LIBER JOSUE BEN NUN

• 505D

(HIERON., Div. Biblioth., tom. VIII, col. 461.) At length, the Pentateuch of Moses being finished, as men released from a great debt of interest, we set our hand to Jesus the son of Nave, etc.

(ADAMANTIUS, hom. 1 in Josue.) God gave to Jesus Christ the name which is above every name: and this is Jesus. Therefore in the name of Jesus every knee is bowed, of things in heaven, of things on earth, and of things under the earth. [Vulg. Phlp 2:10 ut in nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur, "that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow"] And because this is the name above every name, therefore in no generations before was it named. In Genesis we read of many just men, and not one of them was named Jesus. 506DIn Exodus I find this for the first time (Exod. XVII), etc., as far as while we sin, and the vices of the passions reign in us, although, our idols left behind, we seem to have gone out from Egypt, yet the reproach of Egypt has not been taken away from us. But if thou shalt have been circumcised a second time, and shalt have cut away from thee every vice, of anger, of pride, of envy, of lust and the like, the reproaches of Egypt shall be wiped away, and, carried over into the land of promise, thou shalt receive the heavenly inheritance through Jesus Christ our Lord.

VERS. 2.-- Moses the servant (ADAMANT., hom. 2 in 507AJosue.) Moses my servant is dead. [Vulg. Jos 1:2 Moyses servus meus mortuus est; Migne's quotation gives famulus where the Vulgate has servus, though his own catchword above is servus] Mark how Jesus reigns, etc., as far as he is a spiritual Moses who lives in the spirit.

Arise and pass over, etc. Now therefore, rising up, pass over this Jordan, etc. See how Jesus the Son of God was Moses' minister. When the fulness of time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law (Gal. IV), for because he was made under the law of Moses, he was made the minister of Moses. And he was made Christ's [Christi; read Christus, "Christ was made a minister"] minister of the circumcision, to confirm the promises of the Fathers.

VERS. 3.-- Every place, etc. (Orig., hom. 2 in Jos.) The letter of the law is set upon the ground, and lies below, etc., as far as that thou mayest be made not only an heir of God, but a co-heir of Christ.

VERS. 4.-- From the desert and Libanus, etc. (ORIG., ibid.) 507BThe wilderness and Antilibanus. He did not say Libanus, but Antilibanus, etc., as far as the Church gathered out of the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

(AUG., quaest. 1 in Josue, tom. III.) From this testimony and from others it is proved that Moses died as a servant of God and pleasing to God, although in him that vengeance was fulfilled, that he should not enter the land of promise. From which it is given us to understand that God avenges some things bodily or temporally even upon his good servants, and yet holds them among the honourable and useful vessels.

And Josue commanded. (AUG., quaest. 2.) It is asked how he commanded this, after the Lord had exhorted him, etc., as far as his arrangement is changed at the divinely prompted suggestion of Jethro.

And to the Rubenites also. (ADAMAN., hom. 3 in Josue.) Let us consider 507Cwhat figure the two tribes and a half hold, etc., as far as they who hold back the land flowing with milk and honey in the bitterness of malice.

VERS. 1.-- He sent therefore, etc. (BEDA in Josue. ) The city of Jericho is the world, to which the Lord Christ sent the two Testaments to search out the manners of men. For in it, that he might more fully prove the faith of them that believe or the stubbornness of the rebellious, before the coming of his judgment he appointed, as it were two spies, the Law and the Gospel.

(ADAM., hom. 3.) Spies are sent by Jesus into Jericho, etc., as far as if in the mercy of his Lord he shall have understood his goodness.

VERS. 16.-- Get you up to the mountains, etc. (ADAM., hom. 3.) The wise harlot gives mystical and heavenly counsel, etc., as far as she who was once a harlot has been cleansed in water and in the Holy Ghost and in the blood of Christ.

VERS. 3.-- When you shall see the ark of the testimony of our God, and the priests, and the Levites carrying it, [Vulg. Jos 3:3 Quando videritis arcam foederis Domini Dei vestri, et sacerdotes stirpis Leviticae portantes eam, "the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests of the Levitical stock carrying it"] etc. (AUG., quaest, 3 in Josue.) It was commanded that the ark go before at a distance, etc., as far as the cloud withdrawn, as it were the veil taken away.

Go before the people. (ORIG., hom. IV.) The people is led forth by the priests, and makes its way to the land of promise under the teaching of the priests. And below: For it is they 508Awho teach the people to go out of Egypt, that is, out of the errors of the world, and to pass through the vast wilderness, that is, to run through the diverse kinds of temptations.

VERS. 7.-- This day will I begin to exalt thee, etc. (ID., ubi supra. ) Many wonders were wrought in the wilderness, and nowhere is Jesus said to be exalted. But where the Jordan is passed, it is said to him: This day will I begin to exalt thee, etc. For the exaltation of Jesus in the sight of the people takes its beginning from baptism. For they that are baptized are baptized in his death, whose death is accomplished in the exaltation of the cross. Rightly therefore is Jesus then first exalted for each of the faithful, when he comes to the mystery of baptism. Whence: God exalted him, and gave him the name which is above every name, etc.

