Joshua 4:1-18. Completion of the Passage 1. _when all the people were clean passed over_ Below the spot, where the priests stood firm and motionless, the host, probably at various points, "_hasted and passed over_" (Joshua 4:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
_twelve stones_ We find on several occasions large stones set up to commemorate remarkable events, as (_a_) by Jacob in memory of the vision of the Angels at Beth-el (Genesis 28:18); (_b_) by the same patriarch on his return from Padan-aram (Genesis 35:14); (_c_) by the same patriarch again as a "he... [ Continue Reading ]
_when your children_ Comp. Exodus 12:26; Exodus 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_unto the place_ "On the upper terrace of the plain of the Jordan, which became the centre of the first sanctuary of the Holy Land the first place pronounced -holy," the sacred place of the Jordan valley (Joshua 5:10-15), where the Tabernacle remained till it was fixed at Shiloh" (Joshua 18:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan_ "Alios quoque duodecim lapides," Vulg. Another set of stones is here intended than that just mentioned. The latter were set up by the direct command of God to mark the spot where they passed the night; the former Joshua set up, apparently with... [ Continue Reading ]
_the priests which bare the ark stood_ Their patient attitude, standing still and motionless, was eminently calculated to impart courage to the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_passed over armed before the children of Israel_ Contrary to the usual order (Numbers 32:20), as if to secure that they should fulfil their vow.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the waters of Jordan returned_ Thus the history of the crossing is related in sections: (_a_) first briefly, Joshua 3:14-17; (_b_) then more completely, Joshua 4:1-11; (_c_) some supplementary notices, Joshua 4:12-17; (_d_) finally, the conclusion, concerning the return of the water, till Jordan "f... [ Continue Reading ]
Erection of the Monument at Gilgal 19. _the tenth day of the first month_ Notice the exactness of the narrative. The first month is elsewhere called Abib, i.e. "the month of green ears" (Exodus 13:4; Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1), and subsequently "Nisan" (Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7). _encamped_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_those twelve stones_ which seem to have been invested with a reverence which came to be regarded at last as idolatrous (Hosea 4:15; Hosea 9:15; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
_When your children_ Nothing is more carefully inculcated in the Law than the duty of parents to teach their children not only its precepts and principles, but the meaning of all the great historical events in their national existence. (Comp. Exodus 12:26; Exodus 13:8; Exodus 13:14; Deuteronomy 4:5;... [ Continue Reading ]
_that all the people of the earth might know_ The miracle made the passage possible and easy for the Elect Nation, but it was intended also to have its effect on the nations around, and impart to them a knowledge of the power of Jehovah, the God of Israel. _that ye might fear_ The tribes of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]