those Kings,

19 Neither was there any citie that made peace with the children of Israel, [Note: Chap.9.3. ] saue those Hiuites that inhabited Gibeon: all other they tooke by battell.

20 For it came of the Lorde, to [Note: [l] That is, to giue them ouer to them selues: and therefore they coulde not but rebel against God and seeke their owne destruction. ] harden their heartes that they shoulde come against Israel in battell to the intent that they shoulde destroye them vtterly, and shewe them no mercie, but that they shoulde bring them to nought: as the Lorde had commaunded Moses.

21 ¶ And that same season came Ioshua, and destroyed the Anakims out of the mountaines: as out of Hebron, out of Debir, out of Anab, and out of all the mountaines of Iudah, and out of all the mountaines of Israel: Ioshua destroyed them vtterly with their cities.

22 There was no Anakim left in the lande of the children of Israel: onely in Azzah, [Note: [m] Out of the which came Goliath, 1.Sam.17.4. ] in Gath, and in Ashdod were they left.

23 So Ioshua tooke the whole land, according to all that the Lorde had saide vnto Moses: and Ioshua gaue it for an inheritance vnto Israel [Note: Nom. 26.53,55. ] according to their portion through their tribes: then the land was at rest without warre.


CHAP. XII.


1. 7 What Kings Ioshua and the children of Israel killed on both sides of Iorden, 24 Which were in nomber thirtie and one.

1 And these are the Kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote and possessed their land, on the [Note: [a] From Gilgal where Ioshua camped. ] other side Iorden toward the rising of the sunne, from the riuer Arnon, vnto mount Hermon, and all the plaine Eastward.

[Cities, Countries, and Kings conquered by Ioshua.]




2 [Note: Nomb.21.24. deut.3.6. ] Sihon King of the Amorites, that dwelt in Heshbon, hauing dominion from Aroer, which is beside the riuer of Arnon, and from the middle of the riuer, and from halfe Gilead vnto the riuer Iabbok, in the border of the children of Ammon.

3 And from the plaine vnto the sea of Cinneroth Eastward, and vnto the Sea of the [Note: Or, wildernes. ] plaine, euen the salt sea Eastward, the way to Beth-ieshimoth, and from the South vnder the [Note: Or, hill sides. ] springs of [Note: Deuter.3.17. and 4.49. ] Pisgah.

4 ¶ They conquered also the coast of Og King of Bashan of the [Note: Deuter 3.11. chap. 13.12. ] remnant of the gyants, which dwelt at Ashtaroth, and at Edrei,

5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, vnto the border of the Geshurites, and the Maachathites, and halfe Gilead, euen the border of Sihon King of Heshbon.

6 Moses the seruant of the Lord, and the children of Israel smote them: [Note: Nomb 32.29. deut.3.12. chap.13.8. ] Moses also the seruant of the Lorde gaue their land for a possession vnto the Reubenites, and vnto the Gadites, and to halfe the tribe of Manasseh.

7 ¶ These also are the Kings of the countrey, which Ioshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Iorden, Westward, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon, euen vnto the mount [Note: [b] Reade Chap.11. verse 17. ] Halak that goeth vp to Seir, and Ioshua gaue it vnto the tribes of Israel for a possession, according to their portions:

8 In the mountaines, and in the valleys, and in the plaines, and in the [Note: Or, in Ashdoth. ] hill sides, and in the wildernes, and in the South, where were the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites.

9 ¶ [Note: Chap.6.2. ] The King of Iericho was one: [Note: Chap.8.29. ] the King of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one:

10 The [Note: Chap.10.23. ] King of Ierusalem, one: the King of Hebron, one:

11 The King of Iarmuth, one: the King of Lachish, one:

12 The King of Eglon, one: the [Note: Chap.10.33. ] King of Gezer, one:

13 The [Note: Chap.10.39. ] King of Debir, one: the King of Geder, one:

14 The King of Hormah, one: the King of Arad, one:

15 The [Note: Chap.10.29,30. ] King of Libnah, one: the King of Adullam, one:

16 The [Note: Chap.10.28. ] King of Makkedah, one: the King of Beth-el, one:

17 The King of Tappuah, one: the King of Hepher, one:

18 The King of Aphek, one: the King of Lasharon, one:

19 The King of Madon, one: the [Note: Chap.11.10. ] King of Hazor, one:

20 The king of Shimron-meron, one: the King of Achshaph, one:

21 The King of Taanach, one: the King of Megiddo, one:

22 The King of Kedesh, one: the King of Iokneam [Note: Or, neere vnto Carmel. ] of Carmel, one:

23 The King of Dor, in the countrey of Dor, one: the King of the [Note: Gene.14.1. ] nations of Gilgal, one:

24 The King of Tirzah, one. all the Kings were thirtie and one.


CHAP. XIII.


3 The borders and coastes of the land of Canaan. 8 The possession of the Reubenites, Gadites, & of halfe the tribe of Manasseh. 14 The Lord is the inheritace of Leui. 22 Balaa was slaine.
[Page]

[The inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and halfe Manasseh.]




1 Nowe when Ioshua was olde, and [Note: [a] Being almost an hundreth and ten yeere olde. ] striken in yeeres, the Lord said vnto him, Thou art olde and [Note: Ebr. commen into yeeres. ] growen in age, and there remaineth exceeding much land to be [Note: [b] After that the enemies are ouercome. ] possessed:

2 This is the land that remaineth, all the [Note: Or, borders. ] regions of the Philistims, and all Geshuri,

3 From [Note: Ebr. Shihor. ] Nilus which is [Note: Ebr. vpon the face of Egypt. ] in Egypt, euen vnto the borders of Ekron Northward: this is counted of the Canaanites, euen fiue Lordships of the Philistims, the Azzithites, and the Ashdodites, the Eshkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites, and the Auites:

4 From the South, all the land of the Canaanites, and the [Note: Ebr. Mearah. ] caue that is beside the Sidonians, vnto Aphek, and to the borders of the Amorites:

5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunne rising from [Note: Or, the plaine of Gad. ] Bahal-gad vnder mount Hermon, vntil one come to Hamath.

6 All the inhabitants of the mountaines from Lebanon vnto [Note: [c] Reade Chap. 11.8. ] Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, I wil cast them out from before the children of Israel: only deuide thou it by lot vnto the Israelites, to inherite, as I haue commanded thee.

7 Nowe therefore deuide this lande to inherite, vnto the nine tribes, and to the halfe tribe of Manasseh.

8 For with halfe therof the Reubenites & the Gadites haue receiued their inheritance, [Note: Nomb.32.33. deut.3.13. chap. 22.4. ] which Moses gaue them beyond Iorden Eastward, euen as Moses the seruant of the Lord had giuen them,

9 From Aroer that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon, & from the citie that is in the mids of the [Note: Or, valley. ] riuer, & all the plaine of Medeba vnto Dibon,

10 And all the cities of Sihon King of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, vnto the borders of the children of Ammon,

11 And Gilead, and the borders of the Geshurites and of the Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, with all Bashan vnto Salcah:

12 All the kingdome of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei: (who remained of the [Note: Deut.3.11. chap. 12.4. ] rest of the gyants) for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

13 But the children of Israel [Note: [d] Because they destroyed not all as God had commaunded, they that remained, were snares and prickes to hurt them, Nom. 33.55. chap. 23.13. iudges 2.3. ] expelled not the Geshurites nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites euen vnto this day.

14 Onely vnto the tribe of Leui he gaue none inheritance, but the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel are [Note: [e] Leui shall liue by the sacrifices, Nom.18.21. ] his inheritance, as he said vnto him.

15 ¶ Moses then gaue vnto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance, according to their families.