508BVERS. 9.-- Of the Lord your God, etc. (ADAM., hom. 4 in Jos.) To the sinner every creature is an enemy, etc., as far as: who turned the rock into pools of waters, and the stony hill into fountains, etc.

VERS. 10.-- The Chanaanite, possessing, or a possession, or traders, or movable. The Hethite, dreading or amazed. The Hevite, gathering stones. The Pherezite, separating, or scattering abroad. The Gergesite, bring near the husbandman, or casting out the husbandman, or a stranger drawing near. The Amorrhite, bitter or speaking. The Jebusite, treading down, or their manger.

VERS. 15.-- [The Jordan] had filled the banks at the time of harvest. The LXX: As in the days of the wheat harvest. This seems incredible for our regions, but there (as they relate who have known it) in the 508Cbeginning of spring is the wheat harvest: and then that river overflows and is filled more than through the winter.

VERS. 16.-- The waters that came down stood, etc. (ADAM., hom. 4.) I judge that it was not written without a reason of mystery, etc., as far as and one Spirit by whom all are purified in baptism, and one God the Father of all.

VERS. 7.-- For ever. (AUG.) How for ever, since heaven and earth pass away? Or is it because it signifies something eternal, since they themselves cannot be eternal? Although what is in the Greek can be said in Latin unto the age.

VERS. 10.-- And the people made haste and passed over, etc. (ADAM., hom. 2.) They who passed the Red Sea 508Dwere baptized in Moses, etc., as far as when there is now none to terrify the children of Israel.

VERS. 14.-- In that day, etc. Jesus has always been exalted with the Father; but there is need that God exalt him in our sight, that is, that we may know the height of his divinity. And this comes to pass if we shall have passed the Jordan, and be armed with the diverse defences of the sacraments for the wars to come.

VERS. 16.-- Command the priests. (AUG., in Josue. ) Charge the priests that carry the ark of the testament, etc., as far as because the Old Testament was given in testimony of the thing to come.

And the people. (ADAMANT., hom. 2.) Not without cause is it marked when they come to the Jordan, etc., 509Aas far as that they may signify that many perfections hang upon one day

Twelve also, that is, the mystery of the lamb was commanded in Egypt, because on the same day on which we flee the errors of the world, we enter the land of promise. For the whole present life is one day: to-day therefore, that is, while we live, let us make haste to perfection, and not put it off until the morrow.

Twelve also. (ISID.) The children of Israel, passing over the Jordan, took up out of the midst of the river twelve stones, which they set for a testimony in the place of the second circumcision, to signify to us that, when we rise up from the laver, we ought to carry with us the most firm examples of the apostolic life, whose testimony we should always look upon for the imitation of the virtues.

• 509B

VERS. 2.-- Circumcise Israel the second time. (AUG., quaest. 6. in Job.) It is asked: why did he say Again, etc., as far as or by certain heretics separated from the fellowship of the Israelites?

Make thee knives of stone, etc. (ISID. in Job. ) Let the Jews say: how can any man be circumcised a second time with a fleshly circumcision? etc., as far as because through one member the stain is spread over the whole body.

VERS. 5.-- And the people. (ADAM., hom. 6.) They who had not been obedient to the commandments of the Lord are called uncircumcised. From which it is understood that they are called uncircumcised who obey not the commandments of God; and because God loves every soul, he sent Jesus the Son of God, who should circumcise both the worthy and the unworthy, 509Cnot the son of Nave, who did not truly and perfectly circumcise the people, but Jesus the Son of God, who truly cleansed body and soul from every defilement of sin.

VERS. 8.-- But after all were circumcised. And the children of Israel, being circumcised, rested in the same place, sitting in the camp, until they were healed. It is not enough to be circumcised; it is needful after circumcision to be healed, and that a scar be drawn over the wound. To be circumcised therefore by Jesus is to lay aside vices and depraved habits and the worst practices, and to cut away whatever disagrees with the rule of honesty. But in doing this we are held fast by a certain difficulty, since it is with a certain grief of mind that we shun the guilt of habit by a new practice: at this time therefore we are said to sit still, as it were in the pain of our circumcision, 509Duntil, the scar being drawn over, we are healed, that is, until we fulfil the new practices without difficulty, and that which before seemed unwonted and hard is turned into use; and then it is rightly said to us: This day have I taken away from you the reproach of Egypt

And they kept the pasch. After the reproach of Egypt was taken away, the children of Israel kept the pasch on the fourteenth day of the month. For neither before circumcision, nor after, before they were healed, could they eat the flesh of the lamb: thou seest therefore that no unclean man keeps the pasch, no uncircumcised man. Whence: Christ our pasch is immolated. Therefore let us celebrate the feast day, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (I Cr. XVI). [Vulg. 1Cor 5:8 Itaque epulemur, "therefore let us feast"]

510AAnd they kept the pasch. (ISID. in Jos. ) After the circumcision of the Gospel, straightway in the place of revelation the pasch is celebrated, and the Lamb is immolated who takes away the sins of the world; and, the manna of the typical law failing, the people first eats the bread of the body of Christ, which the uncorrupted land of promise, that is the Virgin Mary, brought forth, whose grain, falling into the earth, brought forth very much fruit. Mark the order: after that, Jesus Christ being our leader, we pass through the streams of the laver, and are sealed by faith with the spiritual circumcision, then at last we celebrate the pasch, that is, we believe Christ immolated for the salvation of the world, and believing we are straightway fed with the bread of the Lord's body.

