CHAPTER IV _When the people are passed over, Joshua commands twelve men, one_ _taken out of each tribe, to take up a stone on his shoulder out_ _of the midst of the river, and carry it to the other side, to_ _be set up as a memorial of this miraculous passage_, 1-7. _They do so, and set up the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:2. _TAKE YOU TWELVE MEN_] From Joshua 3:12, it appears that the twelve men had been _before_ appointed, one taken out of each of the twelve tribes; and now they are employed for that purpose for which they had been _before_ selected.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:3. _WHERE YE SHALL LODGE THIS NIGHT._] This was in the place that was afterwards called _Gilgal_. See Joshua 4:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:4. _TWELVE MEN, WHOM HE HAD PREPARED_] This must refer to their appointment, Joshua 3:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:6. _THIS MAY BE A SIGN_] Stand as a continual memorial of this miraculous passage, and consequently a proof of their lasting obligation to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:9. _AND JOSHUA SET UP TWELVE STONES IN THE MIDST OF JORDAN_] It seems from this chapter that there were two sets of stones erected as a memorial of this great event; twelve at Gilgal, Joshua 4:20 and twelve in the bed of Jordan, Joshua 4:9. The twelve stones in the bed of Jordan migh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:10. _AND THE PEOPLE HASTED AND PASSED OVER._] How very natural is this circumstance! The people seeing the waters divided, and Jordan running back, might be apprehensive that it would soon resume its wonted course; and this would naturally lead them to _hasten_ to get over, with as mu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:12. _THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN, AND - GAD_] Concerning the numbers of these tribes that stayed behind to take care of the women, children, and cattle, and which amounted to 70,580 men, Numbers 32:17. _PASSED OVER ARMED_] Joshua 1:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:14. _THE LORD MAGNIFIED JOSHUA_] Joshua 3:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:18. _THE WATERS OF JORDAN RETURNED UNTO THEIR PLACE_] It is particularly remarked by the sacred historian, that as soon as the soles of the priests' feet touched the water, the stream of the Jordan was cut off, Joshua 3:15, and the course of the river continued to be inverted all the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:19. _ON THE TENTH_ DAY _OF THE FIRST MONTH_] As the Israelites left Egypt on the _fifteenth_ day of the first month, A.M. 2513, (see Exodus 14:1), and they entered into Canaan the tenth of the first month, A.M. 2553, it is evident that _forty_ years, wanting _five_ days, had elapsed f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:20. _THOSE TWELVE STONES_] It is very likely that a base of mason-work was erected of some considerable height, and then the twelve stones placed on the top of it; and that this was the case both in Jordan and in Gilgal: for twelve such stones as a man could carry a considerable way o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:22. _THEN YE SHALL LET YOUR CHILDREN KNOW_] The necessity of an early religious education is inculcated through the whole oracles of God. The parents who neglect it have an awful account to give to the Judge of quick and dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 4:24. _THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH MIGHT KNOW_] It is very likely that כל עמי הארץ _col ammey haarets_ means simply, _all_ _the people of this land _- all the Canaanitish nations, to whom, by the miracles wrought in behalf of his people, he intended to show his eternal power and Go... [ Continue Reading ]