Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Joshua 13:3 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Jos 13:3	Strong Concordance	From Sihor [07883], which is before [06440] Egypt [04714], even unto the borders [01366] of Ekron [06138] northward [06828], which is counted [02803] to the Canaanite [03669]: five [02568] lords [05633] of the Philistines [06430]; the Gazathites [05841], and the Ashdothites [0796], the Eshkalonites [0832], the Gittites [01663], and the Ekronites [06139]; also the Avites [05761]:
	King James	From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
also the Avites: From [on] the south--The two clauses are thus connected in the Septuagint and many other versions. On being driven out (Deu 2:23), they established themselves in the south of Philistia. The second division of the unconquered country comprised

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

also the Avites: From [on] the south--The two clauses are thus connected in the Septuagint and many other versions. On being driven out (Deu 2:23), they established themselves in the south of Philistia. The second division of the unconquered country comprised

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Sihor is derived from a root signifying "to be black," and is suitable enough as an appellative of the Nile Isa 23:3. Here it most probably stands for "the river of Egypt" (Num 34:3 note), the modern "Wady el Arish". Ekron ("Akir") lay on the northern boundary of Judah Jos 15:11, and was actually conquered by the men of that tribe Jdg 1:18, though assigned in the allotment of the land to Dan Jos 19:43. It seems to have fallen again into the hands of the Philistines in the days of the Judges Sa1 5:10, was reconquered by Samuel (compare Sa1 7:14), but figures in subsequent times as a Philistine city only (compare Sa1 17:52; Kg2 1:2, Kg2 1:16, etc.). Lords - The Hebrew word סרן seren means "an axle," and is applied as a title special to the chiefs (compare Jdg 3:3 and marginal references) of the Philistines Gen 10:14. Gaza was the most southern of the Philistine cities (compare Jos 10:41; Jos 11:22). It was allotted to the tribe of Judah Jos 15:47, and was, with Askalon, taken by the warriors of that tribe Jdg 1:18. Both cities were soon re-occupied by the Philistines, and subsequently are always mentioned as Philistine cities. Gaza lay on the direct route of the Egyptian armies in their invasions of Syria, by whom it was captured more than once. Special judgments are denounced against Gaza for the cruelty of its people toward the Jews in the time of their humiliation Amo 1:6-7; Zep 2:4; Zac 9:5, and in the time of Jerome the ancient city was a ruin of which the foundations could hardly be traced, and the then existing town was built on another site. Gaza was in later times an episcopal see, and is now a thriving place containing some 15,000 inhabitants, a larger population than that of Jerusalem. Ashdod ("Esdud;" Azotus, Act 8:40) was, like Gaza, allotted to Judah (see Jos 15:46-47), but was soon regained by the Philistines, and became a principal seat of their Dagon worship. Here the ark of God was taken after its capture by the Philistines (Sa1 5:1 ff). Its name ( "fortress," "castle"), no less than its history (compare Ch2 26:6; Isa 20:1; Neh 4:7, etc.) indicates its importance as a stronghold; it withstood for twenty-nine years the longest siege on record by the Egyptian king Psammetichus. Like Gaza, it was doomed by the Jewish prophets to desolation, and it was utterly destroyed by the Maccabees (1 Macc. 10:77-84; 11:4). It was, however, rebuilt by the Romans, and figures in Christian times as an episcopal city. Askelon (see Jdg 1:18), the birthplace of Herod the Great, figures as an important town and seaport in the history of the Crusades, and very massive ruins still attest the ancient strength and grandeur of the place. It is situated about midway between Gaza and Ashdod. Gath seems to have been first taken by David Ch1 18:1. It is not named again in the book of Joshua. It was the town of Goliath Sa1 17:4, and is mentioned in David's elegy over Saul as a leading Philistine city Sa2 1:20. It was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem, but both the name and the city have perished; its site is conjecturally placed (by Condor) at Tell es Safi. Avites - See Deu 2:23 note.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Sihor is derived from a root signifying "to be black," and is suitable enough as an appellative of the Nile Isa 23:3. Here it most probably stands for "the river of Egypt" (Num 34:3 note), the modern "Wady el Arish".