16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon, and from the citie that is in the middes of the riuer, and all the plaine which is by Medeba:

17 Heshbon with all the cities thereof, that are in the plaine: Dibon and [Note: Or, hie places of Baal. ] Bamoth-baal, & Bethbaal-meon:

18 And Iahazah, and Kedemoth & Mephaath:

19 Kiriathaim also, and Sibmah, and Zerethshahar in the mount of [Note: Or, the valley. ] Emek:

20 And Beth-peor, and [Note: Deuter.3.17. ] Ashdoth-pisgah, and Beth-ieshimoth:

21 And all the cities of the plaine: and all the kingdome of Sihon King of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whome Moses smote [Note: Nomb.31.8. ] with the Princes of Midian, Eui, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the dukes of Sihon, dwelling

[The inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and halfe Manasseh.]



in the countrey.

22 And [Note: [f] So that both they which obeyed wicked counsel, and the wicked counseller perished by the iust iudgment of God. ] Balaam the sonne of Beor the soothsayer did the children of Israel slay with the sword, among them that were slaine.

23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Iorden with the coastes. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, with the cities and their villages.

24 ¶ Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto ye tribe of Gad, euen vnto the children of Gad according to their families.

25 And their coastes were Iazer, and all the cities of Gilead and halfe the lande of the children of Ammon vnto Aroer, which is before Rabbah:

26 And from Heshbon vnto Ramoth, Mizpeh, and Betonim: and from Mahanaim vnto the borders of Debir:

27 And in the valley Beth-aram, & Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdome of Sihon King of Heshbon, vnto Iorden and the borders euen vnto the Sea coast of Cinnereth, [Note: [g] That is, in the land of Moab. ] beyond Iorden Eastward.

28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad, after their families, with the cities, and their villages.

29 ¶ Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto the halfe tribe of Manasseh: and this belonged to the halfe tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families.

30 And their border was from Mahanaim, euen all Bashan, to wit, all the kingdome of Og King of Bashan, and all the townes of Iair which are in Bashan, threescore cities,

31 And halfe Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, [Note: Nomb.32.39. ] were giuen vnto the [Note: [h] Meaning, his nephues and posteritie. ] children of Machir the sonne of Manasseh, to halfe of the children of Machir after their families.

32 These are the heritages, which Moses did distribute in the plaine of Moab beyond Iorden, toward Iericho Eastward.

33 [Note: Chap.18.7. ] But vnto the tribe of Leui Moses gaue none inheritance: for the Lorde God of Israel is their inheritance, [Note: Nomb.18.20. ] as he said vnto them.


CHAP. XIIII.


2 The land of Canaan was deuided among the nine tribes and the halfe. 6 Caleb requireth the heritage that was promised him. 13 Hebron was giuen him.

1 These also are the places which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, [Note: Nomb.34.17. ] which Eleazar the Priest, and Ioshua the sonne of Nun and the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed to them,

2 [Note: Nomb.26.55. and 33.54. ] By the lot of their inheritance, as the Lord had commaunded by the hande of Moses, to giue to the nine tribes, and the halfe tribe.

3 For Moses had giuen inheritance vnto [Note: [a] As Reuben and Gad and halfe the tribe of Manasseh, Nomb 33.15. ] two tribes & an halfe tribe, beyond Iorde: but vnto the Leuites he gaue none inheritance among them.

4 For the childre of Ioseph were [Note: [b] So though Leui lacked, yet were there still twelue tribes by this meanes. ] two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gaue no part vnto the Leuites in the lande, saue cities to dwell in, with the suburbes of the same for their beastes and their substance.

5 [Note: Nomb.35.2. chap.21.2,3. ] As the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did when they deuided the land.

6 ¶ Then the children of Iudah came vnto Ioshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh the Kenezite saide vnto him, Thou knowest what the Lord saide vnto Moses the man of God,

[Page 84]

[Caleb requireth his inheritance.]



concerning [Note: [c] Which was, that they two onely should enter into the land, Nomb. 14.24. ] me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7 Fourtie yeere olde was I, when Moses the seruant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espie the land, and I brought him word againe, as I thought in mine heart.

8 But my [Note: [d] Which were the ten other spies. ] brethren that went vp with me, discouraged the heart of the people: yet I followed still the Lord my God.

9 Wherefore Moses sware the same day, saying, Certainely the land whereon thy feete haue troden, shalbe thine inheritance, & thy childrens for euer, because thou hast followed constantly the Lord my God.

10 Therefore beholde nowe, the Lorde hath kept me aliue, as he promised: this is the fourtie and fift yeere since the Lord spake this thing vnto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wildernes: and nowe loe, I am this day foure score and fiue yeere olde:

[Caleb requireth his inheritance.]




11 And yet am as [Note: Ecclu.46.9. ] strong at this time, as I was when Moses sent me: as strong as I was then, so strong am I nowe, either for warre, or [Note: Ebr. to go out and come in. ] for gouernment.

12 Nowe therefore giue me this mountaine whereof ye Lord spake in yt day (for thou heardest in that day, how the [Note: Or, gyants. ] Anakims were there, & the cities great and walled) [Note: [e] This he spake of modestie, and not of doubting. ] if so be the Lord will be with me, yt I may driue them out, as the Lord said.

13 Then Ioshua blessed him, and gaue vnto Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance.

14 [Note: Chap.22.12. 1 macca.2.56. ] Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh the Kenezite, vnto this day: because he followed constantly the Lord God of Israel.

15 And ye name of [Note: Chap.15.13. ] Hebron was before time, Kiriath-arba: which Arba was a [Note: [f] Either for his power or person. ] great man amog the Anakims: thus the land ceassed from warre.



CHAP. XV.


1 The lot of the children of Iudah, and the names of the cities and villages of the same. 13 Calebs portion. 18 The request of Achsah.

1 This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Iudah by their families: euen [Note: Nomb.34.3. ] to the border of Edom and the wildernesse of [Note: Nomb.33.36. ] Zin, Southward on the Southcoast.

2 And their South border was the salt Sea coast, from the [Note: [a] The Ebrewe worde signifieth tongue, whereby is meant either the anne of the Sea that commeth into the land, or a rocke or cape that goeth into the Sea. ] point that looketh Southward.

3 And it went out on the Southside towarde Maaleth-akrabbim, and went along to Zin, and ascended vp on the Southside vnto Kadesh-barnea, and went along to Hezron, and went vp to Adar, and fet a compasse to Karkaa.

4 From thence went it along to Azmon, and reached vnto the riuer of Egypt, and the end of that coast was on the Westside: this shall be your South coast.

5 Also the Eastborder shalbe the salt Sea, vnto the [Note: [b] Meaning, the mouth of the riuer where it runneth into the salt Sea. ] end of Iorden: and the border on the North quarter from the point of the Sea, and from the end of Iorden.

6 And this border goeth vp to Beth-hogla, and goeth along by ye Northside of Beth-arabah: so the border from thence goeth vp to the [Note: [c] Which was a marke to part their countreys. ] stone of Bohan the sonne of Reuben.

7 Againe this border goeth vp to Debir from the valley of Achor, and Northwarde, turning toward Gilgal, that lyeth before the going vp to Adummim, which is on the Southside of the riuer: also this border goeth vp to the waters of [Page]

[The bounds of Iudahs portion.]



[Note: Or, the fountaine of the sunne. ] En-shemesh, and endeth at [Note: 1.King.1.9. ] En-rogel.

8 Then this border goeth vp to the valley of the sonne of Hinnom; on the Southside of the Iebusites: the same is Ierusalem. also this border goeth vp to the top of the mountaine that lyeth before the valley of Hinnom Westward, which is by the end of the valley of ye [Note: Ebr. Rephaim. ] gyants Northward.

9 So this border compasseth from the top of the mountaine vnto the fountaine of the water of Nephtoah, & goeth out to the cities of mount Ephron: and this border draweth to Baalah, which is [Note: Or, the citie of woods. ] Kiriath-iearim.

10 Then this border compasseth from Baalah Westward vnto mount Seir, and goeth along vnto the side of mount Iearim, which is Chesalon on the Northside: so it commeth downe to Bethshemesh, and goeth to Timnah.