VERS. 11.-- And they ate, etc. (ADAM., hom. 6.) But when the people went out of the land of Egypt, etc., 510Bas far as For how is it thought that, the better food ceasing, a worse succeeded.

(JUSTIN., Dialog. ) God in the beginning, before all creatures, begot out of himself a certain rational power, which is also called the Glory of the Lord, and sometimes the Son, Wisdom, Angel, Word, God, Lord. Sometimes also he calls himself the Master of the host, when he appeared in human form to Jesus the son of Nave.

And he saw a man. (ADAM., hom. 6 in Josue.) It came to pass, when Jesus was in Jericho, etc., as far as who, having received a kingdom, returned.

VERS. 15.-- Josue fell flat, etc. It can be asked whether he prostrated himself to an angel and called him Lord, or rather that, because he understood him to be God, understanding 510Cby whom he had been sent, he called that same one Lord, and prostrated himself to him.

(ORIG., hom. 6 in Josue.) Jesus is in Jericho, etc., as far as God straightway gladly cleaves to us and stands by us.

VERS. 1.-- Now Jericho, etc. (ISID., in Jos., cap. 7.) Jericho is interpreted moon, etc., as far as that is, outside the Church no man is saved.

VERS. 8.-- And when Josue had ended his words. (ADAMAN., hom. 5 in Jos.) Jericho is overthrown by the trumpets of the priests, etc., as far as and the doctrines of the philosophers.

VERS. 17.-- And let the city be (ADAM., hom. 7.) Keep yourselves from the anathema, etc., as far as and they make the people 510Dof God to be overcome.

VERS. 20.-- Therefore. (ID.) All the people is said to have shouted with a great shout, etc., as far as the men of the world were striving.

And the trumpets sounding. Every one of us ought to fulfil these things in himself. Thou hast in thee Jesus for thy leader through faith. Make thee beaten trumpets out of the Holy Scriptures, thence draw thy meanings, thence thy discourses; for that is why they are called beaten trumpets. Sound upon them, that is, in psalms, in hymns, in spiritual canticles. If thou shalt have sounded upon such trumpets, and shalt have carried the ark of the testament about seven times, that is, if thou separate not the mystical precepts of the law from the evangelical trumpets, so also thou exact from thyself the consent of jubilation, that is, if the people of thy thoughts 511Aand of thy senses always utter a concordant and consonant voice; and if thou do not at one time speak truth and at another lie by flattering, if thou be not now bland, [offering] remission, now truculent with wrath; and if within thee the flesh lust not against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, send forth the voice of jubilation, because the world has been overcome for thee. Hence Paul was saying: But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal. V).

The walls immediately fell. At the coming of Jesus the walls of Jericho were overthrown, at the coming of Christ the world is overcome. Whence Paul: That which was contrary to us, he took out of the way, fastening it to the cross, and stripping off the principalities and powers, he led them away freely, triumphing over them on the wood of the cross (Col. 2). [Vulg. Col 2:14–15 et ipsum tulit de medio, affigens illud cruci : et expolians principatus, et potestates traduxit confidenter, palam triumphans illos in semetipso, "despoiling … confidently, openly triumphing over them in himself"] 511BFrom these words I understand that the heavenly powers, principalities and powers, seeing the battle of Jesus, and the strong man bound, and his vessels spoiled, sounded out with heavenly trumpets, because, the prince of the world being bound, the world was overcome, and the heavenly host gave the voice of jubilation in the triumph of Christ (Matth. XII). Truly therefore is that people of the Gentiles delivered which has known this jubilation, and acknowledges and believes the mysteries.

VERS. 23.-- And the young men going in brought out (ADAM.) Rahab the harlot, and Jesus gave life to all the house of her father, etc., as far as and they who were first were made last.

VERS. 1.-- And the Lord was angry, etc. (ADAM., hom. 7.) It is not to be run over idly, etc., as far 511Cas than to go with me into hell.

(AUG., quaest. 8 in Josue.) It is wont to be asked how vengeance is justly taken upon some for the sins of another, etc., as far as which he himself does in his own judgment, whereto human power does not aspire.

VERS. 21.-- And a rule. (ADAM., hom. 7.) Now he stole a golden tongue, etc., as far as which was to the thief the cause of sin.

And a rule. The LXX: A tongue, that is, the doctrines of the heretics, or the superstitious studies of secular letters. For this is the golden tongue, fitted out with brilliant speech. This the heretics stole from Jericho, as it were a golden rule, who attempted to bring in the sect of the philosophers into the Church: by whose anathema 511Dmany are lost, and, as by a heap of stones, are put out by the multitude of sins: whose leader the devil, who through their impiety had conquered certain of the faithful, is again overcome and vanquished, and, hanged up by the people of God, is slain by the power of the cross.

(ISID., in Jos.) Jericho signifies the world: he hides of its anathema in his own tabernacle who inserts worldly manners into the secret places of the Church; who, abiding under the worship of God, loves the solemnities or the shows of the world; who seeks out diviners, soothsayers and augurs, or does the rest of the things that were had in Jericho, that is, in the world.

And they stoned him. (AUG., quaest. in Jos. ) It is asked, since the Lord him who had committed the theft, etc., as far as to die together with those consumed with him for his own sin.