Ekron ("Akir") lay on the northern boundary of Judah Jos 15:11, and was actually conquered by the men of that tribe Jdg 1:18, though assigned in the allotment of the land to Dan Jos 19:43. It seems to have fallen again into the hands of the Philistines in the days of the Judges Sa1 5:10, was reconquered by Samuel (compare Sa1 7:14), but figures in subsequent times as a Philistine city only (compare Sa1 17:52; Kg2 1:2, Kg2 1:16, etc.).

Lords - The Hebrew word סרן seren means "an axle," and is applied as a title special to the chiefs (compare Jdg 3:3 and marginal references) of the Philistines Gen 10:14.

Gaza was the most southern of the Philistine cities (compare Jos 10:41; Jos 11:22). It was allotted to the tribe of Judah Jos 15:47, and was, with Askalon, taken by the warriors of that tribe Jdg 1:18. Both cities were soon re-occupied by the Philistines, and subsequently are always mentioned as Philistine cities. Gaza lay on the direct route of the Egyptian armies in their invasions of Syria, by whom it was captured more than once. Special judgments are denounced against Gaza for the cruelty of its people toward the Jews in the time of their humiliation Amo 1:6-7; Zep 2:4; Zac 9:5, and in the time of Jerome the ancient city was a ruin of which the foundations could hardly be traced, and the then existing town was built on another site. Gaza was in later times an episcopal see, and is now a thriving place containing some 15,000 inhabitants, a larger population than that of Jerusalem.

Ashdod ("Esdud;" Azotus, Act 8:40) was, like Gaza, allotted to Judah (see Jos 15:46-47), but was soon regained by the Philistines, and became a principal seat of their Dagon worship. Here the ark of God was taken after its capture by the Philistines (Sa1 5:1 ff). Its name ( "fortress," "castle"), no less than its history (compare Ch2 26:6; Isa 20:1; Neh 4:7, etc.) indicates its importance as a stronghold; it withstood for twenty-nine years the longest siege on record by the Egyptian king Psammetichus. Like Gaza, it was doomed by the Jewish prophets to desolation, and it was utterly destroyed by the Maccabees (1 Macc. 10:77-84; 11:4). It was, however, rebuilt by the Romans, and figures in Christian times as an episcopal city.

Askelon (see Jdg 1:18), the birthplace of Herod the Great, figures as an important town and seaport in the history of the Crusades, and very massive ruins still attest the ancient strength and grandeur of the place. It is situated about midway between Gaza and Ashdod.

Gath seems to have been first taken by David Ch1 18:1. It is not named again in the book of Joshua. It was the town of Goliath Sa1 17:4, and is mentioned in David's elegy over Saul as a leading Philistine city Sa2 1:20. It was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem, but both the name and the city have perished; its site is conjecturally placed (by Condor) at Tell es Safi.

Avites - See Deu 2:23 note.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Counted to the Canaanites - That is, which though now possessed by the Philistines, who drove out the Canaanites the old inhabitants of it, Deu 2:23; Amo 9:7, yet is a part of the land of Canaan, and therefore belongs to the Israelites. The Avites - Or, the Avims, as they are called, Deu 2:23, who though they were expelled out of their ancient seat, and most of them destroyed by the Caphtorims or Philistines, as is there said, yet many of them escaped, and planted themselves not very far from the former.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
From Sihor, which is before Egypt - Supposed by some to be the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, near to the Arabian Desert; called also the river of Egypt, Num 34:5; Jer 2:18. On this subject an intelligent friend favors me with the following opinion: - "The river Sihor is supposed by some to be the Nile, or a branch of it. Others think it the same as what is frequently called the river of Egypt, which lay before or towards the borders of Egypt; which arose out of the mountains of Paran, and ran westward, falling into that bay of the Mediterranean which lies south of the land of the Philistines. This river is often mentioned as the boundary of the Israelites to the southwest, as Euphrates, the great river, was on the northeast. "There was a desert of considerable distance between what is called the river of Egypt and the isthmus of Suez. Solomon reigned to the borders of Egypt, i.e., to this desert; but not in Egypt, nor to the river Nile. "Upon the whole, (though there are difficulties in the matter), I incline to think that the river in question was not the Nile. Sihor (black) might, from some circumstances, be applied to another river as well as the Nile; though some places in Isaiah and Jeremiah seem to restrict it to the Nile." - J. C. Ekron northward - Ekron was one of the five lordships of the Philistines, and the most northern of all the districts they possessed. Baal-zebub, its idol, is famous in Scripture; see Kg2 1:2, etc. The five lordships of the Philistines were Gaza, Ashdod, Askalon, Gath, and Ekron. There is no proof that ever the Israelites possessed Ekron; though, from Jos 15:11, some think it was originally given to Judah, but the text does not say so; it only states that the border of the tribe of Judah went out Unto the Side of Ekron. From Jos 19:43, we learn that it was a part of the lot of Dan, but it does not appear to have been possessed by any of those tribes. Counted to the Canaanite - It is generally allowed that the original possessors of this country were the descendants of Canaan, the youngest son of Ham. The Philistines sprang from Mizraim, the second son of Ham, and, having dispossessed the Avim from the places they held in this land, dwelt in their stead. See Gen 10:13, Gen 10:14. Five lords of the Philistines - These dynasties are famous in the Scriptures for their successful wars against the Israelites, of whom they were almost the perpetual scourge. Also the Avites - These must not be confounded with the Hivites. The Avites seem to have been a very inconsiderable tribe, who dwelt in some of the skirts of Palestine. They had been originally deprived of their country by the Caphtorim; and though they lived as a distinct people, they had never afterwards arrived to any authority.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