11 Also this border goeth out vnto the side of Ekron Northwarde: and this border draweth to Shicron, and goeth along to mount Baalah, and stretcheth vnto Iabneel: and the endes of this coast are to the [Note: [d] Meaning toward Syria. ] Sea.

12 And the Westborder is to the great Sea: so this border shalbe the bounds of the children of Iudah round about, according to their families.

13 ¶ And vnto Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh did Ioshua giue a part among the children of Iudah, as the Lord commanded him, euen [Note: Chap.14.15. ] Kiriath-arba of the father of Anak, which is Hebron.

14 And Caleb [Note: [e] This was done after the death of Ioshua, Iudg.1.10, 20. ] droue thence three sonnes of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, & Talmai, the sonnes of Anak.

15 And he went vp thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before time was Kiriath-sepher.

16 Then Caleb sayd, He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, euen to him wil I giue Achsah my daughter to wife.

17 And Othniel, the sonne of Kenaz, the [Note: Or, cousin. ] brother of Caleb tooke it: and he gaue him Achsah his daughter to wife.

18 And as she went in to him, she moued him, to aske of her father a fielde: [Note: [f] Because her husband taried too long. ] and she lighted off her asse, & Caleb sayd vnto her, What wilt thou?

19 Then she answered, [Note: Or, graunt me this petition. ] Giue me a blessing: for thou hast giuen [Note: [g] Because her countrey was barren, she desired of her father a fielde that had springs, Iudges 1.14, 15. ] mee the South countrey: giue me also springs of water. And hee gaue her the springs aboue and the springs beneath.

20 This shalbe the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Iudah according to their families.

21 And the vtmost cities of the tribe of the children of Iudah, toward the coastes of Edom Southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Iagur,

22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, Hesron (which is Hazor)

26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

27 And Hazar, Gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-palet,

28 And Hasar-shual, and Beersheba, and Biziothiah,

29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, [Note: [h] Which before was called Zephath, Iudg.1.17. ] and Hormah,

31 And Ziklag, & Madmanna, & Sansannah,

32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all these cities are twentie and nine with their villages.

33 ¶ In the lowe countrey were Eshtaol, and

[The bounds of Iudahs portion.]



Zoreah, and Ashnah,

34 And Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam,

35 Iarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, & Azekah,

36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim: fourteene cities wt their villages.

37 Zenam, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad,

38 And Dileam, and Mizpeh, and Ioktheel,

39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,

41 And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah: sixteene cities with their villages.

42 Lebnah, and Ether, and Ashan,

43 And Iipthtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

44 And Keilah, and Aczib, & Mareshah: nine cities with their villages.

45 Ekron with her [Note: Ebr, daughters. ] townes and her villages,

46 From Ekron, euen vnto the Sea, all that lyeth about Ashdod with their villages.

47 Ashdod with her townes and her villages: Azzah with her townes and her villages, vnto the [Note: [i] Meaning, Nilus, as Chap.13.3. ] riuer of Egypt, & the great Sea was their coast.

48 ¶ And in the mountaines were Shamir, and Iattir, and Socoh,

49 And Dannah, & [Note: [k] Which is called Kiriath-sepher, verse 15. ] Kiriath-sannath (which is Debir)

50 And Anab, and Ashtemoth, and Anim,

51 And Goshen, and Holon, & Giloh: eleuen cities with their villages,

52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,

53 And Ianum, & Beth-tappuah, & Aphekah,

54 And Humtah, and [Note: Chap.14.15 ] Kiriath-arba, (which is Hebron) and Zior: nine cities with their villages.

55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Iuttah,

56 And Izreel, and Iokdeam, and Zanoah,

57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.

58 Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor,

59 And Maarah, and Beth-anoth, & Eltekon: sixe cities with their villages.

60 Kiriath-baal, which is Kiriath-iearim, and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.

61 ¶ In the wildernes were Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,

62 And Nibshan, and the [Note: [l] Of this citie the salt sea hath his name. ] citie of salt, & Engedi: sixe cities with their villages.

63 Neuerthelesse, the Iebusites that were the inhabitants of Ierusalem, could not the children of Iudah cast [Note: [m] That is, vtterly, though they slewe the most part, and burnt their citie, Iudges 1.8. ] out, but the Iebusites dwell with the children of Iudah at Ierusalem vnto this day.


CHAP. XVI.


1 The lot or part of Ephraim. 10 The Canaanite dwelled among them.

1 And the lot fell to the [Note: [a] That is, to Ephraim and his children: for Manassehs portion followeth. ] children of Ioseph from Iorden by Iericho vnto the water of Iericho Eastward, and to the wildernes that goeth vp from Iericho by the mount Beth-el:

2 And goeth out from Beth-el to [Note: Iudg.1.26. ] Luz, and runneth along vnto the borders of Archiataroth,

3 And goeth down Westward to the coast of Iaphleti, vnto the coast of Beth-horon the nether, and to Gezer: & the endes [Note: [b] Of their inheritance. ] thereof are at the Sea.

4 So the children of Ioseph, Manasseh and Ephraim [Note: [c] Seuerally, first Ephraim, and then Manasseh. ] tooke their inheritance.

5 ¶ Also the borders of the children of Ephraim according to their families, euen the borders of their inheritance on the Eastside were Atroth-addar, vnto Beth-horon the vpper.

6 And this border goeth out to the Sea vnto Michmethah on the Northside, and this border

[Page 85]

[Manassehs portion.]



returneth Eastward vnto Taanathshiloh, and passeth it on the Eastside vnto Ianohah,
7 And goeth downe from Ianohah to Ataroth, and Naarath, and commeth to Iericho, [Note: [d] For so farre the coastes reache. ] and goeth out at Iorden.

8 And this border goeth fro Tappuah Westward vnto the riuer Kanah, and the endes thereof are at the Sea: this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.

9 And the [Note: [e] Because Ephraims tribe was farre greater then Manasseh, therefore he had mo cities. ] separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh: all the cities with their villages.

10 And they cast not out the Canaanite that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanite dwelt among the Ephraimites vnto this day, and serued vnder tribute.



CHAP. XVII.


1 The portion of the halfe tribe of Manasseh. 3 The daughters of Zelophehad. 13 The Canaanites are become tributaries. 14 Manasseh and Ephraim require a greater portion of heritage.

1 This was also the lot of the tribe of Manasseh: for he was the [Note: Gene.41.51. and 46.20. and 50.23. nomb.32.39. ] first borne of Ioseph, to wit, of Machir the first borne of Manasseh, and the father of Gilead: nowe because he was a man of warre, he had Gilead and Bashan.

2 And also [Note: Nomb.26.29. ] of the [Note: [a] For the other halfe tribe had their portion beyonde Iorden. ] rest of the sonnes of Manasseh by their families, euen of the sonnes of Abiezer, and of the sonnes of Helek, and of ye sonnes of Azriel, and of the sonnes of Shechem, and of the sonnes of Hepher, and of the sonnes of Shemida: these were the males of Manasseh, the sonne of Ioseph according to their families.

3 ¶ [Note: Nom.26.33. and 27.1. and 36.2,11. ] But Zelophehad the sonne of Hephir, the sonne of Gilead, the sonne of Machir, ye sonne of Manasseh, had no sonnes, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah:

4 Which came before Eleazar the Priest, and before Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The Lord commanded Moses to giue vs an inheritance among our [Note: [b] Among them of our tribe. ] brethren: therefore according to the commaundement of the Lord he gaue them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

5 And there fell ten portions to [Note: [c] In the land of Canaan: fiue to the males, and other fiue to the daughters of Zelophehad. ] Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side Iorden,

6 Because the daughters of Manasseh did inherite among his sonnes: and Manassehs other sonnes had the land of Gilead.

7 ¶ So the borders of Manasseh were from Asher to Michmethah that lieth before Shechem, and this border goeth on the right hand, euen vnto the inhabitants of En-tappuah.

8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but [Note: [d] Meaning, the citie it selfe. ] Tappuah beside the border of Manasseh belongeth to the sonnes of Ephraim.

