THE PASSAGE OF JORDAN This is the initial miracle of Joshua's leadership. Its moral effect upon the Israelite host is suggested in Joshua 3:7 and Joshua 4:14 that wrought upon the Canaanites in Joshua 5:1 (which properly belongs to this section of the book).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD YOUR God] see Exodus 25:10 and Exodus 37:1. It was the authoritative symbol of the Divine Presence (cp. Exodus 23:20.), and as such led the van in the desert marches (Numbers 10:33). THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES] cp. Deuteronomy 18:1. Not that all the Levites were orig... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO THOUSAND CUBITS] 3,000 ft.; the ancient Hebrew cubit = 18 in.... [ Continue Reading ]
JORDAN OVERFLOWETH ALL HIS BANKS] The rank jungle, which fills the bed (150 ft. deep) that Jordan has hollowed out at the bottom of the rift, down which it flows, marks the extent of the April floods. The space is from 200 yards to 1 m. broad, and is what Jeremiah calls (Jeremiah 12:5; Jeremiah 49:1... [ Continue Reading ]
We should probably render 'a great way off, at the city Adam, which is beside Zaretan.' The incident of the stoppage of Jordan's waters is not without parallel in history, if we may trust the Arabic historian Nowairi (see Sayce, 'Early Hist of Hebr.,' p. 249). According to his account the water was... [ Continue Reading ]