• 512A

VERS. 1.-- And the Lord said, etc. (ADAM., hom. 8.) At the first we were overcome because of sins, etc. as far as who follow Jesus, from the burden of the law.

(AUG., quaest. 10 in Jos.) When any man has undertaken a just war, etc., as far as he is to be judged not so much the author of the war as its minister.

(ID., quaest. 11.) It must be asked whether every will to deceive is to be reckoned for a lie, and if it is so, whether there can be a just lie, by which he is deceived who is worthy to be deceived. And if this indeed is not found to be just, it remains that, according to some signification, this which was done by way of ambush be referred to the truth.

VERS. 15.-- And fleeing. (ADAM., ibid. ) What, 512Bthinkest thou, does Jesus signify by fleeing? etc., as far as who flee fornication, guile, lying and the like.

VERS. 24.-- Therefore all being slain. (ADAM., ibid. ). They struck them with the edge of the sword, etc., as far as to be crowned for the palm of victory and by the merit of virtue?

VERS. 29.-- The king. (ID., homil. 8.) The king of Hai is hanged upon a double tree, etc., as far as but of the devil he says: The last enemy death shall be destroyed, etc. (I Cor. XV.) [Vulg. 1Cor 15:26 Novissima autem inimica destruetur mors — feminine, agreeing with mors; Migne's masculine makes the last enemy the devil, which is what the gloss requires]

(ID.) The LXX: In the double tree, that is, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, etc., as far as He is the last Adam in a quickening spirit.

VERS. 30.-- Then he built, etc. (ADAM., hom. 9.) Jesus built an altar to the Lord God of Israel, etc., 512Cas far as who are worthy for the building of the altar.

VERS. 33.-- And all the people. (ORIG., hom. 9.) And all Israel and the elders, etc., as far as by fulfilling, that is, in work the things that are written in the law.

As the stranger. (ID., ibid. ) But both the proselyte and the native together, etc., as far as and let them beware of running into the penalties appointed for sinners.

After this he read. (ADAM., ibid. ) It is related, etc., as far as: that we may know the things that are given us from God (II Cor. II).

VERS. 35.-- Nothing of these things. (ID.) There was not a word of those things which Moses commanded, etc., as far as or who now strive to be joined to the faithful.

512DBeing assembled, etc. (ADAM., hom. 9 in Jos.) From these things which were done, etc., as far as Satan shall be crushed under the feet of his servants (Rom. XVI). [Vulg. Rom 16:20 Deus autem pacis conterat Satanam sub pedibus vestris velociter, "may the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily"]

VERS. 3.-- But they who, etc. (ID., hom. 10.) In my Father's house there are many mansions (Joan. XIV), etc. as far as thou hear not the words of him that calls thee back to thy former liberty, thou become the servant of sin for ever.

VERS. 19.-- We have sworn. (AUG., quaest. 13 in Jos.) It is asked how the Hebrews believed that this oath was to be kept to the Gabaonites, etc., as far as if he had not done what he had sworn when troubled by anger, than if he had performed it.

(ISID. in Jos.) The Gabaonites signify those who believe, and who seem to be devout toward the servants of God or to hold the worship of the Church, 513Ayet have nothing of amendment or of devotion or of renewal in their manners, such men only put forward for a time within the Church a certain sign of salvation. But among the spiritual, that is, among the saints of God, they do not obtain the eternal kingdom or liberty.

VERS. 4.-- Come up to me. (ORIG., hom. 11 in Josue.) When the soul joins itself to the word of God, etc., as far as and it shakes off the coming of night.

Being assembled therefore, etc. (AUG., quaest. 15 in Jos.) It is asked how the king of Jerusalem, etc., as far as and yet that whole land is originally called the land of Chanaan.

VERS. 7.-- And Josue went up, etc. (AUG. quaest. 513B14.) When the Gabaonites, besieged by the kings of the Amorrhites, had sent to Jesus, etc., as far as and he in some sort rewarded this faith of theirs.

For five kings had fled, etc. (ADAM., hom 11 in Josue.) What is it that he says, etc., as far as for this is that Jerusalem was at one time under king Adonisedec, or other cities under others.

(ADAM., ibid.) Jesus slays the enemies, not teaching credulity, etc., as far as Jesus Christ alone may reign in thee.

VERS. 19.-- But stay you not. (ADAM., hom. 12.) The wars of Jesus and the slaughters of kings and of enemies, etc., as far as: because the Lord God hath delivered all the enemies into your hands.

(ADAM., hom. 13.) All these things happened in figure 513Cto them. And they were written for our sakes, etc., as far as into the inheritance of the holy land in the Israelite portion, our enemies being destroyed (Ephes. II).

VERS. 1.-- And when Jabin had heard, etc. (ADAMANT., hom. 24 in Jos.) When Israel according to the flesh read these Scriptures before the coming of Christ etc., as far as that they may assault us who follow Jesus our Saviour, but the Lord says: Fear not before their face, etc. [Vulg. Jos 11:6 Ne timeas eos, "Fear them not"]

VERS. 11.-- For to-morrow at this same hour. (ADAMAN., hom. 14 in Jos.) I see that to-day we cannot crush them all, nor slay them every one: on the morrow they shall be destroyed, that is, after the consummation 513Dof the world, when it shall be said to them: Go into everlasting fire which God hath prepared for the devil and his angels (Matth. XXV). [Vulg. Mt 25:41 Discedite a me maledicti in ignem aeternum, qui paratus est diabolo, et angelis ejus, "Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels"] For then, if we shall have conquered, following Jesus our leader, we shall receive the kingdom which God hath prepared for his saints through Jesus Christ.