9 Also this border goeth downe vnto the [Note: Or, the brooke of reedes. ] riuer Kanah Southward to the riuer: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh is on the Northside of the riuer, and the endes of it are at the [Note: [e] That is, towarde the maine sea. ] Sea,

10 The South perteyneth to Ephraim, and the North to Manasseh, and the Sea is his border: and they met together in [Note: [f] In the tribe of Asher, and tribe of Issachar. ] Asher Northwarde, and in Issachar Eastward.

11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher, Beth-shean, and her townes, and Ibleam, and her townes, and the inhabitants of Dor with ye townes

[The Tabernacle set in Shiloh.]



thereof, and the inhabitants of En-dor with the townes thereof, and the inhabitants of Thaanach with her townes, and the inhabitants of Megiddo with the townes of the same, euen three countreis.

12 Yet the children of Manasseh [Note: [g] For at the first they lacked courage, and after agreed with them on condition, contrary to Gods commandement. ] coulde not destroy those cities, but the Canaanites dwelled still in that land.

13 Neuerthelesse, when the children of Israel were strong, they put the Canaanites vnder tribute, but cast them not out wholy.

14 Then the children of Ioseph spake vnto Ioshua, saying, Why hast thou giuen me but one lot, and one portion to inherite, seeing I am a great people, for as much as the Lord hath [Note: [h] According to my father Iaakobs prophesie, Gene. 48.19. ] blessed me hitherto?

15 Ioshua then answered them, If thou be much people, get thee vp to the wood, & cut trees for thy selfe there in the lande of the Perizzites, and of the gyants, [Note: [i] If this mount be not large ynough, why doest not thou get more by destroying Gods enemies, as he hath commaunded? ] if mount Ephraim be too narowe for thee.

16 Then the children of Ioseph saide, The mountaine will not be ynough for vs: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the lowe countrey haue charets of yron, aswell they in Beth-shean, and in the townes of the same, as they in the valley of Izreel.

17 And Ioshua spake vnto the house of Ioseph, to Ephraim, and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power, and shalt not haue one lot.

18 Therefore the mountaine shall be thine: for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it downe: and the endes of it shall be thine, [Note: [k] So that thou shalt enlarge thy portion thereby. ] and thou shalt cast out the Canaanites, though they haue yron charets, and though they be strong.


CHAP. XVIII.


1 The Tabernacle set in Shiloh. 4 Certaine are sent to deuide the lande to the other seuen tribes. 11 The lot of the children of Beniamin.

1 And the whole Congregation of the children of Israel, came together at Shiloh: for they set vp the [Note: [a] For they had nowe remoued it from Gilgal and set it vp in Shiloh. ] Tabernacle of the Congregation there, after the land was subiect vnto them.

2 Nowe there remained among the children of Israel seuen tribes, to whom [Note: [b] As Eleazar, Ioshua and the heads of the tribes had done to Iudah, Ephraim and halfe of Manasseh. ] they had not deuided their inheritance.

3 Therefore Ioshua said vnto the children of Israel, Howe long are ye so slacke to enter and possesse the land which the Lord God of your fathers hath giuen you?

4 Giue from among you for euery tribe three men, that I may sende them, and that they may rise, and walke through the land, and distribute it according to [Note: [c] That is, into seuen portions, to euery tribe one. ] their inheritance, & returne to me.

5 And that they may deuide it vnto them into seuen parts, (Iudah shall abide in his coast at the South, and the house of Ioseph shall [Note: [d] For these had their inheritance already appointed. ] stand in their coastes at the North)

6 Ye shall describe the land therefore into seuen partes, and shall bring them hither to me, and I will cast lottes for you here before the [Note: [e] Before the Arke of the Lord. ] Lorde our God.

7 But the Leuites shall haue no part among you: for the [Note: [f] That is, the sacrifices and offerings, Chap. 13.14. ] Priesthood of the Lorde is their inheritance: also Gad and Reuben and halfe the tribe of Manasseh haue receiued their inheritance beyond Iorden Eastward, which Moses the seruant of the Lord gaue them.

8 ¶ Then the men arose, and went their way: and Ioshua charged them that went to describe [Page]

[The portion of Beniamin,]



the land, saying, Depart, and goe through the land, and [Note: [g] By writing the names of euery countrey and citie. ] describe it, and returne to me, that I may here cast lottes for you before the Lord in Shiloh.

9 So the men departed, and passed through the lande, and described it by cities into seuen partes in a booke, and returned to Ioshua into the campe at Shiloh.

10 ¶ Then Ioshua [Note: [h] That euery one should be content with Gods appointment. ] cast lottes for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Ioshua deuided the land vnto the children of Israel, according to their portions:

11 ¶ And the lot of the tribe of the children of Beniamin came foorth according to their families, and the cost of their lot lay [Note: [i] Their inheritance bordered vpon Iudah and Ioseph. ] betweene the children of Iudah, and the children of Ioseph.

12 And their coast on the Northside was from Iorden, and the border went vp to the side of Iericho on the Northpart, and went vp through the mountaines Westward, and the endes thereof are in the wildernesse of Beth-auen:

13 And this border goeth along from thence to Luz, euen to the Southside of Luz (the same is [Note: [k] Which was in the tribe of Ephraim: another Bethel was in the tribe of Beniamin. ] Beth-el) and this border descendeth to Atroth-addar, neere the mount, that lyeth on the Southside of Beth-horon the nether.

14 So the border turneth, and compasseth the corner of the Sea Southward, from the mount that lyeth before Beth-horon Southward: and the endes thereof are at Kiriath-baal (which is Kiriath-iearim) a citie of the children of Iudah: this is the Westquarter.

15 And the Southquarter is from the ende of Kiriath-iearim, and this border goeth out [Note: Or, to the sea. ] Westward, and commeth to the fountaine of waters of Nephtoah.

16 And this border descendeth at the ende of the mountaine, that lyeth before the valley of Ben-hinnom, which is in the valley of the [Note: Or, Rephaim. ] gyants Northward, and descendeth into the valley of Hinnom by the side of [Note: Or, Ierusalem. ] Iebusi Southwarde, and goeth downe to En-rogel,

17 And compasseth from the North, and goeth foorth to [Note: [l] Which is in the tribe of Ephraim. ] En-shemesh, and stretcheth to Geliloth, which is toward the going vp vnto Adummim, and goeth downe to the [Note: Chap.15.6. ] stone of Bohan the sonne of Reuben.

18 So it goeth along to the side ouer against the plaine Northward, and goeth downe into the plaine.

19 After, this border goeth along to the side of Beth-hoglah Northward: and the endes thereof, that is, of the border, reach to the point of the salt Sea Northward, and to the [Note: [m] To the very strait, where the riuer runneth into the salt sea. ] ende of Iorden Southward: this is the Southcoast.

20 Also Iorden is the border of it on the Eastside: this is the inheritance of the children of Beniamin by the coastes thereof rounde about according to their families.

21 Nowe the cities of the tribe of the children of Beniamin according to their families, are Iericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

22 And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el,

23 And Auim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

24 And Chephar, Ammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba: twelue cities with their villages.

25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

26 And Mizpeh, & Chephirah, and Mozah,

27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,

[Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar,]




28 And Zela, Eleph, and Iebusi, (which is [Note: [n] Which was not wholy in the tribe of Beniamin, but part of it was also in the tribe of Iudah. ] Ierusalem) Gibeath, and Kiriath: fourteene cities with their villages: this is the inheritance of the children of Beniamin according to their families.


CHAP. XIX.


1 The portion of Simeon, 10 Of Zebulun, 17 Of Issachar, 24 Of Asher, 32 Of Naphtali, 40 Of Dan. 49 The possession of Ioshua.

1 And the second lot came out to Simeon, euen for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was in the [Note: [a] According to Iaakobs prophesie, that he should be scattered among the other tribes, Gen 45.7. ] middes of the inheritance of the children of Iudah.