From Sihor, which is before Egypt - Supposed by some to be the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, near to the Arabian Desert; called also the river of Egypt, Num 34:5; Jer 2:18. On this subject an intelligent friend favors me with the following opinion: - "The river Sihor is supposed by some to be the Nile, or a branch of it. Others think it the same as what is frequently called the river of Egypt, which lay before or towards the borders of Egypt; which arose out of the mountains of Paran, and ran westward, falling into that bay of the Mediterranean which lies south of the land of the Philistines. This river is often mentioned as the boundary of the Israelites to the southwest, as Euphrates, the great river, was on the northeast. "There was a desert of considerable distance between what is called the river of Egypt and the isthmus of Suez. Solomon reigned to the borders of Egypt, i.e., to this desert; but not in Egypt, nor to the river Nile. "Upon the whole, (though there are difficulties in the matter), I incline to think that the river in question was not the Nile. Sihor (black) might, from some circumstances, be applied to another river as well as the Nile; though some places in Isaiah and Jeremiah seem to restrict it to the Nile." - J. C.

Ekron northward - Ekron was one of the five lordships of the Philistines, and the most northern of all the districts they possessed. Baal-zebub, its idol, is famous in Scripture; see Kg2 1:2, etc. The five lordships of the Philistines were Gaza, Ashdod, Askalon, Gath, and Ekron. There is no proof that ever the Israelites possessed Ekron; though, from Jos 15:11, some think it was originally given to Judah, but the text does not say so; it only states that the border of the tribe of Judah went out Unto the Side of Ekron. From Jos 19:43, we learn that it was a part of the lot of Dan, but it does not appear to have been possessed by any of those tribes.

Counted to the Canaanite - It is generally allowed that the original possessors of this country were the descendants of Canaan, the youngest son of Ham. The Philistines sprang from Mizraim, the second son of Ham, and, having dispossessed the Avim from the places they held in this land, dwelt in their stead. See Gen 10:13, Gen 10:14.

Five lords of the Philistines - These dynasties are famous in the Scriptures for their successful wars against the Israelites, of whom they were almost the perpetual scourge.

Also the Avites - These must not be confounded with the Hivites. The Avites seem to have been a very inconsiderable tribe, who dwelt in some of the skirts of Palestine. They had been originally deprived of their country by the Caphtorim; and though they lived as a distinct people, they had never afterwards arrived to any authority.

Top

²³ And the Avims [05761] which dwelt [03427] in Hazerim [02699], even unto Azzah [05804], the Caphtorims [03732], which came forth [03318] out of Caphtor [03731], destroyed [08045] them, and dwelt [03427] in their stead.)

²⁰ Tell [05046] it not in Gath [01661], publish [01319] it not in the streets [02351] of Askelon [0831]; lest the daughters [01323] of the Philistines [06430] rejoice [08055], lest the daughters [01323] of the uncircumcised [06189] triumph [05937].