(ID., hom. 15.) Unless these wars bore the figure of spiritual things, etc., as far as Jesus therefore did as the Lord had commanded him.

(ORIG.) This therefore Jesus fulfilled according to the commandment of God, etc., as far as which is Christ, and, at his own bidding, to be slaughtered, that nothing may remain in us that breathes.

VERS. 12.-- And all, etc. (ADAM.) In us all sin has reigned and has been in all, etc., 514Aas far as nor dost thou fulfil the precept which the Lord Jesus gave.

As Moses had commanded him, etc. This is the word of the law, according to that: They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them (Luc. XVI). The law therefore has commanded us to slay all the kings of sin, who provoke us to sin. So did Jesus, nor did he transgress in anything. For it is he who destroys the vices in us and the kingdoms of sin. Christ also did all things that Moses commanded in the law, whence: God sent his Son, made of a woman (Gal. IV), etc. For he fulfilled all things that the law commanded, that he might redeem us from the curse of the law, who says: I came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil (Matth. V).

VERS. 15.-- As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, 514Bso did Moses command. (AUG., quaest. 16 in Jos.) It is not to be thought cruelty that Jesus left none alive in the cities delivered to him, because God had commanded these things. But they who here judge that God himself was cruel, and therefore are unwilling to believe that the true God was the author of the Old Testament, judge as perversely of the works of God as of the sins of men, not knowing of what each man is worthy, and thinking it a great evil when men doomed to fall are cast down and mortals die.

VERS. 19.-- There was not. (AUG., quaest. 17.) It is asked: how is this true, since neither afterwards from the time of the judges nor of the kings could the Hebrews take absolutely all the cities of those seven nations? But either it is to be understood thus, that Jesus came against no city in war 514Cwhich he did not take, or certainly that none of them was taken, but of those which were in the regions mentioned above. For the regions have been enumerated in which were the cities concerning which that conclusion was made, and he took them all in war.

(ADAM., hom. 15.) And Jesus took in war all who had gone out to war, etc., as far as when we do not their works.

(AUG., quaest. 18 in Jos.) Because it was brought about by the Lord that their heart was strengthened, etc., as far as they should take partly by fighting.

VERS. 23.-- And the land rested. (ORIG., homil. 15.) Not under Jesus the son of Nave, under whom it almost never ceased from wars, but under Jesus Christ. For thou hast come to Jesus, and in baptism hast obtained the remission of sins 514D; now in thee the flesh does not fight against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh (Galat. V). Thy land therefore has ceased from wars, if thou so carry about the death of Jesus in thy body that, all battles in thee ceasing, thou be made a true peacemaker, and be called a son of God. But this shall be when thou hast finished the wars, and hast subdued thine adversaries: then shalt thou rest under thy vine, which is Christ, and under thy fig tree, which is the Holy Ghost.

VERS. 1.-- (HIER., de Loc. Hebr.) Astaroth Carnaim, the land of the giants, formerly, upon the brow of the Sodomites whom Chodorlaomor slew. And there are to this day two forts in Batanea of this name, 515Aseparated from one another by nine miles. Edrai, where Og king of Basan, a giant, was slain. But now it is Adara, a notable city of Arabia, at the twenty-fourth milestone from Osdra. Esebon, the city of Sehon king of the Amorrhites, in the land of Galaad: which, though it had before belonged to the Moabites, was possessed by the Amorrhites by the right of war. Salecha, a city of king Og, in the region of Basanitis. Machati, a city of the Amorrhites upon the Jordan, near mount Ermon. Jarimuth, a city which Jesus overthrew, in the tribe of Juda, distant at the fourth milestone from Eleutheropolis, near the village of Eschaol. Lachis, in the tribe of Juda. Isaias and Jeremias make mention of this, and now it is a village at the seventh mile from Eleutheropolis. Erma was in the lot of Simeon, or of Juda, etc.

• 515B

(ADAMAN., hom. 16 in Jos.) Priests and elders are not so called for length of life, etc., as far as as he is first in all things, because he is the head of all.

VERS. 1.-- And the land. (ID.) Another reading: And there was left very much land. It was said above, etc., as far as but he who shall be subjected of necessity, when the last enemy death shall be destroyed, shall not be in grace.

VERS. 6.-- And all the Sidonians. (ADAM., hom. 16.) When Jesus had enumerated very many nations, of the Sidonians alone he said: And all the Sidonians will I destroy from before the face of the children of Israel. But the Sidonians are interpreted hunters. These are the demons of whom the Prophet says: They have prepared snares for my feet (Psal. LVI). These 515Cthe Lord destroys, that there be none to stretch out snares and nets for the deceiving of souls: and that every man may rest under his own vine and under his own fig tree.