2 Nowe they had in their inheritance, Beersheba, and Sheba, and Moladah,

3 And Hazur-shual, and Balah, and Azem,

4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

5 And Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susah,

6 And Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen: thirteene cities with their villages.

7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan: foure cities with their villages.

8 And all the villages that were round about these cities, vnto Baalathbeer, & [Note: Or, Ramath. nageb. ] Ramath Southward: this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.

9 Out of the portion of the children of Iudah came ye inheritance of the childre of Simeon: for the part of ye children of Iudah was too [Note: [b] but this large portion was giuen them by Gods prouidence to declare their increase in time to come. ] much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within their inheritance.

10 ¶ Also the third lot arose for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the coastes of their inheritance came to Sarid,

11 And their border goeth vp [Note: [c] Meaning, toward the great Sea. ] Westwarde, euen to Maralah, and reacheth to Dabbasheth, and meeteth with the riuer that lyeth before Iokneam,

12 And turneth from Sarid Eastward towarde the sunne rising vnto the border of Chisloth-tabor, and goeth out to Daberath, and ascendeth to Iaphia,

13 And from thence goeth along Eastwarde towarde the sunne rising to Gittah-hepher to Ittah-kazin, and goeth foorth to Rimmon, and turneth to Neah.

14 And this border compasseth it on ye North side to Hannathon, and the endes thereof are in the valley of Iiphtah-el,

15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and [Note: [d] There was another Beth-lehem in the tribe of Iudah. ] Beth-lehem: twelue cities with their villages.

16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families: that is, these cities and their villages.

17 ¶ The fourth lot came out to Issachar, euen for the children of Issachar according to their families.

18 And their coast was Izreelah, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,

19 And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,

20 And Harabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,

21 And Remeth, and [Note: [e] There was another citie of this name in the tribe of Iudah: for vnder diuers tribes certaine cities had all one name, and were distincted by the tribe onely. ] En-gannim, and Enhaddah, and Beth-pazzez.

22 And this coast reacheth to Tabor, & Shahazimath, and Beth-shemesh, and the endes of their coast reach to Iorden: sixteene cities with their villages.


[Page 86]

[Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.]




23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families: that is, the cities, and their villages.

24 ¶ Also the fift lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

25 And their coast was Helcath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,

26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal, and came to Carmel Westward, and to Shihor Libnath,

27 And turneth towarde the sunne rising to Beth-dagon, and commeth to [Note: [f] Ioyneth to the tribe of Zebulun, which lay more Eastward. ] Zebulun, and to the valley of Iiphtah-el, toward the Northside of Beth-emek, and Neiel, and goeth out on the left side of Cabul,

28 And to Ebron, and Rehob, & Hammon, and Kanah, vnto great Zidon.

29 Then the coast turneth to Ramah and to the strong citie of [Note: [g] Which was Tyrus a strong citie in the Sea. ] Zor, and this border turneth to Hosah, & the ends thereof are at the Sea from Hebel to Achzib,

30 Vmmah also and Aphek, and Rehob: two and twentie cities with their villages.

31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families: that is, these cities and their villages.

32 ¶ The sixt lot came out to the children of Naphtali, euen to the children of Naphtali according to their families.

33 And their coast was from [Note: [h] These cities were in the countrey of Zaanannim. ] Heleph, and from Allon in Zaanannim, and Adaminekeb, and Iabneel, euen to Lakum, and the ends thereof are at Iorden.

34 So this coast turneth Westwarde to Aznoth-tabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the Southside, and goeth to Asher on the Westside, and to Iudah [Note: Or, euen vnto Iorden. ] by Iorden toward the sunne rising.

35 And the strong cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and [Note: [i] Of the which the lake of Gennezareth had his name. ] Cinnereth,

36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,

37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor,

38 And Iron, and Migdal-el, Horem, & Beth-anah, and Beth-shemesh: nineteene cities with their villages.

39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families: that is, the cities and their villages.

40 ¶ The seuenth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh,

42 And Shaalabbin, and Aiialon, and Ithlah,

43 And Elon, and Temnathah, and Ekron,

44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalah,

45 And Iehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon,

46 And Me-iarkon, and Rakkon, with the border that lieth before [Note: [k] Called Ioppe. ] Iapho.

47 But the coastes of the children of Dan fell out too litle for them: therefore the children of Dan went vp to [Note: [l] According as Iaakob had prophesied, Ge.49.17. ] fight against Leshem, & tooke it, and smote it with the edge of the sworde, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, & called Leshem, [Note: Iudg.11.82. ] Dan after the name of Dan their father.

48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the childre of Dan according to their families: that is, these cities and their villages.

[Cities of refuge.]




49 ¶ When they had made an ende of deuiding the lande by the coastes thereof, then the children of Israel gaue an inheritance vnto Ioshua the sonne of Nun among them.

50 According to the worde of the Lord they gaue him the citie which hee asked, euen [Note: Chap. 24. 30. ] Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and hee built the citie and dwelt therein.

51 [Note: Nomb. 34. 17. ] These are ye heritages which Eleazar the Priest, and Ioshua the sonne of Nun, & the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel deuided by lot in Shiloh before the Lorde at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation: so they made an ende of deuiding the countrey.


CHAP. XX.


2 The Lorde commaundeth Ioshua to appoint cities of refuge. 3 The vse thereof, 7 and their names.

1 The Lord also spake vnto Ioshua, saying,

2 Speake to the children of Israel, and say, [Note: Exod. 21. 13. nomb.35.6,11,14. deut. 19.2. ] Appoint you cities of refuge, whereof I spake vnto you by the hand of Moses,

3 That the slaier that killeth any person [Note: [a] At vnwares, and bearing him no grudge. ] by ignorance, and vnwittingly, may flee thither, and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.

4 And he that doeth flee vnto one of those cities, shall stand at the entring of the gate of the citie, and shall shewe his cause [Note: Ebr. in the eares of the Elders. ] to the Elders of the citie: and they shall receiue him into the citie vnto them, and giue him a place, that hee may dwell with them.

5 And if the [Note: [b] That is, the nearest kinsman of him that is slaine. ] auenger of blood pursue after him, they shall not deliuer the slaier into his hand because hee smote his neighbour ignorantly, neither hated he him before time:

6 But hee shall dwell in that citie vntill hee stande before the Congregation in [Note: [c] Till his cause were prooued. ] iudgement, [Note: Nomb.35.25. ] or vntill the death of the hie Priest that shall be in those daies: then shall the slaier returne, and come vnto his owne citie, and vnto his owne house, euen vnto the citie from whence he fled.

7 ¶ Then they appointed Kedesh in [Note: Or, Galile. ] Galil in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba, (which is Hebron) in the mountaine of Iudah.

8 And on the other side Iorden toward Iericho Eastward, they appoynted [Note: Deut.4.43. 1. chro.6.78. ] Bezer in the wildernesse vpon the plaine, out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, out of the [Note: [d] Out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh beyond Iorden. ] tribe of Manasseh.

9 These were the cities appoynted for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that soiourned among them, that whosoeuer killed any person ignorantly, might flee thither, and not die by the hande of the auenger of blood, vntill hee stoode before the [Note: [e] Before the iudges. ] Congregation.


CHAP. XXI.


The cities giuen to the Leuites, 41 in nomber eight and fourtie. 44 The Lorde according to his promise gaue the children of Israel rest.

1 Then came the [Note: Or, the chiefe of the fathers. ] principall fathers of the Leuites vnto Eleazar the Priest, and vnto Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and vnto the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel,

2 And spake vnto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, [Note: Nomb.35 2. ] The Lorde commanded [Note: [a] By Moses, by whose ministerie God shewed his power. ] by the hande of Moses, to giue vs cities to dwell in, with the suburbes thereof for our cattell.

3 So the children of Israel gaue vnto the Leuites, out of their inheritance at the commaundement [Page]

[Cities giuen to the Leuites with their suburbes.]



of the Lord these cities with their suburbes.