⁴ And there went out [03318] a champion [0376] [01143] out of the camp [04264] of the Philistines [06430], named [08034] Goliath [01555], of Gath [01661], whose height [01363] was six [08337] cubits [0520] and a span [02239].

¹ Now after this [0310] it came to pass, that David [01732] smote [05221] the Philistines [06430], and subdued [03665] them, and took [03947] Gath [01661] and her towns [01323] out of the hand [03027] of the Philistines [06430].

¹⁸ Also Judah [03063] took [03920] Gaza [05804] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Askelon [0831] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Ekron [06138] with the coast [01366] thereof.

⁷ But it came to pass, that when Sanballat [05571], and Tobiah [02900], and the Arabians [06163], and the Ammonites [05984], and the Ashdodites [0796], heard [08085] that the walls [02346] of Jerusalem [03389] were made up [0724] [05927], and that the breaches [06555] began [02490] to be stopped [05640], then they were very [03966] wroth [02734],

¹ In the year [08141] that Tartan [08661] came [0935] unto Ashdod [0795], (when Sargon [05623] the king [04428] of Assyria [0804] sent [07971] him,) and fought [03898] against Ashdod [0795], and took [03920] it;

⁶ And he went forth [03318] and warred [03898] against the Philistines [06430], and brake down [06555] the wall [02346] of Gath [01661], and the wall [02346] of Jabneh [02996], and the wall [02346] of Ashdod [0795], and built [01129] cities [05892] about Ashdod [0795], and among the Philistines [06430].

¹ And the Philistines [06430] took [03947] the ark [0727] of God [0430], and brought [0935] it from Ebenezer [072] unto Ashdod [0795].

⁴⁶ From Ekron [06138] even unto the sea [03220], all that lay near [03027] Ashdod [0795], with their villages [02691]:
⁴⁷ Ashdod [0795] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], Gaza [05804] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], unto the river [05158] of Egypt [04714], and the great [01419] [01366] sea [03220], and the border [01366] thereof:

⁴⁰ But [1161] Philip [5376] was found [2147] at [1519] Azotus [108]: and [2532] passing [1330] through he preached [2097] in all [3956] the cities [4172], till [2193] he [846] came [2064] to [1519] Caesarea [2542].

⁵ Ashkelon [0831] shall see [07200] it, and fear [03372]; Gaza [05804] also shall see it, and be very [03966] sorrowful [02342], and Ekron [06138]; for her expectation [04007] shall be ashamed [03001]; and the king [04428] shall perish [06] from Gaza [05804], and Ashkelon [0831] shall not be inhabited [03427].

⁴ For Gaza [05804] shall be forsaken [05800], and Ashkelon [0831] a desolation [08077]: they shall drive out [01644] Ashdod [0795] at the noon day [06672], and Ekron [06138] shall be rooted up [06131].

⁶ Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; For three [07969] transgressions [06588] of Gaza [05804], and for four [0702], I will not turn away [07725] the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive [01540] the whole [08003] captivity [01546], to deliver them up [05462] to Edom [0123]:
⁷ But I will send [07971] a fire [0784] on the wall [02346] of Gaza [05804], which shall devour [0398] the palaces [0759] thereof:

¹⁸ Also Judah [03063] took [03920] Gaza [05804] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Askelon [0831] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Ekron [06138] with the coast [01366] thereof.

⁴⁷ Ashdod [0795] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], Gaza [05804] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], unto the river [05158] of Egypt [04714], and the great [01419] [01366] sea [03220], and the border [01366] thereof:

²² There was none of the Anakims [06062] left [03498] in the land [0776] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478]: only in Gaza [05804], in Gath [01661], and in Ashdod [0795], there remained [07604].

⁴¹ And Joshua [03091] smote [05221] them from Kadeshbarnea [06947] even unto Gaza [05804], and all the country [0776] of Goshen [01657], even unto Gibeon [01391].

¹⁴ And Pathrusim [06625], and Casluhim [03695], (out of whom came [03318] Philistim [06430],) and Caphtorim [03732].

³ Namely, five [02568] lords [05633] of the Philistines [06430], and all the Canaanites [03669], and the Sidonians [06722], and the Hivites [02340] that dwelt [03427] in mount [02022] Lebanon [03844], from mount [02022] Baalhermon [01179] unto the entering in [0935] of Hamath [02574].