VERS. 7.-- And now. But after this it is read that Moses gave an inheritance to certain men, and afterwards Jesus, according to the commandment of the Lord, distributed the inheritance. By Moses understand the law: they who lived according to the law received the inheritance first, but outside the land of promise. And when they had received it, they do not possess it, nor divide it among themselves; but they wait until it be distributed to them by lot through Jesus. Hence the Apostle says: All these, having testimony through faith, have not yet obtained the promises, God providing something better for us, that they should not be consummated without us (Hebr. XI). [Vulg. Hbr 11:39–40 Et hi omnes testimonio fidei probati, non acceperunt repromissionem, Deo pro nobis melius aliquid providente, ut non sine nobis consummarentur, "approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise"] They have therefore 515Dnow their promise and have rested, judged worthy through Moses to receive their inheritance, but still they fight for those who war under Jesus. For all the Fathers who slept before us fight with us and help us with their prayers, whence: That synagogue shall lick up this synagogue, as the calf licks up the green herb of the field. [Vulg. Nm 22:4 Ita delebit hic populus omnes, qui in nostris finibus commorantur, quomodo solet bos herbas usque ad radices carpere, "as the ox is wont to crop the herbs to the very roots"] For the synagogue of the Lord which went before us shall consume with mouth and tongue every contrary synagogue, that is, with prayers it shall consume our adversaries. With prayers therefore, and with meditation of the word of God, and with work and right understanding, must we fight.

(ADAM., hom. 17.) As shadows serve for a pattern of heavenly things, etc., as far as they receive the inheritance through Jesus.

516ATo the tribe. But to the Levites neither Moses gave an inheritance, nor Jesus. Because God himself is their inheritance. These are perhaps they who in the Church go before others by strength of mind and by the grace of merits. These are perhaps they who among the people of them that are to be saved bestow labour upon wisdom and knowledge, and keep their mind pure, and adorn [it] with all excellent virtues, and teach the simpler how they may come to salvation: whose inheritance is the Lord himself, who is wisdom, which they have loved before all others.

VERS. 15.-- To the tribe of the children of Ruben, etc. (ID.) Yet I find some difference in those things which Moses distributed, etc., as far as: The blind man offering guidance to the blind shall fall into the pit with him. [Vulg. Mt 15:14 caecus autem si caeco ducatum praestet, ambo in foveam cadunt, "if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit"]

VERS. 32.-- This possession. (ADAM., hom. 18 in Jos.) 516BLet us learn from the law, etc., as far as: Jesus and Eleazar together for the dividing of the land.

VERS. 2.-- Dividing all things by lot, etc. (ISID.) The nations being blotted out, Josue divides by lot the land of promise among the peoples: Christ also cast out from before the face of his faithful the nations, that is, the spirits of the errors of the Gentiles, and divided the land by lot, bestowing upon each one his proper gifts.

VERS. 3.-- For to two tribes. (ID.) Moses beyond the Jordan to two tribes only, as far as the perfection therefore and the sum of all good things is in the Holy Ghost.

Except the Levites. (ID.) The Levites do not receive an inheritance of land, etc., as far as that they may be able to say: The Lord 516Cis the portion of the inheritance, etc. (Psal. XV.)

VERS. 4.-- Neither did they receive. (ID.) Dwellings for the Levites, etc., as far as who live by the dispensing of all things.

VERS. 6.-- And he spoke. (ADAM., hom. 18.) Caleb first received an inheritance from Jesus, as far as for he himself taught and opened all things; he himself revealed to Paul that the law was spiritual.

Thou knowest. (ID.) This is what the Lord said, etc., as far as because he wrote all things wisely.

VERS. 11.-- So strong. For the holy man is alike strong, both in things present and in things past; both in things new and in things old; in the Gospels and in the law. This therefore is what he says, that he is strong under Jesus as he was then with Moses, because in the mysteries of both Testaments a watchful heart 516Dis strong.

VERS. 12.-- Give therefore. The holy man seeks nothing lowly, nothing abject, but a high mountain, in which are great and fortified cities, because the wise man seizes fortified cities, and destroys the fortifications in which the wicked trust.

In which. (ADAM., hom. XVIII.) Cities and walls are the doctrines of the wicked, etc., as far as as he was made the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, in Christ Jesus.

VERS. 15.-- And the land ceased, etc. (ADAM., homil. 19 in Jos.) This is not written in the distribution of Moses, but in the distribution of Jesus. If therefore thou wilt be made worthy to obtain an inheritance from Jesus, it behoves 517Athee first to finish all wars and to stand in peace, that of the land of thy flesh it may be said: because the land hath ceased from wars.