4 And the lot came out for the families of the [Note: [b] Hee meaneth them that were Priestes: for some were but Leuites. ] Kohathites: and the children of Aaron ye Priest, which were of the Leuites, had by lot, out of the tribe of Iudah, & out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Beniamin [Note: [c] Euery tribe gaue moe or fewer cities according as their inheritace was great or litle, Nom.35.8. ] thirteene cities.

5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh, tenne cities.

6 Also the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, & out of the tribe of Asher, and out of ye tribe of Naphtali, and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteene cities.

7 The children of Merari according to their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelue cities.

8 So the children of Israel gaue by lot vnto the Leuites these cities with their suburbes, as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses.

9 ¶ And they gaue out of the tribe of the children of Iudah, & out of the tribe of the children of Simeo, these cities which are here named.

10 And they were the childrens of [Note: [d] For Aaron came of Kohath, & therefore the Priests office remained in that familie. ] Aaron being of the families of the Kohathites, and of the sonnes of Leui, (for theirs was the first lot)

11 So they gaue them Kiriath-arba of the father of Anok (which is Hebron) in the mountaine of Iudah, with the suburbes of the same round about it.

12 (But the lande of the citie, and the villages thereof, gaue they to [Note: Chap. 14 14. 1.chron.6.56. ] Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh to be his possession)

13 ¶ Thus they gaue to the [Note: [e] That is, the Priest of the familie of the Kohathites, of whome Aaron was chiefe. ] children of Aaron the Priest, a citie of refuge for the slaier, euen Hebron with her suburbes, and Libnah with her suburbes,

14 And Iattir with her suburbes, and Eshtemoa, and her suburbes,

15 And Holon with her suburbes, and Debir with her suburbes,

16 And Ain with her suburbes, and Iuttah with her suburbes, Beth-shemesh wt her suburbes: nine cities out of those two tribes.

17 And out of the tribe of Beniamin they gaue Gibeon with her [Note: [f] The suburbes were a thousande cubites from the wall of the citie rounde about, Nom.35.4. ] suburbes, Geba with her suburbes,

18 Anathoth with her suburbes, and Almon with her suburbes: foure cities.

19 All the cities of the children of Aaron Priests, were thirteene cities with their suburbes.

20 ¶ But to the families of the children of Kohath of the Leuites, [Note: [g] That were not Priests. ] which were the rest of the children of Kohath (for the cities of their lot were out of the tribe of Ephraim)

21 They gaue them the citie of refuge for the slaier, [Note: [h] Hebron and Shechem were the two cities of refuge vnder the Kohathites. ] Shechem with her suburbes in mount Ephraim, and Gezer with her suburbes,

22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbes: foure cities.

23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbes, Gibethon with her suburbes,

24 Aiialon with her suburbes, Gath-rimmon with her suburbes: foure cities.

25 And out of the [Note: [i] Which dwelt in Canaan. ] halfe tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbes, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbes: two cities.

26 All the cities for the other families of the

[Cities giuen to the Leuites with their suburbes.]



children of Kohath were ten with their suburbes.

27 ¶ Also vnto the children of Gershon of the families of the Leuites, they gaue out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh, the citie of refuge for the slaier, [Note: [k] Golan and Kedesh were the cities of refuge vnder the Gershonites. ] Golan in Bashan with her suburbes, and Beeshterah with her suburbes: two cities.

28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbes, Dabereh with her suburbes,

29 Iarmuth with her suburbes, En-gannim with her suburbes: foure cities.

30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbes, Abdon with her suburbes,

31 Helkah with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbes: foure cities.

32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, the citie of refuge for the slaier, Kedesh in [Note: Or, Galile. ] Galil with her suburbes, and Hammoth-dor with her suburbes, and Kartan with her suburbes: three cities.

33 Al the cities of the Gershonites according to their families, were thirteene cities with their suburbes.

34 ¶ Also vnto the families of the children of Merari the [Note: [l] They are here called the rest, because they are last nombred, and Merari was the yongest brother, Gen. 46. 11. ] rest of the Leuites, they gaue out of the tribe of Zebulun, Iokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbes,

35 Dimnah with her suburbes, Nahalal, with her suburbes: foure cities.

36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, [Note: [m] Bezer and Ramoth were the cities of refuge vnder the Merarites and beyond Iorden, Chap.20.8. ] Bezer with her suburbs, and Iahazah with her suburbs,

37 Kedemoth with her suburbes, and Mephaath with her suburbes: foure cities.

38 And out of the tribe of Gad they gaue for a citie of refuge for the slaier, Ramoth in Gilead wt her suburbes, and Mahanaim with her suburbes,

39 Heshbon with her suburbs, and Iazer with her suburbes: foure cities in all.

40 So all the cities of the children of Merari according to their families (which were the rest of the families of the Leuites) were by their lot, twelue cities.

41 And all the cities of the Leuites [Note: [n] Thus according to Iaakobs prophesie, they were scattered throughout the countrey, which God vsed to this ende, that his people might be instructed in ye true religion by them. ] within the possession of the children of Israel, were eight and fourtie with their suburbes.

42 These cities lay euery one seuerallie with their suburbes round about them: so were all these cities.

43 ¶ So the Lord gaue vnto Israel all ye land, which hee had sworne to giue vnto their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

44 Also the Lorde gaue them rest rounde about according to all that hee had sworne vnto their fathers: and there stoode not a ma of all their enemies before them: for the Lorde deliuered all their enemies into their hand.

45 [Note: Chap.23.14,15. ] There failed nothing of all the good things, which the Lord hath sayde vnto the house of Israel, but all came to passe.


CHAP. XXII.


1 Reuben, Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh are sent againe to their possessions. 10 They builde an altar for a memoriall. 15 The Israelites reprooue them. 22 Their answer for defence of the same.

1 Then [Note: [a] After that the Israelites enioyed the land of Canaan. ] Ioshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh,

2 And sayd vnto them, Ye haue kept all that Moses the seruaunt of the Lorde [Note: [b] Which was to goe armed before their brethren, Nom.32.29. ] commaunded you, and haue obeied my voice in all that I commaunded you:

3 You haue not forsaken your brethren this long season vnto this day, but haue diligently

[Page 87]

[Reuben and Gad build an altar.]



kept the commandement of the Lord your God.
4 And nowe the Lorde hath giuen rest vnto your brethren as he promised them: therefore nowe returne ye and goe to your tentes, to the land of your possession, which Moses the seruant of the Lord [Note: Nom.32.33.chap. 13.8. ] hath giuen you beyond Iorden.

5 But take diligent heede, to doe the commandement and Lawe, which Moses the seruant of the Lord commaunded you: that is, [Note: Deut.10.12. ] that ye [Note: [c] He sheweth wherein consisteth the fulfilling of the lawe. ] loue the Lorde your God, and walke in all his wayes, and keepe his commandements, and cleaue vnto him, and serue him with all your heart and with all your soule.

6 So Ioshua [Note: [d] He commended them to God and prayed for them. ] blessed them and sent them away, and they went vnto their tents.

7 ¶ Nowe vnto one halfe of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had giuen a possession in Bashan: and vnto the other halfe thereof gaue Ioshua among their brethren on this side Iorden Westwarde: therefore when Ioshua sent them away vnto their tents, and blessed them,

8 Thus he spake vnto them, saying, Returne with much riches vnto your tents, & with a great multitude of cattell, with siluer and with golde, with brasse and with yron, and with great abundance of rayment: deuide the spoyle of your enemies with your [Note: [e] Which remained at home and went not to the warre, Nom.31.27. 1.sam.30.24. ] brethren.

9 ¶ So the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel from Shiloh (which is in the land of Canaan) to goe vnto the countrey of Gilead to the land of their possession, which they had obteyned, according to ye word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

10 ¶ And when they came vnto the [Note: Ebr. Geliloth, which countrey also was called Canaan because the Amorites dwelling there were called Canaanites. ] borders of Iorden (which are in the land of Canaan) then the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh, built [Note: [f] That is, beyonde Iorden: for some time the whole countrey on both sides of Iorden is ment by Canaan. ] there an altar by Iorden, a great altar to see to.

