Joshua 4

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:9

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan. A great deal of ingenuity has been wasted over this passage. Kennicott would read "from the midst," instead of " in the midst;" but this purely conjectural emendation is contrary to the fact that these stones were to be set up where the priests bearing the ark stood, while the others were to be set up where the Israelites rested for the night. Again: it has been asked why stones should be placed as a memorial in the Jordan itself,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:10

For . Rather, and. This verse does not give a reason for the last. The priests which bare the ark stood. This must have been a majestic sight. While the people "hasted" to cross, either that they might effect the passage during the day, or, more probably, Because they crossed in fear and trembling, partly in spite of, and partly because of, the miraculous interposition on their behalf, the priests bearing the ark of God, the visible symbol of His presence, stood solemnly still at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:12

Armed (see Joshua 1:14 ). Before the children of Israel. Not necessarily "in front of," but "in the sight of," as in Numbers 8:22 . The Israelites were witnesses of the fulfilment of the pledge given them by their brethren. But the usual place of these tribes was not with the vanguard. See last verse, whine the same words are translated "in the presence of." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:13

Prepared for war. εὔζωνοι , LXX . Literally, disencumbered, like the Latin expeditus. Unlike Numbers 31:5 , the Hebrew has the article here. The meaning therefore may be "equipped men of the host," i.e; the light armed and active among them. If we translate thus, it is clear that all their armed men did not go over Jordan. The impedimenta were left behind, under a strong guard (see notes on Joshua 1:14 ). The plains of Jericho. Here the LXX . and Theodotion have τὴν... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:14

On that day the Lord magnified Joshua. This was not, as Calvin remarks, the chief aim of the miracle. But it was, nevertheless, one important result of it. Joshua was the appointed leader of the Israelites, and he was under God's special protection and guidance. But however much God may overrule our human nature to His own purposes, He never abrogates the laws of its working. Confidence in a leader, from a human point of view, is one of the most essential requisites for success in war.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:14

Grace for beginners. In one sense Joshua is not a beginner. For forty years he has been at work for God. As spy, as general, as servant of Moses, during all these years he has wrought in the work, and with the help of God. Yet though eighty-five years of age, this crossing Jordan is his first act of leadership. In the sovereignty of Israel he is a beginner, with a beginner's fears, difficulties, burdens. And here we see a beautiful illustration of the fact—that with a beginner's cares... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:15

And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying. Meyer and others, according to the method of a certain school, regard this as an extract from another document, which is equivalent to saying that the Book of Joshua is a compilation of the most unintelligent kind, a conclusion which is refuted by every line of the Book. A vivid and picturesque narrative, such as we have before us, could hardly have Been brought together by the liberal use of scissors and paste, with utter disregard of the coherence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:15-17

Prophets and priests-the order of precedence. Here a layman commands a priest. It was not a case of royal supremacy exactly, nor did he govern them by virtue of his being the civil head of the community; but because, though layman (he was of the tribe of Ephraim), he was a prophet. "The Lord spake to Joshua," and therefore Joshua could command even the priests of God. We have here not a question of arehaeological interest merely. It is a live question of today. Rome goes in for having an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:16

The testimony. The word עֵדוּת though derived from the same root as עֵד witness, would seem rather to have the sense of precept, from the idea of repetition contained in the root. Compare the well known Hebrew particle עוֹד again. It must refer to the two tables of the law which ( Hebrews 10:4 ) were placed in the ark (see Deuteronomy 10:5 , and comp. Exodus 25:16 , Exodus 25:21 , Exodus 25:40 , Numbers 17:10 , where this is said to be the testimony). Other things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:18

When the priests ... were come up. There is a difference of reading here. The Masorites read as our version. The Hebrew text implies that the waters began to flow from the very moment that the priests' feet left the channel of the Jordan. Were lifted up. The original is more vivid, and marks the authentic sources from which this history is derived. Were plucked up, i.e; out of the soft adhesive mud in the channel of the river. The construction of the original is a constructio praegnans.... read more

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