Commentary on Joshua Author(s): Calvin, John (1509-1564) Calvin, Jean (1509-1564) (Alternative) Beverridge, Henry (Translator) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: In this volume, John Calvin provides an instructive comment- ary on the book of Joshua. Regarded as one of the Reform- ation©s best interpreters of scripture, Calvin is an apt com- mentator. In particular, he frequently offers his own transla- tions of a passage, explaining the subtleties and nuances of his translation. He has a penchant for incorporating keen pastoral insight into the text as well. He always interacts with other theologians, philosophers, commentators, and portions of the Bible when interpreting a particular passage. Calvin©s Commentary on Joshua is instructive, engaging, and lively. Tim Perrine CCEL Staff Writer Subjects: The Bible Works about the Bible i Contents Commentary on Joshua 1 Translator's Preface 2 The Argument 4 Chapter 1 10 Joshua 1:1-4 11 Joshua 1:5-9 14 Joshua 1:10-18 19 Chapter 2 24 Joshua 2:1-24 25 Chapter 3 38 Joshua 3:1-13 39 Joshua 3:14-17 46 Chapter 4 49 Joshua 4:1-9 50 Joshua 4:10-18 53 Joshua 4:19-24 57 Chapter 5 59 Joshua 5:1-9 60 Joshua 5:10-15 65 Chapter 6 71 Joshua 6:1-19 72 Joshua 6:20-27 78 Chapter 7 83 Joshua 7:1-9 84 Joshua 7:10-18 90 Joshua 7:19-26 94 ii Chapter 8 99 Joshua 8:1-29 100 Joshua 8:30-35 110 Chapter 9 114 Joshua 9:1-15 115 Joshua 9:16-27 121 Chapter 10 126 Joshua 10:1-14 127 Joshua 10:15-28 136 Joshua 10:29-43 141 Chapter 11 146 Joshua 11:1-15 147 Joshua 11:16-23 153 Chapter 12 158 Joshua 12:1-24 159 Chapter 13 163 Joshua 13:1-14 164 Joshua 13:15-33 170 Chapter 14 174 Joshua 14:1-15 175 Chapter 15 182 Joshua 15:1-13 183 Joshua 15:14-63 188 Chapter 16 195 Joshua 16:1-10 196 Chapter 17 199 Joshua 17:1-10 200 Joshua 17:11-18 203 Chapter 18 208 Joshua 18:1-10 209 Joshua 18:11-28 214 Chapter 19 218 iii Joshua 19:1-9 219 Joshua 19:10-31 221 Joshua 19:32-51 225 Chapter 20 228 Joshua 20:1-9 229 Chapter 21 232 Joshua 21:1-19 233 Joshua 21:20-45 237 Chapter 22 242 Joshua 22:1-9 243 Joshua 22:10-20 246 Joshua 22:21-34 251 Chapter 23 256 Joshua 23:1-11 257 Joshua 23:12-16 261 Chapter 24 264 Joshua 24:1-14 265 Joshua 24:15-24 270 Joshua 24:25-33 274 Translation of Joshua 278 Chapter 1 279 Chapter 2 281 Chapter 3 283 Chapter 4 285 Chapter 5 287 Chapter 6 289 Chapter 7 291 Chapter 8 293 Chapter 9 296 Chapter 10 298 Chapter 11 301 Chapter 12 303 iv Chapter 13 305 Chapter 14 307 Chapter 15 308 Chapter 16 311 Chapter 17 312 Chapter 18 314 Chapter 19 316 Chapter 20 319 Chapter 21 320 Chapter 22 323 Chapter 23 326 Chapter 24 328 Indexes 330 Index of Scripture References 331 Index of Scripture Commentary 334 Greek Words and Phrases 335 Hebrew Words and Phrases 336 Latin Words and Phrases 337 German Words and Phrases 339 French Words and Phrases 340 v This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. 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Written permission is required for commercial use. vi Commentary on Joshua Commentary on Joshua COMMENTARIES ON THE BOOK OF JOSHUA BY JOHN CALVIN TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN, AND COLLATED WITH THE FRENCH EDITION, BY HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY GRAND RAPIDS, MI http://www.ccel.org 1 Translator©s Preface Translator's Preface TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. The Commentary On Joshua was the last literary labor of its venerable Author. When he engaged in it, his constitution, which had never been strong, was completely worn out by excessive exertion, and almost every line of it must have been dictated to his amanuensis during momentary intervals of relief from severe bodily pain. On this point we possess au- thentic documents which leave no room for doubt. In a letter dated 30th November 1563, not quite six months before his death, after alluding to the difficulty he felt in continuing his studies, while both mind and body were exhausted by sickness, he states