11 ¶ When the children of Israel heard say, Beholde, the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh haue built an altar in the forefront of the lande of Canaan vpon the borders of Iorden at the passage of the children of Israel:

12 When the children of Israel heard it, then the whole Congregation of the children of Israel gathered them together at Shiloh to goe vp [Note: [g] Such nowe was their zeale, that they would rather lose their liues, then suffer the true religion to be changed or corrupted. ] to warre against them.

13 Then the children of Israel sent vnto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to ye halfe tribe of Manasseh into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest,

14 And with him ten princes, of euery chiefe house a prince, according to all the tribes of Israel: for euery one was chiefe of their fathers housholde among the [Note: Or, multitude. ] thousands of Israel.

15 ¶ So they went vnto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the halfe tribe of Manasseh, vnto the land of Gilead, and spake with them, saying,

16 Thus saith [Note: [h] Not onely of the princes, but also of the common people. ] the whole congregation of the Lord, What transgressio is this that ye haue transgressed against the God of Israel, to turne away this day from the Lord, in that ye haue built you an altar for to rebell this day against the Lord?

17 Haue we too litle for the wickednesse [Note: Nom.25.4. ] of Peor, whereof we are not [Note: [i] Meaning, God is not fully pacified, forasmuch as no punishment can be sufficient for such wickednesse and idolatrie. ] clensed vnto this day, though a plague came vpon the Congregation of the Lord?

[Reuben & Gad accused, make answere.]




18 Ye also are turned away this day from the Lord: and seeing ye rebell to day against ye Lord, euen to morowe he will be wroth with all the Congregation of Israel.

19 Notwithstanding if the land of your possession be [Note: [k] In your iudgement. ] vncleane, come ye ouer vnto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lordes Tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among vs: but [Note: [l] To vse any other seruice then God hath appointed, is to rebell against God, 1.Sam.15.23. ] rebell not against the Lorde, nor rebell not against vs in building you an altar, beside the altar of the Lord our God.

20 Did not Achan ye sonne of Zerah trespasse grieuously in the execrable thing, and wrath fell on [Note: Chap.7.1,5. ] all the Congregation of Israel? and this man alone [Note: [m] Signifying, that if many suffered for one mans faute, for the faute of many all should suffer. ] perished not in his wickednesse.

21 ¶ Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh answered, and saide vnto the heads ouer the thousands of Israel,

22 The Lorde God of gods, the Lorde God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel himselfe shal know: if by rebellion, or by transgression against ye Lord we haue done it, saue thou vs not this day.

23 If we haue built vs an altar to returne away from the Lord, either to offer thereon burnt offering, or meate offering, or to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lord [Note: [n] Let him punish vs. ] himselfe require it:

24 And if we haue not rather done it for feare of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might say vnto our children, What haue ye to doe with the Lord God of Israel?

25 For the Lorde hath made Iorden a border betweene vs and you, ye children of Reuben, and of Gad: therefore ye haue no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children [Note: [o] Or, to turne backe from the true God. ] cease from fearing the Lord.

26 Therefore we said, We will nowe go about to make vs an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,

27 But it shall be a [Note: Gen.31.48. chap.24.27. verse 34. ] witnesse betweene vs and you, and betweene our generations after vs, to execute the seruice of the Lorde before him in our burnt offerings, and in our sacrifices, and in our peace offerings, and that your children should not say to our children in time to come, Ye haue no part in the Lord.

28 Therefore said we, If so be that they should so say to vs or to our [Note: [p] They signifie a wonderfull care that they bare toward their posteritie, that they might liue in the true seruice of God. ] generations in time to come, then will we answere, Beholde the facion of the altar of the Lorde, which our fathers made, not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, but it is a witnesse betweene vs and you.

29 God forbid, that we should rebell against the Lord, and turne this day away from the Lorde to builde an altar for burnt offering, or for meate offering, or for sacrifice, saue the altar of the Lord our God, that is before his Tabernacle.

30 ¶ And when Phinehas the Priest, and the princes of the Congregation and heads ouer the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the wordes, that the children of Reuben, and children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spake, [Note: Ebr. it was good in their eyes. ] they were well content.

31 And Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest said vnto the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceiue, that the Lord is [Note: [q] By preseruing vs and gouerning vs. ] among vs, because ye haue not done this trespasse against the Lord: nowe ye [Note: [r] Whom if he had offended, he would haue punished with you. ] haue deliuered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.
[Page]

[Ioshuas exhortation to the people.]




32 ¶ Then Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest with the princes returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, vnto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them answere.

33 And the saying pleased the children of Israel: and the children of Israel [Note: Or, praysed. ] blessed God, and [Note: Ebr. said. ] minded not to goe against them in battell, for to destroy the land, wherein the children of Reuben, and Gad dwelt.

34 Then the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad called the altar [Note: Or, witnes, as verse 27. ] Ed: for it shall be a witnesse betweene vs, that the Lord is God.



CHAP. XXIII.


2 Ioshua exhorteth the people, that they ioyne not themselues to the Gentiles, 7 that they name not their Idoles. 14 The promise, if they feare God, 15 And threatnings, if they forsake him.

1 And a long season after that the Lord had giuen rest vnto Israel from all their enemies round about, and Ioshua was olde, and [Note: Ebr. commen into yeeres. ] stricken in age,

2 Then Ioshua called all Israel, and their Elders, and their heads, and their iudges, and their officers, and said vnto them, I am old, and stricken in age.

3 Also ye haue seene all that the Lord your God hath done vnto al these nations [Note: [a] Your eyes bearing witnes. ] before you, howe the Lorde your God him selfe hath fought for you.

4 Beholde, I haue [Note: Or, ouerthrowen these nations. ] deuided vnto you by lot these nations that remaine, to be an inheritance according to your tribes, from Iorden, with all the nations that I haue destroyed, euen vnto the great Sea [Note: Ebr. at the sunne set. ] Westward.

5 And the Lord your God shall expell [Note: [b] Which yet remaine and are not ouercome, as chap. 13.2. ] them before you, and cast them out of your sight, and ye shall possesse their land, as the Lord your God hath said vnto you.

6 Be ye therefore of a valiant courage, to obserue and doe all that is written in the booke of the Lawe of Moses, [Note: Deut.5.32. and 28.14. ] that ye turne not therefrom to the right hand nor to the left,

7 Neither companie with these nations: that is, with them which are [Note: [c] And not yet subdued. ] left with you, neither [Note: Psal.16.4. ] make mention of the name of their gods, [Note: [d] Let not the Iudges admit an othe, which any shall sweare by their Idoles. ] nor cause to sweare by them, neither serue them nor bowe vnto them:

8 But sticke fast vnto the Lord your God, as ye haue done vnto this day.

9 For ye Lorde hath cast out before you great nations and mightie, and no man hath stand before your face hitherto.

10 [Note: Leuit.26.8. deut.32.30. ] One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

11 Take good heede therefore vnto your [Note: Ebr. soules. ] selues, that ye loue the Lord your God.

12 Els, if ye goe backe, and cleaue vnto the rest of these nations: that is, of them that remaine with you, and shall [Note: Or, be of their affinitie. ] make marriages with them, and [Note: Or, haue conuersation with them. ] goe vnto them, and they to you,

13 Knowe ye for certaine, that the Lord your God will cast out no more of these nations from before you: [Note: Exod.23 33. nomb.33.55. deut.7.16. ] but they shall be a snare and destruction vnto you, and a whip on your sides, and thornes in your [Note: [e] Meaning, they shalbe a continuall griefe vnto you, and so the cause of your destruction. ] eyes, vntill ye perish out of this good land, which ye Lord your God hath giue you.

