Joshua 18:11

“And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families, etc.] This was the first lot of the seven that came up; it was but a small lot, and therefore called “little Benjamin”, (<196827>Psalm 68:27); but the land was very pleasant and fruitful. Josephus f410 says, this lot was very strait, because of the goodness of the soil, for it took in Jericho, and the city of Jerusalem: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph; having Judah on the south, and Joseph on the north; this was so ordered by the providence of God, that Benjamin should lie close to Joseph, being own brothers, and the only children of Rachel,…”

“the lot of . . . Benjamin came up--It has been supposed that there were two urns or vessels, from which the lots were drawn: one containing the names of the tribes, the other containing those of the seven portions; and that the two were drawn out simultaneously. the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph--Thus the prophecy of Moses respecting the inheritance of Benjamin was remarkably accomplished. (See on Deu 33:12). Next: Joshua Chapter 19”

“See the marginal references. There are many indications found in this and the next chapter that the text is in great disorder, and many of the places are still unknown. Joshua 18:14 And compassed the corner ... - Render “and turned on the west side southward.” The meaning is, that at lower Beth-horon the northern boundary-line of Benjamin curved round and ran southward - Beth-horon being its extreme westerly point. Joshua 18:21 The “Valley of Keziz,” or “Emek-Keziz,” is perhaps the “Wady el Kaziz,” at no great distance east of Jerusalem. Joshua 18:22 Zemaraim, i. e. “two wooded hills,” is supposed to be the ruins called “Es-Sumrah,” on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Joshua 18:23 Ophrah…”

“And the children of Joseph - Wherein we see the wisdom of Divine Providence, this being the only place in which that prophecy, Deu 33:12, could have been accomplished. Providence cast Benjamin next to Joseph on the one hand, because Benjamin was own and only brother to Joseph, and next to Judah on the other hand, that this tribe might hereafter unite with Judah, in an adherence to the throne of David, and the temple at Jerusalem. Joshua 18:14”

“18:11 Benjamin was Jacob’s twelfth and last son, and the second son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. The land received by his descendants reflected this favored position; they received a small but central portion between . . . Judah and Joseph.”

“between the children: Jos 15:1-8, Jos 16:1-10; Deut. 10:1-22, Deu 13:12 Joshua 18:12”

“Inheritance of the Tribe of Benjamin. - Jos 18:11-20. Boundaries of the inheritance. - Jos 18:11. The territory of their lot (i.e., the territory assigned to the Benjaminites by lot) came out (through the falling out of the lot) between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph. Jos 18:12-14 The northern boundary ("the boundary towards the north side") therefore coincided with the southern boundary of Ephraim as far as Lower Beth-horon, and has already been commented upon in the exposition of Jos 16:1-3. The western boundary follows in Jos 18:14. At Beth-horon the boundary curved round and turned southwards on the western side, namely from the mountain before (in front of) Beth-horon…”