VERS. 1.-- The lot therefore of the children of Juda, etc. Whereas it is the custom of Holy Scripture to name the four quarters of the world, which they call axes or regions, in the description of the borders of the tribe of Juda only two are named. And the borders, he says, of the children of the tribe of Juda were, according to their peoples, from the borders of Idumaea, from the desert of Sin toward the west. [Vulg. Jos 15:1 a termino Edom, desertum Sin, contra meridiem, "from the border of Edom, the desert of Sin, toward the south"] And when he had described the borders from the west, he says, and from the east the salt sea, but the north and the south he passed over in silence. The borders therefore of Judaea are next to the borders of Idumaea, which is interpreted earthly: for after earthly things there follow straightway the borders 517Bof Judaea, but from the desert, he says, of Sin, that is, of temptations. After temptations therefore follow the borders of the inheritance of Juda. The East and the West are named as the neighbouring places which we spoke of above, that is, the confines. The valley of Egypt also is marked as neighbouring the western parts, which is from the desert toward the west. But from the east the borders are girded by the salt sea. After these things, from the hills, he says, which stretch toward the west, and thence one goes up from the west as far as Cadesbarne, and so it is stretched out from the west to Cades. These are their borders from Africa, and thence it went on as far as the valley of Egypt. See how in the parts of the west he names Africus, Egypt and the sunset, that every man may know that these must be passed over by him, and so at last that he comes to the royal tribe, from which our Lord arose. But from the borders 517Cof Idumaea is the desert of Sin; therefore it is necessary that we pass through the wilderness of temptations, that we may be able to come into the inheritance of the children of Juda. It behoves us also to go up the ascent of the hills of Accabin, which is interpreted scorpions, because scorpions must be passed by us and trodden upon, of which he writes: Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, etc. (Luc. X.) He therefore who wishes to enter into the inheritance of the tribe of Juda, let him go up these ascents, let him tread upon and escape these scorpions. Perhaps it was to Ezechiel, as he made this journey, that the Lord was saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of scorpions (Ezech. II). And the borders, he says, are as far as Cadesbarne. Cades is interpreted holy or sanctification. The borders therefore of Juda reach as far as sanctification. It is said also that from the eastern parts 517Dof Juda is the salt sea, and after these things in its portion is named the fountain of the sun, and the city of the sun, and in the same tribe there is also the city of letters. It behoves therefore every one who wishes to enter into the portion of the children of Juda to pass first the salt sea, that is, to overcome the waves and the whirlwinds of this world, and to escape all the things of this world which, for their uncertainty and slipperiness, are compared to the waves of the sea, that he may be able to come to the land of Judaea, and to the fountain of the Sun of justice, which is a fountain of water springing up into life everlasting, and afterwards to find the city of the Sun of justice. There is also in Egypt a city of the sun, but that one has received the name of this sun which the heavenly Father bids to rise upon the good and the bad (Matth. V). But that which is in Judaea is made [the city] of the saints only, because 518Ait is the city of God, and that fountain aforesaid, being made a river, makes glad the city of God (Psal. XLV). Thou also, if thou be fortified on every side, and encompassed with the wall of continence, strengthened with the towers of patience and magnanimity, shalt be made the city of God. But if to this thou shalt have added for thyself the light of the knowledge of God, and the Sun of justice shall have shone upon thee, thou shalt be made the city of the sun, or shalt inherit by lot the city of the sun. But if thou shalt study in the law of God day and night, and the book of the law shall not have departed from thy hand, thine inheritance shall be made the city of letters.

(ADAM., hom. 20 in Jos.) Not a little profit is conferred upon the soul, etc., as far as but when one day and a second and a third have gone by, in its own time, through hidden passages, the power of the food or of the drink, carried back to the sight, little by little cleanses the vision.

518BVERS. 13.-- But Caleb. (ADAM., hom. 20.) The beginning of the distribution of Jesus, etc., as far as Note that Caleb is called the son of Jephone, and Othoniel the son of Cenez, who is Caleb the younger, that is, his kinsman.

VERS. 18.-- Sitting on an ass. To whom. (GREG., lib. III Dialog., c. 34.) Axa sits upon an ass, etc., as far as that the upper watered ground should be set first, and the lower afterwards.

VERS. 63.-- But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite the inhabitant of Jerusalem. (ADAM., hom. 11 in Jos.) We understand spiritually that the Jebusite dwelt with the Jews in Jerusalem unto the present day according to the parable of the Gospel, etc., as far as these the children of Juda could not cast out of Jerusalem unto the present day.

518CThe Jebusite, that is, a treading down, namely those who make a scandal in the Church, and who, having received the knowledge of the mysteries, tread down by assailing them the pearls of the word of God.

(ORIG. ubi supra.) Jerusalem is interpreted the vision of peace, etc., as far as but they cannot all be cast out at once.

Unto the present day, that is, the everlastingness of the age, after the manner of Scripture. But this cannot stand according to the letter: for how does the Jebusite dwell with the children of Juda in Jerusalem so long as this age lasts, when not even the children of Juda dwell there for ever?

VERS. 1.-- There fell, etc. (AUG., quaest. 19 in Jos.) 518DIt follows. VERS. 10.-- And the Chanaanite dwelt. And the Chanaanite dwelt in Ephrem, etc., as far as Whence it appears to have been inserted by the LXX, who knew that it had been done.

(GREG., lib. IV Moral., c. 22.) The Chanaanite, that is, the gentile people etc., as far as that of itself it does not subdue greater things.

(ADAM., hom. 21 in Jos.) Ephrem is interpreted fruitfulness, etc., as far as He subjected the Chanaanites to the children of Ephrem.

VERS. 12.-- Neither could they. (ADAM., hom. 22 in Jos.) The Chanaanites are said a third time to be among the children of Ephrem, 519Aetc., as far as the Chanaanite is said to be destroyed by us.

(ADAM., nom. 22.) That also is to be passed over, etc., as far as he transfers it as a dowry.

