First-born, Genesis xlix. 4. (Worthington) --- He gives this reason for not beginning with him. (Calmet) --- And he. Protestants, "and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth-right." (Haydock)

Accounted to Joseph, viz., as to the double portion, which belonged to the first-born: but the princely dignity was given to Juda, and the priesthood to Levi. (Challoner) --- Yet it is not certain that the latter dignity formed a part of the birth-right, (Genesis xxv. 31.) and the author takes no notice of it. (Calmet) --- The double portion seems to have been all the privilege, Deuteronomy xxi. 17. Septuagint, "the blessing or gift was Joseph's." Hebrew also does not specify princes, but "the leader," (Haydock) the Messias, (Syriac, &c.) and kings, from David till the captivity. (Calmet) (Genesis xlix. 4.) (Worthington)

Joel. It does not appear whether he was the son of the last, or of Henoch.

Beera, This tribe continued to have princes of their own, after the division of the kingdom. Beera was in power when Thelgathphalnasar, or Theglathphalasar, took five tribes into captivity, 4 Kings xv. 29. Only twelve generations are mentioned to fill up about 750 years, from the leaving of Egypt. (Calmet) --- But Enoch must have lived much sooner, as the Israelites continued in that country at least 215 years. The princes are probably not all specified, as on other occasions. (Haydock)

Families, when they were led captive into Assyria; (Menochius) or before, when the tribe was in a most flourishing condition. --- Princes. Hebrew and Septuagint, "prince." --- Jehiel. Septuagint, "Joel," ver. 4.

And. So Hebrew, &c., as f he was one of the princes. But the Vulgate seems to begin a new sentence, Porro, "now Bala." The possessions of this man must have been very extensive, from the Euphrates till (Haydock) Baal-meon, within nine miles of Hesebon, (Eusebius) almost (Calmet) as far as the Jordan. (Tirinus) --- Bala, or his descendants, extended their conquests as far as the Euphrates, which had been promised to Israel; and, under Saul, conquered the Agarites, who sprung from Agar. Syriac, &c., "the Arabs of Sacca," or the Scenites, "dwelling under tents," and inhabiting the Desert Arabia. The details of this war are probably given, ver. 19., &c. (Calmet)

Cattle, for which reason they desired to have this country, Numbers xxxii. 4. (Menochius)

Selcha, not far from Jabok, Deuteronomy iii. 10. (Calmet)

Chief, (in capite.) Septuagint, "first-born." (Haydock) --- This list was made under Joathan, king of Juda, when Joel was at the head of the tribe of Gad. (Calmet) --- Basan, the capital city, ver. 16. (Sa) (Menochius)

And, &c. Hebrew also, "Achi, son of Abdiel." --- Chief, like the preceding, each in their respective families. (Calmet) --- They were relations (Haydock) of the same tribe. (Menochius)

Saron, in Basan; (Josue xii. 18.) different from those vallies near Joppe, (Calmet) and between Thabor and Tiberias. (Eusebius)

Israel. Jeroboam II had been dead two years before Joathan was born: unless some of the numbers be incorrect; which seem very probable, 4 Kings xv. 5. Yet these registers might be made at different times, and one, perhaps, under Jeroboam I, as when any war seemed to threaten, the number of soldiers was to be known. (Calmet) --- It does not appear why the king of Juda is mentioned, as the people were not under his dominion, unless (Haydock) he was contemporary with Jeroboam II, as some assert. (Menochius) --- Yet the following expedition seems to have taken place while Israel was still faithful to God. (Haydock) By faith they overcame kingdoms, Hebrews xi. (Worthington)

But, &c. Hebrew, "and Jetur, &c., (20) and they were helped by God against them." (Haydock) --- Septuagint, "they prevailed over them, and the Agarites," &c. The ancient, or higher Iturea, lay between Hermon and Manasses; but the lower, which Josephus includes under this name, took in the deserted possessions of that half tribe. (Calmet) --- The former (Haydock) extended from Jordan by Libanus, to the mountains of Tyre. (Menochius) --- And Naphis, sons of Ismael, Genesis xxv. 13. (Haydock)

Lord. Very dreadful, and in obedience to God's orders. --- Captivity, ver. 6. (Calmet)

Basan, which belonged to Gad. (Haydock) --- In Josue (xvii. 5.) Basan and Galaad seem to be given to Manasses; but the former there denotes all the level country, from the Jabok to the Jordan, as Galaad is put for the mountains on the East. (Calmet) --- Great. It would take thirty hours to travel from the torrent Jabok to Baal Hermon. (Adrichomius) (Menochius)

Assur. These princes were scourges in the hand of God, to punish the guilty. (Haydock) --- The former forced Israel to pay tribute; the latter carried many into captivity, 4 Kings xv. 19, 29., and xvi. 7. (Calmet) --- Lahela, or Hala and Haber, cities watered by the river Gozan. --- Ara; perhaps Rages, Tobias i. 16, &c. (Du Hamel)