Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

They divided the land - This work was begun some time before at Gilgal, and was finished some time after at Shiloh. It must have required a very considerable time to make all the geographical arrangements that were necessary for this purpose.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did,.... Particularly with respect to the division of the land, and making provision for the Levites; this they did by their heads and representatives, the high priest and chief ruler, and the princes of the several tribes:

and they divided the land; met about it, and began to take measures in order to do it; they prepared for it, though as yet it was not actually done, and previous to it was the following incident.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

the children of Israel … divided the land — that is, they made the preliminary arrangements for the work. A considerable time was requisite for the survey and measurement.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

They — That is, the persons named, verse5, who acted in the name of the children of Israel, divided it, either now, or presently after.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 14:5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

Ver. 5. As the Lord commanded Moses.] To see that the Levites had their lands as well as other incomes, [Numbers 35:2] and that no man else should challenge any propriety in them. [Leviticus 25:32-34]

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 5. The children of Israel—divided the land— That is, they were disposed so to do; they began to set about it. The Scripture calls that done, which is begun or only resolved upon. Genesis 37:21. Exodus 12:48 chap. Joshua 10:15. The text might be disposed thus: "The children of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses, by assigning cities and suburbs to the Levites, [ch. Joshua 21:1-2, &c.] when they divided the land, under the direction of Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes."

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

They, i.e. the persons named Joshua 14:5, who represented and acted in the name of the children of Israel, divided it, either now, or presently after; which is here spoken by anticipation.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘As YHWH commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.’

The obedience of the people at this point is stressed. They carried out Moses’ commands as given by YHWH. They divided and allocated the land.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Land: or they were making all necessary preparations for the work, when Caleb came to remind Josue of what had been promised to him. No doubt land-measurers would be sent through the country.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

As = according as. Compare Nehemiah 35:2. Nehemiah 14:2-5.

divided = divided by lot;". Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. The children of Israel ... divided the land - i:e., they made the preliminary arrangements for the work. A considerable time was requisite for the survey and measurement.