VERS. 14.-- And they spoke. (ORIG., hom. 22.) After these things it must be seen, etc., as far as that the natural vigour of inborn virtue may shine forth.

We shall not be able to go up to the mountains. (ADAM., ibid.) The mountain is not enough for us, etc., as far as they make Chanaanites out of Israelites.

VERS. 6.-- I will cast lots for you. (ADAM., hom. 23 in Jos.) In the custom of men, etc., as far as that the earthly should not be given to another, which is a figure of the heavenly

(ID., hom. 23.) Bethlehem also is not without a sure 519Breason set apart to the fountain of Juda, etc., as far as Whence he says to Timothy: Be mindful of the words which I commit to faithful men, and to those who are fit to teach others (II Tim. II). [Vulg. 2Tim 2:2 et quae audisti a me per multos testes, haec commenda fidelibus hominibus, qui idonei erant et alios docere, "the things thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men"]

VERS. 1.-- Of the children of Simeon. (AUG., quaest. 20 in Jos.) And the Amorrhite remained to dwell in Elon, etc., as far as which he would not do.

(ADAM., hom. 24 in Jos.) According to the LXX the Amorrhite remained to dwell in Elon and in Sannanim, etc., as far as And the children of Ephrem went away to travel through the land according to their borders.

VERS. 49.-- And when. (ADAM., hom. 24.) See the meekness and the humility of Jesus, etc., as far as that 519Cthe Lord Jesus may gladly enter into the lodging of our heart.

VERS. 2.-- Separate the cities of the fugitives, etc. (ORIG., hom. 34 in Num.) Not all murderers flee to the cities of refuge, but they who have committed murder unknowingly. For there are some sins which, if we commit them of set purpose and will, make us murderers, and there are others which, if we admit them unknowingly, there is decreed for us, I believe, and prepared by the commandment of God, some place where we ought to dwell for a certain time, if we have committed sins not voluntary, if yet we be found clean from those sins which have been committed with the will. And for this cause certain cities of refuge are set apart.

• 519D

VERS. 1.-- They came near. (ADAM., hom. 25 in Jos.) All the children of Israel received their lots in the land, etc., as far as and he shall sit down with Abraham, with Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

(ADAMANT. hom. 26.) It was said above, etc., as far as he filled the world, and bestowed spiritual gifts upon them that believe.

VERS. 39.-- And so. (ISID.) In that the Levites receive forty-two cities, the preaching of the saints is signified. For they themselves possess the doctrine which consists 520Aof the decalogue of the law and of the fourfold number of the Gospel, as it were having four times ten cities: to which two also are added; because all the things that they preach, they announce in a moral and in a mystical sense.

VERS. 41.-- And the Lord gave. (AUG., quaest. 21.) It is asked, since Israel not only unto the day of the death of Jesus, etc., as far as it had already been given for a certain profit of exercise.

VERS. 42.-- And none of their enemies durst resist them. (ID., quaest. 22.) In that he says, etc., as far as before their own places to be defended were divided to the several tribes.

VERS. 1.-- At the same time. (ADAMAN., hom. 26 in Job.) Jesus gathers together the children of Ruben and Gad, etc., as far as all assault ceasing.

520BVERS. 10.-- And when. (ADAMANT., hom. 26.) The children of Ruben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasse, etc., as far as there is made therefore one flock and one shepherd: they just, and these just Christians.

VERS. 17.-- Many. (ADAM.) The people therefore sometimes fell in the desert and died, etc., as far as and where the true Israel is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VERS. 29.-- An altar being built. (AUG., quaest. 32 in Jos.) And in the sacrifices of our peace offerings. Because the sacrifices are spoken of in the plural, etc., as far as For he himself alone is the Saviour

VERS. 14.-- Behold I shall this day enter in. (AUG., quaest. 520C24.) [Vulg. Jos 23:14 En ego hodie ingredior viam universae terrae, "Behold, this day I go into the way of all the earth" — Migne's future is the reading Augustine's question turns on] But in that Jesus says, etc., as far as therefore here also this word has been so interpreted.

VERS. 3.-- I took therefore your father. (AUG.) In that the LXX have, etc., as far as which is the true seed of Abraham.

VERS. 11.-- They fought. (AUG., quaest. 26 in Jos.) With the gates shut they defended themselves by the circuit of the walls, etc., as far as an armed defence.

VERS. 12.-- Hornets. (AUG., quaest 27.) The LXX: Wasps. That is perhaps, by transference, the sharpest stings of fear, by which fears, being in some sort pricked, they should flee, or the hidden spirits of the air, which is said in the Psalms, by evil angels, unless someone say that not all the things which were done are written, and be willing that true 520Dwasps be understood.

VERS. 19.-- You shall not be able. (AUG., quaest. 28 in Jos.) You shall not be able to serve the Lord, etc., as far as and afterwards grace might more abound through Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law.

VERS. 23.-- Take away. (AUG., quaest. 29 in Jos.) What is it that he says, etc., as far as: face to face we may know him (I Cor. XIII).

(AUG., quaest. 30 in Jos.) And Jesus ordained a testament, etc. [Vulg. Jos 24:25 Percussit ergo Josue in die illo foedus, "Josue therefore made a covenant that day"] They who search these words more deeply, etc., as far as: but all forsook me, which let it not be laid to their charge (II Tim. IV).