that he had undertaken a Commentary on Joshua, in compliance with the wishes of his friends, but had not then been able to advance beyond the third Chapter, though he had endeavored to be as brief as possible. Little more than two months after this letter was written, on 6th February 1564, he made his appearance in the pulpit for the last time; and on 10th March following, the complication of diseases which too plainly indicated that his earthly career was about to close, had become so alarming as to cause an entry in the Register of Geneva in the following terms: — “Arrete que chacun prie Dieu pour la sante de M. Calvin, qui est indispose depuis longtemps, et meme en danger de mort:” — “Decreed that every one pray to God for the health of Mr. Calvin, who has been indisposed for a long time, and even in danger of death.” Such are the circumstances in which this Commentary was composed, and it is im- possible, in reflecting on them, not to admire the indomitable energy which Calvin displayed in proceeding with his task, and in meeting the remonstrance’s of those who would have withdrawn him from it, with the heroic exclamation, “Would you that the Lord, when He comes, should find me idle!” A Work written at such a time, and in such a spirit, might justly claim exemption from criticism; but it has no need of indulgence, and can well afford to be judged by its own in- trinsic merits. Viewed merely as an intellectual effort, it displays all the excellencies which characterize the other Commentaries of its distinguished Author: viewed in a higher and better light, it is his dying bequest to the Church — a solemn ratification of the whole System of Doctrine which he had so long, so earnestly, and so successfully promulgated. As an appropriate conclusion both to the present Volume and the others which have preceded it, a valuable Tract, first published in this country in 1845, has been appended. It contains a Preface by the Rev. William Pringle, its original editor, an Essay from the German of Professor Theoluck, and a series of Extracts from Writers often differing widely from each other, but all concurring in a united testimony to the greatness of Calvin’s talents, or the excellence of his character. In the present reprint, the chief change consists in the insertion of Additional Testimonies. 2 Translator©s Preface The list of Calvin’s Writings, which completes the present Volume, is in accordance with that furnished by his greatest Biographer, Henri of Berlin, and will enable the reader to comprehend at a single glance the amazing extent of his literary labors. H.B. December 30, 1854. 3 The Argument The Argument ARGUMENT OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. As to the Author of this Book, it is better to suspend our judgment than to make random assertions. Those who think that it was Joshua, because his name stands on the title page, rest on weak and insufficient grounds. The name of Samuel is inscribed on a part of the Sacred History containing a narrative of events which happened after his death; and there cannot be a doubt that the book which immediately follows the present is called Judges, not because it was written by them, but because it recounts their exploits. Joshua died before the taking of Hebron and Debir, and yet an account of it is given in the 15th chapter of the present Book. The probability is, that a summary of events was framed by the high priest Eleazar, and furnished the materials out of which the Book of Joshua was composed. It was a proper part of the high priest’s duty not only to give oral instruction to the people of his own time, but to furnish posterity with a record of the goodness of God in preserving the Church, and thus provide for the advancement of true religion. And before the Levites became degenerate, their order included a class of scribes or notaries who embodied in a perpetual register everything in the history of the Church which was worthy of being recorded.