¹⁶ And he said [01696] unto him, Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Forasmuch as thou hast sent [07971] messengers [04397] to enquire [01875] of Baalzebub [01176] the god [0430] of Ekron [06138], is it not because there is no God [0430] in Israel [03478] to enquire [01875] of his word [01697]? therefore thou shalt not come down [03381] off that bed [04296] on which thou art gone up [05927], but shalt surely [04191] die [04191].

² And Ahaziah [0274] fell down [05307] through a lattice [07639] in his upper chamber [05944] that was in Samaria [08111], and was sick [02470]: and he sent [07971] messengers [04397], and said [0559] unto them, Go [03212], enquire [01875] of Baalzebub [01176] the god [0430] of Ekron [06138] whether I shall recover [02421] of this disease [02483].

⁵² And the men [0582] of Israel [03478] and of Judah [03063] arose [06965], and shouted [07321], and pursued [07291] the Philistines [06430], until thou come [0935] to the valley [01516], and to the gates [08179] of Ekron [06138]. And the wounded [02491] of the Philistines [06430] fell down [05307] by the way [01870] to Shaaraim [08189], even unto Gath [01661], and unto Ekron [06138].

¹⁴ And the cities [05892] which the Philistines [06430] had taken [03947] from Israel [03478] were restored [07725] to Israel [03478], from Ekron [06138] even unto Gath [01661]; and the coasts [01366] thereof did Israel [03478] deliver [05337] out of the hands [03027] of the Philistines [06430]. And there was peace [07965] between Israel [03478] and the Amorites [0567].

¹⁰ Therefore they sent [07971] the ark [0727] of God [0430] to Ekron [06138]. And it came to pass, as the ark [0727] of God [0430] came [0935] to Ekron [06138], that the Ekronites [06139] cried out [02199], saying [0559], They have brought about [05437] the ark [0727] of the God [0430] of Israel [03478] to us, to slay [04191] us and our people [05971].

⁴³ And Elon [0356], and Thimnathah [08553], and Ekron [06138],

¹⁸ Also Judah [03063] took [03920] Gaza [05804] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Askelon [0831] with the coast [01366] thereof, and Ekron [06138] with the coast [01366] thereof.

¹¹ And the border [01366] went out [03318] unto the side [03802] of Ekron [06138] northward [06828]: and the border [01366] was drawn [08388] to Shicron [07942], and passed along [05674] to mount [02022] Baalah [01173], and went out [03318] unto Jabneel [02995]; and the goings out [08444] of the border [01366] were at the sea [03220].

³ Then your south [05045] quarter [06285] shall be from the wilderness [04057] of Zin [06790] along by the coast [03027] of Edom [0123], and your south [05045] border [01366] shall be the outmost coast [07097] of the salt [04417] sea [03220] eastward [06924]:

³ And by great [07227] waters [04325] the seed [02233] of Sihor [07883], the harvest [07105] of the river [02975], is her revenue [08393]; and she is a mart [05505] of nations [01471].

⁷ Are ye not as children [01121] of the Ethiopians [03569] unto me, O children [01121] of Israel [03478]? saith [05002] the LORD [03068]. Have not I brought up [05927] Israel [03478] out of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714]? and the Philistines [06430] from Caphtor [03731], and the Syrians [0758] from Kir [07024]?

¹⁴ And Pathrusim [06625], and Casluhim [03695], (out of whom came [03318] Philistim [06430],) and Caphtorim [03732].

¹³ And Mizraim [04714] begat [03205] Ludim [03866], and Anamim [06047], and Lehabim [03853], and Naphtuhim [05320],

⁴³ And Elon [0356], and Thimnathah [08553], and Ekron [06138],

¹⁸ And now what hast thou to do in the way [01870] of Egypt [04714], to drink [08354] the waters [04325] of Sihor [07883]? or what hast thou to do in the way [01870] of Assyria [0804], to drink [08354] the waters [04325] of the river [05104]?

⁵ And the border [01366] shall fetch a compass [05437] from Azmon [06111] unto the river [05158] of Egypt [04714], and the goings out [08444] of it shall be at the sea [03220].