14 And beholde, this day do I [Note: [f] I dye according to the course of nature. ] enter into the way of all ye world, & ye know in al your [Note: [g] Most certeinely. ] heartes and in all your soules, that [Note: Chap.21.45. ] nothing hath failed

[Ioshua rehearsing Gods benefites, exhorteth the people to feare God.]



of all the good things which the Lord your God promised you, but all are come to passe vnto you: nothing hath failed thereof.

15 Therefore as all [Note: Or, promises. ] good things are come vpon you, which the Lorde your God promised you, so shall the Lord bring vpon you euery [Note: Or, threatnings, as chap.24.20. ] euill thing, vntill he haue destroyed you out of this good land, which ye Lord your God hath giue you.

16 When ye shall [Note: [h] He sheweth that no euill can come vnto man, except he offend God by disobedience. ] transgresse the couenant of the Lorde your God, which he commaunded you, and shall goe and serue other gods, and bowe your selues to them, then shall the wrath of the Lorde waxe hote against you, and ye shall perish quickely out of the good lande which he hath giuen you.


CHAP. XXIIII.


2 Ioshua rehearseth Gods benefites, 14 and exhorteth the people to feare God. 25 The league renued betweene God and the people. 29 Ioshua dyeth. 32 The bones of Ioseph are buried. 33 Eleazar dyeth.

1 And Ioshua assembled againe all the [Note: [a] That is, the nine tribes and the halfe. ] tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called the Elders of Israel, and their heades, and their iudges, and their officers, and they presented themselues before [Note: [b] Before the Arke, which was brought to Shechem, when they went to burie Iosephs bones. ] God.

2 Then Ioshua said vnto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, [Note: Gene.11.31. iudeth 5.6,7. ] Your fathers dwelt beyond the [Note: [c] Euphrates in Mesopotamia, Gene.11.26. ] flood in olde time, euen Terah the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor, and serued other gods.

3 And I tooke your father Abraham from beyond the flood, and brought him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seede, and [Note: Gene.21.2. ] gaue him Izhak.

4 And I gaue vnto Izhak, [Note: Gene.25.26. ] Iaakob and Esau: and I gaue vnto [Note: Gene.36.8. ] Esau mount Seir, to possesse it: but [Note: Gene.46.6. ] Iaakob and his children went downe into Egypt.

5 [Note: Exod.3.10. ] I sent Moses also & Aaron, and I plagued Egypt: and when I had so done among them, I brought you out.

6 So I [Note: Exod.12 37. ] brought your fathers out of Egypt, and ye came vnto the Sea, and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with charets and horsemen vnto [Note: Exod.14.9. ] the red sea.

7 Then they cryed vnto the Lorde, and he put [Note: Or, a cloude. ] a darkenesse betweene you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea vpon them, and couered them: so your eyes haue seene what I haue done in Egypt also ye dwelt in the wildernesse [Note: [d] Euen fourtie yeeres. ] a long season.

8 After, I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt beyond Iorden, [Note: Nomb.21.29. ] and they fought with you: but I gaue them into your hand, and ye possessed their countrey, and I destroyed them out of your sight.

9 [Note: Nom.22.9. deut.23.4. ] Also Balak the sonne of Zippor King of Moab arose and warred against Israel, and sent to call Balaam the sonne of Beor for to curse you,

10 But I would not heare Balaam: therefore he blessed you, and I deliuered you out of his hand.

11 And ye went ouer Iorden, and came vnto Iericho, and the [Note: [e] Because it was the chiefe citie, vnder it he conteineth all the countrey: else they of the citie fought not, chap.3.14. and 6.1,2. ] men of Iericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hiuites & the Iebusites, and I deliuered them into your hand.

12 And I sent [Note: Exod.23.28. deut.7.20. chap.11.20. ] hornets before you, which cast them out before you, euen the two kings of the Amorites, and not with thy sword, nor wt thy bow.

13 And I haue giuen you a land, wherein ye

[Page 88]

[Ioshua rehearsing Gods benefites, exhorteth the people to feare God.]



did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and yee dwell in them, and eate of the vineyards and oliue trees, which yee planted not.
14 Nowe therefore [Note: [f] This is the true vse of Gods benefites to learne thereby to feare & serue him with an vpright conscience. ] feare the Lorde, & serue him in vprightnesse and in trueth, and put away the gods, which your fathers serued beyonde the flood and in Egypt, and serue the Lord.

15 And [Note: Ebr. if it be euill in your sight. ] if it seeme euill vnto you to serue the Lorde, choose you this day whome yee will serue, whether the gods which your fathers serued (that were beyond the flood) or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwel: [Note: [g] This teacheth vs that if all the world would goe from God, yet euery one of vs particularly is bound to cleaue vnto him. ] but I & mine house will serue the Lord.

16 Then the people answered and saide, God forbid, that we shoulde forsake the Lord, to serue other gods.

17 For the Lorde our God, he brought vs and our fathers out of the lande of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and he did those great miracles in our sight, and preserued vs in all the way that we went, and among all the people through whome we came.

18 And the Lorde did cast out before vs all the people, euen the Amorites which dwelt in the lande: therefore will we also serue the Lord, [Note: [h] Howe much more are we boud to serue God in Christ, by whome we haue receiued the redemption of our soules? ] for he is our God.

19 And Ioshua saide vnto the people, Ye can not serue the Lorde: for he is an holie God: he is a ielous God: hee will not pardon your iniquitie nor your sinnes.

20 If yee forsake the Lorde and serue strange gods, [Note: Chap.23.15. ] then he will returne and bring euill vpon you, and consume you, after that hee hath done you good.

21 And the people saide vnto Ioshua, Nay, but we will serue the Lord.

22 And Ioshua saide vnto the people, Yee are witnesses [Note: [i] If you doe the contrarie, your owne mouthes shal codemne you. ] against your selues, that yee haue chosen you the Lord, to serue him: and they sayd, We are witnesses.

[Ioshua dieth, and Eleazar.]




23 Then put away nowe, saide he, the strange [Note: [k] Out of your hearts and otherwise. ] gods which are among you, and bowe your hearts vnto the Lord God of Israel.

24 And ye people saide vnto Ioshua, The Lord our God wil we serue, & his voyce wil we obey.

25 So Ioshua [Note: [l] By ioyning God and the people together also hee repeated the promises and threatnings out of the lawe. ] made a couenant with the people the same day, and gaue them an ordinance and lawe in Shechem.

26 And Ioshua wrote these woordes in the booke of the Lawe of God, and tooke a great stone, and pitched it there vnder an [Note: Or, elme ] oke that was in the Sanctuarie of the Lord.

27 And Ioshua saide vnto all the people, Beholde, this stone shall be a witnesse vnto vs: for it [Note: [m] Rather then mans dissimulation should not be punished, the dumme creatures shall crie for vengeance. ] hath heard all the wordes of the Lord which he spake with vs: it shall be therefore a witnesse against you, lest yee denie your God.

28 Then Ioshua let the people depart, euery man vnto his inheritance.

29 And after these things Ioshua the sonne of Nun, the seruaunt of the Lord died, being an hundreth and ten yeeres olde.

30 And they buried him in ye border of his inheritance in [Note: Chap.19.50. iudges.2.9. ] Timnath-serah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the Northside of mount Gaash.

31 And Israel [Note: [n] Such are the people commonly as their rulers are. ] serued the Lorde all the daies of Ioshua, and all the daies of the Elders that ouerliued Ioshua, and which had knowen all the workes of the Lord that he had done for Israel.

32 And the [Note: Gen. 50. 25. exod. 13. 19. ] bones of Ioseph, which the children of Israel brought out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem in a parcell of ground which Iaakob bought of [Note: Gen. 33. 19. ] the sonnes of Hamor the father of Shechem, for an hundreth pieces of siluer, and the children of Ioseph had them in their inheritance.

33 Also Eleazar the sonne of Aaron died, whome they buried in [Note: Ebr. Gibeath Phineas. ] the hill of Phinehas his sonne, which was giuen him in mount Ephraim.