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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:6

That this may be a sign unto you. There was for many years a visible memorial of the miracle. When your children ask their fathers in time to come (cf. Exodus 12:26 ; Exodus 13:14 ; Deuteronomy 6:20 ). The passover, the law itself, as well as certain outward and visible memorials, were to be the guarantees to future ages of the truth of the history related in the Books of Hoses and Joshua. The monument has disappeared, but the observance of the passover and the whole law by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:6

The Children's Question "That this may be … stones." The children's question. That life is intended to be a school of instruction to us we see plainly from the many directions given to the people of Israel. For they were under the immediate government of God; He blessed them with special favours, was ready also to reprove their faults, and omitted no method of inculcating the lessons which the events of their lives were calculated to teach. Christians are "led by the Spirit of God;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:6-22

Memorials. The crossing the Jordan dry shod was tile first miracle which marked the entrance of the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. It was God's purpose that this should be held in perpetual remembrance. Hence the erection of the twelve stones in the bed of the river, to remind the twelve tribes of that which the Almighty hand had wrought for them, in fulfilment of the promise made to their fathers. The material monument would, however, be insufficient of itself to preserve this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:7

Memorial stone. Look for a little at this cairn or Druidical circle, or whatever other shape the twelve stones combined produced. Our text reads as if two such enclosures were raised: one by Joshua in the bed of Jordan, laved at least by its waters; and one in Gilgal, the rising ground about midway between Jordan and Jericho. The first erection made by Israel in the promised land was this stone of remembrance. It was not casually or carelessly done. God enjoined it before they crossed, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:2-5

Joshua 4:2-5. Take you out of every tribe a man For the greater evidence, and the more effectual spreading the report of this marvellous work among the tribes. Where ye shall lodge this night That is, in Gilgal, as is expressed, Joshua 4:19-20. Whom he had prepared That is, appointed for that work, and commanded to be ready for it. Pass over before the ark Or, Pass back again directly unto the ark. These twelve men, it seems, re- entered the channel of Jordan, and, being dispensed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:6

Joshua 4:6. That this may be a sign among you A monument or memorial of this day’s work. Had Joshua given orders to prepare for erecting this memorial of himself, it might have looked like a design to perpetuate his own name and honour; but as it was done by the divine direction, it could be viewed in no other light than as a monument raised to the honour and glory of God, who hath “so done his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in everlasting remembrance,” and means devised to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:1-24

Crossing the Jordan River (3:1-5:1)Israel’s conquest of Jericho was more than just a military exercise. It had religious meaning. The Israelites were to cleanse themselves before God, because he was the one who would lead them against their enemies. His presence was symbolized in the ark of the covenant (GNB: covenant box), which the priests carried ahead of the procession in full view of the people (3:1-6).As God had worked through Moses, so he would work through Joshua. Just as the waters of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 4:5

before = in the presence of. God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 4:6

their fathers. These words are read in some codices, with four early printed editions, as in Joshua 4:21 . read more

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